Metalrage.com Frontpage News

Machine Head's 'The Blackening' is one of 'ten greatest album covers in Roadrunner history'

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:47:00 GMT

Since 1910 musicians have associated visual arts with their sonic output in the form of the almighty album cover. And since 1987, Roadrunner Records has been a source of some visually stunning and visually disturbing images in the wide world of album art, nevertheless honoring the tradition. Whether using an image to set the tone for what's to follow on your speakers, or as a means of branding in forever associating a picture with a title, there is no question as to the power of the album cover - which is why the label took a look at every album released on Roadrunner Records U.S. to find the greatest covers in its celebrated history.

Voted on by the Roadrunner worldwide staff, showcasing the iconic vs. the blasphemous, the painted vs. the photographed, as well as the found art vs. the commissioned art, we give you the "Ten Greatest Album Covers in Roadrunner History" - one at a time.

Feast your eyes on #9 below, and check back at RoadrunnerRecords.com every day as the label counts down to number one.

#9: Machine Head - "The Blackening"

Holding the title of Metal Hammer's "Album of the Decade," this 2007 crusher from Bay Area heavyweights Machine Head received a bevy of critical acclaim for balancing memorable, thrashing riffage with angry, thought-provoking lyrics. Surpassing the bar set by their former body of work, the long-running band's sixth full-length to date is a powerful statement for the timeless band - which is why frontman Robb Flynn went for a powerful, timeless image to represent it.

Says Flynn of the find, "I stumbled upon an old punk rock flyer I had from the late eighties that had a wood carving of this creepy looking dude with a huge knife in his hand, standing over the bed of some sleeping children. It was powerful, and disturbing. The fact that it was so crude looking gave it that much more impact. It got me interested about finding some wood carvings. I dug around on the Internet, found what-would-become the album, showed it to the dudes, and everyone dug it."

Continues Flynn, "The fact that it was 500 years old, yet still so powerful, was impressive. The main elements: the skeleton king, his foot on the earth, the almost-empty sand in hour glass, and most importantly the mirror with the words etched on it 'The Mirror Which Flatters Not' - it all seemed to tie into the lyrics on the record.

"'The Blackening' was a harsh look at ourselves, our society, or choices we as a people were making. And there was a lot of bad going on in the world, and a lot of ugly truths being unearthed. Those words summed it up so powerfully."

As for the reaction the band received to their dark imagery, Flynn explains, "The fans loved it. It was different, especially back then. It won album cover of the year in a few mags. Now a million metal bands have copied the idea, which is flattering. But honestly, we were just trying to get away from the cheesy photoshop thing that was going on back then."

And for what he loves about it the most, Flynn contends, "Just that something so simple and crude could be so powerful. It's like the old Gene Simmons motto, 'Keep it simple, stupid.'"

As for why Roadrunner loves it, Senior Vp of A&r Monte Conner fills you in in the YouTube clip below.

Megadeth to play free make-up show in baltimore tonight

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:41:00 GMT

Megadeth will play a free show tonight (Wednesday, March 17) at the Rams Head Live in Baltimore, Maryland as a makeup gig for all the folks who had tickets to last night's ill-fated concert.

Commented Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine: "Last night was a difficult night for me, Megs, and for our sold-out audience of Megadeth fans in the great city of Baltimore.

"You see, we were plagued with equipment failures, the ensuing delays getting on-stage (Axl Rose, I am Not), and the lack of intelligence of the fan who was convinced that throwing his beverage on the console, thus ending our second attempt at taking the stage last night, was an intelligent thing to do.

"In other words, it was the end of the evening for me and for Baltimore.

"Alas, Megaman to the rescue!

"Late last night I was informed of the availability of the venue the following evening, meaning tonight, and I agreed to stay another night here in Baltimore and to try to play this venue one more time.

"If you have a ticket from last night, please check here to see how to proceed tonight.

"Thank you for your understanding, and I want to also thank the building, its staff, the security, the promoter and his staff, and most importantly . . . You. I will see you tonight!"

As previously reported, Megadeth was forced to leave the stage three songs into its headlining set last night (Tuesday, March 16) at Rams Head Live in after the venue P.A. (the "Public Address" system that amplifies sound so more people can hear it) prevented the band from continuing its performance.

What follows below is a Blabbermouth.Net transcript of the TheLiveLine "audioblog" Dave Mustaine left late last night decribing the circumstances that led the band to cut its set short.

"I'm calling right now from Baltimore. It's approximately 10 minutes to midnight, and unfortunately, our show turned into an absolute disaster tonight," Mustaine can be heard saying.

"We had problems with the P.A. from the beginning of the night.

"I went out on stage and I had said that the P.A. was a bit inferior to what we were used to using [see video below - Ed.], and after the P.A. completely took a shit, we went into the dressing room, waited another half hour to 45 minutes, used the house P.A. and went back out and started playing again. And some delirious asshole decided that it was a good idea to throw their beverage over the [mixing] console, thus ending the concert.

"So, to the good people of Baltimore, I'm sorry for us having to end your night early tonight, but I can tell you honestly right now that we will be back. It's not like we have better things to do tonight than perform for you. We love you, and we're very sorry about this situation. And hopefully next time we'll be able to play in like a gas station with a couple of generators and a P.A. that'll work. ['Cause] that piece of shit we played in tonight didnt."

You can hear Mustaine's entire one-minute message using the audio player below.

Megadeth's setlist was as follows:

01. Set The World On Fire
02. Wake Up Dead
03. In My Darkest Hour

A review of last night's concert can be found at Rock N Roll Experience.

Megadeth kicked off its "Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Tour" on March 1 at the Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington.

Ill Nino signs recording, merchandising and publishing deal with Victory Records

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:40:00 GMT

New Jersey/New York band Ill Nino has inked a deal with Victory Records. The band will enter the studio in April to begin its new album for a late summer release.

Commented singer Cristian Machado: "I'm honored to be a part of the Victory Records family. They are a great label with a historic roster and we couldn't be happier. Having them on our side is amazing."

Ill Nino last year split with Cement Shoes Records, which released 2008's "Enigma". According to drummer Dave Chavarri, the CD sold 80,000 copies worldwide "with no backup in America."

Ill Nino is scheduled to spend the next couple of months in pre-production in New Jersey. "We will be there until the end of April," Chavarri told Noisecreep. "We will jam, add some tunes. We're starting with 20 songs and will write 20 more and then take the best 15 so we have variety."

Professionally filmed video footage of Ill Nino performing the song "If You Still Hate Me" in Ekaterinburg, Russia in March 2009 can be viewed below (note: the footage was shot for, and aired on, Mtv Russia during the second leg of Ill Nino's "Enigma" world tour).

Ill Nino parted ways with Roadrunner Records in 2006 - less than a year after the release of Ill Nino's third album, "One Nation Underground".

Smashing Pumpkins, Dream Theater, Slash confirmed for Japan's Summer Sonic festival

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:57:00 GMT

Smashing Pumpkins, Dream Theater and Slash are among the confirmed artists for Japan's annual Summer Sonic festival, which has the unusual distinction of occurring in two places at once - outside of Tokyo and in the city of Osaka. Since the festival lasts between two and three days, bands will often play both locations. This year's festival will occur on the weekend of August 7-8 and will feature performances by the following acts:

Jay-Z
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Offspring
Pixies
Dream Theater
Nickelback
A-Ha
Sum41
Orbital
Jonsi
Deadmau5
Slash
Pendulum
Orianthi
30h!3
30 Seconds To Mars
All Time Low
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Coheed And Cambria
Everlast
Fanfarlo
Girls
Hudson Mohawke
The Maccabees
My Passion
Passion Pit
Surfer Blood
Surkin
Two Door Cinema Club
Uffie
Yes Giantess

For more information, visit www.summersonic.com.

Black metal meets nude photography

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Using the momentum from the release of the almost-sold-out successful "Bring The Noise" photo book, which is a collection of band photography, photographer Jeremy Saffer sets his lens on a slightly different subject?

Combining his favorite sub genre of metal (black metal), along with his career-long work in fine art nude photography, Saffer has been shooting content for a new book and calendar series.

"For those who know me or follow my work, I work mostly with bands, and dabble in some fine-art photography, and being that black metal has had the longest tenure as my favorite genre in metal, it made sense to some how cross the paths of my work," he says.

"I am shooting this project in a few ways. I am shooting fine-art and fashion style nude images with corpse paint - very elegant, standard poses?but also shooting very metal/creepy poses - so there's a good mix of traditional and non-traditional posing for both genres."

For more information, visit www.jeremysaffer.com/corpsepaint.

Photographer Jeremy Saffer released his first book of photography in 2009. Entitled "Bring The Noise", the 120-page hardcover collection features 156 full-color band images, all taken from Saffer's extensive career, shooting music's best and brightest. "Bring The Noise" gathers a broad selection of artists, representing the varied spectrum of both the metal and hardcore scenes. Lacuna Coil, Bleeding Through, All That Remains, Dimmu Borgir, Bring Me The Horizon, Norma Jean, Earth Crisis, Behemoth and many more all make appearances within the pages of "Bring The Noise", which also contain a number of never-before-seen images exclusive to the book.

Jeremy recently started a behind-the-shoot video series - including the "Behind The Shoot of Behemoth", which can be viewed below.

Megadeth ends baltimore show after three songs, blames 'piece-of-s**t' p.a.

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:54:00 GMT

Megadeth was forced to leave the stage three songs into its headlining set last night (Tuesday, March 16) at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, Maryland after the venue P.A. (the "Public Address" system that amplifies sound so more people can hear it) allegedly "took a shit" and prevented the band from continuing its performance.

What follows below is a Blabbermouth.Net transcript of the TheLiveLine "audioblog" Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine left late last night decribing the circumstances that led the band to cut its set short.

"I'm calling right now from Baltimore. It's approximately 10 minutes to midnight, and unfortunately, our show turned into an absolute disaster tonight," Mustaine can be heard saying.

"We had problems with the P.A. from the beginning of the night.

"I went out on stage and I had said that the P.A. was a bit inferior to what we were used to using [see video below - Ed.], and after the P.A. completely took a shit, we went into the dressing room, waited another half hour to 45 minutes, used the house P.A. and went back out and started playing again. And some delirious asshole decided that it was a good idea to throw their beverage over the [mixing] console, thus ending the concert.

"So, to the good people of Baltimore, I'm sorry for us having to end your night early tonight, but I can tell you honestly right now that we will be back. It's not like we have better things to do tonight than perform for you. We love you, and we're very sorry about this situation. And hopefully next time we'll be able to play in like a gas station with a couple of generators and a P.A. that'll work. ['Cause] that piece of shit we played in tonight didnt."

You can hear Mustaine's entire one-minute message using the audio player below.

Megadeth's setlist was as follows:

01. Set The World On Fire
02. Wake Up Dead
03. In My Darkest Hour

A registered member of the official Megadeth forum who goes by the name "ringocat22" has posted the following account of what transpired last night:

"[Second support band] Testament went off at 9:10. Megadeth has been going on at 9:15, and I knew that wasn't going to happen.

"At around 9:45, I saw Shawn [Drover, Megadeth drummer] get into position behind the drumset. About 10 minutes later, he went back off the stage.

"In between sets, there were at least two Very Loud static-y crackles from the Pa system. You know the sound the needle makes when you first put it on a record? Like that, only at 5000 db. Not a good sign.

"Sometime between 10 and 10:30, they completely changed out the soundboard. They then had to do soundcheck again. The crowd was really getting restless at this point, chanting obscenities, booing, pushing and shoving. I was starting to get a little nervous, but was very glad I was up in the balcony.

"At around 10:35 or so, I saw Shawn get back into position, then leave again shortly after. Dave [Mustaine] came out [see video below] and told us that the Pa system was a [piece of shit], and they'd be on as soon as it was fixed.

"Around 11, they finally came on.

"I felt so bad for the guys ?the sound was just horrible. The Rams Head completely failed on this one. The vocals would be Really, Really Loud one second, then completely gone the next. David's [Ellefson] bass kept popping Way up in volume and completely overtaking everything, even the drums. David [Ellefson] and Chris [Broderick] were laughing and shaking their heads, but Dave was Pissed, and understandably so.

"They powered through 'Set The World On Fire', 'Wake Up Dead', and 'In My Darkest Hour' anyway. When that was over, Dave said they were going to try and fix the bass problem, and they left the stage.

"By now the booing was getting louder, and a couple of fights were close to breaking out. In the interest of personal safety, I made an executive decision and got out of there."

Megadeth kicked off its "Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Tour" on March 1 at the Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington.

Photos of the band's performance can be found at Live 'N Loud Magazine (all pictures by Joseph R. Scozzari).

Megadeth recently commenced filming a video for the song "The Right To Go Insane" in South El Monte, California. The track comes off Megadeth's latest album, "Endgame", which was recorded at Vic's Garage, the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California. The CD was helmed by Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine and British producer Andy Sneap (Exodus, Nevermore, Arch Enemy, Machine Head).

Karma to Burn to release 'Appalachian Incantation' in May

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:32:00 GMT

Resurrected Morgantown, West Virginia instrumental metal pioneers Karma To Burn will release their fourth album, "Appalachian Incantation", on May 11 via Napalm Records. The group's first studio CD in eight years was produced by ex-Kyuss bassist Scott Reeder and contains eight instrumentals chronologically titled from "41" to "48", along with the track "Waiting for the Western World", which features Year Long Disaster frontman Daniel Davis on vocals. A deluxe edition of the album will include a seven-track bonus CD of rarities and re-recordings.

A cult band with an extensive, highly cherished back catalog, Karma To Burn reunited last year after laying dormant for most of the decade and soon embarked upon a reunion tour, including a coveted spot at 2009's Download festival. All this action is captured on the "Live 2009 - Reunion Tour" DVD, which was released domestically on December 15 by Napalm Records, the band's new label home.

Quality video footage (three-camera mix) of Karma To Burn's April 18, 2009 concert at the Ravari in Columbus, Ohio can be viewed below (clip shot and uploaded by Digitallive).

Karma To Burn split in 2002 after Rich Mullins left to join Texas aggro-rockers Speedealer.

Karma To Burn consists of guitarist Will Mecum (Treasure Cat), bassist Rich "Dickie" Mullins (Year Long Disaster) and drummer Rob Oswald (Nebula).

Upcoming Karma To Burn shows:

May 14 - Brooklyn, Ny @ Knitting Factory
May 15 - Philadelphia, Pa
May 16 - Baltimore, Md @ Ottobar
May 17 - Springfield, Va @ Jaxx
May 19 - Pittsburgh, Pa @ 31st Pub
May 20 - Charleston, Wv
May 21 - Huntington, Wv @ V Club
May 22 - Morgantown, Wv @ 123 Pleasant St.
May 23 - Columbus, Oh
May 25 - Detroit, Mi @ Magic Stick
May 26 - Chicago, Il @ Double Door
May 27 - Madison, Wi
May 29 - Wichita, Ks @ Lizard Lounge
May 30 - Oklahoma City, Ok

For more information www.myspace.com/karmatoburn.

America's youngest rock band The Thrashers releases 'Nine' EP

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:31:00 GMT

Nine year-old rockers The Thrashers have been friends since their pre-school days in the small town of Pacifica, California. Upon first look, one would assume these boys are no different than any other fourth graders? until they hit the stage. Masterminded by twin brothers Nick and Chris Rigling, the band can throw out original riffs comparable to any modern day headlining rock band.

The band, which consists of Nick (bass) and Chris Rigling (drums), Geddy Franco (lead guitar), Charley Rutledge (rhythm guitar), and Brandon Lurie (keys), has begun making waves in the Bay Area and has already sold out Broadway Studios, garnering more sales of merchandise and EPs than most acts triple their age.

The Thrashers will be the Whisky A Go Go's youngest performers to take stage on March 20 at 7:00 p.m.

"Nine", The Thrashers' independent debut release, in association with San Francisco Records, is available now via all major online retailers.

For more information, visit TheThrashersRock.com.

Imagika: entire new album available for streaming

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:06:00 GMT

"Portrait Of A Hanged Man", the new album from San Francisco Bay Area power/thrashers Imagika, is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. Due in Europe on March 19 and in the U.S. on May 11 via Metalville, the CD was recorded at Fang Studios in San Mateo, California by Imagika guitarist Steve Rice and was mixed at King Diamond guitarist Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden. In addition to mixing the effort, La Rocque makes a guest appearance on the instrumental "A God No More". Drummer Henry Moreno was once again responsible for designing all the art for the CD (see cover image below), which marks the recording debut of new bassist Jim Pegram.

Commented Moreno: "Well, obviously the [artwork] concept had to be something to do with the CD title so I created the first piece which was a person with a noose around their neck but it didn't have that 'CD cover' feel. Metalville and Steve made some suggestions and one thing they came up with was what if the hanging man was a silhouette. I thought that was a cool idea and ran with that and really just followed the theme of the song, which is about a person seeing the haunting vision of a portrait of man being hanged that comes to life. Metalville and the band really liked the finished product and so the CD cover was born! The original first piece is also included in the CD booklet.

"I really had fun with this project and I believe it's some of the best work I have done so far. I hope the fans enjoy it as much as we do."

"Portrait Of A Hanged Man" track listing:

01. Scared To Death
02. The Hit
03. Keep The Wolves At Bay
04. G.H.B.
05. Portrait Of A Hanged Man
06. Simple Servant
07. One Word
08. My Final Hour
09. A God No More (feat. Andy La Rocque)
10. Halo Of Flies

The first run will be a special digipack with the bonus track "Shadow Of The Cross".

Imagika recently announced the addition of guitarist Robert Kolowitz to the group's ranks. A current member of Bay Area stalwarts Hellhound and former member of Blackstorm and Rapidfire, Robert "brings years of experience and perseverance to the second-guitar slot," according to a press release. "His former bands have performed with Anthrax, Death Angel, Legacy (pre-Testament), Forbidden, Megadeth, Nitro, Vicious Rumors and Slayer."

Metalville is the band and label pool launched by the Cologne, Germany-based company Flying Dolphin Entertainment Group Ug.

Imagika's last album, "Feast for the Hated" was released in the U.S. on May 20, 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD was mixed at Sweden's Sonic Train Studio with Andy La Rocque.

Cadaveria begins recording new album

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:05:00 GMT

Cadaveria, the Italian band featuring former Opera Ix vocalist Cadaveria and ex-Opera Ix drummer/Necrodeath vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias), has entered the studio to begin recording its new album.

After performing live in Mexico at the end of June, Cadaveria spent the second half of 2009 in the rehearsal room to complete the songwriting for its fourth full-length CD. The as-yet-untitled effort will contain eleven tracks and will be released in late 2010.

In January 2009, Cadaveria announced the addition of Dick Laurent as the group's second guitarist. The new member's influence will be clearly felt in the new compositions which are described by singer Cadaveria as "heavy, obscure and insane."

Check out a report from the studio at this location.

Cadaveria recently made a guest appearance on Italian death metallers Mechanical God Creation's new CD, performing backing vocals on the song "I Shall Remain Unforgiven".

Over the course of the last two years, Cadaveria worked concurrently on the project Dynabyte. The industrial metal act has just finished mastering its new record that will be unleashed in June.

Cadaveria's video for the song "Anagram" can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's latest album, "In Your Blood", which was released in May 2007 via Season of Mist.

Cadaveria's sophomore album, "Far Away from Conformity", was released in early 2004. The follow-up to 2002's "The Shadows' Madame" was recorded and mixed at Capitan Woofer Studio in Italy and was mastered at the Mastering Room in Sweden.

Keep Of Kalessin: 'Reptilian' track listing revealed

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:59:00 GMT

Norwegian extreme metal veterans Keep Of Kalessin will release their new album, "Reptilian", in North America on June 8 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Dragon Iconography
02. The Awakening
03. Judgement
04. The Dragontower
05. Leaving The Mortal Flesh
06. Dark As Moonless Night
07. The Divine Land
08. Reptilian Majesty

The band will play a few select shows in Norway in support of the release.

Confirmed dates so far:

May 15 - Rockefeller, Oslo (headlining show)
May 21 - Torget, Trondheim, Trondheim Rock Festival

Keep Of Kalessin took third place in the grand final of the national Eurovision Song Contest called "Melodi Grand Prix" which was held on February 6 at the Spektrum in Oslo. The band performed a song called "The Dragontower", which was originally written for the group's next album but had to be shortened from 5:20 minutes to 3:00 minutes for the performance. The full, unedited track will, of course, appear on the upcoming Keep Of Kalessin CD.

Video footage of Keep Of Kalessin's performance in the quarterfinals of the competition can be viewed below.

Keep Of Kalessin's last CD, "Kolossus", was released in June 2008. The album was made available via Indie Recordings and was licensed to Nuclear Blast for the following territories: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and rest of the world outside Europe (except Australia and Russia).

Vains Of Jenna parts ways with singer, seeks replacement

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:59:00 GMT

Singer Lizzy DeVine has left the Swedish rock band Vains Of Jenna. He says in a statement, "The last five years with this band have been the best years of my life. It's with a tear in my eye, but a whole lot of love and respect for the band, manager, endorsers and fans all over the world I announce that I'm no longer the lead singer/front man of Vains Of Jenna.

"It's been a crazy ride. And I've loved every second of it. But now I must move on and let the band grow. I've done more with this band than I could ever have dreamed of but now it's time for new adventures!

"I love all of you."

Vains Of Jenna - comprised of lead guitarist and main songwriter Nicki Kin (age 23), bassist Jp White (26) and drummer Jacki Stone (23) - embraces this change with the following statement: "We have always been a family and have supported each other through the good times and the bad. Today we support and respect Lizzy's choice. We wish him all the best in the future and we part ways as friends.

"To our fans and friends everywhere, we are as shocked at this development as the rest of you. But we are real committed to our music and will go forward.

"We have been honored by all of your support over the years and cannot express enough our regrets to bring this news. But this is reality and we accept the challenge."

Vains Of Jenna formed in 2005 in Falkenberg, Sweden. The band has been featured internationally on Tv and radio, appeared in hundreds of print articles and performed over 400 shows in a dozen countries.

Vains Of Jenna was originally signed by Mtv star Bam Margera ("Jackass", "Viva La Bam") to Filthy Note/Universal in 2006. This was followed by major tours of North America tours with Poison, Ratt and Gwar in 2007. The band returned to Europe in 2008 and toured Italy, England and Sweden, which included an appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival. In the summer of 2009, the band was back in Los Angeles to release "The Art of Telling Lies" (Rls/Raw Noize) which received five-star reviews around the globe.

"We are seeking a young, hungry, aggressive, dedicated, fresh face and voice to front our band. Someone who is one of us," the band states.

"If you think you're the guy for the job - then step to the plate now."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/vainsofjenna.

Rhino signs with Doomentia Records

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:59:00 GMT

Spanish "doom thrashers" Rhino have inked a deal with Doomentia Records for the release of their third album, "Weight Of Coronation". Tentatively due this summer, the CD will be recorded in March at Koba studios in Bilbao with producer Xanpe and will once again feature artwork by renowed artist Rafa Garrés, who previously worked with the band on its second album, "Dead Throne Monarch".

According to a press release, Rhino's forthcoming Lp will be its "heaviest without a doubt, but sure will follow the path marked by their two previous records, 'Breed The Chosen One' (2007, 7th Gate) and the above-mentioned 'Dead Throne Monarch' (2008, Arctic Music)."

For more information, visit www.hornoftherhino.com.

Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour rumored for Uproar tour

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:59:00 GMT

According to the Toronto Sun, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour will team up for the Uproar 2010 tour late this summer. So far only one date has been released: August 24 at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

A web site for the trek will soon be launched at www.rockstaruproar.com.

Disturbed recently the studio in its hometown of Chicago to begin recording its fifth album, with a tentative summer release date planned. The group has not yet announced a title for the project, which will follow up 2008's "Indestructible". Guitarist Dan Donegan told The Pulse of Radio that Disturbed had 15 to 18 songs ready to go, adding that the band doesn't like to waste time once it gets started. "I mean, we definitely go in there very prepared," he said. "We never enter the studio unless we feel like, right now, if these are the songs we record, that we would have an album that we're proud of and we're excited about. And we put everything under the microscope and examine it the best we can to make sure that we're prepared. We don't like going in there wasting time. We go in there to work, and to try to make the best album we can."

Meanwhile, the band has set March 23 as the release date for the 10th anniversary edition of its debut album, "The Sickness". The set, which will also be available on vinyl, will feature B-sides, new artwork, and exclusive online content.

Around the same time, the group will re-launch its website with a special section, accessible only by a code included with new copies of "The Sickness", that will feature clips of the quartet in the studio recording their new album.

Korn to headline Jägermeister Music tour

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:58:00 GMT

Jägermeister, the brand known for decades of involvement with rock and metal bands, continues to own the concert circuit with the 2010 spring Jägermeister Music Tour featuring Grammy Award-winning American rock band Korn. The tour, which is Jägermeister's 16th Music Tour, kicks off May 2 in South Carolina and plays over 25 shows across the nation in celebration of the upcoming release of Korn's ninth studio album, "Korn Iii: Remember Who You Are".

Emerging with a sound unlike any other in 1994, Korn has become one of the most important bands in rock n' roll history. Not including Korn's soon-to-debut album, the L.A.-based band has released eight full-length studio albums and 11 releases overall, with eight of those selling platinum or platinum plus. Korn has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, has played countless sold-out shows and has received six Grammy nominations; two of which they have won for "Freak on a Leash" and "Here to Stay". Their ninth offering, "Korn Iii: Remember Who You Are", embraces the savage, raw energy that Korn's diehard fans have come to expect over the years while unleashing an uneasiness reminiscent of the band's most unbridled material. This makes sense, since the record was produced by Ross Robinson, who helmed Korn's first two groundbreaking albums.

"Back in the day Jägermeister was one of the first brands to back Korn. Those early tours were some of the best times of our lives. Now we are looking to bring that vibe back in a big way," says Korn frontman Jonathan Davis.

Korn will rock the 2010 spring Jägermeister Music Tour through mid-June with help from supporting acts 2cents, and a local Jägermeister-sponsored band. In addition, top stand-up comedian Big Jay Oakerson, known for his laid back, likeable, yet biting style, will emcee the tour.

Since the summer of 2005, 2cents has traced nearly every major highway in North America introducing their high energy live act and passion filled intense music to crowd after crowd. The band recently unveiled their sophomore album, "Dress to Kill", featuring the hit "Get What".

"Korn is not only a Grammy-winning band, but one that had been vocal about their love for Jägermeister since the '90s," said Bill Henderson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for the Sidney Frank Importing Company. "We are excited to partner with them as well as 2cents, and Big Jay Oakerson to create what will undoubtedly be Jägermeister's biggest Music Tour to date."

This tour is something very different for Korn, since they will be playing ballrooms and clubs in some of the most intimate settings in a very long time. This tour acts as a great way to recapture the old-school Korn style reminiscent in their first two albums and the upcoming "Korn Iii". Jonathan Davis explains, "We wanted to play new songs for the diehard fans in a setting that fits the music, so we told the promoters to take out the seats!"

The 16th annual Jägermeister Music Tour will feature Jägermeister custom tour prizes from Schecter Guitars and Peavey Electronics. In addition, Jägermeister will be hosting nightly text-to-win giveaways including tap machines, tee shirts, hats and other branded Pos. Giveaways are subject to state and local laws and participants must be of legal drinking age or older.

Register to win Vip tickets and backstage access at www.jagermeistermusictour.com.

World Under Blood completes recording debut album

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:08:00 GMT

World Under Blood, the melodic death metal side project featuring Cky guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller alongside Tim Yeung (Divine Heresy, Vital Remains, Hate Eternal) on drums, Risha Eryavec (Decrepit Birth) on bass, and Luke Jaeger on guitar, has finished recording its debut album, "Tactical", for a summer release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented Miller: "I flew out to [guitarist-turned-producer] James Murphy's [Testament, Death, Obituary] home studio to track the rest of the vocals and it was a very gratifying experience. I was in total awe of his vinyl collection and his cat Sasha, but most of all I was enamored by the professionalism and discipline he instilled during these sessions that really put me in my place.

"James really brought out the best in me and having only had two producers in my entire career, I can say that I'm lucky to be continually working with James Murphy and Chad Ginsburg. I've realized that in the end the only way to have a top-notch producer with an amazing ear is to be working with someone who has a musical history and a musical ability themselves. Not just some overpaid name/reputation dude that leaves Post-It notes on Pro Tools monitors. Those days are over.

"The goal for the eight original tunes that ended up on this album was that they would all be super-fast, extremely brutal and harsh, catchy, melodic, and occasionally offensive and disturbing. I also had to make sure that the entire band was satisfied with their work.

"Tim Yeung is easily the most impressive drummer in the world. He thinks that some kid is going to come along and dethrone him speed-wise, but as far as writing, arrangements, creative input and immediate knowledge of song structure, he will never be beat. It's like the guy can read my mind. I present a somewhat intricate song to him and 50 minutes later we're demoed and done.

"Luke Jaeger flew through his solos in less than eight hours.

"Murphy and I were thinking the same thing, 'These solos have to be incredible and memorable,' not just finger-flailing virtuoso garbage. He nailed them all.

"I wanted the best musicians for the job and I think we got it.

"Personally, I love this record and am very pleased with it. It's probably the first album I've worked on where I truly don't care what anyone else thinks. I'll be blasting it for years and I'm confident you will, too.

"Either way, we made a great record and i want to thank the band and Nuclear Blast worldwide for the opportunity. Also, the fans all over the world for their amazing support and encouragement.

"See you on tour!"

"Tactical" tentative track listing (not final sequence):

* Dead And Still In Pain
* Under The Autumn Low
* A God Among The Waste
* Pyro-Compulsive
* I Can't Stand His Name
* Into The Arms Of Cruelty
* Revere's Tears
* Purgatory Dormitory
* Wake Up Dead (Megadeth cover; bonus track)
* Alliance Or War (Malevolent Creation cover; bonus track)

James Murphy previously stated about the project, "World Under Blood bridge a gap between genres that has never been bridged.... a few have tried with mixed results, but this is the first real resounding success of fusing brutal, blasting death metal with a melodic American rock vibe and it opens a door that will turn into a floodgate... I'm very happy to have been picked by Deron to mix this project ... he really pulls it together on this one musically and Tim's performance is stellar as well."

Deron Miller is widely credited for conceiving the long-delayed Death tribute project, "Within The Mind - In Homage To The Musical Legacy Of Chuck Schuldiner", as a means to help James Murphy raise money for his medical bills (Murphy is currently receiving treatment for a massive brain tumor with which he was diagnosed in August 2001).

The project, which has the blessing of the family of late Death mastermind Chuck Schuldiner (who passed away in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor), has been in the works for the last few years and is expected to feature a number of special guest appearances, including those by members of Slipknot, Nevermore, Fear Factory, Static-X, and Malevolent Creation.

World Under Blood is:

* Deron Miller (Cky) - Guitar/Vocals
* Tim Yeung (Divine Heresy, Vital Remains, Hate Eternal) - Drums
* Risha Eryavec (Decrepit Birth) - Bass
* Luke Jaeger - Guitar

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/worldunderblood.

Grand Magus: new album artwork, track listing revealed

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:54:00 GMT

Grand Magus, the three-piece Swedish heavy rock band featuring "Jb" Christofferson (guitar, lead vocals), Fox Skinner (bass, backing vocals) and Sebastian "Seb" Sippola (drums), will release its fifth album, "Hammer Of The North", this summer via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at 301 studios outside of Stockholm and will feature artwork by Necrolord.

Commented Jb: "Necrolord is a legend and has created some of the most striking and powerful images ever. He's also closely connected with Swedish metal. We just knew that he would deliver the perfect feel, mood and imagery for the new record. No one else would come close. It's an honor to have his artwork for 'Hammer Of The North'."

"Hammer Of The North" track listing:

01. I, The Jury
02. Hammer Of The North
03. Black Sails
04. Mountains Be My Throne
05. Northern Star
06. The Lord Of Lies
07. At Midnight They'll Get Wise
08. Bond Of Blood
09. Savage Tales
10. Ravens Guide Our Way

During the band's 10-year history, Grand Magus has released two demos, one split EP and four full-length albums, and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews throughout. Their last opus, "Iron Will", was voted "Album of The Month" in the German Metal Hammer and Rock Hard magazines.

Drawing hefty influences from the hand-on-heart grandeur of the Nwobhm and the inspirational mythology of their forbears, Grand Magus is steeped in pre-Christian tales of triumph, vengeance, betrayal, wisdom and death. But Grand Magus also stands for energetic live performances, as seen at last year's European festivals such as Sweden Rock, Hellfest, Wacken, Summer Breeze and on tour in Europe with bands like At The Gates, Cathedral, Candlemass, Tyrant, Serpentcult and Electric Wizard.

The Dillinger Escape Plan: entire new album available for streaming

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:54:00 GMT

"Option Paralysis", the new album from critically acclaimed rockers The Dillinger Escape Plan, can be streamed in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. Due on March 23, the opus, recorded in Orange County, California with longtime collaborator/producer Steve Evetts (The Used, Glassjaw, Every Time I Die), will be the debut release for the band's brand new label Party Smasher Inc./Season Of Mist.

"Option Paralysis" track listing:

01. Farewell, Mona Lisa
02. Good Neighbor
03. Gold Teeth On A Bum
04. Crystal Morning
05. Endless Endings
06. Widower
07. Room Full Of Eyes
08. Chinese Whispers
09. I Wouldn't If You Didn't
10. Parasitic Twins

Check out the CD artwork below.

"Farewell, Mona Lisa" was premiered this past Christmas exclusively on Sirius Xm's Liquid Metal. The track is now available for digital download with exclusive artwork on iTunes, Amazon and all major download platforms worldwide.

According to guitarist Ben Weinman, "I Wouldn't if You Didn't" was one of the last songs written for the album, "taking Dillinger to places [we] have never gone before." Meanwhile, "A Room Full of Eyes", which Ben dubs as a favorite on the album, is "one of the most intense songs we have ever written."

U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine recently reported that "Option Paralysis" will feature a guest appearance by 70-year-old Mike Garson, who has previously contributed to David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane" and Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile" albums.

Vocalist Greg Puciato previously stated about the band's new songs, "Wait 'til you hear what we've got for you now. The vibe when we recorded 'Ire Works' was defined by a feeling of struggle and hope and just staying alive in the face of almost falling apart, feeling triumphant in making it through the previous couple of years, and now the vibe is Ok, now we're just gonna fuck everyone up.'"

Kingdom Of Sorrow completes work on new album

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:53:00 GMT

Kingdom Of Sorrow, the metal project created by Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Kirk Windstein (Down, Crowbar), has completed work on its second album for a tentative June release via Relapse Records. The CD was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris at Planet Z Recordings in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Commented Jasta: "I'm really excited about the Kingdom Of Sorrow album because I feel like I really went all out this time. I love the first album but I brought way better riffs to the table this time and really brought a different vocal style on a lot of tracks. I think this new album is much more memorable and that the songs are really catchy but still heavy and raw.

"Crowbar has some European touring to do but we may squeeze some Kingdom Of Sorrow shows in when I am not touring with Hatebreed this year."

Kingdom Of Sorrow released its self-titled debut in early 2008. The band embarked on a 70-city tour in support of the CD and took part in the Ozzfest and Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tours. Kingdom Of Sorrow also released three music videos from the record, one of which can be viewed below.

Arise: 'The Reckoning' trailer available

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:53:00 GMT

A two-minute video trailer for "The Reckoning", the fourth album from Swedish death/thrashers Arise, can be viewed below. Due on March 22 through Regain Records, the CD features guest appearances by Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, ex-Carnal Forge), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity) and Jake Fredém (Nostradameus).

"The Reckoning" track listing:

01. Adrenaline Rush
02. No Memory Of Light
03. Blindead
04. They Are Coming For You
05. Pitch Black
06. The Reckoning
07. Reclaiming The Soul
08. The Fury
09. Dead Silence
10. End Of Days

Check out the cover artwork below.

According to a press release, Arise is often described as a cross between At The Gates, Hypocrisy and Carcass and is responsible for three albums "The Godly Work Of Art", "Kings Of The Cloned Generation" and "The Beautiful New World" which were released through Spinefarm/Universal Records. They have toured with Vader and performed alongside such bands as Morbid Angel, Entombed, Exodus, The Crown and Hatesphere.

Sayyadina: entire 'The Great Northern Revisited' collection available for streaming

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:14:00 GMT

"The Great Northern Revisited", a collection of Sayyadina tracks culled from split seven-inch singles, compilations and previously unreleased material, is being streamed in its entirety at this location.

The compilation, which is being released today (Tuesday, March 16) via Relapse Records, contains the following tracks:

01. Nothing
02. Prozac Generation
03. The Revenge
04. The Awakening
05. Their Control
06. Min Onda Bän
07. Instrumental 1
08. Instrumental 2
09. Someday I Will Kill
10. Sort Them Out
11. From Ashes
12. När Fag Faller
13. Black Rose
14. Mid Livet Som Insats
15. Swallow
16. All This Fear
17. Downfall
18. Civilized Control
19. Retaliation
20. Civilization
21. Automation
22. Compulsion
23. Stagnation
24. Confrontation
25. Outrage
26. Oppression
27. Future Digits
28. Razor Discipline
29. Solitude
30. Last Days Make The Least

Additional release information can be found here.

Sayyadina formed in 2000 and features current and past members of Victims, General Surgery and Nasum. The band has previously released two full-length albums and has appeared on a handful of compilations.

Ozzy Osbourne confirmed for Finland's Ruisrock festival

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:14:00 GMT

Ozzy Osbourne, Amon Amarth and Finntroll are among the confirmed artists for this year's edition of the Ruisrock festival, set to take place July 9-11, 2010 at Russalo in Turku, Finland.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

Amon Amarth
Amorphisarch Enemy
Baroness
Belle & Sebastian
Billy Talent
Canned Heat
Disco Ensemble
Don Huonot
Finntroll
Flogging Molly
Florence And The Machine
Irina
Ismo Alanko & Teho-Osasto
Kotiteollisuus
Lauri Tähkä & Elonkerjuu
Michael Monroe
Mokoma
Nofx
Ozzy Osbourne
Pmmp
Popeda
Porcupine Tree
Prince Of Assyria
Rise Against
Samuli Putro
Scandinavian Music Group
Sonata Arctica
Stam1na
Tarot
The Ark
The Baseballs
The Sonics
The Sounds
The Specials
Vesa-Matti Loiri
Viikate

For more information, go to this location.

Flyleaf to tour U.S. with Fair To Midland, 10 Years

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:00 GMT

"Again", the lead single from A&m/Octone recording artist Flyleaf's latest album, "Memento Mori", has climbed to #3 at Modern Rock radio, right behind Muse, who occupy the #1 and #2 spots. "Memento Mori", the follow-up to Flyleaf's self-titled platinum debut, recently entered The Billboard 200 at No. 8.

"Reaching #3 after 28 weeks, 'Again' has been Flyleaf's biggest hit at Modern Rock radio to date," said Ben Berkman, Evp/Head of Promotion at A&m/Octone Records. "It has also been one of their most enduring as well, reaching this position after a steady eight month build. Furthermore, the track navigated one of the most competitive fourth quarters in the last 10 years, outlasting records from over a dozen established gold and platinum artists. 'Again' is a bona fide hit!"

The band, which just wrapped up a trek with Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, will launch a sold-out U.K. tour on March 22, which includes a show at London's Islington Academy on April 1. Flyleaf will then return to the States for a series of festival appearances and a headlining tour that will kick off on May 4. Fair To Midland and 10 Years will open on the tour. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20; check your local box office for details.

Flyleaf U.S. dates:

Apr. 28 - Belton, Tx - Belton County Expo Center
Apr. 30 - San Antonio, Tx - Sunken Garden Theatre
May 01 - Frisco, Tx - Pizza Hut Park
May 02 - Spring, Tx - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Headlining tour with Fair To Midland and 10 Years:

May 04 - Albuquerque, Nm - Sunshine Theatre
May 06 - Tempe, Az - Marquee Theatre
May 07 - Las Vegas, Nv - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino-Outdoor Pool
May 08 - Anaheim, Ca - House of Blues
May 11 - Seattle, Wa - Showbox at The Market
May 12 - Spokane, Wa - Knitting Factory Concert House
May 14 - Salt Lake City, Ut - In The Venue
May 15 - Denver, Co - Ogden Theatre
May 18 - Cleveland, Oh - House of Blues
May 20 - Worcester, Ma - The Palladium
May 21 - Atlantic City, Nj - House of Blues
May 22 - New York, Ny - Webster Hall
May 24 - Poughkeepsie, Ny - The Chance
May 25 - Washington, Dc - 9:30 Club
May 26 - Norfolk, Va - The Norva
May 29 - Omaha, Ne - Sokol Auditorium
May 30 - Sioux Falls, Sd - Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Jun. 01 - Billings, Mt - Shrine Auditorium
Jun. 02 - Casper, Wy - Casper Events Center
Jun. 04 - Boise, Id - Knitting Factory
Jun. 05 - Reno, Nv - Knitting Factory
Jun. 06 - Mountain View, Ca - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Live 105 Bfd

Souldrainer begins recording new album

info@metalrage.com (Mindsaver) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:00 GMT

Swedish death metallers Souldrainer have entered Empire Studio to begin recording their new album for a late 2010 release. According to the band, the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2007's "Reborn" will contain 13 sogns and "will be beautiful, evil, slightly more aggressive and heavier" than its predecessor. The group adds, "Prepare for an epic death/doom album so heavy it will blow your face off."

In May 2008, Souldrainer parted ways with Mascot Records, the label which released the group's debut album, "Reborn", in May 2007. That CD was recorded by Souldrainer and Marcus Edvardsson at Manic Motion Studio and was mixed and mastered by Marcus Edvardsson. The layout and artwork was handled by Daniel Dlimi.

Souldrainer in 2008 uploaded a teaser video (see below) of a demo track entitled "Fed By Fire". According to the band, "Dan Swanö [Bloodbath, Edge Of Sanity] - the grand master himself - made this mix and it kicks ass! This song is one of the songs from 'Garage Demo 2008' we recorded live some time ago in the rehearsal space! It's also one of the up-tempo songs we've got!"

Deftones: new song available for streaming

info@metalrage.com (DemonDust) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:10:00 GMT

"Diamond Eyes", the title track of Deftones's new album, is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The CD is scheduled for release on May 18 via Reprise.

"Diamond Eyes" track listing:

01. Diamond Eyes
02. Royal
03. Cmnd/Ctrl
04. You've Seen the Butcher
05. Beauty School
06. Prince
07. Rocket Skates
08. Sextape
09. Risk
10. 976-Evil
11. This Place Is Death

The "Rocket Skates" video can be viewed below.

"Rocket Skates" will be available for purchase on April 17 as an exclusive, limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single pressing with a picture sleeve that supports national "Record Store Day."

In a recent interview with Spin.com, Deftones frontman Chino Moreno stated about the forthcoming CD, "The dynamics Deftones are known for - aggressive overtones and lush openness. They're on opposite sides of the spectrum, but we meld them together without sounding contrived. There are a few heavy songs, too, like our first couple records, and there are also experimental tunes - but there's not a minute on this record that feels like it doesn't need to be there. Each sound complements the other. I'll straight-up say it: it's definitely one of our best albums."

Regarding he lyrical direction of the new album, Moreno said, "Well, I've been wanting to record a fantasy album like 'White Pony', where the lyrics are less, 'This is my life and this is what we're going through.' It helps take us away from reality. I don't like listening to people's problems - I like music. Music has been smothered with that complaining since the early-'90s. It gets old. Instead of going to the opposite side of the spectrum and listening to Black Eyed Peas, which is just straight silly, I choose to listen to more instrumental music. I do very little singing about myself on this record. I love songs where I can totally take myself out of being human. I can sing about really odd things, and they don't necessarily have to pertain to me at all. It paints a picture. Those are the kind of lyrics I grew up with - like The Cure. Really visual images and no storytelling."

"Diamond Eyes" is Deftones' first album first since bassist Chi Cheng's life-altering car accident, which has left him in a comatose state.

During a recent interview with Aol's Noisecreep, Moreno explained that, after Chi's accident, the band nearly called it quits, but later, decided to work on an entirely new batch of songs with their friend Sergio Vega filling in on bass. They hired producer Nick Raskulinecz to work with them, and in just two months, they'd recorded an entirely new album. "I honestly think it's one of the best, if not the best records we've ever done," Moreno said. "My favorite record is 'Around the Fur'. It was written and recorded in four months, which was the fastest, easiest and funnest record we've ever made. This record totally has that feel to it."

"Diamond Eyes" audio stream:

"Rocket Skates" video:

Lizzy Borden confirmed for Germany's Wacken Open Air festival

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:45:00 GMT

California metallers Lizzy Borden have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

1349
Alice Cooper
Arch Enemy
Amorphis
Astral Doors
Atrocity
Broilers
Caliban
Candlemass
Cannibal Corpse
Corvus Corax
Crucified Barbara
Dead Means Nothing
Debauchery
Degradead
Delain
Despised Icon
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
Die Kassierer
Edguy
Equilibrium
End Of Green
Endstille
Eternal Legacy
Evile
Fear Factory
Fiddler'S Green
Ghost Brigade
Gojira
Grave Digger
Hackneyed
Hanggai
Hells Belles
Holy Grail
Ihsahn
Ill Nino
Immortal
Imperium Dekadenz
Iron Maiden
Job For A Cowboy
Kampfar
Kataklysm
Killing Machine
Lake Of Tears
Letzte Instanz
Lizzy Borden
Maroon
Metsatöll
Mötley Crüe
Nightmare
Orden Ogan
Orphaned Land
Overkill
Primal Fear
Raven
Schelmish
Secrets Of The Moon
Skanners
Slayer
Smoke Blow
Sólstafir
Stratovarius
Suicidal Angels
Tarja
The Devil'S Blood
The New Black
The Other
Tiamat
Tyr
U.D.O.
Unleashed
Varg
Voivod
W.A.S.P.

(Thanks: Metal-Experience.com)

Korn announces 'ballroom blitz tour'

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:38:00 GMT

Korn has announced a spring tour that will take the band through some of the most intimate venues it has played in years. The "Ballroom Blitz Tour" will see Korn perform at general-admission ballrooms and clubs in anticipation of its new album, "Korn Iii: Remember Who You Are", tentatively set for a summer 2010 release. The Lp was produced by Ross Robinson, who helmed the seminal first two Korn records and played a big part in forming the band's raw sound. Since the new album is a return to Mecca for Korn fans - raw, heavy as hell and old school - the tour is meant to recapture their early days, starting out.

Commented frontman Jonathan Davis on the "Ballroom Blitz Tour" and new album: "There is no sitting down on this one! We nicknamed this tour the 'Ballroom Blitz' because that's what we want to see out there, the die-hard Korn fans going nuts on the floor."

"On 'Korn Iii: Remember Who You Are', it was the first time we've worked with Ross since our second album and these were the types of gigs we played back then. Those early tours were some of the best times of our lives. Now we are looking to bring that vibe back in a big way."

Joining Korn as openers are Los Angeles rockers 2 Cents, whose current single, "Get What!", has made them one of the hottest young hard rock bands today.

Seven dates from Korn's "Ballroom Blitz" have been announced, with more May dates to come in the following weeks. A limited number of special Vip pre-sale packages are available through Korn.com which include early entry, special-edition merch items and an exclusive listening party where fans can hear new tracks from the unreleased album.

"Ballroom Blitz Tour" dates:

May 02 - North Myrtle Beach, Sc @ House of Blues
May 03 - Charlotte, Nc @ The Fillmore Ballroom
May 06 - Clifton Park, Ny @ Northern Lights
May 07 - Hampton Beach, Nh @ Hampton Beach Ballroom
May 10 - New York, Ny @ Roseland Ballroom
May 12 - Scranton, Pa @ Scranton Cultural Centre Ballroom
May 15 - Milwaukee, Wi @ Eagles Ballroom

More dates in the following cities to be announced soon:

Hampton Beach, Nh
Lewiston, Me
Waterloo, Ia
Minneapolis, Mn
Fargo, Nd
Rochester, Mn
Bismarck, Nd
Rapid City, Sd
Omaha, Ne
Kansas City, Mo
Grand Island, Ne
Wichita, Ks
San Antonio, Tx
Houston, Tx
Laredo, Tx
Lubbock, Tx

Municipal Waste, Ihsahn, Armed For Apocalypse confirmed for Finland's Tuska

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:34:00 GMT

Municipal Waste, Ihsahn, Armed For Apocalypse, Turmion Kätilöt and Survivors Zero have been confirmed for the thirteenth annual Tuska festival, set to take place July 2-4, 2010 in Helsinki, Finland.

Devin Townsend will perform his "Ziltoid The Omniscient" concept album in its entirety on Friday, July 2 as a special one-off world-exclusive show.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Friday, July 2:

Devin Townsend
Satyricon
Tarot
Testament
Ihsahn
Pain
Insomnium
Barren Earth
Obituary
Swallow The Sun
Rytmihäiriö
The Arson Project

Saturday, July 3:

Mastodon
Kamelot
Devin Townsend Project
Hypocrisy
Municipal Waste
Overkill
Survivors Zero
Holy Grail
Sotajumala
Bloodbath
Armed For Apocalypse
Fm2000
Torture Killer

Sunday, July 4:

Megadeth
Cannibal Corpse
Nile
Trigger The Bloodshed
Turmion Kätilöt
[amatory]
Warmen
Finntroll

Advance tickets:

One-day ticket: Friday / Saturday 54 euros, Sunday 50 euros
Three-day ticket: 98 euros

Tickets at the gates (if not sold out):

One-day ticket: 60 euros
Three-day ticket: 115 euros.

For more information, visit www.tuska-festival.fi.

Scars On Broadway plotting comeback?

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:33:00 GMT

System Of A Down drummer John Dolmayan has reportedly link text
posted a message on his Facebook page stating that Scars On Broadway - the collaboration between Dolmayan and System Of A Down guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian - will play a show in Los Angeles in April. More information will be made available soon.

In October 2008, Malakian announced via Scars On Broadway's web site that the band's headlining tour - which included an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" - was being cancelled, with no plans of rescheduling. Malakian cited his lack of enthusiasm and "his heart not being into touring" as the chief reasons behind the decision to call off the trek. "The music of Scars will live on, but now is a time when aspects of my life need to be tended to," he said in a statement.

Scars On Broadway sold just under 24,000 copies of its self-titled debut album in the United States during its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart. This number represented roughly 36 percent of the 66,000 opening tally registered by "Elect the Dead", the debut solo effort from System Of A Down lead singer Serj Tankian, which came out in the fall of 2007 through the Warner Music Group.

"Scars On Broadway" has shifted around 80,000 copies in the United States since its July 29, 2008 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Manager: Metallica planning stage show to rival Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:27:00 GMT

According to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine, Metallica manager Peter Mensch has revealed the band has some major plans for 2011.

"Let's just say that next year you will see a Metallica tour that will blow your mind. They will only play in 10 cities but it will be a huge undertaking. It will be Metallica's equivalent of 'The Wall'."

This revelation came up when Classic Rock writer Peter Makowski interviewed Mensch for a feature about the most powerful men in rock and asked him to define his role as a manager.

Mensch replied: "Coming up with ideas so that the lives shows are interesting. Just shooting off dumb ideas and, by the way, between you and me, some of it is recycling stuff that people did 25 years ago but no one's smart enough to know that we recycled it.

"Saying something like: 'I have this idea for us to play an equivalent of 'The Wall'. So here's some ideas so we can get the professionals in to they can tell me if I'm crazy or not.' It's like plotting out a canvas so someone else can fill it in."

Deez Nuts signs with Roadrunner Records

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:58:00 GMT

Deez Nuts, the band led by Jj Peters, a founding member of the Australian hardcore/metal act I Killed The Prom Queen, has inked a deal with the Australian branch of Roadrunner Records. The group is currently recording its second full-length album at Complex Studios with Jj Peters and Roman Koester of The Red Shore at the helm for a tentative May release.

Deez Nuts released an EP, "Rep Your Hood", in 2007 and a debut full-length CD, "Stay True", in 2008. Jj also appeared as a guest vocalist on the latest Bring Me The Horizon album.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/deeznutshardcore.

Devildriver, The Haunted, Raised Fist, The Crown confirmed for Sweden's Getaway Rock

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:02:00 GMT

Devildriver, The Haunted, Raised Fist, The Crown, Ac4, Crazy Lixx, Snakestorm, Amy's Ashes, Dreamland and Amaranthe have been confirmed for this year's Getaway Rock festival, set to take place July 8-10 in Gävle, Sweden.

Comments festival manager Tomas Jernberg: "As we have mentioned before, it's of importance for us to offer broad and quality acts.

"Our ambition has been to create a festival we'd like to visit ourselves. We now know that a lot of people out there share our belief in what's of interest to see at a festival stage in Sweden 2010.

"We have received amazing feedback on bookings, suggestions through our website.

"The announced acts today with Devildriver, The Haunted and Raised Fist are all examples of bands whom has been frequently requested."

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Ac4
Adept
Aggressive Chill
Airbourne
Amaranthe
Amy'S Ashes
Cannibal Corpse
Cavalera Conspiracy
Corroded
Crazy Lixx
Crescendolls
Crucified Barbara
Dark Tranquility
Deathstars
Degradead
Deicide
Devildriver
Dreamland
Engel
Europe
Exodus
Grand Magus
Heaven'S Basement
Isobel & November
Jorn
Lavett
Megadeth
Motörhead
Mustasch
Overkill
Raised Fist
Raubtier
Snakestorm
Sonic Syndicate
Surviving The Charad
Switch Opens
The Crown
The Generals
The Haunted
The Quireboys
Therapy?
Vader
Wolf

The festival will host three stages and over 60 bands.

For more information, visit www.getawayrock.se.

Triptykon: debut album preview available to German fans

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Starting on March 15, 2010, Triptykon fans in Germany who are too impatient to wait for the release of the band's first album, "Eparistera Daimones", will have a chance to listen to the CD at a nearby branch of the Saturn store.

This is how it works: Postcard-size flyers can be found at the information desk of Saturn's CD section. These flyers contain information regarding Triptykon's album (if there are no flyers left, fans may ask the staff to provide more). The flyers also feature the barcode of "Eparistera Daimones".

To listen to the album, simply hold the barcode under the scanner of the listening terminal and the album will begin to play.

Triptykon is the group founded by former Hellhammer/Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Warrior.

"Eparistera Daimones" will be released as deluxe mediabook CD edition (including a 28-page booklet and extensive liner notes) as well as gatefold double Lp via Century Media Records under exclusive license from Prowling Death Records Ltd. on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy: March 19
Spain, U.S.: Tuesday, March 23
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: March 24
U.K., Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Rest Of Europe: March 22

Short audio samples of all nine songs that will appear on "Eparistera Daimones" are available for streaming on Amazon.com.

"Eparistera Daimones" is not only musically a leviathan. Remarkably, the album will also feature the epic artwork by renowned Swiss artist H.R. Giger and New York-based surrealist Vincent Castiglia.

In an exceptionally rare gesture, H.R. Giger has granted Triptykon the use of his dramatic painting "Vlad Tepes" (work no. 412, 200 x 140 cm, acrylic on paper on wood, 1978). It is the artist's first authorized appearance on an album cover in 17 years, and the second time he collaborates with Warrior (following Celtic Frost's "To Mega Therion" album in 1985).

Vincent Castiglia contributes "Triptykon", a specially created portrait of the members of the group, painted in the artist's own blood (86 x 86 cm, blood/iron oxide on archival paper, 2009). As Castiglia aptly put it, the amalgamation of works by H.R. Giger, Vincent Castiglia, and Triptykon on "Eparistera Daimones" forms a creative triptych in itself.

Comments H.R. Giger: "I am very proud to work with Triptykon. My art hasn't appeared on an album cover for quite some time, and I feel honored to have been approached by Tom about such a collaboration for Triptykon's very first release."

Adds Vincent Castiglia: "It's been a tremendous honor to work with both Triptykon and H.R. Giger on the forthcoming release of 'Eparistera Daimones'. It was a project of enormous depth for me, conceptually as well as visually. I think the resonance between Triptykon's music, Giger's art, and my work is extremely powerful, and it coalesces in quite an amazing, and singular way."

States Tom Gabriel Warrior: "We feel deeply privileged to be able to adorn our very first album with the work of two artists we respect enormously. To us, their astonishing contributions convey significant symbolism both with respect to our personal frame of mind as well as for this particular album and its history.

"It is an immense pleasure to be able to work with H.R. Giger again. He was one of our most significant mentors during the days of Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost, and he is an extraordinary human being and an artist without equal.

"Vincent Castiglia has become a close friend in recent years, and we both sensed that the time had come to create something truly unique together. I am infinitely grateful that he has lent us his incredible talent, not least because I know he incorporates as much passion, darkness, and pain into his work as I do, too."

"Eparistera Daimones" will also feature detailed credits, full lyrics and extensive liner notes to all songs.

The CD will feature the following nine songs, at a playing time of around 70 minutes:

01. Goetia
02. Abyss Within My Soul
03. In Shrouds Decayed
04. Shrine
05. A Thousand Lies
06. Descendant
07. Myopic Empire
08. My Pain
09. The Prolonging

Triptykon consists of V. Santura (guitar, vocals), Norman Lonhard (drums, percussion), Vanja Slajh (bass), and Tom Gabriel Warrior (voice, guitars). The group has unambiguously stated that it pursues the continuation and further development of the path Warrior began in Hellhammer and Celtic Frost.

For further information, visit www.triptykon.net.

Stone Sour confirmed for Sweden Rock Festival

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:54:00 GMT

Stone Sour has been confirmed for this year's Sweden Rock Festival festival, set to take place June 9-12, 2010 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Aerosmith (US)
Aldo Nova (Can)
Alestorm (UK)
Anvil (Can)
Bachman & Turner (Can)
Behemoth (Pl)
Bigelf (US)
Billy Idol (UK)
Blackberry Smoke (US)
Cinderella (US)
D-A-D (Dk)
Damn Delicious (S)
Danzig (US)
Death Angel (US)
Dundertåget
F.K.Ü. (S)
Fates Warning (US)
Gary Moore (UK)
Grave Digger (D)
Guns N' Roses (US)
Jorn (N)
Magnum (UK)
Mastodon (US)
Michael Monroe (Fin)
Mother'S Finest (US)
Nazareth (UK)
Opeth (S)
Pendragon (UK)
Point Blank (US)
Ratt (US)
Raven (UK/US)
Rick Springfield (Aus/US)
Sabaton (S)
Saga (Can)
Sator (S)
Slayer (US)
Steel Panther (US)
Steelwing (S)
Stone Sour (US)
Stratovarius (Fin)
Suicidal Tendencies (US)
The Itch (S)
The Quireboys (UK)
U.D.O. (D)
Unisonic (D)
W.A.S.P. (US)
Watain (S)
Winger (US)
Y&t (US)

Last year's festival was attended by 35,200 people, but in 2010 the maximum number of visitors will be limited to 33,000.

For more information, visit www.swedenrock.com.

Guns n' Roses stage collapse forces Rio concert cancellation

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:24:00 GMT

Guns N' Roses frontman and sole original member Axl Rose has released the following statement via Twitlonger.com, a related Twitter site where one can post messages longer than 140 characters:

"Attention: The March 14th Guns N' Roses show in Rio De Janeiro at Apoteose Stadium has been officially canceled for this evening due to the stage collapsing because of heavy rains. Stay tuned for more info and possible rescheduling information as we receive it. There is a possibility the show may be rescheduled for tomorrow night, March 15th or at a later date. There fortunately are no fatalities but there are injuries from both our camp and Rio crews the extent of which is not known at present. The Rio Fire Dept is evacuating crews out of the venue to avoid further injuries with the heavy rains and winds. Details are just coming in. Also a truck w/part of The Sebastian Bach Band's gear has rolled on the trip from Sao Paulo to Rio what is our understanding several times and we are awaiting details on the safety of the driver at this time. Thank you for your understanding and please be safe out there. Thank you. Axl Rose."

A photo of the collapsed stage can be viewed below (courtesy of Gnrworld):

Cloven Hoof announces new singer

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:42:00 GMT

nwobhm legends Cloven Hoof have been forced to delay the release of their new five-song EP, "Throne Of Damnation", due to the recent departure of vocalist Russ North. According to the band, Matt Moreton is officially the new Cloven Hoof vocalist, and he will be singing on the new EP."

Matt was the powerhouse vocalist on the critically acclaimed "Eye Of The Sun" album.

Fans can expect delivery of the new EP in the first week of April.

"Throne Of Damnation" will contain three new songs - "Prime Time", "Running Man" and "Freak Show" - along with reworked versions of "Whore of Babylon" and "Night Stalker", the latter of which is featured on the Brütal Legend game.

Russ North announced in October that he was leaving Cloven Hoof to pursue a solo singing career away from heavy metal.

Cloven Hoof members Lee Payne (bass), Jon Brown (drums) and Ben Read (guitar) are in pre-production for their next album with producer Tom Galley (Phenomena). It is scheduled for release later in 2010 and will be Cloven Hoof's "darkest and most epic-like opus yet," according to a posting on the band's web site.

Cloven Hoof last year announced the addition of guitarist Mick Powell to the group's ranks. He made his live debut with the band at the Rock of Ages festival in Belgium on October 17, 2009.

Cloven Hoof re-recorded 24 of its classic songs for a two-part "best-of" compilation, "The Definitive Part One" and "The Definitive Part Two".

Report: Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda hits hard times

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:59:00 GMT

Lorraine Ali of Newsweek.com reports: Though Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda's first-ever recording, the EP "Only the Dead See the End of the War", was released last week, most of the band's members are working two or three service jobs each and living in cramped apartments. They barely have enough time between shifts to practice, let alone put on a show. "We are kings without a throne," jokes bassist Razaq, 28, who left the computer store he owned in Baghdad when he fled with his wife. "We're famous, everyone knows us, but we're still struggling. At some points, to be honest, I've thought, what have I done? The only thing to push me forward is when I look back." Hussein, who was an English and arts teacher in Iraq but now works as a waiter, says looking into the future can be more daunting than grappling with their turbulent past. "We've been here over a year now," he says. "I sometimes wonder, will we make it in America or just be some guys doing whatever refugee jobs we can to survive?"

Read the entire report from Newsweek.com.

Metal Hammer to unleash AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest tribute albums

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:56:00 GMT

To celebrate the 30th anniversaries of Ac/Dc's classic "Back In Black" album and the 40th anniversary of Black Sabbath's inception, U.K.'s Metal Hammer is lining up some "ultra-awesome" tribute albums to be given away with future copies of the magazine.

Steel Panther and Skindred ("Back In Black") have been confirmed for Metal Hammer's Ac/Dc album, which will include the best of both the Bon Scott and the Brian Johnson eras.

Trigger The Bloodshed and White Wizzard are already scheduled for the re-creation of Judas Priest's legendary "British Steel", with Trigger doing "Rapid Fire".

As for the Black Sabbath album, Turisas, Electric Wizard and Apocalyptica are recording versions for Metal Hammer - with Apocalyptica covering the classic track "Spiral Architect". Other rumored acts for the Sabbath CD include Prong, Cavalera Conspiracy and Orange Goblin.

Hail Of Bullets putting finishing touches on new album

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:31:00 GMT

Hail Of Bullets - the Dutch death metal band featuring Gorefest drummer Ed Warby, Thanatos guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, former Pestilence/Asphyx singer Martin Van Drunen and former Houwitser bass player Theo van Eekelen - has issued the following update:

"So we are almost finished with the sessions for the new Hail Of Bullets studio album.

"We've been pretty busy these past few months, especially Ed, who was, and still is, working his ass off handling all recording and editing chores. But we're not too far removed from finishing all the work!

"Martin will do vocals in a few weeks at Excess Studios where we also recorded the drums last month. Everything else was recorded at Ed's home studio, the aptly named Warbunker. Mixing and mastering will once again be in the capable hands of mister Dan Swanö (ex-Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath, Nightingale). Crushing heaviness guaranteed!"

"Warsaw Rising", the first-ever video from Hail Of Bullets, can be viewed below. The clip was directed/edited by Dave Cardoso and Dave Hall.

The "Warsaw Rising" EP was released on July 17, 2009 (in Europe) via Metal Blade Records. Featuring two brand new tracks, one cover and three live recordings, it was made available as a six-page digipack and in a strictly limited edition of 2,000 copies only!

"Warsaw Rising" contains the new songs "Liberators" (an ode to one of the most magnificent bombers ever built) and the title track (which tells the tragic tale of the bloody 1944 Warsaw uprising). A "massive" cover of the Twisted Sister classic "Destroyer" and three tracks from the Bullets' earth-shattering performance at the 2008 Party.San Open Air festival are also included.

"?Of Frost And War", the debut album from Hail Of Bullets, was released in Europe in May 2008 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded in February/March of 2008 at Excess Studios in Rotterdam, Holland and was mixed and mastered in Sweden by Dan Swanö.

Hail Of Bullets was formed in late 2006 through a mutual love for old-school death metal bands like Autopsy, Bolt Thrower, Massacre, Celtic Frost and Death. In the summer of 2007, the band entered a Rotterdam studio to record a four-song promotional CD, which was also mixed by Swanö.

Rare recordings of Led Zeppelin's Suffolk gig unearthed

info@metalrage.com (Neurotic) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:26:00 GMT

Jonathan Barnes of Evening Star reports: It was a concert that has gone down in Suffolk music legend - the night one of the biggest rock bands in the world played at a converted swimming pool.

But there are no official recordings of Led Zeppelin's gig at St Matthews Baths Hall in Ipswich in November 1971; only a handful of patched-together recordings from a small band of bootleggers.

So rock fan Vic Kemp could not believe his luck when he found a CD at a car boot sale featuring a recording of the whole concert.

"I was going through a stand of CDs at the car boot at Portman Road and the guy who was selling them said 'you might be interested in this,'" he said.

Read the entire article from Evening Star.