Metal News for December 22, 2007
Last updated on October 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM ET
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39 news articles posted on this day.
Beneath The Massacre Release Initial Tour Dates
The following initial dates have been released for BENEATH THE MASSACRE’s headlining tour with SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY, BORN OF OSIRIS, and the TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA:
March 5 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory (tap bar)
March 25 - Hollywood, CA @ Whisky
March 30 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
April 3 - Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
April 5 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
Interview
Full Blown Chaos Drummer Jeff Facci Interviewed
Hailing from Queens, New York, Full Blown Chaos is a hardcore/metal band well known for their songs of inner-strength backed with riffage that hug hairpin turns and a dynamite-triggering rhythm section. Touring with bands such as Hatebreed, Sick of it All, Terror, Madball, Himsa, Napalm Death and many others, Full Blown Chaos commands insane mosh pits with their intense stage presense and connection with their fans.
I had the chance to sit down with Jeff Facci, drummer of Full Blown Chaos; as he told me about his background, about the band, and their new album "Heavy Lies the Crown," released June 2007 on Ferret Music. More...
Dour Cursiva Announce Tour Dates
Rhode Island metal band Dour Cursiva has lined up a handful of tour dates in support of their new album. Here are the latest tour dates:
12/26 Fairhaven, MA @ Fairhaven VFW
1/4 New Jersey @ TBA
1/5 Gloversville, NY @ The Upper Deck
1/6 Manchester, NH @ Rocko's
1/11 Bangor, ME @ The Underground w/ Beautiful Gorgeous
1/12 Fairhaven, MA @ Fairhaven VFW w/ Beautiful Gorgeous
1/13 New Haven, CT @ Peoples Center w/ Beautiful Gorgeous
1/26 Providence, RI @ The Jeep Shop
As previously reported, Dour Cursiva recently signed a record deal with Hold True Recordings for the release of their debut full-length, "Voices Through Wires" and the 35+ minute effort is expected this winter.
Agnostic Front Set To Shoot Video
Agnostic Front will film a video for the track "For My Family" tomorrow (12/23) in New Haven, CT at Toads Place. The group is encouraging fans to come to the show, which is one of the Stillborn Fest dates.
Set Your Goals Guitarist Parts With Band
Set Your Goals has officially announced the departure of guitarist Dave Yoha. The group has issued the following statement:
"So the time has finally come to announce Dave's departure from the band. He's expressed to us that the full-time touring lifestyle is no longer right for him, at least not at this point in his life. We support him and there are no hard feelings.
"Dave gave us notice he would be leaving SYG about a month ago but up until now, we had kept things mostly under wraps and only a few close friends of the band were notified of the unfortunate news. We did this because we do not want our inbox, emails, and voicemails flooded with people asking us to try out. We already have some friends in mind who we're going to try out for lead guitarist so please do not contact us asking to try out. I repeat: please do not contact us asking to try out for lead guitar! Our old guitarist Dan (who Dave originally replaced) will be filling in for our Australia/Japan dates, and we already have a friend of the band in mind for the Gallows UK tour in February.
"Tonight (Santa Cruz) and tomorrow (Berkeley) will be Dave's last shows with Set Your Goals, so please come out and show your support for one of the best dudes I know. Statement from Dave coming soon. He will be missed!"
Nightwish Post Video Christmas Card Online
Whether accessed through their website, or here, Finnish metallers NIGHTWISH have recorded a goofy, impromptu holiday greeting (with English subtitles). The band is home for the holidays, headlines Helsinki on New Years Day, before heading to Japan, China and Australia. More...
Earth Crisis Post Initial Headlining Tour Dates
The following initial dates have been released for EARTH CRISIS’ upcoming headlining tour which appears to feature TERROR, SWORN ENEMY, SHAI HULUD, DOWN TO NOTHING, and RECON:
February 29 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
March 4 - Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium
March 7 - Logan, UT @ Club NVO
March 9 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
March 12 - Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory
Silencer Announce 2008 Live Dates
Colorado metallers SILENCER have issued the following update:
"Happy holidays to our hooligan friends! Well, a bit of good news, below is the tour routing for a ten day jaunt we'll be doing through the midwest in a couple months. As soon as the venues confirm we'll put them in the 'shows' section, but here's an idea of where we'll be. Pretty excited, haven't been to a few of these markets before, should be a killer time. If there are any direct booking questions to this point, please contact Matt Tyler at Gardencore Network at momentoftruthmatt@hotmail.com."
Dates (with venues tba) are as follows
February
29 - Columbus, NE
March
1 - Jefferson, SD
2 - Fargo, ND
3 - Minneapolis, MN
4 - Madison, WI
5 - Chicago, IL
6 - Fort Wayne, IN
7 - Terre Haute, IN
8 - St. Louis, MO
9 - Manhattan, KS
Original Magnum Drummer Passes Away
Kex Gorin, original drummer (from 1972 - 1984) for long-time UK rockers MAGNUM, has been in the hospital, critically ill with cancer. The band are sad to report the following message:
"All the guys in Magnum wish to say how deeply sorry we are to hear that Kex Gorin passed away Friday morning (December 21st). Our thoughts are with (partner) Sally and family at this time. We would would like to thank all those who showed their support. Kex Gorin will be deeply missed."
Unjust Reveal "To Lose A Name" Track Listing
San Francisco Bay Area's UNJUST has finalized the track listing for its fourth album, entitled "To Lose a Name". The CD was once again recorded with producer/engineer Mark Keaton (MACHINE HEAD, ONE MAN ARMY, MR. T EXPERIENCE, KGB) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California.
"To Lose a Name" track listing:
01. The Cloud Collectors
02. Home
03. It's Not Enough
04. Choose Nothing
05. Reactions
06. Wait for Me Now
07. Do You Really Like...
08. In Search of a Ghost
09. The Part
10. Sweet November
11. The Red In The Fog
12. We Be Robots
BLS Guitarist Discusses New Project
A two-minute video clip of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Nick Catanese talking about his new project — also featuring QUEENSRŸCHE's Mike Stone and DOUBLEDRIVE drummer Mike Froedge — can be viewed here.
In a recent interview with KNAC.COM, Catanese stated about how the new band came together, "Stoney and me met at the Blacktooth Bash at NAMM, we hit it off there. Then I found out he is a bass player and sings his ass off. And Mikey, he and I actually played together in bands back in my HIGH VOLTAGE days in Florida. Then he played in DOUBLEDRIVE and I knew he kicked ass. So we got a great power trio."
On the subject of the group's sound, Catanese said, "There isn't a style; we are just writing what comes out. We have no direction. We are just doing what comes out. We did three songs in Atlanta in Mike's studio, and for just a week, the three songs are cool as hell. All different styles and fresh. Doesn't sound like anything I have heard. There's one song that is very PINK FLOYD-ish meets THE BEATLES. I love it, and the solo is way Stevie Ray." More...
Velvet Revolver Announce U.S. Dates
VELVET REVOLVER will embark on a U.S. theater tour in late January. The group's itinerary is now shaping up as follows:
Dec. 29 - Trenton, NJ @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Dec. 31 - New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan. 24 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
Jan. 25 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
Jan. 26 - Detroit, MI @ Fillmore
Jan. 28 - West Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
Jan. 30 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Jan. 31 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Feb. 02 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Waterfront Village
Feb. 05 - San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
Feb. 06 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
Feb. 07 - San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
Feb. 09 - Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theatre
Feb. 15 - Brisbane, AU @ Convention Centre
Feb. 16 - Sydney, AU @ Enmore Theatre
Feb. 17 - Sydney, AU @ Enmore Theatre
Feb. 19 - Melbourne, AU @ Festival Hall
Feb. 20 - Adelaide, AU @ Thebarton Theatre
Mar. 15 - Liverpool, UK @ Liverpool
Mar. 16 - Leeds, UK @ Leeds University
Mar. 17 - Manchester, UK @ Apollo
Mar. 19 - Newcastle, UK @ Carling Academy
Mar. 20 - Glasgow, UK @ Carling Academy
Mar. 22 - Wolverhampton, UK @ Civic Hall
Mar. 23 - Birmingham, UK @ Carling Academy
Mar. 25 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
Mar. 26 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
Mar. 27 - Brighton, UK @ The Brighton Centre
Mar. 30 - Brussels, BEL @ Ancienne Belgique
Apr. 01 - Amsterdam, NETH @ Heineken Music Hall More...
Kingdom of Sorrow Announce New Album Release Dates
KINGDOM OF SORROW, featuring Jamey Jasta from HATEBREED and Kirk Windstein from DOWN/CROWBAR will release their self-titled debut on February 19th in North America via Relapse Records. The album will be available worldwide on February 25th.
Click here to pre-order an exclusive CD/t-shirt combo.
Live shows will be announced in January.
Evergrey Post Video From Recording Studio Online
Swedish metallers EVERGREY have issued the following studio update:
"We are FINALLY in the mixing stage of the [new EVERGREY] album and that truly feels like a blessing. Today we finished the eighth song for mix-down and it sounds AWESOME! We will be finished before New Year's and then we will take a couple of weeks of well-needed and -deserved rest. We have also been in Israel, which was a fantastic experience, to visit such an old country with all of its history and beauty, Jerusalem is really fascinating. Tel Aviv felt like a mixture of Miami and New York which was really cool and the audience fucking awesome. We are really looking forward to going there again."
EVERGREY has posted the sixth video studio report from the recording sessions for their new album. Watch the nine-minute clip here. More...
Enslaved's Grutle Discusses Sheep Stealing Stunt
Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson of the Norwegian Viking metallers ENSLAVED hit the mainstream press in Norway on October 10, 2007 when they appeared to steal, or according to their rationale, "download," a sheep belonging to politician Lars Sponheim as a protest against his Venstre party's proposed legalization of music downloading.
"It was a symbolic act," Grutle told UK's Terrorizer magazine, "against a party that wants to legalize piracy and copying. A lot of people are downloading stuff and a lot of people don't actually realize that it's illegal and they don't realize what they're doing to hard-working artists. We've received a lot of positive feedback and a good response; some people have decided to pick it up and understood what it's all about even if they don't understand our style of music." More...
Hellhammer Launch 'Burial' Site
In connection with the February and spring 2008 releases of "Demon Entrails" and "Only Death is Real: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and Early Celtic Frost", an official HELLHAMMER burial site has been dug at www.hellhammer.org. Visitors will find, among other things, an appropriately detailed eulogy written by metal journalist Bernard Doe, a decisive discography with cover art and nearly a dozen rare and hi-res photos that capture the band's raw energy. Feel free to pay your respects to a band that forever changed the landscape of heavy music and continue to influence musicians across all genres. More...
Wet Animal Begin Recording New Album
WET ANIMAL, the Illinois-based quartet featuring TROUBLE guitarist Rick Wartell, has been in the studio this week recording tracks for its new album, entitled "Get Bit". Marko Lira has finished with his drum tracks and now the band will begin tracking guitars. The group has also been filming "the making of" with director Joe Lyons, to be added as a free bonus along with the CD.
WET ANIMAL is recording "Get Bit" with producer Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, DEICIDE and CANNIBAL CORPSE, among others.
The band previously stated, "The new material is fucking incredible and the production will be as well."
WET ANIMAL's self-titled debut album was released in October 2005 via Escapi Music.
Iron Maiden Sell 15,000 Tickets In Trondheim
According to the organizers of the Trondheim Rock Festival, 15,000 tickets have been sold so far for IRON MAIDEN's July 22, 2008 concert in Trondheim, Norway, with around 9,000 tickets remaining.
As previously reported, due to "overwhelming demand," IRON MAIDEN's February 24, 2008 concert in Mexico City has been moved from the 22,000-capacity Sports Arena to the much-larger Foro Sol Stadium. This is a multi-facility venue, being the home of the Mexico City Devils (baseball) and also the site of very important car-race events like NASCAR and Champ Car.
On February 5, 2008 MAIDEN will release the highly anticipated DVD of "Live after Death" and to tie in with this will play songs mainly from their classic '80s albums on this forthcoming tour. The stage production will also feature a production-based on the Egyptian-themed "Powerslave Tour" which was featured on the original 1985 video release of "Live after Death".
M.A.N Reveal Final "Peacenemy" Track Listing
M.A.N, the group formed out of the ashes of Sweden's TRANSPORT LEAGUE (featuring former MNEMIC frontman Tony Jelencovich), has revealed the final track listing for its new album, "Peacenemy", tentatively due in early 2008. The CD was recorded at Grand Recordings in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer/engineer Svein Jensen and will be mastered by Göran Finnberg at Mastering Room.
Commented the band: "The sound has developed into something more technical, more MESHUGGAH kinda sounding, but it feels great, and we are very happy with the result."
"Peacenemy" features a guest appearance on vocals by Burton C. Bell from FEAR FACTORY/ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS on the track "My Own Sickness". M.A.N members commented in a statement, "We are really excited to have Burton's vocals on our album. FEAR FACTORY has always been a great band and also an influence for us in the band, so this is awesome!"
"Peacenemy" final track listing:
01. Peacenemy
02. Worn Wings
03. Blood Vanish
04. My own Sickness (feat. Burton C. Bell)
05. Outnumbered
06. Body Sewer
07. Harness the Mind
08. Hacker Sapiens
09. 44 Teeth
10. Dead Universe
11. Peacenemy Epilogue More...
Meldrum Singer Schedules Solo Concert
MELDRUM vocalist Moa Holmsten has scheduled a solo gig at Mosebacke in Stockholm, Sweden on January 4. More information is available on her MySpace page.
Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT) has finished laying down drums for MELDRUM's third CD, due sometime next year.
MELDRUM's sophomore album, "Blowin' Up The Machine" was released in Europe in May on Frontiers Records (it came out in the U.S. last month). MOTÖRHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister makes a guest appearance on the track "Miss Me When I'm Gone", for which he wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music. In addition, Gene Hoglan can be heard on four songs, while guitarist Michelle Meldrum's former PHANTOM BLUE bandmate Linda McDonald was responsible for laying down the drum tracks on the rest of the CD.
Midnattsol Finish Mixing and Mastering New Album
MIDNATTSOL have issued the following update
"Hey folks,"
"We just finished the mastering for Nordlys at Finnvox with Mika Jussila. It sounds great now and we like to thank the following for doing a great job: The VISION BLEAK guys, Alex Krull and Tosso (LEAVES' EYES / ATROCITY), Tue Madsen, Mika Jussila, Jens Howorka, Ingo Römling and Carl Begai."
"Nodlys will be out in late March 2008."
"Greetz from Helsinki,
Chris H & Daniel D" More...
Volbeat Update 2008 European Tour
Swedish rockers KAYSER, featuring frontman Spice (ex-SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), will support Danish metallers VOLBEAT on their upcoming European dates. The itinerary has been updated as follows:
February
14 - Hof Ter Lo - Antwerp, Belgium
15 - Melkweg - Amsterdam, Netherlands
16 - Zeche - Bochum, Germany
17 - Backstage - München, Germany
18 - F-Haus - Jena, Germany
19 - ExHaus - Trier, Germany
21 - Underworld - London, England
22 - Nouveau Casino - Paris, France
Kalmah Complete Recording of New Album
KALMAH guitarist Antti Kokko has issued the following studio update:
"Everything is now recorded and we will start mixing at the beginning of 2008. I guess it will take one-two weeks to get all done. This album will be guitar driven, raw sounding, more riff-oriented but melodic as Kalmah album always is. The band is very pleased with the result and I guess we are doing the best album so far. I know it is a cliché to say so, but I believe we are damn right about it! Check out new pics in gallery here."
Uli Jon Roth Reveal New Album Details
ULI JON ROTH (ex-SCORPIONS) is currently working on a new full-length studio album, which is to be released before the summer. The title of the album will be Under A Dark Sky. This is going to be the first official release in the long-awaited series of Symphonic Legends, which is a cycle of music written by Uli for his all-encompassing SKY OF AVALON project.
The new album is featuring a cast of rock singers as well as Uli's band, a classical choir and Sky Orchestra. The main lead singers are Mark Boals (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and Liz Vandall. Further vocalists and guests are still to be announced.
Uli Jon Roth will take his band on a world tour next year, starting in May. This is going to include Japan, Asia, North-and South America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and India. There are also going to be appearances at several of the big
open air Festivals during the summer, including Wacken Festival, Sweden Rock Festival and Rock of Ages Festival.
Additionally, several Sky Academy Seminars are going to be held in various countries. These are going to be announced on the Sky Academy website.
Landmine Marathon Announce West Coast Dates
Phoenix death-crust machine LANDMINE MARATHON rips into the New Year with a string of West Coast dates.
Led by ferocious frontwoman Grace Perry, LANDMINE MARATHON breathes new life into a classic era of extreme music — namely the early Earache Records era, defined by the raw, anthemic sounds of bands like CARCASS and BOLT THROWER.
LANDMINE MARATHON's debut full-length ("Wounded", released on Level Plane Records in the summer of '06) earned the band massive media coverage, including a page in Revolver's "Hottest Women In Metal" issue.
LANDMINE MARATHON's West Coast dates in January foreshadow the release of the band's forthcoming split CD/LP with Bay Area thrash revisionists SCARECROW (featuring Matt Harvey of EXHUMED), to be released on Level Plane Records on February 19.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 04 - Tucson AZ - The Living Room
Jan. 05 - City of Industry, CA - AWS Shop
Jan. 06 - Los Angeles, CA - Dave's Warehouse
Jan. 07 - Goleta, CA - The Pink Mailbox
Jan. 09 - Portland, OR - The Satyricon
Jan. 10 - Tacoma, WA - Viaduct
Jan. 11 - Medford, OR - Musichead
Jan. 12 - Reno, NV - Open Ground Skatepark
Aerosmith "Greatest Hits" Reaches 11 Million Mark
AEROSMITH's "Greatest Hits" collection was certified 11-times-platinum on December 13, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of 11 million copies in the United States.
Released in 1980, "Greatest Hits" is AEROSMITH's first standard "greatest hits" compilation album. It contained some of the hits that made the band an icon of the 1970s rock era. A few remastered versions of "Greatest Hits" appeared in the 1990s and are considered partly responsible for the band's popular rejuvenation during the decade. Some of the tracks were significantly shortened from their original versions, paricularly "Same Old Song and Dance", "Sweet Emotion", and "Kings and Queens".
"Greatest Hits" has gone on to become the band's best-selling album in the United States. The band won a diamond award when the LP's sales reached the ten-million mark in 2001.
Saxon And Mercyful Fate Albums To Be Reissued
Night of the Vinyl Dead will reissue SAXON's "Dogs of War" and MERCYFUL FATE's "Into the Unknown" albums on limited-edition vinyl this month. The details are as follows:
SAXON - "Dogs of War" (originally released by SPV in 1995)
* Limited-edition sandy vinyl plus bonus SAXON stickers set
* Hand-numbered 333 copies
Side A:
01. Dogs Of War
02. Burning Wheels
03. Don't Worry
04. Big Twin Rolling Coming Home
05. Hold On
Side B:
01. The Great While Battle
02. Demolition Alley
03. Walking Through Tokyo
04. Give it All Away
05. Yesterdays Gone
MERCYFUL FATE – "Into the Unknown" (originally released by Metal Blade in 1996)
* Limited-edition sunset vinyl
* Hand-numbered 500 copies
Side A:
01. Lucifer
02. The Uninvited Guest
03. Ghost Of Change
04. Listen To The Bell
05. Fifteen Men (And A Bottle Of Rum)
Side B:
01. Into The Unknown
02. Under The Spell
03. Deadtime
04. Holy Water
05. Ktulu (The Mad Arab Part II)
Sepultura Guitarist Talks About Reunion And More
Rockinvasion.de conducted an interview with SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser during the band's German tour this past summer. A short two-minute preview clip can be viewed below. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:
Rockinvasion.de: Why did [drummer] Igor [Cavalera] leave [SEPULTURA]? It was announced that he was tired of touring. But is that really the whole truth?
Andreas: Yeah, pretty much. I mean, he really wanted to do something else, stay more in Brazil. He got a new wife, a new kid, and he's got three kids from a previous marriage also. He just wanted to be more involved there. He's doing [gigs as] a DJ, he's not playing drums that much, that often, like he used to. He just got tired [of the SEPULTURA lifestyle], I guess. I mean, it's pretty natural. It was like 23 years in a row [being in the band]. He wanted to get in touch with his brother [former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera] more often and stuff, and I guess that's very understandable. We reached a point where it was better for him to do something else, and for us, we had "Dante" [the latest SEPULTURA CD, "Dante XXI"] on our hands. I mean, we couldn't stop — after we recorded "Dante" and stop — so we took the challenge to move ahead, first with Roy [Mayorga, stand-in drummer on SEPULTURA's spring 2006 European tour] and now with Jean [Dolabella, current SEPULTURA drummer], and now we have reason to continue with this great drummer and this great time that we're in now. It's just, like, different choices. It was much easier to deal with Igor leaving right now than it was with Max. With Max we were on "Roots" and we were at the height [of our success] and everything was happening, and it was very confusing and very shocking to everybody involved, but because of that, I think we were better prepared to deal with this kind of situation again. I think both [of us] are in a better place now.
Rockinvasion.de: But even though he's burnt out, you've still got the fire, don't you?
Andreas: Of course. I mean, we [Igor and I] see the world in a different way — that's very obvious. (Laughs) I love to be on stage. For me, it's a privilege to be in a band like SEPULTURA, to travel the world so many times, and to really feel the changes in the world, and not only by TV and stuff. It's great. I can pass this kind of baggage and information to my family, to my kids and stuff, and bring them here when it's possible. Travelling is great — it really opens your mind and you see your own place with different eyes and with a different attitude every time you go back, so I think it's very healthy. To play music everywhere in the world — that's what I asked [for] a long time ago and that's what I worked for for so many yeas, and that's what I do.
Rockinvasion.de: I was confused by some Cavalera statements, of both [Max and Igor]. 'Cause they were talking about reuniting with the original [SEPULTURA] lineup. First of all, it doesn't go along with the "tired of touring" argument, and second of all, it didn't happen. Was it just [all talk] or was there anything true in that — are there any plans [for a reunion of the classic SEPULTURA lineup]?
Andreas: Well, you have to ask about their plans for them. (Laughs.)
Rockinvasion.de: So they didn't ask you about that?
Andreas: No, this is just, like, rumors. People can say whatever they want in the press. Like I said, everybody has an opinion. And this confusion is always there. I really think all [of Max's] interviews [contain] very contradictory statements and stuff, but whatever… There's [no talk] about a reunion, there's nothing about coming back. We're very focused on what we're doing right now. Like I said, we're preparing a new album and we're looking towards the future. And if in the future something like that will happen, it has to happen very naturally, [which is what] SEPULTURA was always about — we cannot try to force anything. So, I don't know… All the rest is just politics, you know. I'm just really concerned with what we're doing right now and looking ahead.
Rockinvasion.de: So Derrick [Green, vocals] and Jean aren't nervous about the situation?
Andreas: Not really. I mean, there's no reason to be. (Laughs) We're enjoying what we're doing and we have our plans. Nothing more to it.
Rockinvasion.de: Did you stay in contact with Igor and Max?
Andreas: Yeah, [Igor] is still in Sao Paulo and we still know the families and kids and stuff like that, but we don't talk as much as we used to. I'm here in Europe working, he's doing his stuff. The lives now are very different, so… But I have [no ill feelings towards him], I respect his position. And ever since Max left [in December 1996], we never talked. It's a very stupid [situation]. I mean, they never accepted the fact that Gloria [Max's wife] was fired [as SEPULTURA's manager] and still today, it's very difficult to move if you don't resolve your things, so they seem to be kind of stopped in a place in time. More...
Slipknot Guitarist To Guest On Necrophagia Album
U.S. death metal pioneers NECROPHAGIA have set "Death Trip 69" as the title of their long-awaited new album, tentatively due before the summer via an as-yet-undisclosed label. The band is also planning a major tour with its international lineup, which includes Mirai Kawashima of SIGH, Italy's Titta Tanni, former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah, Undead Torment, Fug and, of course, founding member Killjoy.
"Death Trip 69" will feature several guest appearances, including lead guitar parts by SLIPKNOT's Mick Thomson.
Slaughter Confirmed For Atarfe Rock Festival
Las Vegas-based hard rockers SLAUGHTER are the latest act confirmed for Spain's Atarfe Vega Rock Festival, which will take place March 7th/8th, 2008 in the city of Atarfe, Spain (11 km from Granada, Andalusia).
Confirmed acts on the bill now include: BELPHEGOR, DANGER DANGER, DESTRUCTION, EXCITER, GRAVE DIGGER, KATATONIA, KORPIKLAANI, KOTIPELTO, MAYHEM, MY DYING BRIDE, SLAUGHTER, SYMPHONY X, TRIBAL and UNLEASHED.
Nikki Sixx Checks In
NIKKI SIXX has issued the following Holiday update:
"I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday. 2007 is about gone and 2008 is gonna be great. Thank you all for the interest, support and loyalty in everything I've been creative in....
..............let me leave you with a prayer I came up with........
God please forgive me for all the evil I have done and some of what I'm about to do too.
See ya next year."
Nikki Sixx
As previously reported, Sixx recently spoke to Boston writer Deb Rao about his 2007 Year in Reflection and release of SIXX A.M.'s latest video,'Accidents Can Happen'.
Nikki comments: "I really love the 'Accidents Can Happen' video there is so much open space to the feel of it. This video feels fresh to me. We wanted to shift the visual from how this project started with the first video to a cleaner video. We went for a look that wasn't so much about the video but about the fact that we are a band and also to let the song be the most important part of the presentation.
It was important working with Paul Brown, (who did the art for the book) to have the video look, smell, and feel like the book. This is a body of work and it's important to us that the theme stays the same throughout. Paul is to me one of the future's brightest stars and darkest souls. He's amazing. As you will see, from the whole concept.
I'm very proud of the fact that our album is a soundtrack to a book. As far as I knew that has never been done before and it called for a different creative focus. I know I speak for James and DJ too when I say to have single touch so many people as well is more than we ever expected.
The Heroin Diaries chapter of my life has been closed for me personally for years now, but seeing it effect others that are like minded or have extended relationships has been very impactful (in a positive way) to my life. It has also opened a lot of doors because of the effect it has had on people. People and organizations whose doors were firmly shut to me before the book and album came out".
Gigantour 2008 Lineup Revealed
The complete lineup for Gigantour 2008 has been revealed. The tour is scheduled to kick off mid-April and run through the end of May and will feature the following acts:
MEGADETH
IN FLAMES
CHILDREN OF BODOM
JOB FOR A COWBOY
HIGH ON FIRE
In the meantime, Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message at the Gigantour forum:
"As some of you may have heard on last week's Rockline with Bob Coburn, I kind of alluded to a great Japanese magazine that I love talking to called Burrrn! (not a typo) and I gave them a little taste of something about Gigantour 2008's line-up. Well, Bob asked me again about the line-up and I playfully mentioned some more 'stuff.' And although I did not actually confirm or deny it, as of yesterday, we are officially on our way! I am happy to say that yesterday I did a cover story photo-shoot with the front-men of the other bands of this year's 'helluva line-up!' at my upcoming heavy metal festival and I think we had a pretty kewl afternoon.
And as Gigantour grows, it is continuing to develop the 'roll' part of 'rock and roll.' The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of eight. The decision to drop it down from eight bands to five was based on timing, set lengths, stage sizes, unions, and most importantly allowing 'us' — the musicians — to deliver to 'you' — the fans — the best shows we can. Besides it is easier to remember five bands' and crews' worth of names than eight.
"It is pretty much not a secret anymore who the bands are, but we are still going to 'officially' announce the line-up as soon as our business partners return from the holidays, and their celebrating putting together such a great line-up this year!
"We will be announcing shortly after that when and where our Gigantour baseball game is going to happen. You may remember that for the last two years of successfully Gigantouring North America, that we had played a softball game each year and gathered food for the homeless and provided meals for the shelters for delivery to homes, as well as providing our gloves and other baseball artifacts, uniforms and equipment to charity for auction. In 2005 and 2006 the charity of choice was Mr. Holland's Opus. This charity provides musical instruments for underprivileged children. We will be providing info for our choice for the baseball games charity to support this year.
So, to the guys I met yesterday (and in some cases before) _____, _____, ___, and ______ and their management and crew from yesterdays photo shoot for Revolver, I will see you guys soon and be sure and check out what these great guitarist and bands have to say here in their chats, posts, blogs, podcasts, and video footage (if any).
I am still hopeful that we will be able to video tape this year's Gigantour, but after the last one and the way it finished, I think that my people are not as open-minded to going through that whole ordeal again. Cross your fingers though. I always keep trying, that is why it seems like I win a lot. I do win a lot, it's just I have a lot of defeats too; and I don't dwell on them or try to let you know of them.
We will be launching the new face of the site soon too, so stay tuned for that. And we will be announcing something that happened at the end of this year too, that will no doubt provide many new and exciting possibilities for us. I will be referring back to this post and the day 12.18 when we do make our announcement.
Until then, I love you guys, and have a great Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and I hope that you had a great Hanukkah!"
Deep Purple Bassist Issues End Of Year Update
DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover has issued the following update:
"This has been a busy year, to say the least. It’s also been a fantastic year. The Rapture Tour threaded its way around this blue planet and everywhere we visited we received the moving welcomes that we are almost in danger of taking for granted. But be assured that they are never taken for granted; every night for us is a special night. I would like to thank everybody that has supported and encouraged us along the way. I must also thank my fellow musicians, all of whom are heroes of mine. I am decidedly in good company.
There are too many individuals to thank by name but a special mention must first of all go to our management team, Bruce, Spider, Barbara and Sarah. Next, I have to mention our loyal crew, our family on the road. I am proud that every show has been a smooth and professional affair and they have made the rigorous business that we are engaged in as easy as possible for us privileged musicians, who show up expecting everything to be ready - another case of things being almost taken for granted, but it’s not. I thank them all for their hard work and deprivations.
Of all the tours we completed this year, the reception we received in France was exceptional. In Paris, Gérard, our promoter, presented each of us with a ‘Gold Ticket” – a great looking plaque commemorating our box office achievement – we sold more tickets than any other band this year. I sincerely thank him and his staff. I’ve never seen anything like it before but it seems symptomatic of the way the business, at least our business, has changed. Live music rules!
I had fun in between tours as well. My daughter Gillian released her first album, Red Handed, in which I was happy to play a small part. She received so many compliments; I can’t count how many people told me how proud I should be of her. I know, I am extremely proud of her. Now she is starting work on her next album as well as writing and performing with the band Beat:Root.
I had the pleasure of working with my sound engineer, Peter Denenberg of Acme Studios, both on my own next album and the mix of DREAM THEATER’s great tribute to Made In Japan.
In the UK, a neighbour of my sister Christine, a ten year-old girl called Katie Turner, had a school project to complete and requested an interview from me. The subject was about changes in music in the UK since 1948. That would be a daunting project for anyone, including me, but she researched it well, gaining an understanding of music far beyond her years and produced an amazing result, receiving top marks. I congratulate her on a fine achievement.
Travelling takes up 90% of our lives and for several of the European tours our transport, a Metro SA 227 Series twelve-seater airplane with two pilots, was a real comfort. Our traveling days were therefore simplified and we could avoid the indignities of queuing for security checks, emptying carry-on baggage, taking shoes off, finding gates, waiting for the incoming plane to show up, listening to the lies that airlines offer for delays, the interminable wait for suitcases, etc., etc. It made a lot of sense to travel this way because we were playing cities that getting to any other way would have been be a major headache. I would like to thank all the pilots for their dedication.
All in all, I have nothing to complain about, other than the fact that I was rather ill with shingles on the most recent tour (I’m much better now) so I would like to end this year with a heartfelt appreciation of all that I have and all that has been given to me. Good fortune has again been my friend.
Thank you Andi Thul for looking after my website.
I wish you all a great season and all the best of luck for a healthy and peaceful New Year."
First Acts For Graspop 2008 Announced
Graspop Metal Meeting 2008 is scheduled for June 27th - 29th, 2008 at the festival park De Boeretand in Dessel, Belgium.
The first acts for the festival have been confirmed as follows: IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, WHITESNAKE, MINISTRY, SONATA ARCTICA, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, VOLBEAT, MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES, FORBIDDEN, HOLLENTHON, DEATHSTARS, CONVERGE, COMEBACK KID.
Blitzkrieg Confirmed For Stockfest
UK NWOBHM act BLITZKRIEG have been confirmed for next year's Stockfest. It will be held at The Thatched House in Stockport on Saturday, April 26th 2008. More bands to be announced soon.
Wolf Post 2007 Wrap Up
Sweden's WOLF have issued the following 2007 year-end update:
"Where's the power gone? Thanx 2007!
We wanna thank each and every one of you that picked up our album, came to the shows, got yourself a t-shirt, said 'hi' and gave us beer, hanged out, played with us or simply just supported heavy metal for a great 2007. We WILL make some noise in 2008, be sure of that!
Here's the list to sum it all up:
Best on stage move: Anders Tornado's striptease at Bloodstock Festival (thank God (?) for YouTube)
Most stupid: Johannes Axeman when talking to Vinnie Appice and taking pictures with him at Bang Your Head Fest and not remembering any of it… Damn that free beer…
Most crazy stories told: Breakfast with GRIM REAPER at the hotel… Funny 'shit'.
Worst catering: Two bags of crisps and a bottle of water…for 2 bands somewhere in the UK.
Best onstage comment: Niklas Viper going, 'Someone told us that we're too metal for our own good. We say, you can NEVER be too metal for your own good!'
2nd runner up: Johannes Axeman at Bloodstock said, 'Where's the power gone? Hell, we don't need power, we're a HEAVY metal band.'
3rd runner up: Tobias Hammershark said, 'It's a lose/lose situation.'
The 'what the hell' moment: Spotting the HUGE signing queue at Bloodstock Fest. Good fun. Thanx to all of you.
Most prepared: All of us on the tour bus watching Braveheart before the gigs in Scotland.
Most rocking moment: The show at Sweden Rock Fest - 60 minutes of New Wave of Swedish / British Heavy Metal…in Sweden…
Tallest: Jensen of THE HAUNTED.
Longest wait: 9 hours at Heathrow to catch the flight home after The Cursed Earth tour.
Funniest: Setting our bass player's arse on fire at Bang Your Head Fest.
Coolest chicks: GIRLSCHOOL. Hell, they rock!
Worst moment: Having to cancel Hard Rock Hell Fest after putting down hours of work to make it happen. Damn canceling!
Coolest fan: Joxxe."
Judas Priest Post Update
JUDAS PRIEST have issued the following update:
"We're taking a short break from recording for the Christmas and New Year holidays then we'll be back in the studio finishing off the new album!
All is going really well and we are also in the process of setting up the World Tour for 2008!
We want to wish you all a very metal Christmas and a rocking New Year!!"
As previously reported, Judas Priest have been confirmed as another one of the headlining acts to play at next year's instalment of the Bang Your Head!!! Festival, set to take place on June 27th and 28th in Balingen, Germany. The show will be Priest's only open-air German appearance in 2008.
Priest will also play the Graspop Metal Meeting that same weekend in Dessel, Belgium. Exact performance dates will be announced soon.
Gigantour 2008 To Have Five Bands Not Eight
MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine has posted a Gigantour 2008 update on the official Gigantour Forums:
"The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of eight. The decision to drop it down from eight bands to five was based on timing, set lengths, stage sizes, unions, and most importantly allowing 'us' - the musicians - to deliver to 'you' the fans the best shows we can. Besides it is easier to remember five bands and crews worth of names than eight."
Read the full article at this location.
To-Mera Post Another New Song Online
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), has posted another new track, entitled "Inside the Hourglass" on the group's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's sophomore album, "Delusions", due on February 18, 2008 via Candlelight Records.
"Delusions" (cover artwork by Eliran Kantor) track listing:
01. The Lie
02. Mirage
03. The Glory of a New Day
04. Inside the Hourglass
05. A Sorrow to Kill
06. Asylum
07. Fallen From Grace
08. Temptation More...
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