Helloween: Metal-Drum-Workshop with Dani

In folgenden Schweizer EAT YOUR STICKS Schlagzeugschulen:

22. Januar 2010 Hinwil
23. Januar 2010 St. Gallen
24. Januar 2010 Oberglatt

Manowar to headline Masters Of Rock 2010

Another date and another country have been added to MANOWAR's epic Death To Infidels World Tour 2010. The Kings Of Metal will headline the Masters Of Rock 2010 in Vizovice, Czech Republic on July 16, 2010. This is MANOWAR's first festival performance in the Czech Republic since 2005. For more info and tickets, log on to: http://www.mastersofrock.cz/

Judas Priest: Interview with Rob Halford to Rock Confidential

Rob, thanks for making time for this today. It’s great to talk with you.

Jesse, it’s nice to have a chance to talk to you about what’s going on in the world of metal.

First off, I have to tell you – I’ve always noticed with your releases that you make sure the fans have quality products to keep them happy.

Thank you. I’m glad you recognize that. I really appreciate that. Most of my friends around the world, like yourself, rarely pick up on that point. Jesse, to me the launch of Metal God Entertainment was a chance to display what we’re about. We’ve had a very successful run of reissuing the Fight and Halford stuff and we’re focusing on the launch of Metal God Apparel and the Metal God record label. The philosophy behind that is to do the best we can and make sure when you give us your money that you get something decent back.

The attention to detail is something that excites me. It doesn’t have to even be a celebrity such as yourself, but when someone builds a brand on their name and takes the pride to make sure it delivers on all fronts – that means a lot to me.

I don’t take all of the credit for that and I never would. I’m surrounded by very talented people that have a lot of energy and have the same passion that I do. We all connect so the final result is tremendous.

Are you as hands on as it appears with each piece of product you release?

I don’t count for every bit of what happens. I’m there as a conduit. I’m constantly in touch with designers – primarily Mark Sasso, who works on all of the designs for Metal God Apparel. My manager, John Baxter, who runs the day to day operations of Metal God Entertainment through his company EMAS. Chip Ruggieri is my main guy for PR and all things associated with my solo activity. The final stamp of approval has to come from me. I’m always there in the mix.

Let’s talk about the clothing line. How did you know Metal God Apparel was something you wanted to pursue? How did you develop ideas for the designs?

When I opened my closet door everything in there was black! Black tshirts, black pants, black boots. I love black because it’s heavy metal, but let’s try to lighten it up a tad. The fun of merchandise with Priest or my solo endeavours has always been being involved in the creation of those items. This is just an extension of that, really. How far can we go? What can we do next? How can we take the Metal God brand and put it into some kind of clothing experiment? The tried and trusted tshirt was the first way to move forward. These first 13 or so designs are the first run. We’re going to branch out into a more comprehensive display for the Magic Convention in Vegas next year. We’ll hopefully have about 30 designs by then. Beyond that we’re pretty optimistic about where else we might go. We’re still new. We’ve got a long way to go yet. The first launch has been very well received. I’m grateful to everybody that’s taking to it and enjoying it.

The cool thing is the designs are inspired by songs from your catalog. Is that something the artist ran with? How did that come together?

You totally nailed it, Jesse. Mark Sasso is an incredible talent. He basically listens to the solo material, reads the lyrics, comes to my shows. He has a very fertile imagination. Out of all of those different points he comes up with those fantastic displays.

I remember reading a quote from you when you were talking about yourself on stage and you used the words “strength, power and determination”. You also said you wanted those words to come across visually in your clothing. How do those three words fit into your apparel line?

I think the visual is the statement. The Cerberus shirt, for example. The Steel Wings one. Pray For Rock N Roll. They say a picture’s worth a 1,000 words, don’t they? We’re all drawn to imagery. Imagery controls everything we do in life. It’s on the Internet, newspapers, television, the streets, the movies. I think those elements – strength, power, determination, passion and energy – is a way of pushing those feelings into the graphic we may use.

I’m sure you feel different before you go on stage. You have to feel like a different being when you’re getting ready to go on stage to a massive crowd.

I do. It’s bizarre. I was thinking about this the other night. I came off stage in Tokyo a couple of weeks ago and I’d just played to 15,000 Japanese metalheads. I was laying in bed at two in the morning thinking about what I did and it was like another person was doing it. It’s like going outside of my body and looking at myself! It’s great and I love it. You’re going out there and you’re living something. It’s live and it’s a different world. When I come off stage, shower, change, eat and go back to the hotel – I’m no longer the same person that was on stage. You really have to work hard to be able to seperate those things. Some people can’t do that. I need to be able to push my shopping cart around Ralph’s and get the milk, bread and juice! I learned how to do that years ago and I have a wonderful life.

Speaking of “a wonderful life,” that is the perfect lead-in to discuss your Christmas CD! You started writing and arranging this record last year, right?

Once we greenlighted the project everybody went to work.

What ideas did you initially have going into this project that you knew you had to happen?

We looked for material that we knew could be given the Halford stamp. You’ve got to be able to give it your own texture and impression. That was important. The arrangements were important, to make sure we could “metalize” them. The traditional songs like “We Three Kings” and “O Holy Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” mean a lot to me as a person on a spiritual level and for the traditional holiday spirit.

Think of the people 20 or 25 years ago that would have completely freaked out that Rob Halford from Judas Priest was going to release a Christmas album!

Isn’t it great!? This record’s already getting some push back. What the hell are you doing releasing a Christmas record? You’re the Metal God! That’s the passion of the fans. It’s definitely got a reaction from people and I love that. That’s what I do best! Rattling a few cages every now and then has to be alright. That’s what rock ‘n roll is about, right?

Somebody somewhere has to be offended. That’s a sign you’re doing something right! You mentioned a few songs that were especially important to you on this record. Does any song stand out as one that was a blast to arrange and work on in the studio?

Yeah. “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “We Three Kings.” I just felt wonderful singing into the mic. It was like that moment had been waiting to happen forever. It was a very satisfying, moving time for me to sing some of those songs and have them recorded forever. It’s something I always wanted to do. It was important…I was determined to do something like this. It was so much fun I’m going to do another one.

Was this something you knew you wanted to do for a while but were hesitant because of other things going on in your life?

I think that’s a fair observation to consider. I’ve never been a person that’s afraid of anything. I don’t think that’s what life is about. I think life is about living it to the maximum. Life is a gift and it should be treasured. Put as much in as you can and give as much as you can. This moment has been destined to happen. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older but this is important to me. I can’t wait to be with family and friends around the holidays and have it playing in the background.

Is there a chance you’ll do any of these songs live?

I’d like to, Jesse. I’m determined to do another record and I think if you have enough for an entire show you’ll have the Metal God Christmas Show! Everything that I do as a performer is all about doing something that you’ve not tackled previously. Why not? Even if I only do it once. That may be next year but it will happen.

I can see it now. You’ve got the Santa suit on…

(laughs) The black leather suit trimmed in white fur! I think that would be a lot of fun to do. It’s all about having a good time.

Rob, thanks again for taking time out for us today. What would you like to say to the Rock Confidential readers and your Metal God followers?

Thank you for supporting my endeavours and all of my musical adventures – Judas Priest and my solo activities. We’re all part of the Metal Community. We’re watching each other’s back and I thank you for supporting me.

Slayer - Araya Dedicates Slayer Album To Late Sister

SLAYER frontman TOM ARAYA has dedicated the band's new album to his older sister, who lost her long battle with cancer this year (09).

Anamaria Araya died in June (09), shortly after the band wrapped work on World Painted Blood.

And the singer admits he threw himself into the recording process to help cope with the pain of watching his beloved sibling succumb to a disease she had bravely fought for 14 years.

Araya tells Metal Hammer, "At the beginning of the year, when we started recording the album, my sister had been battling cancer for 14 years. When we started recording this album she was on the way out, and I wasn't much use. But I was always in the studio: I didn't want to be alone in the hotel room."

The album's release follows a terrible 2009 for Araya, which was marred by his sister's death and a recent string of illness and injury that forced the band to cancel gigs in Australia, Canada and Europe

Cinderella: Tom Keifer Interview to Metalzone

Given the chance by their latest live release Metalzone.gr had the chance to talk with Tom Keifer of CINDERELLA. Tom talks about the ordeals he went through with his voice, , the upcoming tour and the thoughts on a new album with CINDERELLA, the solo album he intends to release in 2010 and advice for the new vocalists. Read the interview below or download the audio of the interview by scrolling down to the bottom of the page.



Metalzone.gr: Hello Tom, Welcome in Metalzone. We’re honored to have you at the other end of our line
Tom: Well, I ‘m glad to be here.

Metalzone.gr: Let’s begin by your latest news, are CINDERELLA coming back?
Tom: We’ve never really gone away. We’ve been kind of in a break because I injured my voice a few years back and I’ve been trying to rehabilitate my vocal chords and train it back to where I can be able to perform a CINDERELLA show again. I though that I was there in the summer of 2008 for the tour for the States here, and we ended up having to cancel that tour because I re injured my voice. Since then I’ve been working on trying to get it strong again which I am glad to say it’s very strong now and we’re looking to be back out on the road in 2010.

Metalzone.gr: It sounds strong as you speak but was it difficult for you? How are you helping your voice rehabilitate?
Tom: You do it by working with a speech therapist and voice teachers and vocal coaches. I’ve worked with quite a few over the last 3 years, I’d say probably five or six different ones that I’ve gone through trying to find the one that’s really going to address whatever the issue was that I was having. I finally found one this spring that’s teaching me a lot of things about breath control and it’s really helped a lot.

Metalzone.gr: How is it nowadays?
Tom: Really strong.

Metalzone.gr: Do you feel ready to prepare a new album?
Tom: For CINDERELLA?

Metalzone.gr: Aha.
Tom: I think that’s a little off. It’s not anything in the immediate future. Our immediate plans would be to pick up where we left off when we cancelled that tour in 2008. Just get the band back out on the road, play some live shows and get me confident with my voice again, just be a band again and then we’ll see where that leads us. We haven’t rolled out the idea of making a record, it just has to be the right time and the right place and the right label. So there’s definitely a possibility in the future but not immediately.

Metalzone.gr: Tell me a few things about this upcoming tour.
Tom: We don’t have a tour booked yet. We’re going to be going into rehearsals in probably next month to see how my voice feels with the band and start talking with our managers and agents towards the end of this year or early January and start putting something together for next year. It will start in the States because we have that tour that we cancelled to make up for in 2008 and we’re hoping that this will set the way to getting us overseas maybe back to Europe and some other places that we haven’t been in a number of years.

Metalzone.gr: Are you preparing a solo album?
Tom: Yeah I’ve been working on my solo record for probably about 4 years now. I’ve been working off and on it in between tours with CINDERELLA and life in general. It’s been a work in progress for about 4 years and I’m to a point where I’m just about finished with it now. I’m pretty happy with it. I’ve re cut things, and remixed some songs and re worked things and re arranged things for a while now and I think I finally got it where I want it.

Metalzone.gr: What should we expect of it? How does it sound? How would you describe it?
Tom: It’s a lot like CINDERELLA music because being the main songwriter and the lead singer and I did a lot of the guitar work for CINDERELLA, so that style comes through on this record. So it’s definitely a hard rock record but it has dynamics to it too the way CINDERELLA records do and there’s a lot of very hard driven songs in it but there are also ballads and some acoustic music on it too. It has the peaks and valleys and it takes you on a ride throughout the record so…

Metalzone.gr: What about the lyrics?
Tom: Lyrically I am just inspired by really what I always have been inspired and that would be life. Real things, real every day things, the blues were a big inspiration for the songs that I’ve written in the past and they still are. I like to write about good times, bad times, and love, love lost, you know, everyday things that people can relate to. Things like what the blues and a lot of bands are influenced by like the Rolling Stones or Aerosmith, those kind of bands.

Metalzone.gr: Do you think that this is one of the characteristics that made CINDERELLA stand out in the hard rock scene?
Tom: I don’t know. It’s definitely something that was a part of our music. There have been a lot of hard rock bands that have been influenced by blues we’re not the only ones that have been but during the era of the 80s we were one of the few bands that had that flavor really strong. So perhaps it did for that decade.

Metalzone.gr: Do you think that the Hard rock scene is coming back? New bands coming in the music business having the same feeling you had when you were starting out?
Tom: I don’t think hard rock ever really went away. The 80s hard rock scene kind of went away by a different hard rock scene in the 90s with the grunge and the Seattle movement but I don’t think that sonically or attitude wise, musically that music was a whole lot different than what we were doing. Maybe the lyrics were a bit darker but at the end of the day bands that came out of that era were too loud, with guys ripping guitars through Marshals and screaming into a microphone. I think that the differences were more of a fashion statement, the bands looked different but if you get down to it the differences of a band from the 80s or the 90s weren’t a whole lot different. In that sense I don’t think it really went away but trends come and go and I don’t see a lot of bands that sound the way bands sounded in the 80s it’s always evolving which is kind of a cool thing. There are some new bands that I really like a lot like that band JET and BUCKCHERRY, I think they’re a really great rock band.

Metalzone.gr: You’ve been around for almost 26 years, does it feel the same?
Tom: In what sense the music?

Metalzone.gr: The audience coming into the shows, the way people react to the music.
Tom: Well it’s been 3 years because of my injury, the last show we did was back in 2006 but it feels exactly the same. It really does. It’s just as exciting as it was way back and in some ways more. Because we had the changing of the guard in the mid 90s where it seemed everything from the 80s was done – over – forget it – you’re finished. When we were asked to reunite in 97, 98 by SONY records to make anew record and being given an opportunity by a major label once again when you’re sitting at home and thinking that your career is over for a few years was really inspiring. And unfortunately to make a long story short the record never came out because we run into some disagreements with the label that ended up in a lawsuit but the fact that that offer was extended towards us and we started the creative process working towards that record really sparked something in all of us again and especially myself as a writer and shortly after that we started going back on the road tours here in America in theatres and arenas and I think that there was a minute there in the 90s where we were wondering if that was ever going to happen again. To be able to step back out on that stage, have the chance to do that and be able to see things… we reformed in 98 we did 3 successful tours since then, it’s a really great feeling, something we’re all very grateful for. So in a lot of ways stepping up on that stage is almost more exciting. You appreciate it more. Back when it first happened it was such a world win and it was happening so fast that you almost didn’t have time to think about it or appreciate it. That little moment in the middle of the nineties, given the opportunity to come back with an even greater respect for it, has really been nice and we’ve been really fortunate to…

Metalzone.gr: Do you get nervous before you step on the stage?
Tom: No not really. I can’t think of too many times that I have. I started to get a little nervous on the last tour that we did because my voice was going. It was just about shut when we started the tour and I was having problems in rehearsals. It was a 20 year anniversary tour and we were doing it with POISON because it was their 20 year anniversary. It was a really big tour and in a lot of ways in retrospect I probably should have not gone on that tour. And gone and got with some teachers and fix whatever the problems I was having at the time. I got on the road and my voice just started spar rowing down hill during the tour. And that’s something that I never had to deal with.. And I was walking on the stage and singing and not sounding like the records. I had to change melodies and talk through things and kind of just get through it. I started to feel nervous about doing that. I guess understandably but… I guess that was the time that I really started to feel nervous…

Metalzone.gr: Do you self criticize? Do you reflect on what you did on stage? Are you strict on yourself?
Tom: Well yeah, I think most musicians do that. You do your best up there. People that come to see you play you want to give them the best performance that you can. Yeah I am pretty self critical. I record just about every show and listen to it later that night to critique my vocals or playing whatever…

Metalzone.gr: Are you satisfied with the results you listen to?
Tom: Most nights. We’ve been touring for a long time and most nights it’s enjoyable to listen to. There are nights that are rough when I say I could have done that better or that better but a lot of times I just learn things with all the voice problems that I had. The vocal problems that I’ve experienced over the last 3 years, it’s not the first time that I’ve had problems, it started back in 91 and the result of it is a neurological condition called paresis which is a partial paralysis of one side of my voice box. Singing’s been a constant struggle for me since 1991. We came out on the scene in 86 and I just sang night after night no problem from 86 to 1990. And in 1991 on our third tour I was stricken with this paresis condition that there’s no cure in the sense of a surgery, you just have to work with vocal coaches and kind of re train your self how to sing so it’s been a constant battle since then but it really went down hill on the last tour. I am a little self conscious about it and probably one of the reasons why I record the shows and listen and try to critique and see what sounds better.

Metalzone.gr: What would you advice a new vocalist?
Tom: Probably to get with a great vocal coach and they’re hard to find cause I’ve worked with tons of them since 1991 and I think I just found back in May the guys who is actually fixing my voice. There are a lot of people who can do things but there are a lot of people who are good at the things they do. I learn more from him in one lesson than I did with all the previous ones… so it’s important to have the right coach but if I had been trained prior to when I had that, paralysis, or partial paralysis I probably wouldn’t have affected my voice this much and I probably wouldn’t have bring this much mayhem on my voice. Because I would have had a better understanding of how the muscles work and how they’re supposed to feel like. When you’re never trained and you don’t know how you’re producing that sound, you’re not really aware of it because it comes naturally. That’s how it was for me in the beginning. If you go and train you get in touch with that and you have a little more sense of how it works and if you are stricken with something… I can see how it would have helped me through that if I had training. That would be my best advice for anew vocalist. Find a good coach and at the very least be aware of how you create the sound that you’re getting naturally. So if you have a problem you know how to get back to it.

Metalzone.gr: Tell me about your aspirations for the future. Where do you see yourself in the near future?
Tom: In the very near future I am looking towards the next year 2010. I really want to get back out on the road I’ve been working for 3 years to get my voice back in shape and get out there with CINDERELLA and tour. I’d like to release my record some time next year, it’s almost finished. I’ve kind of been holding it till my voice is strong enough, I don’t want to release a record that I can’t tour behind.

Metalzone.gr: Do you already have a record label? Any timeframe?
Tom: This was produced independently of a label. I just really didn’t want a label breathing down my neck about when the record will be finished. I wanted to make this record and keep making it until it was the way I wanted it and then be able to shop it as a finished record. That would be the next step, to find the right home for it.

Metalzone.gr: Would you consider releasing it over the internet without a label interfering?
Tom: I’d rather have a label. That would be my preference.

Metalzone.gr: How do you see the internet in general?
Tom: It’s like anything, there are good things about it and there are some negatives to it. It’s a good resource tool and communication tool it’s great, overwhelming. Some of the negatives are… Just a simple thing like how people buy music. I am watching record stores closing across the country. To me that’s a negative. The online shopping thing even though it’s convenient there’s going to be a price paid for that eventually. This is actual businesses where you can actually go and spend a day. Walking around, looking at things and actually picking things up and touching them, getting out in to the world and interacting with people. I fear a lot of that is going away because of the internet. There are pretty much no record stores in Nashville here. You can count the record stores in less than one hand. When I moved here 11 years ago there were tons of them. It’s sad to see that go away. It’s a direct result of the internet and as convenient as shopping on line is that’s going to ultimately be the effect, businesses going out.

Metalzone.gr: You do have an old school feeling about it. You like the process of going to the record store, getting the record…
Tom: Oh yes. It’s nice to just get out into the world and interact.

Metalzone.gr: Would you release your release on LP, on a vinyl?
Tom: That would be the record label’s decision, not mine.

Metalzone.gr: You don’t have any special preference about vinyls.
Tom: Ultimately a vinyl sounds better if you have a great turntable and stereo but most people don’t. CDs have a great sound so that’s what most people…

Metalzone.gr: Thank you for the interview last words are yours…
Tom: Thanks to all our fans for always being there and supporting us. We’re going to try to get over there to Europe see all of you out there and play a show.

Interview by Hellena Mihailidou

Mötley Crüe Singer Vince Neil - New Solo Album Due In March; Title Revealed

Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil spoke with Gus Griesinger from Backstageaxxess.com recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Backstageaxxess.com: You're doing a bunch of solo dates, including a show at the Westbury Theater on November 25th. What songs can the fans expect? Will there be songs off of Exposed or Carved in Stone?

Neil: "We do a little bit of everything. We don’t really have a set list. Obviously, we do some Mötley Crüe hits, some obscure stuff that Motley never plays, some stuff from the Exposed record, and some cool cover songs.

Backstageaxxess.com: So it does sound like it’s a bit of everything.

Neil: "Yes, a little bit of everything. It’s all about going out and having some fun!

Backstageaxxess.com: Will there be a possible solo CD with you and your band?

Neil: "Actually, we are going into the studio in about three weeks. We should have the first single out by January and the album should be out by March.

Backstageaxxess.com: Can you tell us a little bit about the album?

Neil: "Right now it’s called Tattoos & Tequila. It’s a rock and roll record! What else can you say?

Backstageaxxess.com: So the fans can expect something in March is what you are saying?

Neil: "You will hear the first single ‘Tattoos & Tequila' in January so just a couple of months.

Read the entire interview here.

Vince Neil's upcoming US solo tour dates are as follows:

November
14 - Northern Lights Casino - Walker, MN
19 - Penn's Peak - Jim Thorpe, PA
20 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
25 - Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury - Westbury, NY
27 - Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ
28 - Harro East Ballroom - Rochester, NY

December
4 - Snoqualmie Casino-Ballroom - Snoqualmie, WA

Dimmu Borgir Launches Official YouTube Channel

Norwegian black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have launched their official YouTube channel at this location.

From now through November 30, 2009, you can enter to win the "Rock Like Silenoz" sweepstakes. The prize? None other than DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz's exact rig, with the ESP LTD Okkultist guitar and a Blackstar Series One 200W head and a 4x12 Blackstar cabinet.

Only one lucky winner will be chosen at random for this incredible grand prize. Will it be you? Read the rules and regulations below, fill in the entry form, and best of luck!

Enter the contest at this location.

DIMMU BORGIR issued a statement on August 31 confirming keyboardist Mustis' (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) and bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex's (real name: Simen Hestnæs) departures from the group. The statement also downplayed the impact the lineup changes will have on the sound of DIMMU BORGIR next album, insisting that "the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever."

Mustis issued a statement on August 30 claiming that his dismissal from DIMMU BORGIR was caused by his efforts to "address the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'In Sorte Diaobli' would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did," he said. "Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just 'goodbye' (via text message)."

Last year's "Blackest Of The Black" tour with DANZIG helped support DIMMU's latest DVD titled "The Invaluable Darkness", which debuted at No. 5 on the Top Music Videos chart in mid-October 2008. It was also the band's last North American tour promoting their eighth studio album, "In Sorte Diaboli", which debuted on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart at No. 2, and on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 43.

Symphony X signs with Nuclear Blast!

As lifelong fans of the band, it is with great pride that Nuclear Blast announces the signing of US Metal / Prog Gods Symphony X!!! Symphony X exemplifies the technical sophistication of progressive metal while transcending the genre by writing amazing songs with masterful musicality and great hooks! This New Jersey-based super group effortlessly creates a balancing act between solid, accessible arrangements and song structures with highly technical, challenging instrumental work and unbelievable melodic vocal harmonies. This embrace of polyphonic lead vocals, combined with their classical-sometimes even Queen-like- choruses create a powerful, in-your-face mixture. With elements of thundering metal, rock, solos with unstoppable guitar shredding and intense keyboards - this potent group has grown with every release and is poised to compete with the commercial success of top groups in all genres! Symphony X is currently creating their next masterpiece, anticipated in the spring of 2010! Together, we will bring this talent to a new level! We hope you are ready for the ride!"

"We are happy to be the part of the Nuclear Blast Family and look forward to working with them for many years to come," says Michael Romeo.

Rammstein's Paul Landers - "We Have Such A Bad Reputation In Germany It Can’t Get Any Worse Elsewhere

bout.com's Justin M. Norton recently interviewed guitarist Paul Landers of German industrial metal act RAMMSTEIN. They discussed why the band decided to make an explicit video for the single 'Pussy'; if the band members were worried about their musical career being tranished by the video and the recording of the new album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da. Excerpts from the conversation follow:

About.com: When you wrote the song 'Pussy' why did you decide to shoot an explicit video to accompany it?

Landers: "The song was already done, and the video director proposed the idea of shooting a porno. We deliberated on it very shortly and said, 'let’s do it' without worrying about the consequences. We thought it was cool because there’s no need for MTV or video stations with the internet. Something we hadn’t planned was that YouTube cancelled it, so then it was a question of 'what now?' We found a way of showing it that was more private and hidden. It turned out that the exclusivity of the video made it a bit more complex and interesting."

About.com: Were you ever worried about being branded about the band that had done a porno video and nothing else?

Landers: "(Laughs) When the band gets together to work on a song, the last thing that occurs is what the general public will think or what the consequences will be. We’ve stirred up a lot of emotions over the years. But our starting point is Germany and German topics and ideas. We take that into the world, and that’s one of the most difficult places to start. We have such a bad reputation in Germany it can’t get any worse elsewhere."

About.com: Do you think the band will ever be able to replicate the mainstream success of the single 'Du Hast?'

Landers: "It’s something the band has been trying to do since that point, but it’s not something you can force.

About.com: What do you want people to take away from the experience of seeing Rammstein live?

Landers: "Live shows are our forte. That’s what made us famous. When we get to North America in 2010 we want the fans to come see us…beer bellies, wrinkles and all."

Tarja Turunen: The most beautiful Christmas songs- album with Finnish brightest star performers

Finnish brightest stars are interpreting Christmas songs on the “Most beautiful Christmas songs” album that is going to be released on 18.11 only in Finland. The artists are Tarja Turunen, Jari Sillanpää, Irina, Veeti Kallio, Maria Lund and Mikko Kuustonen. Artists perform traditional Christmas songs as new versions with Olli Ahvenlahti´s acoustic orchestra and Cantores Minores choir accompaniment.

Helloween: Cover art of the new album from Helloween

The artwork for "Unarmed - Best-Of 25 Years Anniversary" was once again by Martin Häusler, who made the covers of the albums "The Legacy" and "Gambling With The Devil". The photo shoot took place in a South Lake City, near Los Angeles.

"Unarmed" will also be released in a limited edition digi-pack that includes a Making-Of DVD, 30 minutes, with interviews and studio scenes, besides being released on a double vinyl version!

Yesenia Adame, Los Angeles, is the model for the cover photo.

Masterplan: Update on the new Album

Next week Jorn will be in Roland's Studio to record the last 2 songs, some guitar lead work and the new Masterplan Album is finished ! Then it will be time to do the mixing, mastering etc.. The Official available date is still not decided, but stay connected it will come soon !

Tristania on Twitter

You can follow Tristania on Twitter now
https://twitter.com/TristaniaBand

Metallica: Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Davies Rehearse With Metallica For Rock Hall Concert; Photos Available

Several photos of Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH) and Ray Davies (THE KINKS) rehearsing with METALLICA on Thursday (October 29) at SIR Studios in New York for tonight's Rock And Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden can be found below. Also scheduled to perform with METALLICA at the show is Lou Reed.

On Monday (October 26), METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett spoke with ExploreMusic about the band's appearance at the second of two concerts in New York City celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He said, "The people behind the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were so impressed by our induction and our attitude toward the induction and all the good, positive things we had to say about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame that they actually asked us back to participate in this benefit . . . We're gonna be playing with Ray Davies — we're gonna be playing 'You Really Got Me' with him; we're gonna be playing with Lou Reed, we're gonna be playing a Lou Reed song; and then we're gonna be playing with Ozzy, we're gonna be playing a BLACK SABBATH song. And it should be a lot of fun."

METALLICA was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past April.

Tonight's show will also feature U2, BECK, BUDDY GUY, ARETHA FRANKLIN, ANNIE LENNOX, LENNY KRAVITZ and JERRY LEE LEWIS.

Guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield explained that when METALLICA was inducted into the Rock Hall earlier this year, they bypassed all the politics that most bands usually get mired in: "Rock And Roll Hall of Fame was always so notorious for the drama and the 'oh, he's out of the band, and he's not showing up 'cause of this and that' and all that crap. And we didn't want that. So we invited everyone and everybody, and whoever showed up, it was up to them."

Highlights of both nights' Madison Square Garden concerts will be part of a four-hour broadcast next month on HBO.

Tarja Turunen: Gold Record Award

During her stay in Czech Republic for her sold out concert in Mala Cez Arena in Pardubice, Tarja received the award for Gold Record sales. Congratulations Tarja and Universal Music Czech and all the fans that made it possible!

Nightwish to record a new song in Finnish!

Nightwish is showing respect for Finnish singer/songwriter veteran Jaakko Teppo by recording his song “Hilma ja Onni” in Finnish. Jaakko Teppo is well known in Finland of his humorous protest songs associated with the labor movement. 15 years ago a serious illness forced Jaakko Teppo to withdraw from the stages. Today many of the brightest stars in Finland are honoring Jaakko Teppo’s legacy for Finnish music culture by recording his songs on tribute album "Pörsänmäen Sanomat". Nightwish's rendition of “Hilma ja Onni” is available on iTunes & CDON.COM and the album "Pörsänmäen Sanomat – Tribuutti Jaakko Tepolle" can be ordered through

Guns 'n' Roses: New single

Well it's finally official. After years of waiting the world will hear the first official release of new Guns & Roses tomorrow! Just got an official email that the song Chinese Democracy is being sent to all radio tomorrow morning. Axl is back for real this time! Look forward to hearing the CD the way he wanted after all this time. Of course I will play it next time I'm on the air this Friday and Monday. Also, just a little side note for the Guns freaks out there; Bumblefoot does the theme music for my upcoming new VH1 Classic show "That Metal Show" and makes two guest cameos in it! Welcome back Axl, can't wait to hear the real finished product.

Symphony X to Release new 5.1 Special Edition of Paradise Lost

Insideout Music is proud to announce that on Nov. 4, 2008 , Symphony X will release a special 5.1 Edition of their critically acclaimed release Paradise Lost. The double disc package will include a DVD 5.1 mix by Jens Bogren of the entire album as well as two enhanced HD videos for Set the World on Fire and Serpent's Kiss. The album can be pre-ordered on amazon.com using the link below. Also newbury comics will have an exclusive signed booklet edition, that features an autographed booklet signed by the entire band. These are limited to 500 so pre-order now.

In connection to this release the band is also playing 5 shows in the North East.

19 November, 2008 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
20 November, 2008 - Wantagh, NY - Mulcahy's

21 November 2008 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom 22 November 2008 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
23 November 2008 - West Springfield, VA – Jaxx

Kamelot in Sweden 2010! Support Act All Ends

Gothenburg based metal band ALL ENDS will be the main support for Kamelot's upcoming Swedish concerts. Check them out at:

http://www.allends.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/AllEndsBand

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=31225083

KAMELOT LIVE IN SWEDEN 2010!
Apr 10, 2010 Gothenburg - SE Trädgårn special guests ALL ENDS | tickets
Apr 11, 2010 Stockholm - SE Tyrol special guests ALL ENDS | tickets

Click here for Dates: http://kamelot.com/2010tour.html

Kamelot: Magnificent 8 CD boxset is now on presale!

Magnificent 8 CD boxset is now on presale at Nightwish-Shop. Check the details and order yours! Available also with exclusive T-shirt and Girlie-shirt!

Manowar Joins The "Brütal Legend" Brigade

"The Dawn Of Battle" and "Die For Metal" will be featured in the soundtrack of the forthcoming "Brütal Legend" game by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

"Brütal Legend" is a third person, action-adventure game featuring actor Jack Black (Tenacious D, King Kong) voicing the character of Eddie Riggs, a roadie transported into a fantasy world inspired by the artwork of heavy metal album covers. Using a Flying V guitar infused with magical powers, Eddie becomes the world's savior, leading down-trodden humans against supernatural overlords.

"Brütal Legend" is scheduled for release on October 13, 2009 in North America and October 16, 2009 in Europe. For more information please visit http://www.brutallegend.com/

Rammstein Talk To Us About ‘Pussy’ Video

Rammstein’s Richard Kruspe confirms the sex was real in the now infamous ‘Pussy’ video.
Rammstein’s Richard Kruspe spoke to Metal Hammer about the band’s hardcore pornography based clip for their new single, ‘Pussy’. See the video here. If you’re at work, you might want to check out our blow-by-blow account of what happens in the video here.

“Originally we were going to do a song like ‘Mein Tiel’, a core-sounding song,” says Kruspe. “But we were bored of doing the same thing again and again and I said “let’s do ‘Pussy’. If we were to make a video for it, it could be really interesting. We went it out to our favourite director, Jonas Akerlund, and there was a 50/50 chance. He could love it or hate it.3 hours later we got an email from him saying “I’ve listened to the track, let’s make a revolution – let’s make a porn!” and I don’t forget the reaction of the band. They had a big smile on their faces and they say “yes!”

“After doing the video, which was obviously quite interesting, we thought ‘you can’t play the video on video stations or MTV’,” Kruspe continues. “We just found another way to make it accessible to other people. At the moment, we’ve had 6.5 million people watching the video in one week. What I’m saying is that there’s always different ways.”

“I remember how horrible it was in the first part of our career to be dependant on MTV and all of those station. You have to bend over so many times to get played, I just hate that fucking fact. I just like the fact that there’s always another way if you wish for it and you go for it. It just shows that there is always another way and it satisfies my mind and that we can do things exactly the way we think we should do it.”

“It wasn’t a conscious thing, we just wanted to try something else. We shot a porn video, what’s the best place we can host it? On a porn site!”

Was there any point where you thought you’d gone too far?

Kruspe: “It was really professional! I was amazed, I always thought the porn industry was so cruel and dirty. Everything was so professional, I was amazed.”

Were they actual adult stars you used in the video and was the sex real?

Kruspe: “Yeah.”

Stunt cocks or your own?

Kruspe: “No comment.”

The band have also sold an impressive 7,000 tickets to their Wembley Arena show and we have been advised by industry insiders to “get the tickets while they’re hot!” Get your Rammstein tickets here!

Rammstein recently revealed the cover of their new single which depicts them as naked women and an equally bonkers album cover for their forthcoming album, ”Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da’. The new album will be released on October 19th.

Kamelot announced as one of the Headliners for ProgPower USA XI

The organizers of ProgPower USA, a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001, have announced the lineup for next year's event:

Friday, September 10:

KAMELOT
NOCTURNAL RITES
TYR
SEVENTH WONDER
STORMWARRIOR
ILLUSION SUITE
Saturday, September 11:

HAMMERFALL
TAROT
DELAIN
DGM
OCEANS OF SADNESS
PARADOX

ProgPower USA began in 2001. The first festival was held in Lansing, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, at J.J. Kelley's. The subsequent events have been held in Atlanta, Georgia, at Earthlink Live (formerly and again Center Stage Atlanta).

Visit www.progpowerusa.com for more info.

Kamelot announces the Kamelot LastFM Fan Contest!

3 lucky Last FM listeners will win a fan package of Kamelot's latest album Ghost Opera in Vinyl "signed" by the band as well as a Kamelot Tee Shirt, Kamelot Photo book "signed", Kamelot Picks,and more.

Register to win by sending an email to: kamelot@kamelot.com
subject: Last FM Contest

Tell us how many play counts you have on Last FM for Kamelot songs, include a link your profile etc...contest will run until the 30th of September 2009, so you have until then to get as many plays in as possible!

Listen to Kamelot at: http://www.lastfm.com/music/Kamelot

Masterplan: Jorn is back

After months of rumours and speculations it is now official:

Jorn Lande will once again join forces with his old bandmates, and work on what is expected to be yet another MASTERPLAN Masterpiece.

The new album is already in the works and JORN is right now in Roland Grapow Studios in Slovakia recording his vocals.

The release date is not yet decided, but the album is scheduled to hit the market sometime in early 2010.

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 lands at No.1....Globally!!

Following on from the hugely successful screening of Iron Maiden’s award-winning film Flight 666 in over 500 digital cinemas in 42 countries worldwide in April, the recent release of “Flight 666” on DVD has secured another global triumph for the band by flying into the music DVD charts at Number One in 22 countries already, including the USA and UK , with many more charts yet to come in!!!

-In the USA it was not only No.1 debut but also the highest selling first week sales of any music DVD so far in 2009! This release closely followed the US TV Premiere of the movie on Palladia/VH1 which was watched by over three million people, the highest viewing of a music documentary on the channel so far this year.

-In Canada it rocketed into the No.1 position outselling the No.2 DVD by over 6:1

-In the UK, first day's sales were over twice the total combined sales of every other DVD in the Top 50!!

-In Sweden Flight 666 is currently at #1, #3 and #4 on Sweden's leading online retailer Discshop chart with the deluxe, standard and Blu-ray formats respectively!

-In Australia it not only debuted at No.1 but was certified Platinum within its second week of release.

-In India, as well as being the No.1 music DVD, it entered at No.6 in the mainstream DVD movie chart, placing it that week ahead of such international blockbusters as "Slumdog Millionaire" and many Bollywood movies!

-In Brazil, where 70% of the market is dominated by local repertoire, it debuted at No.3 in their national chart and is fully expected to reach No.1 by next week. It was a new entry at No.1 in Brazil's International chart.

-Once again No.1 in Arabia.

The countries in the five continents where Flight 666 flew in at No.1 were Australia, Arabia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil int, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan int, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the USA. Elsewhere in the world it entered at No.2 in Spain and Portugal, and at No.3 in France and Hungary, and No4 in Holland. With more charts still to come from many other Latin American territories who will release the DVD this week, well over 30 countries are expected to achieve No.1 for Flight 666.

And after four weeks of sales in Europe, Flight 666 is still holding strong at No.1 in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Norway and Italy, making this Iron Maiden's most successful DVD release to date and proving yet again the unswerving, ever-growing support of Maiden fans young and old, from every corner of the globe, and the unstoppable resurgence of Heavy Metal.

Flight 666 covers the first leg of Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere Back In Time Tour” which began Feb 2008 and encompassed 23 sold-out stadium and arena shows in Asia, Australia and North, Central and South America in just 45 days, covering 5 Continents and 13 countries, travelling almost 50,000 miles. All this made possible because of the unique method of travel; the band’s specially customised Boeing 757 plane, Piloted by Maiden vocalist and Airline Captain Bruce Dickinson and christened Ed Force One by Maiden fans, the plane (CALL SIGN 666) carried band, crew and 12 tons of equipment across the globe for the most adventurous tour in rock history. Directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen of award winning Banger Productions, (‘Metal; A Headbanger’s Journey’ and ‘Global Metal’) and shot in spectacular High-Definition with thunderous 5.1 surround sound, Flight 666 takes you right inside the Maiden family with almost total access to the band, something which they have never allowed before.

Flight 666 was released through EMI Music on May 25th except on June 9 in Canada on EMI and in the USA on Ume. It is available on deluxe double DVD with a special 28 page booklet, standard DVD, alongside a double-CD soundtrack album and extended Blu-ray, along with The Soundtrack in Double CD and a limited edition double-vinyl picture disc. Both DVD and Blu-Ray include bonus footage of the full concert shot of 16 songs shot in 16 different cities.

Iron Maiden are currently taking time off before getting together later in the year to start work on a new album planned for release in 2010.

Interview with Judas

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Interview with Rob Halford and Glenn Tipton on Rick Wakeman's TV show:

13th October, 2009 & 31st October, 2009

Rick Wakeman Face To Face With Judas Priest

10.30am
12.00noon
14.00pm
17.00pm
19.00pm

Tune in on Sky Channel 378 - Rock On TV

Slayer: Canadian And American carnage dates rescheduled

Slayer and Megadeth are thrilled to announce the new, confirmed routing for the American Carnage North American Tour, which will commence with the rescheduled Canadian Carnage East dates in Quebec City on Friday, July 23.

Slayer will then head to Europe for a run of festival dates, returning to kick off the American Carnage leg in Albany, NY on August 11. American Carnage will play 26 dates across the United States and Eastern Canada up to the Labor Day weekend, ending in Portland, OR on September 4. Testament will be Special Guest on all shows.

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