Detritus
Issue #500 - Yowza!!
Week of May 11, 2009
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*
*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
*
Patrick Brower, Editor
patrickbrower@...
Sean P. Gahgan, Editor
spgahgan@...
http://www.lakeoffire.net/
http://www.myspace.com/visionlakeoffire
Tim Wadzinski, Owner
tsw512@...
Steve Shumake, Co-owner
vongoober@...
http://www.myspace.com/kdsteve
*
*** LET IT BE KNOWN ***
*
-Issue #500. Man, that's pretty cool. I don't know about you but where
I come from that's a big number. But even after all this time we still
get things wrong. Case in point: Steve was supposed to bring the
doughnuts to the office party but he forgot... (One of these days he's
going to get himself fired.) Thanks to everyone who's ever contributed
to an issue, to all the readers out there in cyberland, to all the PR
folks we've dealt with, and to all the bands/artists who are still at
it, cranking out the goods! Long live rock 'n' roll!! - Tim
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
*
-Heaven & Hell Storm The Charts With THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Long Awaited Album From Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler,
and Vinny Appice Debuts At #8 On Billboard Top 200 Album Chart
Matches Highest Chart Position Ever For Any Black Sabbath Lineup
North American Tour Dates On Sale This Weekend
LOS ANGELES -- Heaven & Hell's highly anticipated new album THE DEVIL
YOU KNOW debuted at #8 on this week's Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
The metal masses waited 17 years for a new album from the Dio-era of
Black Sabbath and THE DEVIL YOU KNOW did not disappoint. This equals
the highest chart position ever reached by any Black Sabbath lineup
(1971's MASTER OF REALITY also reached #8). Revolver Magazine calls
DEVIL "an album of ageless metal anthems" and The Associated Press
praises its "bone-crunching riffs and power chords that can loosen the
phlegm in your chest."
The band will take THE DEVIL YOU KNOW on the road in North America
this August for a month-long trek with support from Coheed And
Cambria. Tickets for most shows go on sale the weekend of May 8.
HEAVEN & HELL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
All Dates Also Feature Coheed And Cambria Unless Noted
AUGUST
7 - Vancouver, BC - Thunderbird Arena - On Sale 5/9
8 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater* - On Sale 5/8
10 - San Jose, CA - Event Center Arena - On Sale 5/10
11 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater - On Sale 5/9
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre - On Sale 5/11
14 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion - On Sale 5/9
15 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks - On Sale 5/9
18 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion - On Sale 5/8
19 - Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion - On Sale 5/15
21 - Detroit, MI - Meadow Brook Pavilion - On Sale 5/8
22 - Cleveland, OH - Nautica Pavilion - On Sale 5/8
23 - Baltimore, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion - On Sale 6/5
25 - New York, NY - WaMu Theater @ MSG - On Sale 5/8
27 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theatre - On Sale 5/9
28 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion - On Sale 5/8
*With Neurosis (Coheed And Cambria will not appear on this date)
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
*
-Twisted Sister Hungry Again
Rhino Re-masters 1984 Top 20 Smash Album With A Bonus Disc Of
Unreleased Studio Recordings, Plus A New Track By The Original Lineup
For 25th Anniversary Edition
Limited Edition Pink Vinyl Package Accompanies CD and Digital Release
Available From Rhino June 30
LOS ANGELES -- After rocking clubs from Los Angeles to New York City
for more than a decade, Twisted Sister made its bones in 1984 with the
quintet's second Atlantic Records release, a Top 20 album that stormed
the charts with a string of hit singles and genre-bending videos.
Rhino proudly wears a Twisted Sister pin on its uniform, celebrating
the album's multi-platinum success with a 25th Anniversary Edition
that includes a bonus disc of unreleased outtakes and early demos from
the original sessions, as well as a new track recorded especially for
this collection by the 1984 lineup: Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie
Ojeda, Mark Mendoza, and A.J. Pero. STAY HUNGRY 25th Anniversary
Edition will be available June 30 from Rhino Records at all retail
outlets, including
http://www.rhino.com/ , for a suggested list price
of $19.98 (CD), $12.99 (digital).
A limited edition pink vinyl package with the original STAY HUNGRY
album art and bonus poster will also be released this summer at the
suggested retail price of $24.98.
The first disc contains re-mastered versions of the nine tracks from
the May 1984 original. The album was a smash thanks to a pair of fist-
pumping anthems of youthful rebellion -- "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not
Gonna Take It" -- that went Top 40. The band balanced those catchy
songs with the harder edge of metal classics like "Burn In Hell" and
"Horror-Teria," a macabre song that would later serve as the
inspiration for "Strangeland," a 1998 horror film written by Snider,
who also starred as the sadistic Captain Howdy.
The bonus disc uncovers 15 unreleased recordings that range from
alternate versions of album tracks -- including "We're Not Gonna Take
It" -- to several non-album tracks such as "Death From Above," "Prime
Motivator," and "Pay The Price," a song from the band's earlier club
days. Along with the vintage tracks, the collection includes "30,"
Twisted's first new song in 11 years recorded by the band for the 25th
Anniversary Edition.
"30" was originally written by Dee Snider with Marc Beeman and Sharon
Lawson for the reality series "Gone Country." Dee says, "While '30'
was my attempt at a country song for the show, the realization was
that rock 'n' roll is a direct outgrowth of country music. Since '30'
was written about my Twisted Sister experience, it seemed only natural
for us to record it and rock it out."
More than a decade after Twisted Sister's last show, the band reformed
in 2001 for a benefit and continued playing together, including an
astonishing run of over 50 headline festival dates performing in front
of two million people in over 23 countries. In 2006, the band returned
to the charts with TWISTED CHRISTMAS, a holiday album that buzzsaws
through yuletide classics such as "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and
"Silver Bells." That same year, the Long Island Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame inducted Twisted Sister. The band is currently at work on a new
album and a Broadway musical based on TWISTED CHRISTMAS. Twisted
Sister will headline the annual Rocklahoma music festival July 9-12 in
Pryor, Oklahoma. "Rock Of Ages," Broadway's latest musical hit with
five Tony® nominations, features Twisted Sister prominently in its
story line and with the band's aforementioned iconic anthems, "I Wanna
Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It."
Were you there? Be sure to check out Twisted Sister's 1978 debut tour
and more at
http://www.twistedsister.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/twistedsister .
STAY HUNGRY 25th Anniversary Edition
Track Listing
Disc 1
1. "Stay Hungry"
2. "We're Not Gonna Take It"
3. "Burn In Hell"
4. "Horror-Teria (The Beginning)"
a. "Captain Howdy"
b. "Street Justice"
5. "I Wanna Rock"
6. "The Price"
7. "Don't Let Me Down"
8. "The Beast"
9. "S.M.F."
Disc 2
1. "Death From Above"
2. "Prime Motivator"
3. "We're Not Gonna Take It" Early Demo
4. "Death Run"
5. "This One's For You"
6. "S.M.F." Early Demo
7. "We're Coming On"
8. "Call My Name"
9. "Burn In Hell" Early Demo
10. "Pay The Price"
11. "What's Love Without You"
12. "Our Voice Will Be Heard"
13. "You Got To Fight"
14. "The Price" Early Demo
15. "Stay Hungry" Early Demo
16. Radio Spot
17. "30" New Track
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
*
-Queensryche Concert From AMERICAN SOLDIER Tour To Be Broadcast Live
At Cdpulse.tv
Fans Worldwide Can Access High Definition Live Stream Of Complete
Concert From Clearwater, Florida On May 19
Band Will Play Suites From RAGE FOR ORDER, AMERICAN SOLDIER, and
EMPIRE During Two Hour Performance
LOS ANGELES -- Queensryche will take their acclaimed AMERICAN SOLDIER
Tour online by broadcasting an entire show live in high definition at
cdpulse.tv. When the band takes the stage at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in
Clearwater, Florida on May 19 at 8 p.m. ET, fans worldwide can watch a
high definition stream of the performance live as it happens. Fans can
gain access to the show by purchasing an e-ticket at cdpulse.tv for
the cost $5.95 for an advance ticket or $7.95 for a ticket on the day
of the show. The show can be viewed virtually worldwide in high
definition clarity via premium content delivery access systems
featuring 43,000 servers in 17 different countries. For more details
and technical information, please visit cdpulse.tv.
As with all shows on the AMERICAN SOLDIER Tour, Queensryche will be
performing three separate suites during the two hour performance, each
focusing on a different album. The show opens with a suite from the
band's 1986 gold album RAGE FOR ORDER, including some tracks the band
has not played live in over 20 years. The second suite focuses on the
new epic concept album AMERICAN SOLDIER, which was released on March
31 from Atco/Rhino. The SOLDIER suite features guest vocal
performances by Navy rescue swimmer and Blue Angels crew chief A.J.
Fratto on the intense set opener "Sliver" and lead singer Geoff Tate's
daughter Emily on the moving ballad "Home Again." The final suite
revisits 1990's triple platinum opus EMPIRE with performances of some
of the band's most beloved tracks including "Jet City Woman," "Silent
Lucidity," and "Best I Can."
Cdpulse.tv is in a technology partnership with Akamai Technologies for
worldwide delivery of high definition Internet broadcasts.
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
*
-Progressive Nation 2009: North American Tour Dates
Dream Theater, Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation & Beardfish
Fri Jul 24 - Miami, FL - Fillmore @ Jackie Gleason Theater
Sat Jul 25 - Orlando, FL - Rock Hard Live
Sun Jul 26 - Tampa, FL - Ruth Eckard Hall
Tue Jul 28 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
Wed Jul 29 - Ashville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Fri Jul 31 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theater
Sat Aug 01 - Washington DC * - Merriweather Post
Sun Aug 02 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavillion
Tue Aug 04 - Albany, NY - The Palace Theater
Wed Aug 05 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theater
Fri Aug 07 - Asbury Park, NJ - Convention Hall
Tue Aug 11 - Quebec City, QUE - The Agora
Wed Aug 12 - Montreal, QUE - Bell Center
Fri Aug 14 - Toronto, ONT - Molson Amphitheater
Sun Aug 16 - Winnipeg, MAN - The Burton Cummings Theater
Tue Aug 18 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall
Wed Aug 19 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Center
Fri Aug 21 - Minneapolis, MN - The Orpheum Theater
Sat Aug 22 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
Sun Aug 23 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
Tue Aug 25 - Denver, CO - Temple Hoyne Buell Theater
Thu Aug 27 - San Jose, CA - Event Center
Fri Aug 28 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Sat Aug 29 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek Theater
* - Additional Special Guests on the 8/1 Washington, DC show will be
Queensryche (a special one-off five band Progressive Nation bill for
one night only!).
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
*
-Magic Circle Music Update
HolyHell Saves The Best For Summer!
Currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their debut
album, HolyHell is poised for its release on the Magic Circle Music
label in the Summer of 2009! Already prominent players in the metal
scene, their E.P. APOCALYPSE entered the German Top 100 chart selling
over 6,000 copies in a matter of weeks by virtue of their live
performances alone. Motivated by the response from metal fans
worldwide, HolyHell went back into the studio and committed to
delivering the best their multifaceted talents could produce for their
first complete album. In addition to "Eclipse," "Apocalypse," "Last
Vision" and "Resurrection," it will contain nine new tracks of
incredibly powerful music guaranteed to please the most discerning
metal fans.
Consisting of new female vocal sensation, Maria Breon, a classically
trained singer possessing a unique and powerful voice; Shred Lord, Joe
Stump, an acclaimed heavy metal guitar virtuoso who has already made
his mark in the world of power metal; Francisco Palomo, the newest
keyboard prodigy on the rock and metal scene; bassist Jay Rigney, one
of the Boston area's top studio musicians and ex-Manowar drummer,
Rhino; HolyHell mixes elements of classic metal and hard rock with
orchestral arrangements and haunting gothic melodies, making HolyHell
a tour de force of powerful, heavy music. For those eagerly awaiting
its release, the debut album will not disappoint.
Set to headline six of Europe's major festivals as special guests of
Manowar, HolyHell will perform new material from the album at
Provinssirock 2009 in Seinajoki, Finland on June 13, 2009, Hellfest in
Clisson, France on June 21, 2009, the Metalway Festival in Saragoza,
Spain on June 27, 2009, the B'estfest Aftershock in Bucharest, Romania
on July 5th, 2009, the Norway Rock Festival in Kvindesal, Norway on
July 10, 2009 and the Magic Circle Festival on July 18, 2009 at the
Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany.
Meanwhile, check out the latest news on HolyHell at
http://www.holyhell.com/ and
http://www.magiccirclemusic.com/ . For
details on tour dates with Manowar, visit
http://www.manowar.com/ .
For info on the Magic Circle Festival, visit
http://www.magiccirclefestival.com/ .
The Ultimate Fan Contest Is Underway!
Prove how FANtastic you are!
Hail Brothers and Sisters of Steel! The time to prove that YOU are the
ULTIMATE MANOWAR FAN and win a Grand Prize of two Ultimate Fan
Packages for Magic Circle Festival III on July 18, 2009 at the Loreley
on the Rhine River in Germany is ticking away!! Only a couple more
weeks to go before the contest is history! Already thousands have
entered, but to be perfectly fair, we are alerting fans once again to
the deadline of May 25, 2009!
Remember... the grand prize is the ultimate MANOWARD (Manowar Award)
worth over 700 Euros for... THE ULTIMATE MANOWAR FAN!!
To win it, express the reasons why you are the Ultimate Fan via a
written essay, photos, video footage, or any media that can be sent
via email.
In your own words... Tell us your story! Show us your photos! Or...
get up close and personal... Show us YOU on video! Any way you
choose... JUST DON'T CHOOSE TO LOSE! Send your entries now! For more
information and instructions on how to enter, click on the Ultimate
Fan Contest at
http://www.magiccirclefestival.com/ .
Deadline for submission is May 25, 2009 by Midnight, Central European
Time. Winners will be announced on June 1, 2009.
Magic Circle Festival III Countdown!
Hail Brothers and Sisters of Steel! The countdown begins!! July 18,
2009 is just around the corner and the reality of history in the
making at Magic Circle Festival III reverberates like the crash of
Thor's hammer on the gates of Asgard! In the beginning, Manowar
proclaimed, "They can't stop us, let them try, for heavy metal come to
Loreley in July!" Now that the time draws near, fans will be pleased
to know that metal madness will exceed all pandemics of the past! All
Manowarriors know that the Magic Circle Festival is an unparalleled
adventure famed for its innovations, destinations, creative themes and
raucous heavy metal brought to you by the best bands on the planet.
This year The Asgard Saga will come to life for the first time on the
stages of Magic Circle Festival III through the book and the music
that has resulted from a unique collaboration between Manowar and
Germany's best-selling fantasy author, Wolfgang Hohlbein. Thor, the
God of Thunder, will be introduced to the world of metal with the
legions of the faithful as the only witnesses. This year's location at
the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany is also a romantic and
adventurous tourist destination rich with myths and legends, appealing
to all those who seek a kickass setting for metal history in the
making!
In their eternal quest to provide fans with an orgy for the senses and
endless audio orgasms, Manowar has scheduled a full day of fan
activities and entertainment, including the Heat Seekers from Norway,
for the official opening of the festival campgrounds on Friday, July
17th. Then on Saturday, July 18th a complete lineup of multinational
bands sure to have even an anal retentive, constipated personality
banging his or her head with wild abandon by day's end. Slated to
perform at this monumental event are Ulytau (Kazakhstan), Wizard
(Germany), Crystal Viper (Poland), Metalforce (Germany), Jack Starr's
Burning Starr (U.S.A.), Domain (Germany), Kingdom Come (Germany), Age
Of Evil (U.S.A.), Van Canto (Germany), Die Sklaven (Germany) and
headliners, Manowar (U.S.A.) with special guests, HolyHell (U.S.A.).
Fans will also have the chance to hail Wolfgang Hohlbein as he makes a
special appearance to open the gates of Asgard to all present at the
festival.
AND... just when all thought it couldn't get any better than this...
Manowar announced that the band will release an E.P. of new material
based on The Asgard Saga project this summer! The E.P. will be
available for sale exclusively at the festival. Meanwhile, HolyHell,
MetalForce, Jack Starr's Burning Starr and several of the other bands
in the lineup will also be releasing albums in time to perform new
material at the Magic Circle Festival. So, the countdown begins for
one hellava good time at the ultimate metal experience of 2009! If
aren't there, you will hang your hammer in shame!
For details and ticket sales, visit
http://www.magiccirclefestival.com/. For information on Manowar, The
Asgard Saga, or bands featured on the Magic Circle Music label, visit
http://www.manowar.com/, http://www.asgard-saga.com/,
http://www.magiccirclemusic.com/. To watch The Asgard Saga movie
trailer everyone is talking about, produced by Neil Johnson, Manowar's
Video Director, log onto
http://www.asgard-saga.com/ !
The Asgard Saga
http://www.asgard-saga.com/
HolyHell Web site
http://www.holyhell.com/
Magic Circle Festival
http://www.magiccirclefestival.com/
Magic Circle Music
http://www.magiccirclemusic.com/
Manowar
http://www.manowar.com/
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
*
-Lion Music News
Mastercastle "Princess Of Love" Video
Check out the new Mastercastle video for "Princess Of Love" taken from
the band's debut album THE PHOENIX, out now on Lion Music. View the
video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPDcwjNSoPE
Astra And Ashent Schedule Joint Italian Gigs
Two of our hottest Italian Prog Metal bands have scheduled the
following dates together.
-MAY/23/2009 10:00 PM at ROCK CLUB via Tambarin, zona industriale,
Ronchi dei Legionari, GO, Italy.
-MAY/24/2009 10:00 PM at JAILBREAK LIVE CLUB Via Tiburtina, 870 00159
Roma.
New Twinspirits Album Coming Soon
We have just received the master of the second Twinspirits album
entitled THE FORBIDDEN CITY which features new vocalist Göran Nyström.
More information to follow soon.
New Milan Polak Album Coming Soon
We have also just recieved the master for the new Milan Polak album
entitled MURPHY'S LAW. The album, as with its predecessor STRAIGHT, is
a vocal album yet sees Milan get heavier and more aggressive. More
information to follow soon.
New Joe Stump Web Site
To tie in with the release of his new album VIRTUOSTIC VENDETTA, world
acclaimed American neo-classical/ shred guitarist Joe Stump has given
his Web site a makeover. Check it out at
http://www.joestump.com/ .
May 22nd Release - X Anima: INSIDE WARRIOR
X Anima - INSIDE WARRIOR
Released May 22nd 2009
Cat LMC263 / EAN6419922002636
View the promo video for "The Deeds And The Damage" at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S5wOq4HVjw .
Imagine Evanescence mixed with Enigma goes Kate Bush...enter: X Anima.
X Anima is new original music, with beautiful melodies, perfect
grooves and excellent sound design. It's all a creative combination of
pop-rockelectronica with elements of symphonic mixes. It's dark,
light, fantasy, heaven and hell...
How does a band go about creating new music? This question should be
asked of X Anima, for on their new album they have created, not only
new and innovative music -- but also keenly individual and inspired
songs. The lyrics tell stories of mysteries in modern times, such as
the mind of a serial killer, the phenomenon of poltergeist, Jonestown
-- the power of the spirit and mind and the life after death. By
uniting a voice which is ranging from an airy sound to rocky --
sometimes almost operatic -- combined with electronic synthesizers, a
mean electric guitar with heavy riffs and ethnic sounds -- X Anima has
created music -- which in their own classification could be called art
rock/electronic.
X Anima started as a project in February 2007. At first it was created
and only existing in cyber space -- but later on it turned into a live
band with excellent musicians turning the story of X Anima live.
Jade Ell (vocals and piano) is a true live artist -- having performed
at many different venues in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Holland and U.S.
She is both her own artist as well as an established songwriter, and
her songs have been recorded by many international artists. The last
year she had #1 in Mexico, Brazil and the U.S. -- with the Mexican pop
act RBD.
Pelle Händén (keyboards and synthesizers) started out in the '80s
making several solo albums and scores. He has also produced -- and
worked with such artists as Björn J:son Lind and Janne Shaffer amongst
others. Together with the female vocalist Magoria, ha made the album
THE DIVINE CHILD -- which sold 80,000 copies in Russia.
Track Listing
1. The Deeds And The Damage
2. Caged
3. Poltergeist
4. In The Lens
5. Born Into The Skin
6. Soaring
7. The Essence Of Being
8. Exodus
9. Inside Warrior
10. Reality Remains
11. Short Sighted
12. So Fragile
13. Time (bonus track)
Musicians
Jade Ell - Vocals and Piano
Pelle Händén - Keys
Fredrik Söderström - Drums
Erik Bernholm - Guitar
Jan Hellman - Bass
Album Credits
Produced by Pelle Händén
Mixed, produced and mastered by Daniel Flores
All vocals arranged and recorded by Jade Ell
All songs written by Jade Ell and Pelle Händén published by SONY/ATV
Music Publishing and Smilodon Publishing
Official Web Sites
http://www.xanima.eu/
http://www.myspace.com/xanima
Marketing & Promotion
» Promotional video for "The Deeds And The Damage" is already
receiving good feedback on YouTube/MySpace.
» Reviews in all leading rock/metal press both printed and electronic.
May 22nd Release - Lars Eric Mattsson: NO SURRENDER + LIVE
Lars Eric Mattsson - NO SURRENDER + LIVE
Released May 22nd 2009
Cat LMC262 / EAN6419922002629
NO SURRENDER + LIVE is a re-recorded version of one of Lars Eric
Mattsson's earliest albums originally released in 1989 to celebrate 20
years since its original release. This new version sees all vocals and
guitars being re-recorded with the addition of a few live tracks
tagged on the end for good measure.
NO SURRENDER is classic hard rock fused with neo-classical metal all
with the unique Lars Eric Mattsson flavour. Whilst the song writing
might not be as advanced as more recent efforts released under the
Mattsson name such as DREAMCHILD and WAR, this is a slice of history
which shows an artist that has continued to grow over the 20 years
since its initial release. To go with the 15 studio tracks there is
the bonus of five live tracks discovered in the Mattsson archives
which features tracks from the albums ELECTRIC VOODOO and ETERNITY.
On the new version Lars comments, "It's now 20 years since I released
my second album NO SURRENDER which landed me a Japanese record deal a
year after the debut album ETERNITY. While the original recordings
were rushed and quite poor in quality the song writing was much better
than its predecessor and I remember writing these songs with great
pleasure. Most of these songs were then performed live in a number of
different settings and they all seemed to transform quite well to the
live stage. I have always wanted to return to this material to polish
up all the rough ends and finally I found the perfect timing to make
it happen. I think these songs showcases my early influences as well
as the typical '80s mood that we all were in back then. Of course some
things do mature better than others over time but overall I am quite
happy with these songs representing my early career, and most of all,
I had a really great time playing them again. I tried not to change
things more than I had to and where possible maintain the original
ideas rather than include more modern elements as my intention was to
try to present the songs as I wanted them to have sounded at the time
of composing them. Even if most guitars have been re-recorded I have
copied my original ideas and basically just make them sound 'the same
but better.'"
Track Listing
1. Introduction
2. Tear Down The Border
3. Lady Luck
4. Since Love Died
5. Crocodile Walk
6. Just To Survive
7. Chasing Shadows
8. Menuet (J.S.Bach)
9. Proud'N'Free
10. Midnight Train
11. Lady Death
12. The Magician
13. When Silence Came To Remain
14. Third Circle
15. The Stranger
16. Can't Go On Without Your Love (Live)
17. The Exciter (Live)
18. Break Your Chains (Live)
19. Eternity (Live)
20. Goodnight (Live)
Musicians
Lars Eric Mattsson - Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Tony Mattsson - Drums
Goran Stenius - Bass
Orjan Sjostrom - Keyboards, backing vocals
Credits
Produced by Lars Eric Mattsson
Official Web Sites
http://www.larsericmattsson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/larsericmattsson
Marketing & Promotion
» 20th Anniversary re-mastered re-release with re-recorded guitars and
vocal, plus five live tracks from the Mattsson archives.
» Lars Eric Mattsson has a long pedigree in the rock world and is
known for releases under his solo name as well as Mattsson, Book Of
Reflections, Vision, Condition Red and Eli.
» Reviews in all leading rock/metal press both printed and electronic.
Regards
The LM Team
Web Links
http://www.lionmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lionmusiclabel
http://www.youtube.com/lionmusicfinland
http://www.twitter.com/LionMusic
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
*
-Rocknation Will Be Covering Rock On The Range 2009
Executive producer Tom Mathers is excited to cover this event for the
second year for Rocknation. West coast VJ Jeffrey Easton will be
interviewing many of the bands for "Rocknation TV" & newspaper
appearing at this year's festival along with staff writer and
photographer Mary Ouellette. Jeffrey Easton recently interviewed Judas
Priest, Heaven & Hell and many bands at NAMM 2009's Ernie Ball booth
now available to watch online at
http://www.rocknation.us/ and
nationwide on Time Warner & Comcast cable.
Rock On The Range -- America's premiere destination rock festival --
will return to Columbus, Ohio's Crew Stadium Saturday, May 16 and
Sunday, May 17. The 2009 lineup for the nationally renowned festival
centrally located in the heart of the country will be highlighted by
performances from some of rock's biggest artists including Mötley
Crüe, Slipknot, Alice In Chains, Avenged Sevenfold and Korn.
Presented by Right Arm Entertainment, AEG LIVE and Crew Stadium, the
two-day, multi-stage music and lifestyle event will feature a potent
lineup of more than 35 bands. This year's well-rounded mix of rock's
top artists also includes Shinedown, Buckcherry, The Used, Atreyu,
Chevelle, Flyleaf, Saving Abel, Saliva, Blue October, Hoobastank,
Black Stone Cherry, and many more.
"We try to listen to our fans and they've been saying for years that
we should play at Rock On The Range," said Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe.
"We're really excited to play one of America's great rock festivals."
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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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-A Brand New STYXworld.com!
[Note: This was sent to all those on the Styx mailing list and/or fan
club members. - Jan W.]
We are very excited to announce that a brand new STYXworld.com is
about to launch! We are pleased to be able to unveil the new online
home for Styx just as the band kicks off their summer with the Can't
Stop Rockin' tour! Aside from a fresh look, we hope to bring you new
content, more information and even more reasons to stay in touch with
the band and all-things-Styx!
It is quite possible that at some point during the next 24-48 hours
you might not be able to access the site. This is a normal part of the
transition, and it shouldn't be unavailable for very long. Also, we do
want to let you know that fan club functionality will not be fully
live when the site launches. We are very aware that many of you have
paid to have access to this portion of the site, and we promise that
we will make up for any downtime of the Styx Lounge by extending your
expiration date accordingly. More importantly, however, we plan to
bring you significantly more value than we have in the past. Please
bear with us during the transition!
Make sure you visit the new store upon the launch of the site as well
for some cool new merch and music!
Please enjoy the new site, and keep your eyes peeled for more exciting
content coming soon!
Sincerely,
The Team at STYXworld.com
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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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-Powerwolf Enters Official German Album Charts On Position 76 With
BIBLE OF THE BEAST!
Mighty Powerwolf have done it and entered the official German album
charts this week on position 76 with their new album BIBLE OF THE
BEAST! Congratulations to the tribe!
Comments the band in a statement: "We're stunned and proud as hell
facing this moment of glory. Our gratitude goes out to all our great
fans -- you made this happen! Howl on Wolves!"
BIBLE OF THE BEAST was released in Europe on April 24th / 27th! The
limited first edition is available as a digi-pak including the bonus
DVD THE WACKEN WORSHIP - LIVE AT WACKEN OPEN AIR 2008!
http://www.myspace.com/powerwolfmetal
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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
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-Z Records News
[Note: This is a composite of several different updates. I know
there's redundancy but these guys sent a lot of updates and I only
have so much time. :) - Tim]
The Storm Confirmed For Z Rock 2010
It is with great pleasure that we can announce the headline act for
Saturday May 8th 2010. We know that this news will blow away every
self-respecting AOR fan. The Storm featuring the superb vocals of
Kevin Chalfant executed contracts for the event just over a week ago
for their debut appearance in the U.K. and Europe. We wanted to ensure
the festival continued to fly the flag and The Storm answered the
call. Further news regarding the show will be made available at Z Rock
09.
Why announce the band so early? It's simple -- we felt that we should
make it more attractive for people during these difficult times to
attend and purchase tickets prior to the event. So those who buy their
tickets prior to May 28th for this year's event will be offered a
special discounted ticket price [1 per Friday or Saturday Z 09 ticket]
exclusive to them for a seven-week period commencing June 1st [details
will be handed out at Z Rock 09]. Any remaining tickets will go on
general sale from July 18th.
For those who want to order now via PayPal or mail order simply go to
http://www.zrecords.net/ [online store] or
http://www.myspace.com/zrockfest . Please remember to include your
address or call 07818 258294 if you wish to pay by cheque.
For Credit Card Orders 01384 230726 or 01384 253597
On door prices will be £33 for Day 1 and £55 for Day 2.
Z Rock 2009 -- The Final Information Post
Dear All,
Well we are 2.5 weeks out from Z Rock 09 and all things considered
regarding the current world economic situation we have faired well.
Many festivals have been axed over the past few months both here in
England and Europe but we are moving forward and plans are already in
place for next year; details will be announced on May 30th circa 6
p.m.
We've said it time and time again we need your support up front for
these shows and we thank those who have answered our call. If those
among you haven't bought your tickets yet but do so by close of
business this Saturday we will be at a point where we can secure
further deals for the show in 2010 making a five-band announcement not
out of the question. ;O)
By buying your tickets now you'll get a special exclusive discounted
time period for your ticket for next year's show.
Now for the run down for this year...
Tickets are priced at £30 day 1 [£33 in door] and £47.50 day 2 [£55 on
door], you can purchase them direct via PayPal by using
journey108@... [please include your address] until May
25th. Credit card hotlines are 01384 230726, 01384 253597, 01204
524018 and tickets can be purchased over the counter at ST Records and
X Records. If you wish to pay via bacs please email
zrockagency@... or call 07818 258294 for details. [Only
available for payments received by May 26th.]
For hotel info e-mail:
zrockfest@... for an automated reply
with all the info you require.
Venue: JB's, Dudley, England
May 29th
Doors 6:00 p.m.
06:45 - 7:25 - ANGELHOUSE
07:45 - 8:25 - REDLINE
08:45 - 9:40 - STAMPEDE
10:00 - 10:55 - STEVE GRIMMETT
11:15 - 1:00 - WIG WAM
May 30th
Doors 12:30 p.m.
01:00 - 1:45 - CORNERSTONE
02:05 - 2:55 - LEC ZORN PROJECT
03:15 - 4:05 - H.A.R.D
04:25 - 5:25 - NEWMAN
05:45 - 6:45 - EDEN
07:00 - 8:00 - DAN REED
08:20 - 9:20 - VON GROOVE
09:40 - 10:50 - TED POLEY
11:10 - 00:45 - JOHN WAITE
Phoenix Radio Go All Z Rock 2009 This Saturday
Z Promoter Mark Alger will be live on air with Chris Nelson this
Saturday on Phoenix Radio
http://www.phoenixradio.co.uk/ between 5
p.m. and 7 p.m. GMT Saturday May 16th.
Ted Poley Sends Message For Those Attending Z Rock 09
"The band and I are looking forward to seeing as many of you as
possible at ZROCKFEST!
"We are packed and ready to roll! We have our iPods filled and
charged, passports, visas and yes -- flight tickets secured, although
there does seem to be some mistake with my First Class seat being a
bit closer to the tail than originally anticipated...but I have been
assured that even though our seats are in the rear of the aircraft,
its still First Class and we won't know the difference anyway after a
few in-flight cocktails to rehearse for the actual 'gig drinking.'
"We will have very little time to socialize on this quick trip, since
we will be arriving late on the evening of the first show night. But I
do hope to get there in time to catch Wig Wam... That will depend on
the good people at the Customs/Immigration Dept and how fast we can
get through Heathrow...and how much 'in-flight drink rehearsing' we
manage to get in before the Xanax kicks in.
"The next day will be spent doing some quality sleeping to recover
from the in-flight rehearsal drinking and late evening WigWamery, and
I will probably wrangle up a room rehearsal and some of those little
tasty chicken pies and Cadburys to quell the munchies, but i will
certainly try to find some quality time for a quick 'meet and greet,'
or, if 'pre shower,' a 'smell and sell.' (That's where we hug for a
photo and then you buy a CD or an 8x10 photo and I sign it).
"Can't wait to be back in the U.K. again, the band and I are very much
looking forward to the adventure. See you soon! :)
"tp"
http://www.tedpoley.com/
http://www.dangerdanger.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tedpoley
Special Z Rock Promo Night Thunder Into Nottingham With Eden Live This
Weekend
A special Z Rock 09 promo night will take place on May 16th at the
Salutation Inn - Nottingham. A pair of tickets for this year's event
will be up for grabs plus you'll get a chance to see Eden live at
10:30 -- make sure your there!
http://www.zrecords.net/
http://www.myspace.com/zrockfest
http://www.myspace.com/zrockrecordsuk
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*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
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-Inmoria
[Note: The band's INVISIBLE WOUNDS is due out June 26. - Tim]
Biography:
"An incredible mix of dark and brooding music with haunting melodies
which take you on an emotionally charged journey that will wrap its
spindly fingers around your mind, subconsciously pulling you in a
direction you may not want to go in, yet you cannot turn away from"
Inmoria started in April 2008 by former Tad Morose drummer Dan
Eriksson. He was away from the music scene for about 10 years when he
suddenly felt the need to start writing music again. So he bought
studio equipment and built his own studio in his house in Bollnäs,
Sweden.
At first, Dan played all the instruments by himself but he soon
realized that what he needed was a full lineup. So he called up his
long time friend Christer "Krunt" Andersson, guitarist in Tad Morose,
and asked him to come and listen to some of the songs that he had
written. Christer liked what he heard and Dan asked him if he was
interested in joining the project, and he was.
Peter Morén (Tad Morose, Steel Attack) was asked by "Krunt" to join
the project to play drums. And they brought in Tommi Karppanen (Tad
Morose, God Awful Machine) to take care of the bass. Discussions about
a singer took place and they soon asked Charles "Chulle" Rytkönen
(Morgana Lefay) to come and try out some vocals. The result was
exceptional and he was also asked to join the project and then the
line up was complete.
Then Dan sat down and started to come up with a name for the band. He
is a great fan of "Lord Of The Rings" and he started to analyze the
movies. Then, when he heard the actors talking about the dwarf's mine
"Moria" he knew that that would be a perfect name. And he then added
"In" and the circle was complete. The atmospheres in the mines in the
movies are so dark and brooding and that is a reflection of Inmoria's
music.
After they had uploaded some of the tracks on their MySpace Web site,
the response was phenomenal and they were overloaded with emails from
all over the world. After a while they signed a deal with German based
record company Massacre Records. And the world now awaits their debut
album.
The story will continue...
Lineup:
Charles Rytkönen - Vocals
Dan Eriksson - Keyboards
Christer Andersson - Guitars
Tommi Karppanen - Bass
Peter Morén - Drums
http://www.inmoria.com/
http://www.myspace.com/inmoriamusic
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*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
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-Joey Ramone: Birthday Bash & New Album
Celebrating what would have been the 58th birthday of punk icon Joey
Ramone, the annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash will take place Tuesday,
May 19 at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. Mickey Leigh, event
organizer and brother of Joey Ramone, has announced that, as part of
the ninth annual Bash, fans will be treated to a special advance sneak
peek listen to rough mixes of never-before-heard Joey Ramone solo
recordings. Various producers, including longtime Ramones producer Ed
Stasium, are currently preparing tracks for a full album's worth of
material, slated for posthumous release at the end of the year.
This year's headliners are Fishbone and Supersuckers. The spectacular
party will conclude with The Friends Of Joey, featuring Richie Ramone,
Handsome Dick Manitoba, Jean Beauvoir, Ivan Julian, George Tabb, Al
Maddy and Mickey Leigh.
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*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
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-Author Greg Prato's Magazine Writing Showcased In New Book, "No
Schlock...Just Rock!"
In addition to being the author of three well-received books (2008's
"A Devil On One Shoulder And An Angel On The Other: The Story Of
Shannon Hoon And Blind Melon" and "Touched By Magic: The Tommy Bolin
Story," plus 2009's "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History Of Seattle Rock
Music"), writer Greg Prato also regularly contributes to several Web
sites and magazines. His latest book, "No Schlock...Just Rock!"
(released through Lulu.com) collects most of Greg's writing for the
U.K.-based mags Classic Rock, Guitarist, Metal Hammer, and Record
Collector, between a five-year span (2003-2008).
Separated into three sections according to genre -- "Classic Rock,"
"Heavy Metal," and "Punk/Alt-Rock" -- the 276-page book includes
features that cover the entire histories of some of Greg's favorite
bands -- Faith No More, Bad Brains, Soundgarden, the Meat Puppets, the
Raspberries, and the no-holds-barred tale of G.G. Allin. Also included
are articles/interviews on Rush, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Steely
Dan, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Cheap Trick, the Ramones, and Queens
Of The Stone Age, among many other fascinating rock n' rollers (even
William Shatner!). You'll also find the three articles that eventually
led to Greg's Melon, Bolin, and Grunge books.
"No Schlock...Just Rock!" is the next best thing to experiencing live
rock n' roll -- minus getting fleeced for parking, unsanitary
restrooms, and having some drunk nudnik screaming in your ear. Or as
the author suggests in the book's foreword, "Kick back, relax, adjust
your iPod to the appropriate artist, read on, and most importantly...
LONG LIVE ROCK N' ROLL!!!"
For ordering info and to read samples from "No Schlock," go to:
http://stores.lulu.com/gregprato
--or--
http://www.myspace.com/gregpratopage [and click the "No Schlock"
banner]
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*** PRESS RELEASE #14 ***
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-Exodus "Is Like The Millennium Falcon!" Audio Podcast Posted
Interviewed by Abort Magazine at the Plaza Club in Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada on their current trek with Kreator, Belphegor, Warbringer, and
Epicurean, Exodus drummer Tom Hunting and guitarist Gary Holt were
asked the following question:
"With a newer, younger audience rediscovering thrash metal... is it
safe to say a lot of the newer bands are basically borrowing from the
Bay Area thrash scene created by Exodus instead of trying to reinvent
the genre with their own unique sound?"
Hunting's response: "We respected our elders... and ripped them off."
Commenting on the band's live and studio lineup that will soon head
into the studio to record THE ATROCITY EXHIBITION: EXHIBIT B, Hunting
states:
"This lineup KICKS ASS. Exodus is like the Millennium Falcon -- I'll
steal this from [bassist] Jack [Gibson]. It breaks down, parts get
replaced, but it's still the fastest ship in the fleet."
To listen to the entire Abort Magazine podcast interview, click here:
http://abortmag.com/?p=6720
Live video footage of Exodus performing their classic "Bonded By
Blood" at The House Of Blues in Chicago, Illinois is available for
viewing at UVTV:
http://www.uvtv.info/updates/live-performances/2009/exodus-bonded-by-blood/
A "Talking Metal" interview with Jack Gibson (bass), Tom Hunting
(drums) and Rob Dukes (vocals) of San Francisco Bay Area thrashers
Exodus can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JdzBEycsF8
To view live photos from Chicago, IL click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pitchblackproductions/sets/72157617058159334/
To view live photos from San Francisco, CA click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/taijalynn/sets/72157617480322772/show/
To view live photos from Hollywood, CA click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayvalena/sets/72157617665973937/
http://s726.photobucket.com/albums/ww261/painkillerkym/exodus/
Watch Exodus rockin' out in SikWorld Clothing here:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=2747462&blogId=\
487285858
http://www.exodusattack.com/
http://www.myspace.com/exodus
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Exodus/7667169706
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*** PRESS RELEASE #15 ***
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-Lacuna Coil Scores Highest Billboard Top 200 Chart Entry With SHALLOW
LIFE; Continues On "Music As A Weapon IV" Tour
Italy's greatest musical export, Lacuna Coil, has returned with the
massively anticipated, new full-length release, SHALLOW LIFE, and have
undoubtedly proven that is one of hard rock's most revered artists as
the album debuted at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. This
impressive position marks the band's highest Billboard chart entry, as
well as the highest Billboard debut in the history of Century Media
Records. The disc also scored impressive chart entries across the
world, most notably at #2 on the U.K. rock charts. The new effort was
recorded with acclaimed producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Pearl Jam)
at the famed NRG Studios in Los Angeles.
Cristina Scabbia (vocals) comments: "Thank you, thank you and thank
you all! After its first week in the stores, SHALLOW LIFE entered The
Billboard 200 chart at #16 and we are absolutely thrilled. Most of
all, we couldn't be happier about the fact that you (Our Fans) have
supported us and our work, once again. It's been a beautiful journey,
together we have shared the same passions for 10 years and this is
another goal we have reached and are celebrating together with you all
out there. Thank you for being part of the Lacuna Coil family and see
you all on the road soon. Rock on!"
The band would also like to invite fans to create their own
interpretation of SHALLOW LIFE and the songs on the album. All fan
submissions can be uploaded to Lacuna Coil's group album by clicking
below!
Lacuna Coil recently completed a stunning new video for the Active
Rock smash hit "Spellbound" that was shot in their hometown of Milan,
Italy at the world famous Dolce & Gabbana nightclub Gold. The clip was
directed by Saku, produced by Apnea Film and wardrobe was also
provided by Dolce & Gabbana. Click on the link below to check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_VS2B48c24
Lacuna Coil is heading into the final weeks of the "Music As A Weapon
IV" tour alongside such hard rock titans as Disturbed and Killswitch
Engage, crisscrossing the U.S. before finishing May 16th. The 38-city
"Music As A Weapon IV" fest marked the group's first run of North
America in almost two years. Feel free to visit the newly revamped
MySpace page to view their complete touring itinerary.
Submit Interpretation of Songs from SHALLOW LIFE now:
http://gs0005.photobucket.com/groups/0005/EXKMUKRMJD/?pbaffsite=759
http://www.lacunacoil.it/
http://www.myspace.com/lacunacoil
http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil
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*** PRESS RELEASE #16 ***
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-3 Inches Of Blood Sign Worldwide Deal With Century Media Records
One of the biggest defenders of traditional heavy metal, 3 Inches Of
Blood, has crafted a new dynamic, epic opus of grandeur that is soon
to be hailed as the gospel of all things heavy. Century Media Records
is proud to welcome these metal warriors to its worldwide family
roster and fans can expect their massively anticipated new full-length
release this fall.
Cam Pipes (vocals) further comment: "Ever since our departure from our
previous label, Century Media has been in the forefront trying to get
us to sign with them. No other label showed as much enthusiasm and
belief in our band as they did. Right from the start we all got a
great feeling from the whole Century Media team. We feel comfortable
with the vision they have for us and are confident they have the
necessary tools and motivation to help us in the ways our previous
label didn't. We can't wait to unleash this new material upon the
masses."
3 Inches Of Blood entered Seattle's London Bridge Studios to commence
the recording process in mid April with renowned producer Jack Endino
(High On Fire). The group took a break from the studio for a slew of
high profile shows with genre leaders Slipknot and stay tuned to the
band's official MySpace page for video updates and studio reports.
Pipes further states: "The show with Slipknot were absolutely amazing.
Any band would be fortunate to get to play in front of their crowd and
because we are such a different band than Slipknot. This was an
excellent opportunity for us to put ourselves in front of people who
have never heard us before and make some new fans. Obviously, Joey
Jordison (Slipknot drummer), our friend and past producer, had a part
in getting us on these shows and we are massively grateful to him and
everyone else that made it happen."
Born out of a love for pure metal, weaned on a diet of fantasy and
mythology, 3 Inches Of Blood have been slaying the infidel for nearly
a decade. In that time, they've released three albums and splattered
the ground with crimson streaks while on tour with such acclaimed acts
as Satyricon, Black Dahlia Murder, Motorhead and Cradle Of Filth, just
to name a few. These are mighty accomplishments for dedicated warriors
from Vancouver, British Columbia, a region that's not exactly the
Camelot of heavy metal. With their last album, FIRE UP THE BLADES,
they have surpassed even their own manly exploits, crafting a number
of undeniable anthems that crash, rip and roar like a Medieval
skirmish.
3 Inches Of Blood demonstrate that the best way to stay ahead of the
heavy metal curve is to write music that comes from the heart and
sounds nothing like the horde of bands tapping into the latest trends.
To that end, they draw fuel from their favorite artists, including
Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, UFO, Rainbow and Enslaved and compile it
all into their own lethal potion.
http://www.3inchesofblood.com/
http://www.myspace.com/3iob
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #17 ***
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-Sacred Oath Signing With WorldSound -- Release Date Moved To July
14th North America, July 10th Europe!
Connecticut metal masters Sacred Oath and their parent label Angel
Thorne Music have come to an agreement with the WorldSound label to
press and distribute not only their brand new self-titled album SACRED
OATH, but the entire back catalog of Sacred Oath albums including
DARKNESS VISIBLE, TILL DEATH DO US PART, and their cult-classic debut
A CRYSTAL VISION. All four albums will be repackaged and released
simultaneously on July 14th (North America), July 10th(Europe).
The critically-acclaimed new album enjoyed a digital pre-release
through iTunes on April 7th as Discovery Download of the Week and has
remained on the Rock Homepage as an exclusive album -- Band on the
Rise -- for five weeks since.
A physical release date of May 12th (North America) and May 22nd
(Europe) had been issued but this has now been changed to July 14th,
July 10th to accommodate the size and scope of the release.
The new album has ten songs and track listing is as follows:
1. Paradise Lost
2. Blood Storm
3. Voodoo Dolls
4. Counting Zeros
5. High And Mighty
6. Sacred Oath
7. Caught In The Arc
8. Buried Alive
9. What The Dark Will Undo
10. Hunt For The Fallen Angel
The band's infamous debut A CRYSTAL VISION (1988) will be repackaged
with the original cover art and a lyric booklet.
All four titles will be released in limited edition vinyl later in the
year.
"We had offers from various labels after the iTunes exclusive
launched," says lead singer Rob Thorne. "WorldSound was the right
choice for so many reasons, not least of which was their commitment to
getting the band on the road in a big way. We can't wait to get out
there and play for the Oathbangers!"
The mastermind behind WorldSound is Warren Wyatt, best known in the
metal world for his work with Crimson Glory and Saigon Kick.
Distribution in the U.S. and Canada will be through E1 Entertainment
(formerly KOCH). The following statement was issued from the
WorldSound office at press time: "Sacred Oath is the greatest and most
influential band you never heard of. Their new release will offer both
a look back as well as a look forward into the future of heavy metal."
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #18 ***
*
-New IQ Studio Album
With a 28-year history, IQ are widely regarded as one of the world's
most highly respected progressive rock bands. The group was formed in
1981 by guitarist Mike Holmes and keyboard player Martin Orford. They
recruited bassist Tim Esau, later that year, followed by vocalist
Peter Nicholls and drummer Paul Cook in 1982. The year 1982 saw the
release of their first record SEVEN STORIES INTO EIGHT. Constant shows
throughout the U.K. led to them becoming a regular fixture at London's
legendary Marquee Club. Their next album TALES FROM THE LUSH ATTIC was
released in 1983, followed by the classic THE WAKE in 1985.
Tensions within the band, plus a punishing live schedule, resulted in
the departure of Peter Nicholls in 1985, at the end of a U.K. tour
with Wishbone Ash. With new singer Paul Menel, the band headlined
London's Piccadilly Theater and secured a lucrative record deal with
Phonogram. New studio albums NOMZAMO (1987) and ARE YOU SITTING
COMFORTABLY? (1989) were promoted by extensive European tours with
Magnum and Mike + The Mechanics.
The 1991 release of the live and rarities album J'AI POLLETTE D'ARNU
was a significant event as it was the first release on Giant Electric
Pea, a new label founded by members and associates of IQ. 1991 also
marked the return of original singer Peter Nicholls, as well as the
arrival of John Jowitt as the band's new bassist. With a stable lineup
once more, IQ resumed live work in the U.K., Europe, and North America
while also writing new songs which would serve as the basis of the
album EVER (1993).
In 2005 Paul Cook left IQ after 23 years of service. He was replaced
by Andy Edwards (ex-Robert Plant Band). Another lineup change followed
in 2007 when Martin Orford left after 26 years to pursue a solo
career. Mark Westworth (Darwin's Radio) joined the lineup, and after a
short tour in autumn of 2007, IQ set about completing work on their
next studio album.
2009, sees the release of FREQUENCY, IQ's ninth studio album, a
musical tour de force which finds the band still at the top of their
game. The return of original drummer Paul Cook for this year's live
work ensures another exciting and memorable year for these popular and
innovative prog rockers.
FREQUENCY will be released on June 2nd, 2009.
http://www.iq-hq.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/insideoutamerica
http://www.myspace.com/spvusa
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #19 ***
*
-Therion Announces Permanent Vocalist
Therion is very happy to announce that Christofer Johnsson had a
meeting with Thomas Vikstrom some weeks ago and offered him a
permanent status in the band!
States founding member/guitarist Chris:
"Thomas is, besides being a very warm and nice person, an incredibly
talented singer and songwriter. And while also being a classically
trained tenor, he simply fits perfectly into the band."
The band welcomes Thomas on board and hope the fans will enjoy his
contributions to Therion.
Therion's new rhythm section is comprised of Johan Kolberg on drums
and Nalle "Grizzly" Pahlsson on bass guitar.
http://www.megatherion.com/
http://www.myspace.com/therion
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Therion/6810453602
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #20 ***
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-SureFire Machine Announces Canadian "Grinnin & Sinnin" Tour Dates
Revving their engines and fueling up their two ton paperweight,
SureFire Machine are embarking on their third cross Canada escapade
perfectly tilted the "Grinnin & Sinnin" Tour to promote their debut
self-titled E.P.
"We're so hyped to tour again this summer, last year we did the 'Rock
For Your Big Block' tour and the response was just out of control."
says guitarist Zeke. "This time, I'm telling ya once we hit that road,
who knows what unexpected events can happen."
Toronto based SureFire Machine's self-titled E.P. was produced by John
Nazario, who has worked behind the scenes as a mix engineer for
projects with Nelly Furtado, Jack Johnson, & Jimmy Eat World. SFM's
intoxicating brand of chevy metal will be railroading a huge semi
truck through your living room & setting the tone for their motto
"Have a Good Time, All The Time."
The creation of SFM would have never been thought of until that moment
in BC's Kootenay Mountains, when two brawlers named Rail Road Wilson
and Zeke decided to raise their fists and have a good old fashion
brawl. Fueled with booze and back hillside antics, they fought till
none could stand no more and when the dust settled, a high octane
experience dedicated to Rippin & Rockin was born.
E.P. track list:
1. One Way Ticket
2. Hot Leaded Woman
3. Walking Tall
4. 69 Nova
5. Paparazzi
6. Not Me
7. Blue Bloods
8. Truckers Trade
"I've been searching for a great rock album. When I put on SFM's self-
titled album I couldn't help but grin -- I finally found one!"
4.5/5 - The Link - Montreal
"And the crowd goes wild!... SureFire Machine is a straight up, no
gimmicks rock n' roll band... A catchy chorus here and a mean riff
there, this album is alcohol fueled with dreams of fast cars and
raunchy bad girls." - Absolute Underground Magazine
"WARNING: Repeated listening of SureFire Machine's self-titled album
may lead you to drink whiskey, get your girlfriend pregnant and rebel
against every aspect of society." - 4/5 Toronto Music Scene.ca
"For Toronto-based SureFire Machine, there is only one kind of music,
pummeling drums, furious guitars and spitting vocals. There is only
rock 'n' roll." - Vue Weekly - Edmonton
SureFire Machine "Grinnin & Sinnin" Tour Dates
(more dates to be announced)
16 May 2009 - Main St. Station - Bolton, ON
23 May 2009 - Bar St. Laurent 2 - Montreal, QC
27 May 2009 - The Reverb - Toronto, ON
6 Jun 2009 - The Cavern - Winnipeg, MB
13 Jun 2009 - The Roadhouse - Golden, BC
16 Jun 2009 - The Rose and Crown - Banff, AB
17 Jun 2009 - The Rose and Crown - Banff, AB
19 Jun 2009 - The Distillery - Calgary, AB
20 Jun 2009 - Brixx - Edmonton, AB
26 Jun 2009 - The Blarney Stone South - Red Deer, AB
27 Jun 2009 - The Blarney Stone South - Red Deer, AB
4 Jul 2009 - Edmonton Sky Dive Center - Westlock, AB
17 Jul 2009 - Avalanche - Courtenay, BC
24 Jul 2009 - Rock Show - Lesquiti island, BC
25 Jul 2009 - Lesquiti Island - Lesquiti, BC
26 Jul 2009 - Lesquiti Island - Lesquiti, BC
31 Jul 2009 - The Frontiersman - Coombs, BC
1 Aug 2009 - The Frontiersman - Coombs, BC
7 Aug 2009 - The Vault - Rimbey, AB
8 Aug 2009 - The Vault - Rimbey, AB
9 Aug 2009 - Blues on Whyte - Edmonton, AB
http://www.myspace.com/surefiremachine
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2264371374&ref=ts
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #21 ***
*
-Static-X Embarks On A European Summer Tour
CULT OF STATIC Out NOW On Reprise Records
HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Static-X will be hammering out their heaviest, most
flammable work to date as they start their trek of major European
festivals June 12th in Tallinn, Estonia. Just coming off the coattails
of headlining 2009's Snocore U.S. run, this European metal journey is
in support of their new release CULT OF STATIC, on Reprise Records.
The album marries the band's aggressive driving force with disarming
experimentation, a performance you do not want to miss.
Static-X's CULT OF STATIC debuted at #16 on Billboard's Top 200 while
"Stingwray" hit the charts as the first single. Keeping the integral
tones, Static-X encompasses shredding guitars with solos that have
brought the band to a level of playing to be reckoned with. The
cybernetic stomp of "Hypure" and "You Am I" bludgeon, bruise and break
with precise grooves. Elsewhere, the staccato riffs on "Terminal"
crush through an unmistakable guitar tone. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda
blazes through incendiary solos, while Tony Campos bolts down demonic
bass lines and Nick Oshiro pounds out deadly rhythms. Front man Wayne
Static riffs pure violence and screams out his soul. "Over the years
my voice has been destroyed from excessive touring... and I love it,"
exclaims Static. "The vocals on the new record are raw and brutal."
The fiery raw quality of CULT OF STATIC is blatant as the second
single "Z-28" now on the airwaves is climbing to the top.
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
June
12 - Tallinn - Rabarock Festival
13 - UK - Download Festival
14 - Glasgow - Cathouse
15 - Belfast - Limelight
16 - Dublin - Academy
18 - Sheffield - Corporation
19 - London - Islington Academy
21 - Austria - Nova Rock
22 - Zurich - Sounddock 14
23 - Munich - 59:1
25 - Koln - Underground
26 - Belgium - Grasspop
27 - Bielefeld - Serengeti Open Air
28 - Italy - Gods of Metal
30 - Aschaffenberg - Colos Saal
July
1 - Utrecht - Bibelot
3 - Germany - WWF Festival
4 - Czech Republic - Rock for People
For more information go to
http://www.myspace.com/staticx or
http://www.static-x.com/ .
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #22 ***
*
-Tribunal Records New Releases For May 2009
NEW RELEASES (MAY 2009)
We are pretty excited about this new batch of releases as they truly
capture the diversity of Tribunal Records.
AVAILABLE NOW:
Iron Thrones - VISIONS OF LIGHT
Vale Of Pnath - VALE OF PNATH
Inferi - THE END OF AN ERA
A Secret Death - A SECRET DEATH
Canvas Solaris - SUBLIMATION: REDUX
COMING IN JUNE:
Killwhitneydead - NOT EVEN GOD CAN SAVE YOU NOW: A TRILOGY OF TERROR
(3-CD set)
Iron Thrones - VISIONS OF LIGHT
In the day and age of "hit singles" and our culture's tendency to
suffer from attention deficit disorder the art of "an album" has been
nearly lost. Thankfully, bands like Opeth and Between The Buried & Me
have helped to let us never forget what it's like to give music our
full attention. They don't suggest paying attention while listening
they demand it with their vast and bold compositions.
Minnesota's Iron Thrones is the latest band to bring an album that
massive to the metal table. VISIONS OF LIGHT is an all-encompassing
metal smorgasbord that took three years to complete. What began as a
grassroots promotional campaign for VISIONS OF LIGHT has now grown
into the culmination of a record label and band working together to
keep the "art" of music alive and well for 2009 and beyond.
In 2008, the band began an online download promotional campaign, but
being as outspoken as we are about keeping the aesthetic of music
alive we are proud to have partnered up with this remarkable band to
bring their amazing debut album, VISIONS OF LIGHT, a physical release.
VISIONS OF LIGHT is available right now in our Estore and it will find
its way onto store shelves June 23rd.
Iron Thrones - VISIONS OF LIGHT CD
Track list:
1. Swell To The Surface
2. The Dark Design
3. Heart Of The Light
4. Still Waters
5. The Final Farewell
6. Illumination
7. Wading...
8. Cover Of Smoke
9. Shadows Revealed
For fans of:
Opeth, Between The Buried & Me and Cult Of Luna
Web sites:
http://www.ironthrones.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ironthrones
Upcoming shows:
6/19 La Crosse, WI
6/20 Manitowac, WI
6/21 Madison, WI
6/22 Stevens Point, WI
6/23 Eau Claire, WI
6/24 Minneapolis, MN
6/25 Fargo, ND
6/26 TBA
6/27 Bay City, WI
7/23 Milwaukee, WI
7/24 Toledo, OH
7/25 Buffalo, NY
7/26 Ithaca, NY
7/27 New York City, NY
7/28 Linthicum, MD
7/29 Columbus, OH
7/30 Indianapolis, IN
7/31 Chicago, IL
8/1 Marshalltown, IA
Vale Of Pnath - VALE OF PNATH
With a name inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's novella "The Dream-Quest Of
Unknown Kadath," one might believe Denver's Vale Of Pnath to be a new
progressive art-rock group emerging from the underground, but this
couldn't be further from the truth. Progressive they may be, but Vale
Of Pnath are nothing short of metallic extremity on all levels.
Superb production by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage) only helps to
showcase this band's dynamics and skillful artistry. Though VALE OF
PNATH is only an E.P. it packs a full-length punch and will surely
have every listener reaching for their stereo's repeat button time and
time again.
Vale Of Pnath influences range from classic black/death metal bands
like Emperor, Death, Theory In Practice to even the current front
runners in the technical metal scene like Necrophagist, Neuraxis,
Canvas Solaris and Between The Buried & Me. VALE OF PNATH is a short,
well calculated explosion of energetic melodic death metal that will
quench any metalhead's ravenous appetite.
VALE OF PNATH is available right now in our Estore and it will find
its way onto store shelves June 23rd.
Vale Of Pnath - VALE OF PNATH CD
Produced by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage)
Track list:
1. A Witness To...
2. ...A Disoriented Blur
3. Carcosa
4. Den Of Inequity
For fans of:
The Faceless, Necrophagist, Between The Buried & Me, Emperor and Death
Web site:
http://www.myspace.com/valeofpnath
Upcoming shows:
6/21 Fort Collins, CO @ Hodi's Halfnote (w/ Killwhitneydead, The
Demonstration & Wretched)
6/23 Carson City, NV @ 4 Pints
6/24 Marysville, CA @ Youth Center
6/25 Modesto, CA @ Modesto Virtual
6/26 Parlier, CA @ Light The Night
6/27 Lindsay, CA @ Mcdermott Field House (Scenix Fest)
6/28 Bakersfield, CA @ TBA
6/29 Anaheim, CA @ TBA
6/30 San Diego, CA @ TBA
7/1 Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
7/2 Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound
7/3 El Paso, TX @ The Sanctuary
7/4 Sante Fe, NM @ Warehouse 21
7/5 Pueblo, CO @ Phil's Radiator Shop
7/6 Denver, CO @ TBA
Inferi - THE END OF AN ERA
Nashville's Inferi make their Tribunal Records debut after first
impressing the label with their independently released album, DIVINITY
IN WAR. Their newest creation, THE END OF AN ERA, is even more
remarkable in its use of enough melody to make it memorable, but still
maintain high torque and brutal intensity. Even though tempos are
excessively fast at times Inferi refuse to allow speed and
technicality to overcome extreme precision. Not since the likes of
Metallica's "The Call Of Ktulu" has a band attempted an 8+ minute
instrumental track but more importantly deliver an anthem worthy of
the metal ages.
Inferi are pioneers in this new age of metal, not reveling in what is
popular and trendy, but more importantly reviving classic inspiration
of the genre. THE END OF AN ERA was mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren
(Animosity, As Blood Runs Black and The Taste Of Blood) but even with
such a talented engineer behind the desk Inferi decidedly strayed away
from the all too common and now, sadly enough, overly produced modern
metal sound for something more vintage, raw and in the end, truly
metal. THE END OF AN ERA is a daring and colossal step in the right
direction to bring metal back to its long lost and too hastily
forgotten roots.
THE END OF AN ERA is available right now in our Estore and it will
find its way onto store shelves June 23rd.
Inferi - THE END OF AN ERA CD
Track list:
1. The Ruin Of Mankind
2. Gatherings In The Chambers Of Madness
3. Endless Siege
4. A New Breed Of Savior
5. Sentenced To Eternal Life
6. The War Machine Embodiment
7. The Warrior's Infinite Opus
8. Quest For The Trinity
9. Forged In The Phlegethon
10. Cursed Unholy
For fans of:
The Black Dahlia Murder, At The Gates, Death & Arsis
Web site:
http://www.myspace.com/inferimetal
A Secret Death - A SECRET DEATH
Change is inevitable and anticipated greatly. Not a truer word could
ever be spoken about the world of music. From their humble beginnings
as an up and coming Queensland band, A Secret Death have always been
inspired to write timeless and eclectic music. Priding themselves on
harnessing and crafting songs with emotion, the group has blended
dark, expansive and metallic elements to develop their own definitive
and unique soundscape.
Hailing from the unsuspecting sunny grounds of The Gold Coast of
Australia, A Secret Death wowed fans critics alike when their second
E.P., FEAR IS THE DRIVING FORCE was unleashed to a wealth of
salivating fans in 2005. On the back of their frenetic and skillful
live show, the group then gained notoriety through diverse national
tours and multiple international supports; including The Dillinger
Escape Plan, Sick Of It All, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, Converge,
Story Of The Year, Unearth, Darkest Hour, Strike Anywhere, The Bled,
From Autum To Ashes, Atreyu, Evergreen Terrace, Clutch, Shai Hulud,
Eighteen Visions and Boysetsfire.
Now, after an arduous recording process spanning across two years and
two continents, the wait is finally over and A Secret Death are ready
to unleash their debut self-titled album. A SECRET DEATH was mixed and
mastered by Magnus Lindberg (drummer and producer of the critically
acclaimed Swedish act Cult Of Luna) at Tonetknik Recordings in Umea,
Sweden.
A Secret Death - A SECRET DEATH CD
Produced by Magnus Lingberg (Cult Of Luna)
Track list:
1. Dawn
2. Gloom With A View
3. Peyote Ugly
4. Invitation...To A Party
5. Cowboy In Reverse
6. Sticks And Stones
7. Far From The Tree
8. IDFKA
9. Batter Reality
10. Cowboy Revisited
11. Depressed For Success
12. The Eternal Blink
CD ONLY BONUS TRACKS
13. Throw On Your Hunk Charm
14. Line Of Progression
15. Ordeal Or No Deal
16. Fear Is The Driving Force
17. Returning Video Tapes
18. Make It Look Like Wolves Did It
For fans of:
Cult Of Luna, Isis, Converge, Burst and Trap Them
Web site:
http://www.myspace.com/asecretdeath
"IDKFA" Music video:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=51210731
Canvas Solaris - SUBLIMATION: REDUX
When SUBLIMATION was originally released in 2004 instrumental metal
bands were few and far between, let alone bands as progressive at
Canvas Solaris. Since 2004, they have issued three more critically
acclaimed albums on Sensory Music (PENUMBRA DIFFUSE, CORTICAL
TECTONICS and THE ATOMIZED DREAM), plus it seems as if instrumental
artists have become the new "in thing."
Since Tribunal Records is mainly a hardcore and death metal label
SUBLIMATION drifted out of print. We have decided to re-introduce the
metal community to this album due to the rise of instrumental music
awareness, but more importantly its acceptance and new found respect.
So many people couldn't believe we would even take a chance on
releasing a record like SUBLIMATION back in 2004, but we absolutely
loved it then and SUBLIMATION still serves as a classic piece of
Tribunal Records history. It still gets regular rotation here in our
office.
We have re-mastered the original recordings, created new
layout/artwork and added their live set from Tribunal Records 2006
Showcase to make it a fully enhanced CD release.
SUBLIMATION: REDUX is available right now in our Estore and it will
find its way onto store shelves June 23rd.
WHAT CRITICS SAID ABOUT SUBLIMATION IN 2004:
...the dizzying fray of killer compositions like "Cosmopolysyndeton"
and "When Solar Winds Collide" won't help alleviate the assumption
that Canvas Solaris are snooty, intellectual muso types who are too
smart for their own good and the consumer's understanding. Maybe?
Maybe not? But every once in a while, metal needs an IQ boost to
reaffirm its vitality in the face of cliches and close-mindedness,
doesn't it?
TERRORIZER
Canvas Solaris will surely enjoy exponential success with SUBLIMATION,
a prime exemplar of technical metal for the ages.
EXCLAIM!
...to the mainstream audiences this album will be far too much to
understand as it lacks the tedious nu-metalcore formulaics. But to
those who appreciate the art form of intricate and imaginative metal,
you need look no further.
THE PRP
...in today's sadly self-gratifying prog metal market where players
are looking for individual attention rather than worrying about the
product on a whole, Canvas Solaris show that they have some integrity
(both musically and personally). What they sacrifice from not showing
off they make up for with their virtuous songwriting.
INTO OBSCURITY
Sure it's mind-bendingly original and overtly progressive but can an
instrumental album have the kind of bite that generates enough
interest to repeatedly listen to it? The answer is a resounding yes.
SMOTHER.NET
This disc is far from crushing, but every note the band plays is
captivating and delivered with the seeming ease that only a true pro
can feign...The music on this CD is so cool and at the same time so
far beyond the realm of "progressive" it's not even funny.
DEADTIDE.COM
Canvas Solaris keep it complicated but stay coherent in their style
while being on another plane of musical existence...The album through
and through is an amazing trip that will make one want to learn to
play an instrument or at least give one a whole new appreciation for
music.
RIFT ROCK
This is a top metal album of 2004 for me. I recommend this to fans of
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Cancer Conspiracy and metalcore fans that
are looking to enjoy something a little different than your average
two-chord breakdown.
PIVOTAL RAGE
It's a damn shame a vast majority will simply hear this album one time
and miss the chance to broaden their musical horizons. To those
looking to get lost in their own bright utopia: Canvas Solaris is the
drug of choice.
SIX12
Canvas Solaris - SUBLIMATION: REDUX CD
Produced by Jamie King (Between The Buried & Me)
Track list:
1. Cosmopolysyndeton
2. Spheres In Design
3. When Solar Winds Collide
4. Cyclotron Emission
5. Syzygial Epiphany
6. Ekstatik Parataxis (The New Measure)
7. Sublimation
-- All tracks re-mastered by Jamie King in 2009
BONUS ENHANCED CONTENT:
LIVE @ TRIBUNAL RECORDS 2006 SHOWCASE
1. Reflections Carried To Mirror
2. Patterns Spiral Into Swarm
3. Heat Distortion Manifest
4. Psychotropic Resonance
5. The Unknowable And Defeating Glow
For fans of:
Cynic, Dream Theater, WatchTower, Fates Warning and King Crimson
Web site:
http://www.myspace.com/canvassolaris
Live footage:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=16209442
Tribunal Records, Inc.
P.O. BOX 49322
Greensboro, NC 27419-1322
http://www.tribunalrecords.net/
http://www.myspace.com/tribunalrecords
AIM: TribunalRecords
Phone: 336-632-9877
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TribunalRecords
Blog:
http://mattytribunal.tumblr.com/
Label Distribution: Lumberjack Mordam Music Group (LMMG)
Web:
http://www.lumberjackmordam.com/
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #23 ***
*
-Arkaea To Unleash Debut Album Worldwide
YEARS IN THE DARKNESS To Release July 14th, 2009 On E1 Music
HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Arkaea, featuring members Raymond Herrera and
Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory and Threat Signal, have just
finished their debut album YEARS IN THE DARKNESS. The album is set to
be released on July 14, 2009 on E1 Music, formerly KOCH Records.
YEARS IN THE DARKNESS was produced by Christian Olde Wolbers and
Arkaea and mixed by legendary Producer Terry Date, best known for his
work with the Deftones, Slipknot, White Zombie, Soundgarden and
Pantera. The CD was mastered by Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound, who also
mastered Fear Factory's gold album, OBSOLETE.
"We are truly proud of this record," states Olde Wolbers. "Ironically
half of the Arkaea album consists of songs that were intended to be
the next Fear Factory record."
Track listing for YEARS IN THE DARKNESS is as follows:
Locust
Beneath The Shades Of Grey
Years In The Darkness
Gone Tomorrow
Awakening
Black Ocean
Break The Silence
Lucid Dreams
My Redemption
War Within
The World As One
Rise Today
Away From The Sun
First song on the album, "Locust," is available streaming on the
band's MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/arkaeamusic .
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #24 ***
*
-Pelican Announces North American Tour With Isis
Southern Lord Recording artists Pelican will be hitting the road in
support of their new E.P. EPHEMERAL during the months of May and June.
The EPHEMERAL E.P. features brand new Pelican recordings and will be
released exclusively on vinyl by Southern Lord during the first week
of June. The band will have "tour only" CD copies of EPHEMERAL for
sale at the shows.
Pelican will be direct support to Isis for these dates, with opening
support from Tombs. The band will be playing songs from the new E.P.
as well as debuting new material that will be recorded for a
forthcoming full-length on Southern Lord. Don't miss this most
excellent package when it steamrolls through your town!
5/16/2009 Ebisu Liquidroom - Tokyo, Japan - Raid World Festival w/
Mono
5/19/2009 Emo's - Austin, TX
5/20/2009 Granada Theatre - Dallas, TX
5/21/2009 Meridian - Houston, TX
5/22/2009 Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
5/23/2009 Bottletree Cafe - Birmingham, AL
5/25/2009 The Social - Orlando, FL
5/26/2009 Common Grounds - Gainesville, FL
5/27/2009 Jack Rabbits - Jacksonville, FL
5/28/2009 The Earl - Atlanta, GA
5/29/2009 Cats Cradle - Carrboro, NC
5/30/2009 Black Cat - Washington, Washington DC
5/31/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
6/02/2009 The Fillmore At Irving Plaza - New York, NY
6/03/2009 Theater of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
6/04/2009 Pearl Street - Northampton, MA
6/05/2009 Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
6/06/2009 The National - Montreal, QC
6/07/2009 Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, ON
6/09/2009 Grog Shop - Cleveland Heights, OH
6/10/2009 20th Century Theatre - Cincinnati, OH
6/11/2009 Small's - Detroit, MI
6/12/2009 Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
http://www.myspace.com/pelican
http://www.southernlord.com/
http://www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings
http://blog.southernlord.com
*
*** PRESS RELEASE #25 ***
*
-In Mourning Signs To Pulverised Records
Touted as one of the Swedish metal scene's most promising new comers,
Pulverised is pleased to announce the signing of melancholic metallers
In Mourning for a two-album deal. The band has commenced work on their
still-untitled second album and will once again enter Black Lounge
Studio (Scar Symmetry, Carnal Forge, Steel Attack, etc.) with
producer/engineer Jonas Kjellgren.
In Mourning's 2008 debut SHROUDED DIVINE earned critical acclaim
worldwide with its heart-wrenching melodic passages entwined with
progressive elements and death metal aggression.
Comments label manager Roy: "When I came across their debut album, I
really loved what I heard and knew that we had to have In Mourning on
our roster as not many bands of this particular genre could fascinate
me the way In Mourning did. It was perfect timing when I found out
that the band was just about to enter the studio to record their
follow-up to SHROUDED DIVINE. I quickly struck a deal with them and
the rest is history. We are very excited to have them on our roster
and cannot wait to hear the new album."
Adds the band: "Signing to Pulverised feels like a good 'next step'
for the band and will hopefully bring our music to a broader audience.
We are very pleased that Pulverised has given us this opportunity, and
we think this will be a good collaboration. We're currently focusing
hard on rehearsing and finishing up the material for our new album."
http://www.inmourning.net/
http://www.myspace.com/in_mourning
*
*** SPECIAL REPORT ***
*
by George Brower (
spidey13@...)
-Queensryche
House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
May 8, 2009
Queensrcyhe made two stops at the House Of Blues on their "Extended
Suites: Music From AMERICAN SOLDIER, EMPIRE, And RAGE FOR ORDER Tour."
I caught the the second show, Friday night the 8th of May.
Queensryche (2 hours 10 minutes)
Neue Regel / The Whisper / Screaming In Digital / I Dream In Infrared
/ Walk In The Shadows / Surgical Strike / I Will Remember / Sliver /
The Killer / If I Were King / Man Down / Dead Man's Words / Home Again
/ The Voice / Best I Can / The Thin Line / One And Only / Hand On
Heart / Silent Lucidity / Jet City Woman / Anybody Listening? //
Empire
I wasn't sure what to expect on the "Extended Suites" tour. Past
experience have seen many elaborate sets and stage plays at a
Queensryche show. The last time I saw them was during the MINDCRIME I
& II show. Expecting wardrobe and set changes for each "suite" did not
seem out of the realm of possibilities, but this was nothing of the
sort. Geoff Tate came out in a black with white stripe dress shirt,
vest and dress pants. Only the suit jacket was missing from the
ensemble. The rest of band was more T-shirt and jeans as they launched
into "Neue Regel" to begin the RAGE FOR ORDER suite. With his sun
glasses on and hair back in a braided ponytail, Tate seemed to be
channeling Dennis Hopper as he introduced the evening's format. He was
very much your congenial host, in a voice and manner very polished and
not like his usual self that I would encounter later at the Meet &
Greet.
The band, with Jason Ames and a touring Parker Lundgren on guitars,
filled in on certain higher notes and filled out vocals. Geoff saved
himself for the more striking high notes, picking his spots to show
that when called upon, he still has the voice, but it's no longer an
every song availability. The sound was unmistakably Queensryche as
they wailed through "I Dream In Infrared" and "Walk In The Shadow,"
closing that suite with "I Will Remember."
The middle suite showcased the new material off AMERICAN SOLDIER.
Below The Stitch's A.J. Fratto burst out in fatigues (he's a former
Blue Angels Crew Chief) to handle the Drill Sgt. vocals on "Sliver."
If you've heard this album, you know the effort that went into getting
these stories from our troops in the Middle East turned into song. If
not, Geoff was kind enough to explain them as he went along. He even
introduced a soldier in attendance (I did not catch the name and would
rather not embarrass him or myself by getting it wrong in print).
While introducing "The Killer," we learned that Geoff's own father
served in Vietnam, giving us further insight into just how personal
this record is to him and the band. As he mentioned the tension
between soldiers and citizens back in the late Sixties, some buffoon
in the crowd thought that was a great opportunity to yell out
"Freebird." I only mention this because I would ask that if any reader
here ever is near anyone who does this at any concert other than a
Lynyrd Skynyrd show, that you publicly humiliate them. Then perhaps we
came shame this unfortunate happening out of existence.
AMERICAN SOLDIER's suite was highlighted by would could possibly
become Queensryche's next big radio hit...if radio hits still exist in
the traditional sense. The song "Home Again" tells of a father and
daughter missing each other while separated by the father's duty
overseas. On the album, the daughter's vocals are supplied by Geoff's
own daughter Emily. It just so happens that Emily is touring with her
dad. She came out, hair pigtailed, in a nice white dress and held her
own as her soft vocals contrasted to her father's famously strong
voice. The hug she gave her father at song's end gave another tug to
the heart, as if the song needed one more.
During this suite, the video screen juxtaposed populuxe images from
the '50s and '60s over war footage, showing the contrast between the
ideal American lifestyle and the harsh realities of the price we
sometimes have to pay to keep it. The suite closed as the album does,
with "The Voice."
The final suite brought the crowd to its peak, showing that nearly 20
years after its release EMPIRE remains the benchmark breakout for
Queensryche. Tate continued to show his musical versatility by
switching up from the oboe he used on "Dead Man's Words" to saxophone.
Although, at this late point in the show, he needed vocal assistance
from Jason Ames and the audience to cover for his tiring throat.
Still, I'd kill to have his voice for just one song. After "Silent
Lucidity," we were treated to video footage of '50s and '60s vixens
over "Jet City Woman." (Side bar -- Is Seattle still considered the
Jet City now that Boeing has relocated to Chicago?) It almost seemed
as though the band coasted through "Jet City Woman" and "Anybody
Listening?" to close out the suite and the show. There was much more
audience participation here than in any other part of the show. But
there was a reason for that.
Queensryche's set list had two encores listed. After Scott Rockenfeld
spent about 10 minutes throwing sticks, shirts and an autographed drum
head out to the crowed, he jumped back behind the riser, signaling the
rest of the band to come back out for the last suite's title song. The
band blasted their way through "Empire" in such a fashion that we
wondered if there was anything left in the tank for a second encore.
Previous city set lists showed "Take Hold Of The Flame" as the final
song. With the needle on "E" for Tate's voice, the show came to an end
with "Empire." I appreciate the fact that they did not try to push
through "Flame," but instead left us happy with what we got and
wishing we can have more.
Special thanks to Jeff Albright and the Albright Entertainment Group.
Relevant links:
Queensryche
http://www.queensryche.com/
http://www.myspace.com/queensryche
http://www.twitter.com/queensryche
Rhino
http://www.rhino.com/
...and a link to Detritus' photos from this very show:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/mantek63/Queensryche%2008%20May%2009/
*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*
-Warren Appleby has a new Facebook page with "a bunch of cool Warren
Appleby & Blacktask photos and a music player containing a bunch of
[his] songs" to stream. Search for it via "Warren Appleby Music" on
Facebook. Appleby's next album is due in September. See
http://www.warrenappleby.com/ for more.
-Bloodhorse's HORIZONER is due May 26 on Translation Loss Records.
Check out the song "Paranoiac" at
http://www.myspace.com/bloodhorse .
See
http://www.wearebloodhorse.com/ and
http://www.translationloss.com/ for more.
-Check out an interview with Candlemass' Robert Lowe (also from
Solitude Aeturnus) at
http://glclk.about.com/?zi=1/76PG .
-Dream Theater's "A Rite Of Passage," from BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER
LININGS, is streaming at
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/ariteofpassage
-Great White's set list from "Rockline" last week: "Can't Shake It,"
"Rock Me," "Situation," "Rolling Stoned," "Normal Noises," "All Or
Nothin'," "Wish You Were Here," "Face The Day," "Once Bitten Twice
Shy," "Exit."
-Rob Halford's new site MetalGodApparel.com has a deal going on now
where a pre-sale order will get you a free copy of the Halford CD/DVD
combo METAL GOD ESSENTIALS VOL. 1.
-Lillian Axe's new disc SAD DAY ON PLANET EARTH is due in the U.S. on
June 30. In other news, congratulations to guitarist Stevie Blaze and
his wife Julie on the birth of their son on May 1. See
http://www.lillianaxe.com/ for more.
-Check out a gear-heavy chat with George Lynch at Guitar Player
Online:
http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/george-lynch/may-09/95963
. Lynch's current project is Souls Of We with vocalist London LeGrand
(Brides Of Destruction), bassist Jonny Chow (Systematic, Fireball
Ministry), and drummer Jordan (As I Lay Dying). The band's disc is
entitled APACHE GHOST.
-HeadbangerNYC.com reported on nine-year-old guitar prodigy Yuto
Miyazawa, who has been recognized by the Guinness Book Of World
Records as "the world's youngest professional guitar player." Earlier
this week he met Ozzy Osbourne and performed "Crazy Train" on "The
Ellen DeGeneres Show," and has also performed at the Manhattan clubs
The Iridium, Rebel, and B.B. King's. He began playing at age three and
cites Ozzy, Randy Rhoads, Eric Clapton, Kiss, and Metallica as
influences. Check out a clip at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMD_L8IDZnc .
-Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond
Fear, Winters Bane) will release PLAY MY GAME in the next week via
SPV/Steamhammer. The disc features a ton of guest stars: guitarists
Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Michael Wilton (Queensryche), Chris Caffery
(Savatage, TSO), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol),
Craig Goldy (Dio), Bruce Kulick (Kiss, Grand Funk Railroad), Bob
Kulick, Neil Zaza, John Comprix (Beyond Fear), and Mike Callahan
(Earshot); bassists Rudy Sarzo (Dio, Quiet Riot), James Lomenzo
(Megadeth, White Lion), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), David Ellefson
(Megadeth, F5), Tony Franklin (Blue Murder), Marco Mendoza
(Whitesnake), and Dennis Hayes (Beyond Fear); and drummers Simon
Wright (AC/DC, Dio), Ray Luzier (David Lee Roth), Bobby Jarzombek
(Riot, Halford), and Brett Chasen. Track list: "Starting Over,"
"Believe," "The Cover Up," "Pick Yourself Up," "It Is Me," "No Good
Goodbyes," "The World Is Blind," "To Live Again," "The Light," "Play
My Game," "Death Race," "The Shadows Are Alive." There is also an
iTunes exclusive bonus track, "A Challenge," featuring Bob Kulick,
Rudy Sarzo, and drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell,
Dio). The album is streaming now at
http://www.eddietrunk.com/index.cfm?pid=409730 . Also, Owens just
announced he's assembled a backing band of Caffery, Comprix, Ellefson,
and Wright to join him on the road in Europe next month. There will be
two festival gigs plus six shows opening for Heaven & Hell as follows:
6/4 - Spektrum, Oslo, Norway - w/ Heaven & Hell
6/5 - TBD, Copenhagen, Denmark - w/ Heaven & Hell
6/6 - Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg, Sweden
6/8 - Hessenhallen, Giessen, Germany - w/ Heaven & Hell
6/9 - Zitadelle, Berlin, Germany - w/ Heaven & Hell
6/10 - Jakoarena, Bamberg, Germany - w/ Heaven & Hell
6/13 - Download Festival, Donnington, UK
6/14 - Europahalle, Karlsruhe, Germany - w/ Heaven & Hell
Folowing these dates, Owens (with Comprix and the group Mandarina as
his backing band) will head to Mexico to make up some postponed shows,
starting in Monterrey on June 25. See
http://www.timripperowens.com/
and
http://www.myspace.com/timtheripperowens for more.
-Saxon's U.S. tour dates in support of INTO THE LABYRINTH:
5/19 - B.B. King's, New York, NY
5/22 - South Texas Rock Fest, San Antonio, TX
5/23 - Meridian Rock Club, Houston, TX
7/11 - Rocklahoma Festival, Pryor, OK
8/23 - Rock Gone Wild Festival, Algona, IA
See
http://www.saxon747.com/ for more.
-Sweet's great new live album LIVE! IN AMERICA is available now at
http:/www.thesweetband.com/ . The disc features 16 tracks: "Action,"
"Fox On The Run," "Hellraiser," "Love Is Like Oxygen," "Blockbuster,"
"Wig Wam Bam," "The Sixteens," "Windy City," "Sweet F.A.," "Turn It
Down," "Sweet Dream," "Teenage Rampage," "Little Willy," "AC/DC," "Set
Me Free," "Ballroom Blitz." See
http://www.myspace.com/thesweetband
for more.
-John Taglieri's new E.P. and book project, LIVES, is due out June 2.
For members of Taglieri's mailing list, the E.P. is streaming now at
http://www.reverbnation.com/johntaglieri . See
http://theLivesProject.com for more. Taglieri is actively booking
shows at colleges and universities; inquiries can be sent to Ari
Nisman @ Degy Entertainment via
Ari@... or (732) 263-1000.
Upcoming shows:
5/14 - Casey Jones, La Plata, MD
5/15 - Marklet Street Inn, Salisbury, MD
5/16 - Lenora's Bar, Hackensack, NJ
5/22 - Pig Pen Sports Bar, Allentown, PA
5/23 - The Sand Bar, Brielle, NJ
See
http://www.JohnTaglieri.com/ ,
http://www.myspace.com/johntaglierimusic , and
http://www.facebook.com/people/John_Taglieri/508614900 for more.
-Steve Vai has signed on with VQPR to promote his upcoming releases,
which include a live DVD, "the box set of The Naked Tracks exclusively
at Guitar Center," and a 25th anniversary edition of his first solo
album FLEX-ABLE. See
http://www.vai.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/stevevai for more.
-Upcoming European tour dates for Johnny Winter, featuring Paul Nelson
(ex-Liege Lord):
5/15 - Borse, Wuppertal, Germany
5/16 - Sudhaus, Tubingen, Germany
5/17 - Muhle Hunziken, Bern, Switzerland
5/18 - Moonwalker, Aarburg, Switzerland
5/21 - Glasgow Academy, Glasgow, UK
5/22 - Opera House, York, UK
5/23 - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, UK
5/24 - The Stables, Milton Keyes, UK
5/25 - 5/26 - The Globe, Cardiff, UK
5/27 - Robin 2, Wolverhampton, UK
5/28 - Princes Pavilion, Falmouth, UK
5/29 - Spa Assembly Halls, Learnington, UK
5/30 - Honiton Motel, Devon, UK
6/1 - Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark
6/3 - Finlandia, Helsinki, Finland
6/5 - Sweden Rock Festvial, Solvesborg, Sweden
6/6 - Bluescamp, Frederikstad, Norway
Thanks to Stuart Smith, Dave Brenner, Chad Bowar, Nancy B. Sayle,
Alexander Ford, Scott Thomas, and Matt Blackett for help gathering
some of this information.
*
*** ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ***
*
by Tim Wadzinski (
tsw512@...)
-Remember last week I was talking about Slash on "American Idol?"
Well, about 0.01 seconds after the issue came out Mark Morton sent me
a link to his, ahem, *slightly* more in-depth take on the proceedings,
at Heavy Metal Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5629-Heavy-Metal-Examiner~y2009m5d6-American-Idol-atte\
mpts-to-rock-out-with-guest-mentor-Slash-of-Guns-N-Roses--Velvet-Revolver-fame
And after reading through this excellent article, I came to the
conclusion I need to seek out Ari Koivunen. "Who?" you ask? Well,
according to Morton's article Mr. Koivunen was the 2007 winner of
Finland's "Idol" equivalent, and he actually auditioned for the show
by singing a Sonata Arctica song! Furthermore, he covered tunes by
Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Stratovarius, and
Scorpions throughout the season. He's since gone on to release two
albums and collaborate with the likes of Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius,
Revolution Renaissance), Mr. Lordi (Lordi), Marco Hietala (Nightwish,
Tarot), and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica). WOW! Check out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ari_Koivunen for more. Thanks again Mark!
-My friend Bill sent me a link to an interesting article about how
Kiss had 9 singles reach the Billboard 100 in the 1980s, but none of
cracked the Top 40. Check it out at
http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-50/ .
-In my current playlist: Tim Ripper Owens - PLAY MY GAME
(SPV/Steamhammer), Michael Schenker Group - GIPSY LADY (in-akustik),
Wetton/Downes iCon - 3 (Frontiers), Iron Thrones - VISIONS OF LIGHT
(Tribunal Records), Crimfall - AS THE PATH UNFOLDS... (Napalm
Records).
*
*** REVIEWS ***
*
FAIRYLAND - SCORE TO A NEW BEGINNING (B+) Napalm Records, 2009
10 tracks, RT: 49:47
[
http://www.fairyland-metal.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/fairylandfantasia ]
[
http://www.napalmrecords.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/napalmrecords ]
Yes, the band name... Trust me: get past it. Mastermind Philippe
Giordana (composer, keyboards, acoustic guitar, programming) has
teamed up with a massive list of guest stars (more on that later) to
unleash SCORE TO A NEW BEGINNING, the final chapter of his saga on the
fantasy realm of Osyrhia. (Check out the previous chapters: 2003's OF
WARS IN OSYRHIA and 2006's SCORE TO A NEW BEGINNING.) I've kind of
lost track of Rhapsody a.k.a. Rhapsody Of Fire the last few years, but
Fairyland's sound reminds me of a more refined, less over-the-top
version of early Rhapsody. It's very definitely Dungeons & Dragons
metal, but it's not a silly cartoon. (Is there such a thing as
"mature" D&D metal?) The production is crisp, the symphonic components
sound *big*, there's a vintage '70s prog-synth sound in places, and
it's all done very well. This massive list of guests stars must have
been hard to manage, but Giordana somehow kept it all together: vocals
from Marco Sandron (Pathosray), Georg Neuhauser (Serenity), Flora
Spinelli (Kerion), Klaaire (Syrayde), Geraldine Gadaut (Benighted
Soul), and Jean-Gabriel Bocciarelli (Benighted Soul); guitar from
Chris Menta (Razordog), Alessio Velliscig (Pathosray), Alex Corona
(Revoltons), Olivier Lapauze (Heavenly), Hugo Lefebvre (Anthropia),
Yann Mouhad (Anthropia), and Remy Carrayrou (Kerion); bass, guitar,
and vocals from Fabio D'Amore (Pathosray), keys from Marc Rhulmann
(Whyzdom); and drums and choirs from Willdric Lievin (Hamka).
Highlights include the rocking "At The Gates Of Morken" and "Assault
On The Shore," the big power ballad "A Soldier's Letter," the
symphonic instrumental "Rise Of The Giants," and the epic (there's
that word again!) title track. I can't wait to see what Fairyland does
next.
- Tim Wadzinski (
tsw512@...)
HALFORD - RESURRECTION - REMASTERED (A) Metal God Entertainment, 2009
16 tracks, RT: 1:01:52
HALFORD - LIVE INSURRECTION - REMASTERED (A) Metal God Entertainment,
2009
Disc 1: 15 tracks, RT: 1:03:13
Disc 2: 13 tracks, RT: 54:28
HALFORD - SILENT SCREAMS - THE SINGLES (B) Metal God Entertainment,
2009
4 tracks, RT: 29:47
[
http://www.RobHalford.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/robhalford ]
[
http://www.HalfordMusic.com/ ]
[
http://www.youtube.com/halfordmusic ]
[
http://www.MetalGodShop.com/ ]
[
http://www.MetalGodApparel.com/ ]
[
HalfordRob@... ]
All right, who *still* doesn't own RESURRECTION? Hard to believe it's
already been nearly a decade since Rob "The Metal God" Halford came
back home, so to speak, to the world of melodic heavy metal. Everyone
knows the story by now... The legendary Judas Priest front man went
solo in the early '90s, meandered around for a while, toyed with
different genres to varying degrees of success, and then finally
decided he really did in fact love metal. RESURRECTION (2000) marked
the debut of the Halford band -- Rob teamed with guitarists Patrick
Lachman and "Metal" Mike Chlasciak, bassist Ray Riendeau, drummer
Bobby Jarzombek, and guitarist/producer Roy Z -- and is chock full of
classic, melodic hard rock and metal moments. The requisite double
live follow-up, LIVE INSURRECTION (2001), documented the band's
triumphant world tour by showcasing Priest classics given new life, a
couple Fight rippers, a pile of new stuff, and a trio of studio cuts.
The SILENT SCREAMS - THE SINGLES E.P., on the other hand, is a
relatively recent addition to the Halford catalog. It collects four
versions of "Silent Screams," the ominous, epic power ballad that --
if you believe all the stories -- really made Rob refocus on heavy
metal after the Two project. Included here are two studio versions, a
1999 demo and the one from RESURRECTION, and two live versions, from
LIVE INSURRECTION and the RESURRECTION WORLD TOUR: LIVE AT ROCK IN RIO
III DVD (2008). Taken together, these three releases represent a
crucial moment in metal history -- Rob Halford's return to the throne.
You need to own them, especially since these newly re-mastered
versions boast awesome booklets and include a handful of rarities: the
bonus tracks from the original RESURRECTION's Japanese version
("Hell's Last Survivor" and "Sad Wings"), the bonus tracks from a
previous reissue of RESURRECTION ("Fetish" and "God Bringer Of
Death"), and the bonus track from the original LIVE INSURRECTION (a
cover of the Scorpions' "Blackout," complete with Rudolf Schenker
guesting on guitar).
- Tim Wadzinski (
tsw512@...)
MIND ODYSSEY - TIME TO CHANGE IT (A-/B+) Napalm Records, 2009
10 tracks, RT: 44:10
[
http://www.mindodyssey.de/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/mindodyssey07 ]
[
http://www.napalmrecords.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/napalmrecords ]
After about a decade, Rage guitarist Victor Smolski has reformed/
reignited his other band, Mind Odyssey, for a new disc and back
catalogue reissues on Napalm. Unlike the power metal power trio with a
bassist/vocalist that is Rage, Mind Odyssey is...a power metal power
trio with a bassist/vocalist. Interesting. They certainly are
different bands, but Mr. Smolski's always-excellent, tasteful, and
shredding playing is a highlight common to both. Mind Odyssey's sound
is hook-filled power metal with a crisp, punchy sound and great
production that really shines. "Riding And Ruling" starts off on an up
note, "Storm Warning" blazes away, and "Raven And Swan" comes closest
to a full-on Rage. "I Want It All" is a killer track that flows
effortlessly, like the Helloween classics "I Want Out" and "Future
World." Elsewhere, there are spots of Savatage-worthy keyboard/piano
coloring ("Higher Ground" wouldn't sound out of place on EDGE OF
THORNS or HANDFUL OF RAIN...that is, until Smolski's freaky solo
erupts), some heavier riffs that slug you in the gut ("Face In The
Rain"), and heck, "Enemy Daggers" even has a bit of a Lordi groove/
dance metal vibe going on. When you add all this up, and factor in
that Mario Le Mole's voice evokes pretty strong memories of a younger
Ralf Scheepers, I guess you can say TIME TO CHANGE IT sounds like an
updated version of Gamma Ray's INSANITY AND GENIUS. Really good stuff.
- Tim Wadzinski (
tsw512@...)
ORANGE SKY - DAT IZ VOODOO (B+) StarCity Recording Company, 2009
12 tracks, RT: 51:01
[
http://www.theorangesky.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/theorangesky ]
[
http://www.starcityrecording.com/ ]
With only a glance at the cover and cursory listen to Orange Sky's DAT
IZ VOODOO you could be forgiven for thinking them a Jamaican hard rock
act, but actually the trio hail from Port Of Spain, Trinidad, bringing
an interesting mix of reggae, ska, modern heavy rock and metal to
their sophomore effort. Orange Sky waste no time getting to one of the
best tracks on the album with opener "Yesterdays And Tomorrows," kind
of Metallica meets UFO at a Bob Marley concert and it works a charm,
vocalist Nigel Rojas turning in a truly unique performance while
brother Nicholas handles bass duties and Obasi Springer gives the drum
kit a good workout. Next up is a nice version of the Scorpions' "Is
There Anybody There?" which fits right in with the Caribbean
influences. Another highlight is "Dark Room," again with a cool Nigel
vocal and some great riffing showing him no slouch at guitar either.
Fav on here might just have to go to "Roses," which is a great melodic
heavy rocker, but I must say both "Psycho World" and "Run" give it a
run for its money with some killer rhythms, the bass and drum
interplay excellent throughout. Things take a bit of a detour on the
maudlin "Rainbows," which shows that ballads are really not the band's
strong suit. Overall, however, DAT IZ VOODOO is an original slice of
sun-drenched hard rock that should garner the band a respectable
following.
- Neal Woodall (
MysticX9@...)
DEREK SHERINIAN - MOLECULAR HEINOSITY (A-) InsideOut Music, 2009
9 tracks, RT: 39:43
[
http://www.dereksherinian.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/dereksherinian2008 ]
[
http://www.insideout.de/ ]
[
http://www.insideoutmusic.com/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/insideoutamerica ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/spvusa ]
Progressive heavy fusion master Derek Sherinian detonates another
explosive masterpiece on his latest solo disc MOLECULAR HEINOSITY, and
it's definitely one that fans of the genre will enthusiastically
embrace. Opener "Antarctica" will have you thinking you are in for
another Planet X album, with Derek's otherworldly synths, Virgil
Donati's odd meter percussion and the always amazing guitar work of
Brett Garsed; by the time you get to metal charger "Wings Of
Insanity," however, you'll know you have found Derek in a rather
heavier place, longtime cohort Zakk Wylde blasting out the
bonecrushing riffs and harmonic squealies, while renown shredder Rusty
Cooley turns in a suitable over-the-top performance on the hypnotic
MacAlpine-flavored "Frozen By Fire." It occurs to me that we may have
discovered a new guitar hero with the appearance of one Taka Minamino,
as his impassioned and adroit playing on "The Lone Spaniard" and the
title track clearly demonstrate. Closer "So Far Gone" sounds a bit
out-of-place on here, being the lone vocal track, but Zakk Wylde's
mournful delivery is effective, kinda sounding like a blend of Alice
In Chains and early Ozzy. There are a multitude of guests on here,
including veteran bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Brian Tichy, and
of course Derek is playing like a god throughout. I'm always
complaining about albums being too long, and MOLECULAR HEINOSITY
happily avoids this trap by clocking in at a gorgeous 39:43. Bottom
line, if you like intense instrumentals with chops to burn you'll find
plenty to satisfy you here, it certainly did me!
- Neal Woodall (
MysticX9@...)
*
*** OUT ***
*
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