Chimaira Starts Mixing New Album

Mixing has begun on Chimaira's followup to "Ressurrection." Here's an update straight from the band:

"We are now in the mixing stage of the recording process!

"For those of you unfamiliar with what that means, it’s when you take all of the things recorded and put it together and make it sound right. You are hearing the song how it should sound on the album for the first time, so obviously it’s exciting…unless the mix sucks.

"Zeuss started earlier this week and sent us the first 2 songs he completed. We couldn’t be happier with our choice. This mix far from sucks. The low end on this record is gigantic! I highly suggest everyone goes out and buys subs so they can truly feel this record.

"We really wanted to beef up our sound all around and it’s great to hear it all come together and sound how we visioned it back in June when we started writing.

"Mr. Spicuzza is still working hard on the last couple songs while the rest of us are unwinding from the recording process. That doesn’t mean Chimaira is not on our minds. Since Monday we’ve been listening to all of the songs while trying to come up with the tracklisting for the album. We really want it to feel good from start to finish and it’s something that takes time. We listen to the songs in all sorts of different orders and see what feels best. We have the bookends (opening and closing track) all set, now we just need to put the rest of it together."

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Kicking K8 Signs To Crash Music

Crash Music, Inc. recently announced that Kicking K8, the Pacific Beach, California hard rock band, has officially signed a multi-album record deal with Crash Music, Inc.

What started out as a jam band around Pacific Beach, CA in late 2005 has turned into one of the most sought after live acts to come out of San Diego in some time. National radio airplay and interviews on top modern rock stations, such as San Diego's Rock 105.3, WJJO, 90FM, K-BEAR, KOMP, KUPD, and Rebel Radio. They also made appearances on numerous radio fests, including repeat appearances at WJJOs BAND CAMP, where they will make an appearance again next year.

They have been included on the last three Jagermeister Music Tours, playing shows alongside the likes of Disturbed, Stone Sour, Staind, Three Days Grace, and more. The band has played 160 shows in 10 states, with no label support.

The band also recently filmed multiple appearances for the ESPN racing reality series American Dragster. The band's debut CD will be released via Crash Music on March 24, 2009, and distributed by EMI. You can check out the first single "Score," at this location.

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Reznor Reacts To NIN Music Used For Torture

Trent Reznor has posted a message online regarding Nine Inch Nails' music being used at Guantanamo Bay for torture:

"It's difficult for me to imagine anything more profoundly insulting, demeaning and enraging than discovering music you've put your heart and soul into creating has been used for purposes of torture. If there are any legal options that can be realistically taken they will be aggressively pursued, with any potential monetary gains donated to human rights charities. Thank GOD this country has appeared to side with reason and we can put the Bush administration's reign of power, greed, lawlessness and madness behind us."

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Deadlock, Raunchy Confirmed For Summer Breeze

Lifeforce Records recording artists DEADLOCK and Raunchy have been confirmed to play the 2009 Summer Breeze Festival. For more information on the festival, visit summer-breeze.de.

Confirmed bands so far include: More...

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Deadlock Parts Ways with Bassist

Germany's Deadlock have issued the following update regarding the departure of bassist Thomas Gschwendner:

"We're not happy to announce, that we parted ways with Tom after more than 7 common years. Due to some musical and personal differences we agreed with him, that it's better to make a cut. There's no shittalking, no bad mood or angry feelings. We just decided, that Deadlock should go on with a new bass player. We thank Tom for all the amazing years, the great time, his friendship and all our happy experiences together!" More...

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Name Signs To Lifeforce Records

Lifeforce Records has announced the addition of California's NAME to their roster.

Founded in 2003 by brothers Wes and Jeremy Fareas, the New Approach to Martyrs Expressions [Name], is an amalgam of experimental tech metal, grindcore, ambient sounds, freeform jazz, blues, cultural world music, an odd sense of humor, and maniacal mood swings. "Music isn't supposed to be safe, it's meant to catapult you into a risky situation," says Wes. "We want to revive danger in art. We're trying to show that as much as possible."

With a few EPs, a full length album ("Portrait," 2004) and all new genre-bending material for their Lifeforce 2009 debut, "Internet Killed The Audio Star," which is set for a late summer release, Name has set out to remold all the stagnant preconceptions of heavy music.

You can check out songs from their Lifeforce debut "'Internet Killed The Audio Star'" at the band's Myspace page.

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Senses Fail on Saints and Sinners Tour

Senses Fail will be on the Saints and Sinners tour along with Hollywood Undead, Haste the Day and Brokencyde. The tour kicks off on 2/27/09. Tickets go on sale beginning 11/12 at www.livenation.com. The latest Senses Fail tour dates, including the Saints and Sinners tour, are as follows: More...

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Throwdown Signs Record Deal With Koch Records

California act Throwdown has signed a record deal with Koch Records and is set to record a new album titled "Deathless." Koch issued the following statement about the deal:

THROWDOWN and KOCH Records have joined forces.

The band will begin recording Deathless, their first album under this new deal, in early 2009.

"Signing with KOCH Records is a breath of fresh air for us," said Throwdown frontman Dave Peters. "KOCH looks at their artists in a progressive way and can see that what we've given a decade of our lives to build is still far from completion. It's no mystery that the music industry is caught in quite the shit-storm right now. We're confident in the mutual autonomy of KOCH and Throwdown to come together and not only weather the storm, but thrive in it."

"I am thrilled to add Throwdown to the growing KOCH Metal roster and am looking forward to putting out what is surely one of the most anticipated releases of 2009," says KOCH Records VP of Metal Scott Givens. "The band is poised to claim a major stake in the American metal scene and we are thrilled that they have chosen KOCH to be their partners." More...

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Obscura Posts Another New Song Online

The German death metal band Obscura has posted the new song "Incarnated" on their official MySpace page. The track is from their upcoming album "Cosmogenesis" which will be released on February 17, 2009.

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Heaven And Hell Completes Basic Tracks

Heaven And Hell bassist Geezer Butler has posted the following message online:

"Just to add to my previous statement, and to clarify, the basic tracks for the new Heaven And Hell album have been laid down, and I can report it has been a pleasurable experience writing and recording with Ronnie, Tony and Vinny. We hope to have the album finished, mixed and ready to go in the next couple of months.

"Meanwhile, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Chanukah Sameach, happy Kwanzaa, Joyeux Noel, Froehliche Weihnachten, happy holidays, and a heavenly peaceful new year. See you on the road sometime in 2009!"

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Ex-Megadeth Guitar Player Offering Online Lessons

Former Megadeth and King Diamond guitar player Glen Drover is offering guitar lessons online at $25 per half hour session. Glen issued the following statement on his MySpace page:

"Hello all, as of Monday, December 15th, I will be 100% ready to begin my online guitar lessons!!!! This is something I am really excited about - I have teached guitar on and off for years, but doing this with people from around the world will certainly be a new 1 for me - For those of you who have already contacted me, or if you are reading this for the 1st time, I will give you specifics once you contact me at hallowedapparition@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you......."

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Edenbridge Set to Release Web Exclusive Album

Symphonic metal outfit Edenbridge are set to release their first live album in Spring 2009. Recorded at a number of concerts throughout 2008, “LiveEarthDream” will be available exclusively online through the fanshop on the band’s website.
More...

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Soul Cry Front Woman Charged With Attempted Murder

Soul Cry vocalist Cristina Balzano, 18, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing the band’s guitarist over a sloppy solo during rehearsal.

Balzano reportedly accused the guitarist of "sounding evil" when he played a few wrong notes before taking a kitchen knife to the 16-year-old.

Genoa-based newspaper Il Secolo XIX is reporting the victim, identified only as A.D., was saying from hospital that he was attacked late Saturday. According to the Associated Press, he was stabbed at least 50 times in the back and head.

Balzano's 16-year-old brother, the band's bass player, is also in police custody on suspicion of premeditated attempted murder.

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Exit Strategy Announces Vocalist's Departure

Calgary grindcore act Exit Strategy recently announced their current vocalist, Shane Hawco, will give his final performance with the band will take place Dec. 12 at The Velvet Underground in Edmonton, AB. This show also marks the second of two official release performances in support of the band’s self-produced DVD companion to “The United State of Amnesia,” their debut album released last February.

“Due to Shane's increasing work obligations/schedule, our mighty front man & very good friend has elected to step down from his role in ES, which we fully understand and support,” Exit Strategy bassist Greg Musgrave said in a written statement on Alberta Metal. “Shane's ideology has really been the heart of Exit Strategy and will always be the voice that brought this band on to the scene and really stood for what the band is all about. He will be missed by his band members & ES fans alike, but we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Bison B.C. guitarist Dan And handed out some mad props to the independent band in a Dec. 10 interview with Metal Sucks. “That was a band that just absolutely floored me. I couldn’t believe it. It was tech/grind but not over the top, not the kind of tech where you don’t know what’s going on,” he told the webzine.

So, if you miss out on Hawco’s final performance, there will technically be one final last appearance by Hawco, tentatively scheduled for February or March 2009. “We will be doing a passing of the guard show so to speak when we formally introduce our new vocalist and have both Shane and our new vocalist do a show together showcasing the first era of the band as, well as the future of ES,” Musgrave concluded. The location for this show is still to be determined.

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Gorgoroth Crucifies Models on Stage, Again

Black metallers Gorgoroth have been at it again. Pissing people off, that is. Turns out some Christians are offended by photos of the Norwegian band performing at Filth Fest 2008 on Dec. 9 in Budapest, sharing the stage with naked men and women bound to crosses. Some reports have stated the people were actually nailed, but after checking out photographs from the show, they appear to be standing on little platforms with their wrists tied with ropes. Still not really pleasant imagery, but when you’re checking out news and pics of Gorogoroth, known for their controversial stage antics and the satanic content of their lyrics, you do get what you get. Photos are available, but please note: do not check them out if you are easily offended. They can be viewed at Metalhead.ro

In 2004, the band was under investigation by Polish police under suspicion of committing religious offenses and cruelty to animals while filming a concert for an upcoming DVD in Krakow, Poland. Joining them on stage this time were four sheep heads, 80 liters of sheep blood, and four naked crucified models. The band was never officially charged, although the footage was confiscated by police.

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Danko Jones Posts "King Of Magazines" Video Online

Danko Jones has posted the new video online for the song, "King Of Magazines." You can check it out below. The song comes from the bands latest album, "Never Too Loud." More...

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AC/DC Announces Stadium Shows

AC/DC has announced two stadium shows in the United Kingdom for next summer. The band will perform at Wembley Stadium in London and Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The bands U.K. tour dates are now as follows:

April
14 - London O2 (Sold Out)
16 – London O2 (Sold Out)
21 - Manchester MEN Arena (Sold Out)
23 - Birmingham LG Arena (Sold Out)

June
26 - London - Wembley Stadium
30 - Glasgow Hampden Park

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Black Tide Announces Tour Dates

Black Tide will be launching a huge tour shortly which will see them tour the United Kingdom as part of the Relentless tour aswell as trekking across the United States in February.

The bands tour schedule is as follows:

January 13 - Belfast, Ireland@ Belfast Mandela Hall
January 14 - Dublin, Ireland @ Dublin Academy
January 16 - Bristol, England @ Bristol Academy
January 17 - Cardiff, England @ Cardiff Great Hall
January 18 - Southampton, England @ Southampton Guildhall
January 20 - Oxford, England @ Oxford Academy
January 21 - Norwich, England @ University of East Anglia
January 22 - Nottingham, England @ Rock City
January 23 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Academy
January 24 - Leeds, England @ Leeds Academy
January 26 - Liverpool, England @ Liverpool Academy
January 27 - Glasgow, England @ Glasgow Barrowlands
January 28 - Newcastle, England @ Newcastle Academy
January 29 - Birmingham, England @ Birmingham Academy
January 30 - London, England @ Brixton Academy
February 5 - Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
February 6 - Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee
February 7 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine
February 8 - El Paso, TX @ Chic’s Billiards
February 10 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
February 11 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
February 12 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
February 13 - Metairie, LA @ High Ground
February 15 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
February 16 - Orlando, FL @ Firestone
February 17 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
February 18 - Charlotte, NC @ Amo’s Southend
February 19 - Towson, MD @ Recher Theater
February 20 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
February 21 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
February 22 - Boston, MA @ Middle East
February 24 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
February 25 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
February 27 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
February 28 - Pontiac, MI @ The Crowfoot
March 1 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
March 3 - Milwaukee, WI @ Rave II
March 4 - Minneapolis, MN @ Station 4
March 6 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes
March 7 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre
March 8 - Idaho Falls, ID @ ICON
March 9 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
March 10 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
March 11 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
March 13 - Orangevale, CA @ Boardwalk
March 14 - San Francisco, CA @ Slims
March 15 - Bakersfield, CA @ The Dome
March 17 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
March 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
…plus Warped Tour in the summer…

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Black Label Society Announces More Shows

Black Label Society has announced more tour dates on their North American tour. Support on the trek will come from Sevendust and Dope.

The tour schedule is now as follows:

March 6 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
March 7 - Sparks, NV @ The New Oasis
March 9 - Chico, CA @ The Senator Theatre
March 11 - Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
March 13 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
March 14 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
March 15 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
March 17 - Calgary, AB @ Calgary Corral
March 18 - Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Centre
March 20 - Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon Events Center
March 21 - Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
March 22 - St. Paul, MN @ The Myth
March 24 - Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium
March 25 - Kansas City, MO @ Harrah’s
March 27 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
March 28 - Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre
March 29 - Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre
March 31 - Mt. Clemens, MI @ Emerald Theatre
April 1 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
April 3 - Rochester, NY @ Main St. Armory
April 4 - Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
April 6 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
April 7 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
April 9 - Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
April 10 - New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
April 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Electric Factory
April 14 - Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
April 15 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
April 17 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues
April 18 - Duluth, GA @ Wild Bill’s
April 21 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
April 24 - Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek
April 25 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
April 26 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
April 28 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
April 29 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
May 1 - Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
May 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

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Axl Rose Breaks His Silence And Answers Questions

Blabbermouth.net reports: Guns N Roses frontman Axl Rose has broken his silence and has answered questions from the fans regarding the bands latest album, "Chinese Democracy" and its promotion. Some excerpts are as follows:

Q: How come you always come on stage so late at gigs?

Axl: "I've been an after-midnight type since I was sneakin' out of my house in junior high [school]. With [the] old GUNS [lineup], we preferred [to take the stage at] 12:00 a.m. or so. When we moved to theaters etc., obviously that changes but it's never changed inside me. Doesn't matter what I do, so generally that's when I'm more myself. This isn't to mess with anyone that has an early schedule to keep, it's just personal preference. And in regard to the size [of] venues, I'm on record as preferring whatever venues allow for our schedule, but management and promoters can do a lot in their own interests behind the scenes that can rarely be avoided and their greed or whatever leads to a lot of double talk and ugly behind nonsense that generally eventually ruins things for everyone. Translated: once a tour is scheduled, however, it's like parting the seas to change. As far as being late, I've been that way my whole life. It drove Izzy [Stradlin] crazy but he would check himself and freely admit I was generally actually doing something that had to get done rather than watching basketball, etc."

On a video for the new GUNS N' ROSES song "Better":

Axl: "The 'Better' music video will be out in a week or so. Monumental promotion will start very soon!"

Q: Who do you listen to for hardcore blues? I'm a blues singer and I can tell from your work that you have at least got way into a couple of blues records.

Axl: "BESSIE SMITH, ZEP 1, ROBERT JOHNSON, TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, JANICE More...

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Deicide And Vital Remains Announces Tour Dates

Tour dates have been confirmed for the huge trek headlined by Deicide. Also on the bill will be Vital Remains and Order Of Ennead.

The first batch of tour dates are as follows:

February
8 - Club Loaded - Farmingdale, NY
14 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
16 - Iliff Park Saloon - Aurora, CO
17 - Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
18 - Big City Nightclub - Farmington, NM
20 - Voodoo Lounge - San Jose, CA
21 - Angels Roadhouse - Yucaipa, CA
22 - Key Club - West Hollywood, CA

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Taproot Announces More Winter Tour Dates

Taproot will head out on a North American tour this winter with the following dates confirmed:

December 13 - Fayetteville, NC @ Jesters
December 14 - Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans
December 16 - Baltimore, MD @ Fletcher’s
December 17 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
December 18 - West Chester, PA @ The Note
December 19 - Lima, OH @ Harry’s Hideaway
December 20 - Jackson, MI @ The Hog’s Palace
December 27 - Ft. Myers, FL @ Ricochet w/ Sevendust
December 28 - Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor w/ Sevendust
December 29 - St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
December 30 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution w/ Sevendust
December 31 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues w/ Sevendust
January 2 - Hattiesburg, MS @ Hooligans
January 3 - Tupelo, MS @ Good Time Charlies
January 31 - Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock

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Judas Priest To Film "Nostradamus" DVD

FMQB is reporting:

Ever since the two-disc Metal Opera Nostradamus came out in June, JUDAS PRIEST has been planning to do an elaborate stage show where they play the album in its entirety. That idea is still something the band is "absolutely committed" to, but it likely won't happen until later in 2009.

"We talk about it constantly, and that’s what we’re going to do at the end of the world tour sometime next year," singer Rob Halford recently told FMQB. "At the back end of the summer, we’re going to wind up the regular tour. Then we’ll go straight into production for the Nostradamus show and we’ll probably do a DVD to go along with that. We’ll more than likely launch it in London or somewhere in the UK, because that’s our home base. Then we’ll see what happens. My gut feeling tells me that once it’s been delivered, everybody will want to see it and feel it live, and that might entail taking it to a lot of places around the planet. It’s going to be great. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to doing for a long time after actually making the record itself. The next step is to perform it in its entirety, which we’ve never done before." More...

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Megadeth Frontman Posts New Studio Report

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has posted the following studio report:

"Droogies!

"What a raging day! Tons of stuff got done today, we have three final arrangements of the 12 songs we are tracking finalized, and we are continuing to plow through the rest of the ideas and demos of stuff to complete this album worth of material. James and I also discussed starting the visual files for the projection for this tour. We want to use all of the relevant footage that we have saved over the years and make the visual portion of this upcoming tour as exciting as the audio portion of our show.

"I hope that you are all enjoying getting ready for the Holidays and I already have what I want; the best wife, son, and daughter I could possibly ever have; the best band mates, management, partners, and staff that I have ever had too; my health is holding stable and Father Time seems to have misplaced my address once again; my relationship with my business partners with TheLiveLine, Net Worth Coffee Brokers, and my endorsements with Dean Guitars, Marshall Amps, Line 6, Seymour Duncan, Jim Dunlop, GHS, DigiTech, Celestion, Shure, Tone-Pros, and my amazing guitar tech - Willie Gee; I am making a record with the amazingly talented and a really decent guy too - Andy Sneap; I am starting my book, my radio show, our next tour, our next Gigantour, our next Southern Pacific tour. More...

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Armored Saint To Record New Album Next Year

Californian heavy metal band Armored Saint has announced that they will be recording a brand new studio album next year. So far, the band has written around twelve songs for the album with some working titles including "La Raza," "Chilled," "Loose Cannon" and "Black Feet." The lineup on the album will include vocalist John Bush, guitarists Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan, Joey Vera on bass and drummer Gonzo. Joey Vera will also be producing the record.

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Sepultura To Film "We've Lost You" Video

Legendary Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura will be filming a video for the song, "We've Lost You" on Monday in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The song will be the first single from the bands forthcoming new album, "A-Lex" which will be released in North America on January 27th and will have a full European release by January 26th. The album clocks in at sixty minutes and is based on the infamous novel, "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess.

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