Metal News for November 13, 2007
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM ET
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Hot Topics
- Enthroned To Release New Album In December
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- Agnostic Front Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
- Potato Premiere New Single & Music Video "YUGE PP"
- Omnium Gatherum Drops "Walking Ghost Phase" Video
- Tailgunner Signs With Napalm Records
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57 news articles posted on this day.
Shadows Fall Post Video Teaser Online
A 26-second teaser for the new SHADOWS FALL video, "Another Hero Lost", can be viewed here. The clip will make its online debut on Thursday, November 15 on Headbanger's Blog. The small-screen premiere will take place on Saturday, November 17 on MTV2's "Heabanger's Ball".
SHADOWS FALL's overview of its years as a Century Media recording act (before signing with Atlantic for the U.S. and Roadrunner for Europe), "Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits", sold 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Clocking in at over 60 minutes, the album contains 15 landmark tracks, including "Destroyer of Senses", "What Drives the Weak", and the Guitar Hero II track "The Light that Blinds" plus all-new mixes of "Crushing Belial", "Of One Blood" and "Fleshold" by Zeuss (HATEBREED, UNEARTH, THROWDOWN etc.). Featuring artwork and liner notes by Tom Bejgrowicz, "Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits" is a fascinating introduction to SHADOWS FALL as well the best way to get all their hits on one disc.
A SHADOWS FALL B-side from the "Threads of Life" sessions called "Stupid Crazy" is included on the "Resident Evil: Extinction" soundtrack, which was released on September 18 via Lakeshore Records. The film itself hit theaters on September 21. More...
To-Mera Reveal 'Delusions' Artwork
The cover artwork for TO-MERA's sophomore album, entitled "Delusions", has been posted online at this location (art created by Eliran Kantor).
TO-MERA is the U.K.-based dark progressive metal band formed by former WITHOUT FACE vocalist Julie Kiss (photo) and bassist Lee Barrett (ex-EXTREME NOISE TERROR, DISGUST, MUSSOLINI HEADKICK).
"Delusions" is scheduled for release on February 18, 2008. A song from the album, entitled "The Lie", has been posted on the group's MySpace page.
Krokus Drummer Relocates To Switzerland
Drummer Stefan Schwarzmann (KROKUS, ACCEPT, ex-HELLOWEEN) has moved from his native Germany to Switzerland in order to be more closely involved in KROKUS' current songwriting/recording activities.
Last month Stefan traveled to Hannover and took part in studio recordings by two different projects: MOON'DOC (also featuring Herman Frank of ACCEPT/VICTORY fame) and Rene Thomson's RUTHLESS, which is set to feature lots of guest musicians.
KROKUS' latest album, "Hellraiser", which was recorded with producer Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69), entered the Swiss album chart at position No. 2.
Unearth Announce South American Dates
Massachusetts metal heavyweights UNEARTH have announced the following South American tour dates:
Feb. 22 - Santiago, Chile - Galpon Victor Jara
Feb. 24 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Hangar 110
Nemhain Seek New Guitarist
NEMHAIN drummer Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED, CRADLE OF FILTH) has issued the following announcement:
"Stevie Lee has decided to leave Nemhain, so we are looking for a suitable replacement.
We are looking for someone serious that can rehearse at least one or two times a week in London, UK. Someone who has their own pro equipment and is dedicated - must be able to do leads and rhythm guitar.
We have a lot of good things ahead of us next year. US showcase gigs in January with labels attending. Album recording in March at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden, with touring to follow.
So if you think that you have the chops for the gig please get in touch with us: band@nemhain.com"
Abriosis Post New Song Online
Vancouver's Abriosis have posted a new song called "They Came Like Wolves" on their MySpace. The track will be available on their forthcoming EP. Check it out at www.myspace.com/abriosis.
New Swallow The Sun Video Posted On YouTube
Finland's Swallow the Sun has posted a new video on YouTube for "Doomed to Walk the Earth," the last track off their latest effort, "Hope."
Swallow the Sun are currently on tour in Europe with Amorphis and Insomnium. Upcoming dates are as follows:
Nov. 14 Essen, Germany - Zeche Carl
Nov. 15 Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
Nov. 16 Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei
Nov. 17 Lindau, Germany - Club Vaudeville
Nov. 18 Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
Nov. 20 Saarbrücken, Germany - Roxy
Nov. 21 Munich, Germany - Metropolis
Nov. 22 Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
Nov. 23 Utrecht, Netherlands - Helling
Nov. 24 Dordrecht, Netherlands - Bibelot
Nov. 25 Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
Nov. 27 Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
Nov. 28 Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
Nov. 29 Stockholm, Sweden - Klubben
Dec. 01 Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi More...
Hellhammer To Release "Demon Entrails"
From the forthcoming book "Only Death is Real - An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost", by Tom Gabriel Fischer:
Hellhammer was much maligned, both during its existence and for years afterwards. It was maligned not only by much of the press and most of the metal audience, but also by me and several other former band members. It was, for a long time, difficult for most of us to come to terms with Hellhammer's often chaotic and radically varied legacy. Moreover, it was frequently very challenging to come to terms with how others interpreted Hellhammer and how they referred to and expanded upon what we had once created.
It took years for the accumulated unease to subside. It took years to disassociate ourselves from the perceived stigma, and to be able to properly evaluate Hellhammer within our own, very personal context. What many others knew long before me took quite a while for me to identify: that it was perfectly fair and overdue that we looked at Hellhammer realistically and in a manner sufficiently dignified to do justice to the work of a number of very unique people who shared the same vision at a very unique point in time.
There exist countless Hellhammer demo bootlegs, but they all utterly fail to capture the true aura, to represent the band as it actually was. They have been compiled from dismal multi-generation copies of the original tapes, and they are invariably riddled with factual and historical errors or outright lies. Former Hellhammer members Tom Gabriel Fischer, Martin Eric Ain, and Steve Warrior have decided to rectify this situation once and for all. "Demon Entrails" is the first official release of the legendary Hellhammer demos "Death Fiend"/"Triumph of Death" and "Satanic Rites" since the original limited cassette editions in 1983.
This release has been specially re-mastered from copies of the original master tapes under the supervision of Tom Gabriel Fischer, and the demos now represent Hellhammer exactly as the band sounded when recording these songs in June and December of 1983. Drawing from a wealth of previously unknown historical material and artwork as well as hundreds of unreleased Hellhammer photos from 1982 to 1984, "Demon Entrails" will also feature all lyrics and essays detailing the individual demo recording sessions.
"Demon Entrails" will be released as an opulent oversized double CD and as a gatefold triple vinyl album. Both versions will feature a lavish booklet and a poster. There will also be a third, bare-bones low-price CD version, designed to cater to markets which will not carry the standard CD due to its irregular size.
The release is scheduled for February 2008, through Prowling Death Records/Century Media.
Insomnium Guitarist Checks In With Tour Update
Insomnium guitarist Ville Friman has posted the following tour update on the band's travel blog:
"Hi, we're back :)
"We just packed our van and left snowy Joensuu behind us: Germany here we come. We are just cruising to Mikkeli through beautiful wintry scenery to pick Niilo [Sevänen, vocals] with us before heading to Helsinki harbour. Plan is to take ferry to Rostock and hopefully our comrads from the Swallow the Sun will join us for this nice boat trip. We'll arrive to Rostock in the monday evening so we have lots of time to disco, sauna and other stuff. Maybe have nightcap or two. You never know, we might even get drunk. Well, we let the pictures tell you all when we update this blog next time. Anyway, it's nice to see these jolly fellows again as we really had good time in USA. This time we’ll be moving with our van and StS will share bus with Amorphis. Good thing is that we have our own equipments, sound engineer and even light technician with us. So you might even call this progress in some sense. We’ll post short presentations about these guys later when we get proper photo material, heh heh…But more talk about nothing will follow during next three weeks. Hope you enjoy our ride as much we do ;)
"Ville Friman/INSOMNIUM"
A few pictures have been posted on the blog. Check them out at this location.
Potentially Satanic Ozzy Memorabilia For Sale
People who find themselves watching reruns of The Osbournes and wondering where they could possibly get their own skull and crossbones cufflinks or backstage pass to Ozzfest 2002 may be in luck.
Julien's Auctions, who specialize in high-profile celebrity auctions will be selling off more than 500 items from the Ozzy Osbourne and family's personal collection, many of which were prominently displayed on episodes of The Osbournes. The auction, which is scheduled to take place on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, features a wide range of products from rings to cars and everything Ozzy in-between.
Some items will likely have no problem finding buyers. The Dark One's bat cloak, his velvet bath robe and trademark wire-frame glasses are all available, as are the family's Teen Choice Award and 2006 Bentley Continental. While items from Ozzy's wardrobe come too late for Halloween, they are certainly coveted items amongst those who still request "Crazy Train" at weddings.
On the other hand, some items, while sure to sell, may go to buyers who wish to remain anonymous, such as a pair of Ozzy's used leather pants and a signed and inscribed 8x10 photo of David Hasselhoff circa Baywatch.
Also available for auction is Ozzy's Yamaha "Banshee" ATV, the very one he crashed in 2003 leading him to sporting a neck brace, which unfortunately isn't up for grabs. Bidding starts at $2,000 for the neck-smashing quad.
Many of the items may be of little interest to Ozzy fans at all and may instead end up in the hands of gothic furniture collectors, such as carved changing screens, lamps and a log bin.
Fans of other celebrities may want to take note as well. The auction features gold records from Pantera, Ugly Kid Joe, System Of A Down, Static X and more.
The auction seems to be the real deal and not a police sting similar to one used by Fargo, North Dakota police earlier this month in which people with outstanding warrants were invited to meet the singer, only to be led away in handcuffs upon arrival.
Demiricous Forced To Cut Tour Short
Indianapolis, Indiana-based thrashers DEMIRICOUS have parteed ways with Middle Coast Management and have subsequently been forced to leave their tour with DYING FETUS and SKELETONWITCH. "We are not happy to leave this tour, but have to clean house and get our career and finances back under our control," stated guitarist Scott Wilson. He continued, "We thank DYING FETUS and SKELETONWITCH for letting us tour with them and can't wait to get back on the road to see all our crazy fans as soon as we get things straight."
DEMIRICOUS is currently seeking new management and can be contacted through its MySpace page.
DEMIRICOUS' new album, "Two (Poverty)", hit stores October 16 and has received rave reviews. According to a press release, the CD is "pure American metal with a hardcore punk attitude and a massive amount of thrash riffs. Nothing could label DEMIRICOUS' music better than the genre they invented themselves: street metal!"
The CD was produced by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL) at the Mana Recording Studios in Florida.
Phil Anselmo Talks Boxing
Since he was young, former PANTERA and current DOWN frontman Phil Anselmo has been obsessed with boxing. A microcosm of the battles between mankind over the ages, a reflection of the principles of social Darwinism and a display of agility, stamina and strength, boxing is considered by some — including Anselmo — to be the ultimate sport.
As a warrior, a motivator and a victor, Anselmo can relate to many of the boxing greats. With PANTERA, SUPERJOINT RITUAL and DOWN, he has dealt with an abundance of adversity, surprises and ultimately, triumphs. These, he compares to the challenges a boxer faces in the ring. In the clip below, Anselmo discusses the similarities he sees between rocking with DOWN and swinging like current WBA Heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (clip courtesy of Headbanger's Blog; note: the video stream is NOT available to non-U.S. residents). More...
Sonic Syndicate To Support Nightwish
Sweden's SONIC SYNDICATE has been confirmed as the support act for NIGHTWISH on their spring 2008 North American tour. Confirmed dates are as follows:
May 05 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 06 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
May 07 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ Chance Theater
May 09 - Quebec City, QUE @ Centre De Foire
May 11 - London, ONT @ Cowboy's
May 14 - Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Centre
May 15 - Regina, SK @ The Drink
May 16 - Edmonton, AL @ Starlite Room
May 17 - Calgary, AL @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
May 19 - Victoria, BC @ Sugar
May 20 - Vancouver, BC @ Croatian Cultural Centre
May 22 - Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
May 23 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
May 24 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
May 26 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater
May 27 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada
May 28 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's
May 30 - Louisville, KY @ Headliner's Music Hall
May 31 - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
Tickets are available exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until November 26, 2007 at which point they will go on sale through all normal ticketing systems.
Faith Factor To Record Debut Album
New Jersey based holy metallers FAITH FACTOR, fronted by former DEADLY BLESSING vocalist Ski, have issued the following update:
"We're heading into the recording studio in January '08 to start recording our debut full length album called Against A Darkened Sky, while still shopping for a label.
It will consist of 10 brand new songs of US power metal, with Christian lyrics.
We have just signed on with Charis Core management, and are preparing for our debut German show in November 15th at Keep It True.
We would love to add a symphonic keyboard player, if we could find one anyone interested come to faithfactor.info or skdg777@yahoo.com ."
Hatesphere Announce New SInger And More
Danish thrashers HATESPHERE have issued the following update:
"New singer...
After having received close to one hundred submissions from around the globe, it's with great pleasure that we are finally able to unveil the new front man. 19 year-old Jonathan "Joller" Albrechtsen. This guy, a Copenhagen native, showed up and performed a stunning display of brutal power and basically screamed the shit out of all the other applicants. Needless to say, we are more than excited and can't wait to get back out there.
New video...
The track 'Floating' from our latest album Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes has made its way to the big screen and will premier this weekend at the Danish Metal Awards show. Director, Casper Balslev along with photographer Steen Linde and producer Theis Mortensen, managed to come up with some very unique visuals portraying a group of people, banging their heads into oblivion.
Live chat...
In cooperation with Danish website, Nation X, we will participate in a live chat on December 3rd, where we will answer questions and talk to fans. To take part in the chat simply go to www.nationx.dk click the "HateSphere chat" sign. You don't need to be a member to join the fun! So see you there!
Remaining tour dates for 2007...
November
16 - Forbrændingen - Albertslund, Denmark
17 - Amager Bio - Copenhagen, Denmark (Danish Metal Awards)
December
7 - Markthalle - Hamburg, Germany (Fuck Christmas Festival)
22 - Rakvere Sports Hall - Tallinn, Estonia (Green Christmas Festival)
We'd like to end this message with a big THANK YOU to all our fans for your endless support during these last couple of hectic months. We're back!
Pepe, Mixen, Joller, Dennis and Jakob."
Every Time I Die Headlining Take Action! Tour
Southern California based independent record label Hopeless Records/Sub City Records will once again organize the annual Take Action! Tour, which focuses on raising funds and awareness for non-profit organizations.
The 7th incarnation of the tour will kick off in February, 2008 featuring Every Time I Die and Escape The Fate heading up what is sure to be the most intense Take Action Tour line-up in recent years.
In 1999 Hopeless Records founded Sub City with the mission to make a positive impact that goes beyond music. With over 30 charity releases and counting to go along with the annual Take Action Tour, Hopeless/Sub City Records has recently passed over one million dollars donated to charity.
Take Action was founded by Hopeless and Sub City Records with the mission to create a better world, one voice and one action at a time. Take Action strives to educate people about the positive difference that can be made by each of us in our community through activism and charitable work. To date over $450,000 has been raised through the efforts of Take Action.
Previous Take Action Tour artists include: Avenged Sevenfold, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Chiodos, Silverstein, Poison The Well, Sugarcult, Matchbook Romance, The Early November and many more.
Dillinger Escape Plan To Appear On XM And Sirius
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN sees the North American release of its long-awaited Ire Works album today; Tuesday November 13.
Members of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will be guest DJ hosts at an Ire Works record release party being held tonight at Club Europa (98 Meserole Ave) in Brooklyn, NY. In between DEP playing cuts off of Ire Works, there will be live performances from label-mates CAR BOMB and DYSRHYTHMIA as well as GIANT. For more information on this show, please visit: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&pl=&eventId=218952
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN has also scheduled appearances on XM and SIRIUS radio this week to discuss Ire Works. DEP vocalist Greg Puciato will be on XM Radio live today at 3:30 pm EST as part of XM Channel 42 Liquid Metal’s “Hostile Takeover” program with host Katie Brutal. Then later this week, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN guitarist Benjamin Weinman will join SIRIUS host Jose Mangin on Hard Attack Channel 27 for a candid edition of “Hard Files” on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 pm EST (re-broadcasting Friday @ Noon EST, Saturday @ 3:00 pm EST and Sunday @ 6:00 pm EST).
A new media player has been unveiled for previewing Ire Works here as well as posted a free download for Ire Works track “Milk Lizard” at Rhapsody.com. The band’s recent appearance on Woozyfly.com is also online now as well as Weinman’s guest blog on HeadbangersBlog.com.
The math metallers will begin touring in support of Ire Works starting December 1st along with A LIFE ONCE LOST and GENGHIS TRON. This North American tour will make up for the band’s previously announced headlining tour that the band was forced to postpone due to an injury in the band. A complete listing of these Lambgoat.com and Suicidegirls.com sponsored tour dates can be found in the tour section with more DEP world tour dates to be announced soon.
Serj Tankian To Guest On Bruce Dickinson's Show
SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson's guests on Friday, December 7 during Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio show, aptly named "The Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show". Listen to the program live via the Internet between 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. U.K. time at BBC.co.uk.
Serj Tankian's solo debut, "Elect the Dead", sold 66,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD is the first new release from a member of SYSTEM OF A DOWN since the band went on hiatus in the fall of 2006.
Although Tankian played most of the instruments on the record himself, SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan contributed to a few songs.
Dolmayan is also in a new band called SCARS ON BROADWAY with SYSTEM guitarist Daron Malakian.
Tankian and his backing band, the FCC, are currently touring the UK as the support act for FOO FIGHTERS.
Rush's Available Light Covered In Jazz Project
"Available Light" from Rush's 1989 album Presto, is one of four tracks which have been recorded for an all new full orchestral jazz covers project to be released mid-to-late 2008. The as of yet unnamed band began as a recording project founded by composers Ryan Fraley & Ralph Johnson with vocalist Lydia McAdams. Besides Rush, the band is covering Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin and more; there are samples of the four completed tracks (including "Available Light") currently available on their website with eight more tracks in the works. Judging from the samples, this covers album will be very unique, with classic prog songs lovingly rearranged for a full jazz orchestra with beautiful vocal accompanyment. Visit progjazz.com for more information, including a mailing list to be automatically notified once the CD is released.
Jimmy Page: Doing Just One Show Would Be Selfish
Led Zeppelin may embark on a full scale tour after their reunion gig, according to guitarist Jimmy Page.
The band, who are gearing up for their one-off show at the O2 arena in honour of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, are considering doing a string of dates as Page thinks it would be selfish of the band to put all their energy into just one gig.
"It's a bit silly not to because there is such massive demand," said Jimmy, who is resting up his injured finger, to Guitar World magazine.
"It's a bit selfish to do just one show. If that's it, we probably shouldn't have taken the genie out of the bottle."
The band's rescheduled gig at the O2 Arena will take place on December 10.
In Flames Post Tenth Video Diary
Swedish melodic masters In Flames have posted the tenth installment in their video diary series, detailing even more adventures and workdays from their own studio. The video can be viewed below, or on the band's myspace page, where the previous nine episodes can be found.
Grind Inc. Reveal New Album Track Listing
German death metallers GRIND INC. have announced the tentative track listing for their third album, "Sudden State of Hate", tentatively due in early 2008 via Twilight Vertrieb. The follow-up to 2006's "Inhale the Violence" was recorded at Ezy Soundz Studio in Krefeld with producer Carsten "Cazy" Schmidt and features artwork by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.com.
"Sudden State of Hate" track listing (in no particular order):
01. Human Time Bomb
02. Certifiably Insane
03. Hole in the Ground
04. Pact with Agony
05. To Descendants
06. Lack of Credibility
07. Collateral Body Count
08. Killustrating Your Demise
09. Petrified Parasites
10. Voice of Premonition
11. Sudden State of Hate More...
Mutiny Announce More Live Dates
Mutiny have announced two more live appearances, and are expected to unveil more tri-state area shows in the near future. The New Jersey metal sextet's live schedule is now the following:
Monday, November 19th - Highline Ballroom, NYC w/ Paradise Lost
Sunday, December 2nd - The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ - Headlining Show
Sunday, February 3rd - Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ w/ Sonata Arctica
You can support Mutiny by purchasing tickets directly from them via their myspace page.
Captain Cleanoff Post New Song Online
Australia’s CAPTAIN CLEANOFF have posted a new song online over at their official MySpace page for your listening pleasure.
Obituary Post Tour E-Card Online
An e-card has been launched to promote OBITUARY's upcoming European tour, featuring streaming audio from the recent studio release Executioner's Return.
Check it out at this location.
As previously reported, Obituary have been confirmed for the 2008 edition of Germany's Party.San Open Air festival which is scheduled for August 7th - 9th in Bad Berka.
Acts confirmed for next year's event include: Obituary, LIVIDITY, ENDSTILLE, DEADBORN, DEFLORATION, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, SKYFORGER, KAMPFAR, INSISION.
Excalion Schedule Finnish Dates For Early 2008
Finnish melodic metallers EXCALION check in with the following very brief update from drummer Henri Pirkkalainen:
"Some various Excalion shows scheduled in Finland for early 2008. More gigs following soon."
Upcoming Excalion live dates currently include:
November
21 - Palokka, Finland at Palokan Koulukeskus
February
15 - Jyväskylä, Finland at Pub Katse, K-18
March
7 - Seinäjoki, Finland at Pub Härmän Häjy
28 - Hankasalmi, Finland at Venue TBA
April
11 - Äänekoski, Finland at Pub Markus
Wolf Update Tour Schedule
Sweden's WOLF have updated their live schedule to include the following dates:
November
23 - Uppsala, Sweden at Thrashfest (Headline)
December
27 - Motala, Sweden at Bryggeriet Rock 'N Roll Bar
January
25 - Gothenburg, Sweden at Belsepub
As previously reported, Wolf now have a US-based MySpace fan site up and running. Check it out at this location.
Video For Nightwish's Bye Bye Beautiful Now Online
The second video from Finland's Nightwish has been posted online, and can be viewed here. The symphonic metallers are currently finishing off a US tour, then roaming Europe and Asia for six months.
In Flames And Bodom In Talks For Gigantour 2008
IN FLAMES and CHILDREN OF BODOM are in talks to play next year's Gigantour in North America, the tour's organizer, Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH, revealed during an appearance on the "Talking Metal on Fuse" show on Fuse TV this past Friday (November 9). Another act that may be taking part in the trek is the Arizona-based extreme metal group JOB FOR A COWBOY.
IN FLAMES is currently at its own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden working on the follow-up to last year's "Come Clarity". All drums have been recorded and IN FLAMES is receiving assistance with the vocals from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To Remain", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" and "Come Clarity".
A new IN FLAMES track, entitled "Abnegation", is featured on the "Viva La Bands, Vol. 2" album, which was released on September 4 via Ferret Music and Filthy Note Records.
CHILDREN OF BODOM recently entered Petrax Studio in Hollola, Finland with producer Mikko Karmila to begin recording its new album for an April 7, 2008 European release via Spinefarm Records. The CD, which will feature a guest appearance by Peter Tägtgren of HYPOCRISY and PAIN fame, will be preceded by a single on March 3, 2008. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Pray for the Devil", "Good Morning Roadkill" and "Tie My Rope".
Marduk Plan North American Tour
Sweden’s MARDUK have posted the following update:
“The preliminary tour dates for Eastern and Cental Europe have now been confirmed. Still waiting for info regarding some of the venues. We are receiving a lot of questions about if/when MARDUK will be touring North America. Well, a tour is being planned. Despite all the previous visa problems, it now seems that problem is coming to an end and will be solved within the nearest future. MARDUK will for sure be on North American shores before they start to work on their 11th Circle Of Death.”
Interview
Animosity Vocalist Leo Miller Interviewed
Animosity is a deathcore band from San Francisco, California. Their debut album, "Shut it Down" was released on Tribunal Records in 2003. In 2005, they released their second album, "Empires" on Black Market Activities and toured the United States with Origin and Malevolent Creation. "Animal" was released October 2007, and produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge. I had the chance to sit down with Leo Miller, before their show at The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, and here's how it went: More...
Machine Head Covers Tenacious D
Fan-filmed video footage of MACHINE HEAD performing the TENACIOUS D song "Fuck Her Gently" on Halloween (October 31) in front of 4,000 people at the Festival Hall in Mebourne, Australia can be viewed below. MH frontman Robb Flynn was dressed up as "Rufus" at the gig, which was part of the Australian The Black Crusade tour, also featuring TRIVIUM and ARCH ENEMY. More...
Arson Anthem Debut CD Expected In February
ARSON ANTHEM — the new band featuring Philip Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA), Mike Williams (EYEHATEGOD), and Hank Williams III (SUPERJOINT RITUAL) — is tentatively scheduled to release its debut CD in February 2008. More information will be made available soon.
Fan-filmed video footage of ARSON ANTHEM's September 13, 2006 concert at the Howling Wolf in New Orleans, Lousiana can be viewed below. The unannounced appearance took place during Hank Williams III's solo headlining concert at the venue.
ARSON ANTHEM lineup:
Mike D. Williams (EYEHATEGOD, OUTLAW ORDER) – Vocals
Philip H. Anselmo (DOWN, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) – Guitar
Hank Williams III (SUPERJOINT RITUAL) – Drums
Collin Yeo - Bass More...
Kingdom Of Sorrow Sign To Relapse Records
Relapse Records has announce the signing of Jamey Jasta and Kirk Windstein's KINGDOM OF SORROW.
Jasta (HATEBREED, ICEPICK) and Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR) came together some three years ago to create KINGDOM OF SORROW, and in that time put together an album's worth of crushing American metal. Relapse will give the band's long-awaited debut album its proper worldwide release this coming February.
Commented Jasta: "I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about KINGDOM OF SORROW! There's been two and a half years of questions, rumors and speculation surrounding this and now we can finally move forward! We've signed a worldwide deal with Relapse Records!!! It's an honor. Kirk and I could not be happier, I've always been a big fan of the label."
Jasta continued: "I can't wait for the world to hear this record. It crushes!! I pushed myself to become a better vocalist and wrote and expressed myself lyrically in a totally different way than I have before. Kirk has never sounded better! His tone is like a 747 filled with tar crashing into a lead mountain. We should press this CD on plutonium because it really is that HEAVY. It was so much fun working on this record. There was no other motive than to have fun and make a unique and different record for the both of us while keeping it heavy, mean and rockin! I think everyone is going to be really surprised!"
Windstein added: "We’re just so happy to have this come out…finally! We had a great time putting it together and we’re just so proud of it. Its super heavy, man, it just crushes! Everyone I play it for, their jaws drop. And after three years, it feels good to know now everyone can hear it."
U.D.O. Will Not Play In Belarus
U.D.O. — the German band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider — has issued the following update:
"For the beginning of December, there were 2 or 3 shows in Belarus announced and there are seemingly tickets on sale. We want to inform the fans that U.D.O. has NEVER confirmed these shows and as a result will NOT play there. The local promoter in Belarus has asked for the dates and they were reserved by the management but he has neither closed a deal nor payed the necessary advance payment. He was not allowed to sell tickets in pre-sale as long as we didn't confirm the shows.
"DON'T BUY any tickets, please!!! If you already bought tickets then refund them immediately and reclaim your money."
According to a posting on U.D.O.'s web site, fans who attend the German group's concerts will now have achance to purchase a recording of each show immediately following the completion of the gig on a 1 GB USB stick with a U.D.O. logo printed on it.
U.D.O. will release its "best-of" album, "Metallized - 20 Years of Metal", on November 30 via AFM Records. The CD booklet will be filled with photos from the last 20 years and and will include liner notes written by Metal Hammer journalist Andreas Schöwe. The first 12 songs on the collection were chosen by fans via the official U.D.O. web site, while tracks 13 to 16 will consist of two unreleased songs, an acoustic version of the ACCEPT classic "Balls to the Wall", and a live version of "The Bullet and the Bomb".
U.D.O.'s new album, "Mastercutor", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 39 — the highest German chart position in the band's history.
"Mastercutor" was released on May 18 via AFM Records. Several extra songs were recorded for the CD, with different territories getting their own bonus cuts. The Japanese edition of the CD comes with the track "Man a King Ruler", the Russian album includes "Platchet Soldat", and both feature the song "Streets of Sin". The European limited-edition version of "Mastercutor" includes the songs "Borderline" and "Screaming Eagles".
Book On Late Alice In Chains Singer Due In 2008
A new book based on late ALICE IN CHAINS singer Layne Staley's last five years of reclusive life in downtown Seattle is scheduled for release in late 2008. Entitled "Itch, Love Stories about Heroin", the book "will reveal some secrets about the singer, as well as offer an inside look at his addiction and struggles with heroin," according to a press release.
"It will be a struggle to finish the book," author Tanya Vece said. "It will be like closing a chapter on his life, and mine — not for good but I think saying what he would want to have said."
According to the press release, "Staley did call in an interview to Vece's friend author Adriana Rubio about a month before his passing. Weak and coughing, Staley wasn't ready to comment on his reclusive life, but did talk briefly about his fight with drugs."
"Everyone knows he was addicted," Vece stated. "I want to talk about who he was, and get to the real Layne — addiction and art."
When asked on her connection to Staley, Vece said "Let me just say there are some things I won't expand on — some things even I will keep secret!"
Tanya Vece is the current editor of independent art e-zine The Horse Chronicles. She has three other fictional independent books out and is an honoree of the International Press Academy. Her recent accomplishments include press coverage through CNN for the Democratic debate in Las Vegas.
Destruction Deny Cancelled U.K. Tour
Long-running German thrashers DESTRUCTION have issued the following update:
"To allay the confusion about the rumours of cancelled UK tour dates, we have a statement from DESTRUCTION/ONSLAUGHT tour manager Baz Barett that will clear up everything."
Commented Barett: "All shows as shown on the official DESTRUCTION and ONSLAUGHT websites are definately still going ahead! Leeds and Manchester events are definitely on! An unreliable promoter has caused confusion but this situation is now rectifed. Any questions please call the venues! All the shows have been outstanding and we hope to see you all!!!"
DESTRUCTION's "Thrash Anthems" album, a collection of reworked/re-recorded versions of the band's classic tracks, was released in January via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at House of Music Studio in Germany) and Little Creek Studio in Switzerland with almost the same team that worked on the group's "Inventor of Evil" CD: DESTRUCTION's live sound engineers Gerd Krenz, Franky Winkelmann and GURD/POLTERGEIST mastermind VO Pulver. The tracks were mixed by one of the best metal producers in Europe — Jacob Hansen, the Danish producer and INVOCATOR singer and guitarist.
Dear Black Diary Call It A Day
Guelph, Ontario based DEAR BLACK DIARY have announced they will disband following two final shows in Oshawa and Niagara Falls with Montreal's 3 MILE SCREAM.
"We at the Dear Black Diary camp have decided that it's time for a must needed change. After years of slugging it out, we feel that the new tunes that we have written, although still fast and brutality epic, just do not reflect the band that Jordan, Colin and I started five years ago," says bassist Steve Ferraro.
"The new stuff is so much bigger than Dear Black Diary is, so we are putting it to bed. That being said, we are planning to release our new material soon as a new project with a new name etc. DBD has been great but it's time to start something new and fresh that is representative of all five guys involved. Plus, the new name is just way better! So, don't say goodbye, just say, so-long."
Dear Black Diary released their self-titled Year of the Sun Records debut in 2006 and have toured with EMMURE, FOREVER IN TERROR, FAREWELL TO FREEWAY, ARISE AND RUIN and 3 Mile Scream.
Paradise Lost Added To Knock Out Festival
The 2008 edition of Germany's Knock Out Festival is scheduled for January 12th at the Europahalle in Karlsruhe, Germany.
The latest act confirmed for the festival is British metallers PARADISE LOST.
Also on the bill: PARADISE LOST, EPICA, WITHIN TEMPTATION, HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY and AXXIS.
The second edition of the Knock Out Festival will be taking place in one of the two Karlsruhe’s biggest indoor-concert venues and will be established as a German indoor winter festival.
Led Zeppelin Classic Returns To Denmark Street
According to The Sun, banned LED ZEPPELIN classic 'Stairway To Heaven' returned to its spiritual home in London thanks to a gang of committed air guitarists. The track, which features on the rockers’ new Mothership greatest hits collection, has long been unwelcome on Denmark Street – home to the capital’s largest concentration of guitar shops.
Frustrated staff have consistently refused permission for wannabe axe Gods to perform the track while testing new instruments because punters regularly mangle the extraordinary solo – perfected on record by Jimmy Page.
Guitarists across the country were invited to take part in the performance.
Embarassingly however, just one intrepid guitar-slinger took his life into his own hands by setting up shop on the venerable thoroughfare in order to blast the song out once more.
More happily scores of supportive passers-by lent moral support to the hapless strummer by joining in on air guitar.
Metakix Vocalist Mistaken For Sepultura Singer
Indian progressive thrashers METAKIX completed their all-Indian tour on November 6th.
They band supported SEPULTURA on October 28th, and the reporters of Bombay Times (Times Of India, the biggest newspaper in the subcontinent), published an article on the gig, interviewing Sepultura and putting Metakix vocalist/guitarist Zomb's photograph with the article instead of a photo of Sepultura's Derrick Green
"I've been frequently asked if Derrick Green left and I joined the band", says Zomb. "That's a laughning matter, but it's better to cut the speculations in India down."
Municipal Waste To Tour Europe In February
Earache Records report that after a storming succession of dates across the globe this year, Virginian thrashers MUNICIPAL WASTE have announced a string of European tour dates for February next year.
Following the release of The Art Of Partying in June, Municipal Waste have taken their own brand of party-thrash to a whole new level, giving high-energy live performances and generating raucous reactions from crowds across the world. From stage-diving killer sharks, boogie-boarding thrash bodies and the infamously intoxicating Inebriator, fans can expect nothing but mayhem from the upcoming dates.
The band's scheduled dates are as follows:
February
1 - Plymouth, UK - White Rabbit
2 - Brighton, UK - Barfly
3 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
4 - Bristol, UK - Croft
5 - Leeds, UK - Joseph?s Well
6 - London, UK - Islington
8 - Stoke, UK - Underground
9 - Belgium - Eiperfest
10 - Groningen, Denmark - Vera
11 - Tilburg, Denmark - 13
12 - Debaser, Sweden - Malmo
13 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Close Up Boat
15 - Helsinki, Finland - Metal Expo
16 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen
Tommy Lee Still In Motley Crue
MTV News, Canada has issued the following report:
Forget whatever rumors you've been hearing about TOMMY LEE not being in MÖTLEY CRÜE or turmoil within the band.
While at Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp last week, frontman VINCE NEIL gave us the lowdown on what's happening.
"Well, see what happens is, there's a press release saying that Tommy was out of the band and everybody jumped on that. But when Tommy issued his own press release saying that 'no', nobody paid attention to him. So, he was never out of the band and actually I just talked to him yesterday and I talked to Nikki a couple of days ago and we're going to go into the studio in January and hopefully have a single out by March and a tour in June."
As for what the band will be working on, Vince says the album will be called The Dirt, just like the collaborative autobiography on the Crüe.
And also like that tell-all, Neil hopes each song on the disc will tell a story from their lives. However, the group could just as easily scrap those ideas since, in Vince's own words, "Who knows, in two weeks we'll change the title."
Summer So Far Recruits Ex-Lilu Dallas Drummer
Baltimore, Maryland based rock/hardcore outfit Summer So Far recently recruited Matt "Dik" Tracy, the original drummer for tech/grind band, Lilu Dallas. The group will commence recording (and touring) in January.
Sebastian Bach Speaks On New Album
SEBASTIAN BACH spoke to /Rockconfidential.com recently about a number of topics including his new solo record, Angel Down. A few excerpts from the chat follow:
Rockconfidential.com: It’s been a few years since we’ve got to hear a true Sebastian Bach CD. It’s got to feel good knowing that Angel Down is just around the corner.
Bach: "Absolutely! I’ve been working on Angel Down for seven years. I did a record in 2005 that was under the radar called Absence of Apathy for a project called Frameshift II. The first Frameshift project featured James LaBrie from DREAM THEATER. It’s progressive metal and it may as well have been called a Sebastian Bach record. I co-wrote seven songs on that record. Metal Edge named it one of the top metal records of 2005. Angel Down is more what you’d expect from me. It’s hard-ass rock that is fun and real energetic. If you dig metal screams you will definitely dig Angel Down! I made sure there were lots of screams on the record."
Rockconfidential.com: Since you spent seven years working on Angel Down, what’s the oldest track on the record?
Bach: "The oldest track is the last track that I wrote with Desmond Child, 'Falling Into You'. Funnily enough, that was 100% Jason Flom again. When I was in the Jekyll and Hyde musical, the big show stopper song was 'This Is The Moment'. It’s a soaring, long, clear ballad kinda along the lines of 'I Remember You'. Jason came backstage and told me he wanted me to write a song with Desmond Child. I said, 'Killer! Do it!' Atlantic Records sent me down to Desmond’s house. I stood there in front of the piano and we both wrote 'Falling Into You'. It’s the first piano ballad that I’ve ever had on the record. There’s a lot of ear candy on the record, too. There are things you won’t hear until you hear it 20 fucking times! There’s stuff buried back in the mix and I dig shit like that."
Rockconfidential.com: You guys are like partners in crime. You went out on the road together, you got him in the studio. I guess you have a good time with Axl.
Bach: "I spent a better part of a year on the road with him getting fucking crazy! Axl is like a one man LED ZEPPELIN. You wanna talk about partying ’til 2PM the next afternoon and showing people how it’s done! This motherfucker is like Jack Nicholson on the microphone. I don’t even know what the fuck that means! We had AVENGED SEVENFOLD out with us and they’re a great band. We were in Europe. We’d do a show at the arena and Axl would go on around midnight. Then he’d go and rent out a club starting at like 5AM every fucking day! I don’t know how he found those places! I was like, 'Where the fuck are we going to go at 5AM in Prague, Czechoslovakia?' Sure enough he gets a club as the sun is coming up and our busses roll in. We stumble up these stairs as the sun is shining in and he says, 'Time to start the party!' I can’t even begin to describe that tour. The Avenged Sevenfold guys did their best, bless their hearts. They’re a little younger than us! The drummer was the last one standing in that band and he’s a fucking alcoholic! He reminded me a lot of Duff McKagan from the Use Your Illusion tour. The way he walked, talked and the way he slurred every other word. I love the guy!"
Angel Down, will be released on November 20th via a joint-venture between Merovingian Music, Ltd. (MRV) and Bach's Get Off My Bach Productions, and distributed worldwide through Caroline/EMI Music Group.
Produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST), and recorded at Sound City Studios and Under City Studios in Los Angeles, CA, the album features the following tracklisting: 'Angel Down', 'You Don't Understand', 'Back In The Saddle' (AEROSMITH cover featuring GUNS N' ROSES' Axl Rose), '(Love Is) A Bitchslap' (featuring Axl Rose), 'Stuck Inside' (featuring Axl Rose), 'American Metalhead', 'Negative Light', 'Live & Die', 'By Your Side', 'Our Love Is A Lie', 'Take You Down With Me', 'Stabbin' Daggers', 'You Bring Me Down', 'Falling Into You'.
Kamelot Confirmed For Wacken Open Air 2008
Tampa-based power metallers KAMELOT are the latest act confirmed for the 2008 edition of the Wacken Open Air, which is scheduled for July 31st - August 2nd, in Wacken, Germany. This will be an exclusive German Festival appearance for 2008.
Acts on the Wacken bill now include headliners IRON MAIDEN, CARCASS (reunion show), AT THE GATES (reunion show), AVANTASIA, AXXIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, CREMATORY (Best Of Show), DREAM OF AN OPIUM EATER, EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS, HATEBREED, KAMELOT, KREATOR, KRYPTERIA, LORD BELIAL, SALTATIO MORTIS, SONATA ARCTICA, THE BONES.
In other Kamelot news, the band are busy working on a special edition live CD, new songwriting and also preparing for the upcoming Headliner European tour and eventual North American Tour for 2008. Kamelot released it's blockbuster CD Ghost Opera in June 2007 on SPV/Steamhammer. The album charted in the following countries:
Norway - #25
Sweden - #29
Finland - #35
USA - #48 (indie charts)
The Netherlands - #51
Germany - #61
France - #83
Switzerland - #88
Greece - #23 (foreign albums)
Japan - #13 (international albums)
United Kingdom - #24 (rock & metal charts)
Destroyer Destroyer, Harlots Booking Tour
Destroyer Destroyer and Harlots will team up for a Winter tour. If you can help with a show, send a message here. The routing is as follows:
1/15 Dallas/Denton, TX
1/16 Houston, TX
1/17 San Antonio, TX
1/18 El Paso, TX
1/19 Tuscan, AZ
1/20 Phoenix, AZ
1/21 Las Vegas, NV
1/22 San Diego, CA
1/23 Los Angeles, CA
1/24 Bakersfield, CA
1/25 San Fransisco, CA
1/26 Portland, OR
1/27 Seattle, WA
1/28 Spokane, WA
1/29 Boise, ID
1/30 Salt Lake City, UT
1/31 Denver, CO
2/1 Wichita, KS
Gaza Drops Off Tour
Gaza has cancelled their current tour. Here's a statement from the band:
"After a little over a week of cancelling shows day-to-day, we can now say we've cancelled our entire tour. We hadn't cancelled the whole tour preemptively because we had been trying to get on the road still. A couple of crucial things happened the day before we left:
1) Our transmission is out of commission. The transmission had been rapidly getting worse and worse the whole month of October (The overdrive starting kicking off about 15 miles on the freeway and shortly thereafter the transmission temperature light would come on) and our repairs (or attempt thereof) couldn't fix the sitch before we left. We're looking at rebuilding it at this stage and with hardly any money and not the time required to set up an appointment at a shop, we're trying to have Mike and his dad get it rebuilt.
2) One of Mike's best friends committed suicide.
We were planning on going without Mike except that the transmission is the insurmountable barrier. Even still, he's our mechanic and had anything gone wrong had we decided to go without him, we'd REALLY be in trouble. We really wanted to do this and we're really sorry. We didn't plan on it and intend for such things to happen. Honestly, before this whole clusterfuck, we can only think of 2 shows in 200+ that we had to cancel so I can give you fair assurance that it happening to any one of you personally is highly unlikely. We hope this all didn't rub too many of you too much the wrong way and hope to see you around and vice-versa.
The fall has not been kind to us with our touring plans, and during the winter we will be simultaneously dodging death on the roads while attempting to write the majority of our next record. Expect us to hit the road running in early-Spring."
Byzantine Offers Teaser From New Album
West Virginian thrashers BYZANTINE have posted a seven-minute teaser track online, featuring snippets of tracks from the band's forthcoming record, "Oblivion Beckons." The track is available on the band's MySpace page, which also showcases the band's recent cover of eyehategod's "Shoplift," which appeared on the double disc tribute album, "For The Sick" alongside label mates Kylesa and The Esoteric.
Set for a January 22 release through Prosthetic Records, "Oblivion Beckons" is the follow-up to 2005's "...And They Shall Take Up Serpents," which saw a 2005 release and led to touring throughout the United States and Canada, including an appearance at New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2006, as well as the release of the band's first ever DVD earlier this year, "Salvation." The DVD features a live performance film, exclusive bootlegs, an uncut video for the track "Jeremiad," and behind the scenes footage and interviews. A trailer can be viewed here. More...
Darkest Hour Upload Locus Factor Demos
Kris Norris, guitarist from DARKEST HOUR, has uploaded the demos of his solo work LOCUS FACTOR to his personal page.
“This was the first solo thing I really ever did when i was about 20 back in 1997-1998. I had only been playing guitar for about 4-5 years non-seriously and I sat down at my computer and decided for some reason I was going to write a record in a week. SO I started programming some drums and bass and added some guitars and vocals and this was the result which ended up turning into the band Locus Factor. Forgive me for the vocals, I am by no means a vocalist and this was all recorded on cakewalk 9.0 and I had no experience with recording or even trying to mix. The purpose of this idea was to try and bridge a bunch of different genres and ideas into one and the main focus was that it was called the EMMQ = The Experi-mental Music Quest.”
Static-X Donate Signed Guitar To Charity
STATIC-X has donated a signed ESP LTD Static-600 to non-profit organizations Music for Relief and Unite the United for a huge eBay auction. All proceeds will aid in recovery and reforestation following the recent Southern California wildfires.
To view and bid on all auction items, please visit this location and click on the wildfire auction banner.
Other auction items include autographed items from JAY-Z, MADONNA, GREEN DAY, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, EAGLES, as well as tickets to shows like VAN HALEN, TORI AMOS, FALL OUT BOY, LINKIN PARK, KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2007, Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour, Vans Warped Tour, LA Clippers, LA Kings and more! There is something for everyone.
Proceeds will be divided to address the immediate needs of the victims and long-term needs of the environment. Auction earnings will be donated to the California Community Foundation's Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund to aid victims in intermediate and long-term recovery needs with a particular focus on needy populations, and those in need of affordable housing. Proceeds will also go to American Forests' California Wildfire ReLeaf Fund to reforest affected areas.
Taproot Reveal New Album Title
Bassist Phil Lipscomb of the Ann Arbor, Michigan hard rock band TAPROOT has issued the following update:
"As you are all aware, we have been working extremely hard and are in the final stages of finishing up our new album. All of the recording is finished, the album is getting mixed as we speak, and we're all very excited to move into the next phases of our careers.
"We put a great amount of time and energy into this record, our blood, sweat and tears...this is the culmination of a band that's been together for ten years...and looking to continue on for another ten. We have been lucky enough to have developed a solid fan base of true music lovers from all over the world, people that appreciate our hard work and know that we are grateful for them in return. You guys have allowed us to travel to some amazing places, meet a wide range of people, and see places most people only get to read about in books. Through all of this, we remain the same down-to-earth guys from Michigan that started this adventure ten years ago.
"We began recording demos in 1997 at Woodshed studios in Ferndale, MI. The songs on this record are the first recordings we've done back in Michigan since we were signed in 2000, and this is the first record we wrote and recorded in its entirety in our home state. It's been more of a fun process than a business concern for the first time in a long time, which has been nice and lifting to the material and to us. It's got some really great songs that we think all of our fans will really relate to and love, and it also has a first for us — a female singer singing on one of the songs called 'It's Natural'.
"The coming months will bring many exciting things from TAPROOT, from new videos on YouTube to a release date for the new album, but for now we are pleased to announce the title of our new album: 'Our Long Road Home'. The title is a unique and expressive tribute to our newly found collective freedom of creativity as a band, with no strings attached. It's a tribute to the casual and comfortable settings of being at home with friends and family — a place we love to be."
TAPROOT's follow-up to 2005's "Blue-Sky Research" was reportedly produced by Tim Patalan.
The new album will be the band's first since parting with Atlantic Records in June 2006. They're also reportedly working on a DVD, but there's no word as to when that will see the light of day.
TAPROOT, which formed in 1997, is perhaps best known for its 2002 album, "Welcome". It included the hit singles "Poem" and "Welcome".
Lamb Of God Bassist Talks Touring And More
SunJournal.com recently conducted the following interview with LAMB OF GOD bassist John Campbell:
SunJournal.com: Full name, age:
Campbell: I'm John Campbell, and I just turned 35 in September.
SunJournal.com: How did you get involved with the band?
Campbell: We met in college. I started playing bass in '90, '91, and the band started in '94.
SunJournal.com: Where you into metal when you got to school?
Campbell: I was not, and (another band member) Randy was not. But Chris, Mark and Willy definitely were. They turned me onto metal in the dorms. We lived on the same floor at Virginia Commonwealth University.
SunJournal.com: So...the music is angry and heavy. Were you angry?
Campbell: Oh no, definitely not. We were happy.
SunJournal.com: Did you envision this for yourself as a younger guy? Does anybody in college really know what they want to do?
Campbell: I didn't really know. But I knew there was a really strong artistic community over here and I knew I'd find something really cool. And I managed to pull that one off, too.
SunJournal.com: What do you do when you're not on tour?
Campbell: I've been working out in my yard, hanging with my wife and dogs.
SunJournal.com: So, what's the best part of being on the road?
Campbell: The best is being able to play. Really, the best part of the day is playing the show. The worst is being away from home and living in a metal tube with 6 to 11 other people.
SunJournal.com: Do you get along well?
Campbell: Yes, we get along well. We've known each other for a long time, but as evidenced in our DVD that just went platinum, we get to throwing punches from time to time.
SunJournal.com: Tell me! Tell me!
Campbell: Nope, it's all on the DVD. It was a fist fight, between the singer and guitar player.
SunJournal.com: So...why the angry music?
Campbell: We definitely want to be a real heavy band. Mark and Willy do most of the riff writing. Mark and Randy are the primary lyric writers. Heavy metal isn't written about puppies and children, unless they're being slaughtered and abused. (laughs).
SunJournal.com: What are the songs about?
Campbell: Two of our records were very political, and the anger was directed at the powers that were and that be. This latest record we kind of focused on more personal demons and conflicts.
SunJournal.com: Groupies?
Campbell: We have fans, and some of those fans are of that mindset, but we're all very happily married and that's not why we got into this to begin with.
SunJournal.com: You have two dogs?
Campbell: Two little cat-sized dogs. I have a mini pinscher and a Jack Russell terrier. The terrier is named Angelina, the pinscher is named Balut — it's a Filipino food and the name means "he treat with feet." And our dog was a little treat with feet.
SunJournal.com: Do you have pre-show rituals?
Campbell: We start warming up about an hour before we go on. I drink a Red Bull or two and hang out backstage, get a feel for what's going on.
SunJournal.com: How did you come up with the band name?
Campbell: BURN THE PRIEST was our name initially, but as we got more successful and got ready to sign a real record deal, internally there was some negativity toward the name... It was gimmicky, it didn't reflect how we felt about it. We figured we'd be more subtly sacrilegious and go with LAMB OF GOD.
SunJournal.com: And what about your goals for the future?
Campbell: That's hard to say. We've always been shortsighted in our goals. At first we wanted to play the party down the street, then the club, and then everything kept stepping up and up and up and up. I guess our next goal up is to write a record that tops all the records we've done at this point.
SunJournal.com: Are there any specific lyrics that mean the most to you?
Campbell: There's no specific message, but the general sentiment of the lyrics I agree with wholeheartedly. Generally, when we started as BURN THE PRIEST, it meant "f*** authority." It's kind of developed beyond those rambling thoughts, but at its core that's where I'm coming from.
Dimmu Borgir Go Gold In Norway
DIMMU BORGIR's latest album, In Sorte Diaboli, has been certified gold in the band's home country of Norway. In fact, Dimmu Borgir are the first metal band in Norway to sell 15,000 copies of one album, thereby solidifying their place in history.
The staff of Indie Distribution presented Dimmu Borgir with an award to commemorate this achievement. Pictured are: Silenoz, Galder, Tony Laureano (substitute for Hellhammer), Thomas (Indie Dist), Shagrath, Vortex, Hellhammer, Miss Andersen (Indie Dist), Erik (Indie Dist), Mustis, og Espen (Indie Dist).
Joey Belladonna To Support Twisted Sister
As previously reported, TWISTED SISTER recently announced a second show for New York City "due to overwhelming demand," set for December 20th. Former ANTHRAX frontman Joey Belladonna, who was originally confirmed for the scheduled December 21st show, will be on the bill as support. Ex-GRIM REAPER guitarist Nick Bowcott will once again join Belladonna on stage for the December 21st show, as he did at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, New York on October 30th.
Belladonna's schedule is as follows:
December
3 - CC Club - London, UK (with ADLER'S APPETITE)
4 - Yardbirds Rock Club - Grimsby, UK
5 - JB's - Dudley, West Midlands, UK
7 - Rio's - Leeds, UK
20 - The Filmore @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY
21 - The Filmore @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY
Doro Reveal New EP Release Date
AFM Records has issued the following details of DORO's next release:
"Over the years the very special, deep friendship between Metal Queen Doro Pesch and Boxing Queen Regina Halmich became obvious to anybody. Especially for Regina Halmich´s last fight on November 30th, Doro wrote the new song 'The Queen', which will be Regina’s anthem for this special evening.
To share this special event with all the fans of Doro, Regina and the millions of TV spectators, Doro will not only perform 'The Queen' on fight night, but her new CD The Queen (a collection of all fight hymns Doro sang for Regina) will be in stores on November 30th."
The tracklist is as follows: 'The Queen', 'She's Like Thunder', 'We're Like Thunder', 'All We Are', 'Fight'.
Turisas Announce U.K. Headlining Tour
Finnish bashers TURISAS, fresh off a European tour with ICED EARTH and ANNIHILATOR, have issued the following update:
2007 has been an amazing year for Turisas with the release of their epic new album The Varangian Way, playing the main stage at the Download Festival, Metal Hammer's Get In The Ring and Kerrang Magazine's Day Of Rock shows in London, a sold out UK tour, Wacken, Tuska and Graspop Festivals, and touring Europe with Iced Earth and Annihilator .. and finishing off with the year in style with a show stealing performance at last weekend's inaugural Hard Rock Hell Festival in Minehead. So what better way to start 2008 than bringing everyone's favourite Viking warriors back to the UK to play some more shows.
Warlord Nygard comments on the forthcoming tour: "We just got back home from Hard Rock Hell festival in Minehead, which surely was a great and rather interesting experience … we are still trying to cure our hangovers! We did our first UK tour this September, and the response was overwhelming – with sold out dates and crazy crowds everywhere! In March we will return to tour cities and towns we didn't play in September and we're expecting you guys to prove us right in not only touring the main 4-5 cities, but trying to play as much of the country as we can and meet as many of you battle metallers as possible"
Turisas' UK tour schedule is as follows. The support act will be announced soon:
March
1 - Northampton - Soundhaus
2 - Sheffield - Corporation
3 - Aberdeen - Moshulu
4 - Edinburgh - Studio 24
5 - Liverpool - Academy 2
6 - Norwich - Waterfront
7 - Peterborough - Park
8 - Leeds - Cocpit
10 - Exeter - Cavern
11 - Cardiff - Clwb Ifor Bach
12 - Southampton - The Brook
13 - London - Electric Ballroom
14 - Brighton - Concorde 2
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: