Friday, May 28, 2010

Rob Zombie Live at Rock on the Range


Rob Zombie's ghoulish ensemble hit Rock on the Range hard this past weekend to mark the close of the Gruesome Twosome Tour with Alice Cooper. Check out some photos from the set, including one of Rob backstage with Kristen Stewart (Phillies shirt) and friends, below.

Rob Zombie will be co-headlining this summer's Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival alongside Korn. The trek kicks off July 10th. Go here for a full list of tour dates and ticket information.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Tim 'Ripper' Owens Comments On Paul Gray's Passing


n April 2010 it was announced that SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH.

As previously reported, Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room early Monday morning (May 24). He was 38.

Owens has released the following statement to D.X. Ferris of the Cleveland Scene regarding Gray's passing:

"I would like to send my condolences to [Gray's] family. "I played three or four times on stage with Paul and crossed paths a few other times throughout the years. He was always a great guy to be around and a great talent! I was looking forward to doing this HAIL! run with Paul on bass. Once again, let's pray for his family and keep them in our thoughts in their time of need."

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Judas Priest Finally Receives Its GRAMMY Trophies


JUDAS PRIEST was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which was held on January 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. JUDAS PRIEST was nominated for the track "Dissident Aggressor", from the band's 2009 live album "A Touch of Evil: Live". The band's lead vocalist Rob Halford and drummer Scott Travis accepted the award at the event.

A photo of the five members of JUDAS PRIEST with their trophies — small, gilded gramophone statuettes — can be viewed below.

In his acceptance speech, Halford said, "The fifth time is the charm." According to AOL's Noisecreep, he mentioned that PRIEST have been making metal for 35 years and that they still love what they do. He also remembered to thank all the radio stations and press that have supported the band, and he dedicated the award to all heavy metal fans.

You can watch video of Halford's acceptance speech below.

The nominees in this year's "Metal" category were as follows:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Dissident Aggressor" (from "A Touch of Evil: Live"
* LAMB OF GOD - "Set to Fail" (from "Wrath")
* MEGADETH - "Head Crusher" (from "Endgame")
* MINISTRY - "Señor Peligro" (from "Adios...")
* SLAYER - "Hate Worldwide" (from "World Painted Blood")

Only albums released between October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 could be considered for this year's awards.

The Grammys are determined by 12,000 music industry professionals who belong to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Poison: Bret Michaels Receives Devastating News As Tests Show He Has A Hole In His Heart


Bret Michaels was re-admitted to the hospital this week after suffering numbness on the left side of his body, predominately his face and hands which doctors described as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or warning stroke. While MRI and CT scan tests were being conducted, Michaels also received a doppler ultrasound of his legs and lower abdomen looking for blood clots and most importantly an ultrasound bubble test of his heart was conducted which proved positive for a patent forum ovale (PFO), a hole in the heart. Dr. Zabramski (Bret's neurosurgeon), Dr. Becker (who ordered the test), Dr. Cook (who conducted the test) and Dr. Frey (Director, Outpatient Stroke Program) all confirmed the results.

Dr. Zabramski states, "There is no doubt that the positive patent foramen ovale (PFO) is devastating news to Bret and his family. The good news is that it is operable and treatable and we think we may have diagnosed the problem that caused the transient ischemic attack (TIA) or warning stroke; however we feel it is highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered just a few weeks earlier. Once again it is great that he quickly reacted to the severe numbness and got to the hospital immediately."

Dr. Zabramski continues, "I realize Bret wants to make a full recovery so that he can be active with his family, attempt to attend the finale of 'Celebrity Apprentice' and especially get back on the road to continue making music. Without a doubt he is very determined to get healthy and make a 100% recovery. Medically speaking, it is a fantastic attitude both mentally and physically for him to have. However, Bret's brain and body are not quite 100% yet, especially with the hole found in his heart. Further tests will be conducted throughout the week and I will have more information next week as to how this patent foramen ovale (PFO) will be treated. For now, Bret will be treated with outpatient care which includes a daily injection of Lovenox (a blood thinner to reduce the chance of blood clots) and blood tests."

Bret's rep, Janna Elias, states "Bret wants everyone to know he cannot thank you enough for all of the well wishes, prayers, and good vibes you have sent his way. Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive but he has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again."

Friday, May 21, 2010

Slayer will be the musical guest on ABC-Tv's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"


SLAYER will be the musical guest on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this Thursday, May 20. This will mark the first appearance the band will make since vocalist/bassist Tom Araya had back surgery earlier this year, and the second time the band has performed on "Kimmel", having made their network television debut on the show in January 2007.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs at 12:05 a.m. ET and PT/11:05 p.m. CT.

For the telecast, SLAYER will perform "World Painted Blood", the title track from their latest album, as well as "Hate Worldwide" over the show's closing credits. In addition, the band will play three more songs on the show's outdoor stage in front of an SRO crowd. Tickets for this free mini-concert have been gone for weeks.

The "Kimmel" appearance precedes the band's busy summer touring schedule that will kick off on May 26 with extensive touring throughout Europe, and will include several Sonisphere festival appearances where SLAYER will be part of the "Big Four" — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, and ANTHRAX. The band will return to North America in late July to co-headline (with MEGADETH) the east coast Canadian Carnage tour, and then, starting August 11, the American Carnage tour.

SLAYER's entire summer tour schedule can be accessed at Slayer.net.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Geezer Butler Tells The Story Of Dio’s Final Days


Geezer Butler tells the story of Ronnie’s final days and pays tribute to a dear friend.

Black Sabbath bassist and long-term friend of the late, great Ronnie James Dio has opened up his heart to tell the story of the final days in the life of the legendary vocalist.

“It’s impossible to express in mere words the relationship Ronnie and I, Wendy and my wife Gloria had. He was much more than a friend, fellow musician, band mate. If I have a soul, then he is part of it. I truly believe God, fate, destiny, whatever it’s called, brought us together again in 2006, after not seeing each other for 14 years, to do one final tour, which turned into three major tours and an album. We were having a blast together, enjoying each other’s company more than we had ever done before, talking about maybe doing one more album, when fate intervened again.

“We were planning on doing a two- or three-part North American tour, after having toured South America and Europe in spring/summer 2009, but on the first leg of the North American tour, Tony’s (Iommi) hand ligaments were in a bad way, Vinny’s (Appice) shoulder became dislocated, and Ronnie was having terrible stomach pains. We decided to cut the tour, get healthy, and carry on the following year. Tony and Vinny had successful procedures to fix their ailments, but Ronnie’s stomach pains were worsening. I saw him at the Dio Halloween party, but he wasn’t drinking, unusual for Ronnie who liked his tipple. He was telling me he had made an appointment with a specialist, to see what it was…..

“Wednesday, 12th May 2010.

“Wendy invited Gloria and I to lunch in Santa Barbara. A few close friends of Ronnie and Wendy, Omar, Simon, Paul, Tim, and Diana, had dropped by. Ronnie had no appetite whatsoever — the disease and the chemotherapy were taking an immense toll. As usual, we talked sports and had a laugh together — it would be the last time. That night, I had a beautiful email from him, that I will treasure forever. I sent him an email saying I’d see him during the following week.

“Friday, 14th May 2010.

“Wendy called to say she had taken Ronnie to hospital. The pain had become unbearable. We got to the hospital around 2 p.m. The doctor eventually sedated him. More and more friends were coming to visit — we took it in turns to hold Ronnie’s hand, and whisper our thoughts to him. Wendy wouldn’t leave his side — she stayed curled up on his bed the whole night. Gloria’s assistant, Debi, kept her company. I emailed Tony to prepare him for bad news.

“Saturday, 15th May 2010.

“There was no mistaking Ronnie’s room. There were around 25 to 30 friends outside his room. We knew the end was imminent. We all wanted to say our goodbyes. It was a day filled with tears and reflection. In the evening, the chaplain came, and we all gathered around Ronnie’s bed and prayed. Ronnie wasn’t going easily. At 11 p.m., most of us left, leaving Wendy her privacy to say her last farewell. The devastation was palpable.

“Sunday, 16th May 2010.

“7.46 a.m. As we were preparing to leave for the hospital, Gloria called Wendy to see if she wanted a coffee or any breakfast — she broke the sad news. Ronnie had just passed away.

“Wendy Dio has been a true saint through all this. She has been with Ronnie every step of the way. Her courage has amazed us all. Even as I write, she is ensuring Ronnie has the finest send-off possible. God bless you, Wendel.

“Most people who were there for those last days chose to keep their thoughts private. I wanted to keep my thoughts private, too, but I’ve been overwhelmed by emails, and requests from the media and fans for comments.

“I can truly say I’ve never known anyone to have such loyal, loving friends, fans, and family as Ronnie. He really was a special person, blessed with a unique voice and presence. He loved his fans — he would stay meeting and talking to them until the early hours of the morning.

“One of my fondest memories of him comes from last year, at the Sonisphere Festival, Knebworth. He noticed my sister and her husband at the side of the stage. During our opening song, he took the time to go over and hug them. Just a little thing like that made him special to me.

“Of course his music will live on forever, as will his influence.

“I have never seen so many tributes from so many musicians and fans, so many good wishes, no cynicism, just pure love and appreciation for a great man.

“God bless you, Ronald — thank you so much for the wonderful memories.”

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Edguy/Avantasia Frontman: Dio 'Was The Epitome Of The Perfect Heavy Metal Vocalist'


EDGUY/AVANTASIA frontman Tobias Sammet has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"[On Sunday] I [was] informed about the sad news of Ronnie James Dio's passing. It is impossible to find any words for what went through my head and what Ronnie means for me as a vocalist, and as a fanboy too. He gave us so much enchanting music, poetic lyrics and great vocals. To me he was the epitome of the perfect heavy metal vocalist.

"With EDGUY we have had the chance to share the stage with Ronnie on several occasions and so I've been given the opportunity to meet him about ten years ago. He was a very nice person with a tremendous charisma who made you feel very appreciated in his environment. I wanted to have him on several AVANTASIA albums but the schedule never allowed it; he was always busy, always had many things on his schedule, a real workaholic and full of visions and enthusiam.

"Ronnie, you will always be remembered as one of the biggest vocalists in the history of music! Rock'n'roll will never forget you — rest in peace!"

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Iced Earth: Dio 'Was The Most Genuine Person I've Ever Met In The Music Industry'


ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"I just wanted to write a note about Ronnie James Dio and how much I will miss him.

"Ronnie was the most genuine person I've ever met in the music industry.

"I think we've all had run-ins with our childhood heroes, and sometimes it can be a disappointing experience. This was definitely not the case with Ronnie. He was a wise, kind, and special person, and a dear friend that will be greatly missed.

"Rest in peace, brother. Your spirit and music will continue to inspire generations to come."

Monday, May 17, 2010

Tony Iommi: Ronnie 'Loved What He Did, Making Music And Performing On Stage


BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN & HELL guitarist Tony Iommi has released the following statement regarding the passing of his bandmate, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Yesterday 16th May my dear, dear friend Ronnie James Dio passed away at 7.45am L.A. time.

"I've been in total shock; I just can't believe he's gone.

"Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. We had some fantastic times together.

"Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much. He was a kind man and would put himself out to help others.

"I can honestly say it's truly been an honor to play at his side for all these years.

"His music will live on forever.

"Our thoughts are with Wendy Dio [Ronnie's wife/manager] who stood by Ronnie until the end. He loved her very much.

"The man with the magic voice is a star amongst stars, a true professional.

"I'll miss you so much, my dear friend."

Dave Ellefson, Shawn Drover Remember Ronnie James Dio


Metal lost one of it's most powerful voices yesterday with the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Battling stomach cancer for the last several months, Dio fought hard and inspired hope in others before succumbing to the disease. On his official website, just a touching remembrance from his wife and manager remains:

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever." - Wendy Dio

Responding to the sad news, Megadeth's Dave Ellefson and Shawn Drover offer their condolences and remembrances from their website.

Ellefson writes, "Our bright beam from the tour's glow was dimmed today when we learned of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. He was truly one of the 'good guys' in this business and a consummate pro, someone we can all take a que [sic] and learn from. We are all fans of his and he did many great things for Megadeth and its members, starting as far back as his "Dream Evil" North American tour in which we were the support band during the "So Far, So Good...So What" tour. Our prayers go out to him and his family at this time."

While Drover shares, "I am at an absolute loss right now upon hearing that Ronnie has passed away. I had the pleasure of touring both Canada and America in 2007 when Megadeth toured with "Heaven and Hell" (Black Sabbath in my eyes) and I swear to you he is 1 of the nicest human beings I have ever met, period. Many a night on that tour, Glen and myself would have amazing conversation's with Ronnie about his career, etc. fully knowing he had probably told these stories 10,000 times to people and yet he answered every question I had with a big smile. I can recall so many times making eye contact with Glen sharing the exact same thought - "Dude, I can't believe we are hanging with RONNIE JAMES DIO!!!!!" If you are lucky enough in your lifetime to actually meet 1 of your idols (let alone tour with them) and they turn out to be even nicer than you could have envisioned, that is something you would truly treasure. Lucky for me, I will cherish those memories forever..."

Rest in Peace Ronnie James Dio.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Dio: Legendary Heavy Metal Vocalist RONNIE JAMES DIO Dies


Wendy Dio, wife/manager of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.

"We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.

"Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss.

"Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Bullet For My Valentine: Video Interview With Michael 'Padge' Paget


Angry Jay, Joe and Rudy from Darkness Descends recently conducted a short interview with guitarist Michael "Padge" Paget of Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE. The chat is now available for viewing below.

"Fever", the third album from BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, sold 71,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. "Fever" also landed in the Top Five in Australia, the U.K., Japan, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In the U.K. it reached No. 5 on sales of 21,965.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's last album, "Scream Aim Fire", opened with 53,000 units in the U.S. back in February 2008 to land at No. 4. That CD has since gone on to shift 360,000 copies.

"Fever" pairs BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE with producer Don Gilmore, best known for his work with LINKIN PARK and GOOD CHARLOTTE.

The band — guitarist/vocalist Matt Tuck, guitarist Michael Paget, bassist Jason James and drummer Michael Thomas — recorded the CD in studios both in its native Wales and Los Angeles.

"Fever" follows "Scream Aim Fire", which has sold one million copies worldwide and debuted in the Top 5 in Germany, Austria, Australia and No. 1 in Japan and reached gold status in the U.K. and Canada.

See the video in link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJDSiIyOIqg&feature=player_embedded

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Rush: Interviewed On CNN


CNN's Andrea Mineo conducted an interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of the legendary Canadian rock trio RUSH about "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage", the long-awaited documentary produced by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Toronto, Ontario, Canada's Banger Films Inc.. Watch the segment below.

"Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" will be screened in Austria, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and U.K. on Monday, June 7.

For a list of cinemas that will be showing the film, go to this location.

Attendees of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, which ran from April 29 to May 9 in Toronto, Ontario, selected "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" as one of the Top 10 audience favorites as determined by audience vote.

The entire Top 10 (with "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" coming in at No. 6) can be found at this location.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tribeca Film Festival attendees selected "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" for the fest's 2010 Heineken Audience Award.

Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn's Canadian feature received the $25,000 award on May 1 at the TFF Wrap Party in Chelsea's Altman Building. The film chronicles the 42-year history of the band, which is currently working on its 20th studio album with producer Nick Raskulinecz (co-producer of RUSH's 2007 CD, "Snakes & Arrows") in Nashville. Interviews with fans such as Gene Simmons, Billy Corgan and Jack Black are featured alongside profiles of RUSH bandmates Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

"Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" will make its television debut on June 26 on VH1 and VH1 Classic.

Ace Frehley's New Fiancée Has Revived His 'Spirit' In Every Way


Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has posted the following message on his MySpace page:

"I am now residing with and engaged to a lovely girl named Rachael Gordon [MySpace page; pictured below with Ace]. My inspiration and end all. She is the best thing that's ever happened to me and we constantly inspire each other.

"If you haven't found your true love in life yet... when you do, it is truly a new awakening!

"She has revived my spirit in every way and made me live again."

Ace, 59, was previously married to Jeanette, with whom he has a 29-year-old daughter, Monique.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Michael Kiske: ex Helloween singer gives an interview to European rock magazine



In a recent interview to rock magazine in Europe, Michael Kiske (ex Helloween current Unisonic) commented on his new band and their projects.
Check interview

Unisonic:

MK: It's a pleasure to play in a band again, I have spent much time of my life doing things alone, it is good to have reliable people so that we can divide the process of composing and recording. Ward is a great musician and producer, Costa and Mandy are also excellent. I hope all right and that this band will last for many years, that does not mean I will not do my solo albums, anyway I have a contract yet and desire to comply with it. plus the atmosphere of a band is always different, you share more, a different energy there. The Unisonic is not a metal band, also will not be eighties as Place Vendome, will be a rock band and we hope to do better and give our best from the start, without haste. We already have some stuff well and hope to have something more concrete before the tour.

Composition process of the album:

MK: There will be songs mine in these album, all we are sharing, is an enjoyable process.


About his process of composition:

MK: I try to be as transparent as possible, because I'm so, I'm real, and when you're true to yourself everything flows better, just hope people will see this.

Tour:

MK: I'm looking forward to ascend to the stage again, now with a band that's possible, before, in my solo career, everything was more complicated, I had to take care of everything, now the spotlight will not be only about me, we're a band and it works better that way. I hope everything is as exciting as being up here, I know that in time will give a tremor, so I'm leaving more for the future, much work right now and want to fill my head with it.

Songs for the tour:

MK: Is basically Unisonic and Place Vendome, and one or two of my Helloween for those of my old fans.

Avantasia:

MK: It was always a pleasure to participate in the project of Tobias, he's a good guy, smart and creative, I never had a problem singing clever songs, some songs like "Lost In Space" very pleasing sing, sorry that my version for this not entered the album.

Shareholdings as guest musician:

MK: Well, I guess now I'll stop for a while, I'm in a band now and it takes a long time, and I want to always do better, and I think after this I did with the Gamma Ray and Tomorrows Outlook will not do something new , but never say never, appearing in a very good time I'm with more time, maybe, for now I have much to give me.

Mat and Somerville:

Matt is a great person, and is devoting enough of him to this project. I will not have much longer time is a satisfaction to have done this, do not know if in future I'll have time for something like this, but it was nice, I'm not following the whole process. I know that most are in good hands. Amanda has is a great girl, your voice is beautiful, I wouldn't mind to step down and give her much more parts to sing, Dear Ami, was a pleasure to share this with you.

Kai Hansen:

Kai is a lot of fun. I do not have and never had problems with him. We could have done something together after Helloween, but I guess it was not to happen.


About the time of Helloween:

At first I was afraid, not much like the wall of Jericho, plus get in a band that had recorded an album was exciting, and the direction of the Keepers was quite different. In the end I am proud to have done it. With the departure of Kai things changed, he took much of his joy with him, things started to get very competitive, but I always thought everything was calm and we could continue. I Was wrong and I was sad to knowing that people who called themselves my friends ignored me and spoke bad things about me, now it's in the past.

On a tour with Helloween:

Everyone knows what I think of Mr. Weikath, it's already answered.

Illegal downloads:

MK: It cheapens the artist, I know it's hard to control, it only cheapens the art, an artist uses a lot of time to do something, and no return is hard to stay, I think the true fan should purchase the product, whether in audio or video, legally.

A final comment for the readers:

MK: Never give up, always be near those who love you really, And believe in J. (A clear reference to Jesus), he's right.

Translation: Paul Schmidt

Trivium Frontman: 'If It Weren't For James Hetrfield, I Literally Wouldn't Be Here'


Roadrunner Records has posted a new interview with guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy of Florida metallers TRIVIUM as part of the label's "Gear Nerd" series, where Roadrunner talks to its artists about their instrument of choice and what fuels their passion, influences their sound and all about the specific instruments they use.

An excerpt from the chat follows.

Roadrunner: So who would you say has inspired you the most; who were you looking up to the most when you first started out

Heafy: If it weren't for James Hetfield (METALLICA) I literally wouldn't be here. I mean, I know that there are a lot of other musicians, in that band as well, especially from the "Black Album" era, but it was Hetfield who really brought me into metal. To see their live shows and see what a commanding presence he was, and to see how good of a guitar player he is. So, he got me into everything, then I bridged out from there.

Roadrunner: What other music do you think have influenced your playing

Heafy: So many. The first big chunk I got into, when I got into real metal was like, obviously METALLICA, PANTERA, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, SLAYER, IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST... Those were all the bands I got into first. Then I got really heavily into melodic death metal, bands like IN FLAMES and CHILDREN OF BODOM, ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILITY... the list goes on and on through like OPETH... (thinks) What else? There's like so many melodic death metal bands, pretty much all of them like DUSKFALL, MERCENARY even though they are a Danish band... just all over the Scandinavian area. Erm, got a little into death metal, never too much into death metal. The band that influenced my playing the most was KRISIUN, which is this ridiculously heavy death metal band from Brazil, but I got my tremelo picking from them, which is like really fast picking, I got that from that band. Um, got into black metal then after that through bands like EMPEROR and DIMMU BORGIR and MÖRK GRYNING, a Swedish band, DARK FUNERAL and ANOREXIA NERVOSA is this French black metal band — "New Obscurantis Order" is one of my favorite black metal albums. I joined a black metal band when I was like 16 or so in Florida wearing corpse paint, spiked armor, all that shit. Um, they kicked me out 'cause I was still in TRIVIUM and I wouldn't leave TRIVIUM. And I joined CAPHARNAUM, which is a technical death metal band, at like 16, 17 with [producer] Jason Suecof. So I went through all the extreme metal things, towards my senior year, I guess I must have been 17 or so, when I started getting into hardcore, that era's hardcore, bands like POISON THE WELL and HATEBREED. "Tear From The Red" (by POISON THE WELL) was really influential on me and HATEBREED's "Perseverance". I got into stuff like UNDEROATH's "They're Only Chasing Safety" and BELOVED's "Failure On". Oddly enough, after being into satanic black metal I got into a lot of Christian metalcore and hardcore bands, a lot of Christian emo bands and I was into, still am into, bands like FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER and DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, little things I never really talked about but were actually really big subtle influences on my sound, incorporated with huge bands like DEATH and IN FLAMES and KILLSWITCH (ENGAGE) that all rolled into one I guess and helped craft some of my style and some of the interesting things that happened on "Ascendency" and "Ember..." So I was in and out of those things for a little while, not as long as black metal or melodic death metal or anything.

Roadrunner: Anything outside of the metal genre that you think have influenced your playing style?

Heafy: I think for me it's more like bands like FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER and DASHBOARD... maybe even like MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE... things that took the guitar... I mean, if you look at FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER mostly, every single chorus had a different guitar melody than a rhythm guitar part, same thing like MAIDEN, so still it's things that came from metal and probably came from metal bands that maybe they liked. I remember when we did "The Crusade", I got very heavily into QUEEN and that's pretty much all I would listen to and a little bit of KELLY CLARKSON and some pop stuff and when we were doing "Shogun" really just into THE BEATLES. Lately, I've been into the entire DEPECHE MODE catalogue, pretty much exclusively DEPECHE MODE and classical music. Classical music has been the best thing I've listened to, it's helped my playing out so much — not in a Yngwie Malmsteen way, like shreddy ridiculous arpeggios and stuff, even though I could do some of those stuff, not as much as I used to, I leave that to guys like DRAGONFORCE. You know, dudes like Malmsteen took classical in a lead-guitar-playing sense where I've been taking classical in a song writing sense. I just listen to it, I don't know it formally, but when people hear our new stuff they'll know that it's been a subtle influence in there and even and even the "Shattering..." chorus, the rhythm guitar part I'm playing is very classically involved using three not chords, three separate note chords versus the standard power chord, which be like the same note, octave and the fifth, so I know a little bit about music but not too much. I've been getting into bands that are going really well with the graphic novels I've been reading, like DEPECHE MODE's "Sounds of the Universe" goes incredibly with "V for Vendetta" by Alan Moore. The new KINGS OF LEON album actually goes well with "Preacher", which is the greatest story ever, it's the greatest thing across any medium I've ever read, seen, played, anything, ever — "Preacher" by Garth Ennis. NINE INCH NAILS' "Year Zero" goes incredibly with "Sin City" by Frank Miller and "Black Celebration" by DEPECHE MODE goes incredibly well with anything that involves Batman. So, graphic novels and just getting into anything, any kind of music is really helpful. The last couple of things I got was "Wavering Radiant", the new ISIS album, and "Panopticon", so yeah, everything from symphonic black metal to avant-garde, I also have this CD that's all sort of Brazilian music which is really interesting, anything form jazz to flamenco music. Yeah, all music is good music to me as long as it's good. I just got the new PINK album too, I just wanted to see what it was like because I just heard she just did three sold-out months of Australia, which is like as much as AC/DC. With me, it's all about the song and it's all about bringing something to the table. I'll like it if I like it. I don't think I'll ever like pop-country, I think pop-country is terrible. I do like some folk bands like THE DEVIL MAKES THREE, this incredibly guitar trio band that has no drummer, and ULVER is one of my favorite bands, used to be a black metal band that recorded out in the forest then went to make this thing that was the soundtrack for this movie that never came out, then had this album that they read passage from William Blake in."

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Anthrax's Ian On Reunion With Belladonna: 'None Of Us Wants This To Be Just A Nostalgia Trip'


ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian spoke to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine about the band's reunion with vocalist Joey Belladonna.

"We had a meeting with John [Bush, the ARMORED SAINT frontman who sang with ANTHRAX during 1992-2005 and again for the past nine months], at which he was honest enough to tell us that he really couldn't make the commitment to the band that he knew we needed," Ian says. "It was all very friendly, but ended with us feeling we had to find someone else.

"Nobody wanted to go down the route of finding an unknown. So, it left one option: calling Joey. He was really into the idea of coming back.

"The five of us [Ian, Belladonna, guitarist Rob Caggiano, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante] met in New York, when I did a show with Pearl [Aday, Ian's wife], and we got along really well, and that sealed the deal. It was that easy."

According to Ian, the reunion with Belladonna will include the recording of a new studio album. "That's something we all felt was crucial," the guitarist says. "None of us, especially Joey, wants this to be just a nostalgia trip. The album'll probably have a few songs from 'Worship Music' [the unreleased record the band did with Dan Nelson on vocals], plus some we'll co-write with Joey. It'll be out next year."

Mutiny Within Video: Days of Gray Tour Diary 2010 With Sonata Arctica


Having just finished up an early spring US run with Sonata Arctica and Powerglove, road warriors Mutiny Within filmed some killer live footage from each show along the way for your viewing enjoyment.

Watch a montage of the band's various performances, insane crowd shots and hilarious interludes of at-show antics to see what to expect from Mutiny Within live!

Continuing on the road in support of their self-titled debut, these Jersey-based young guns played a special show with labelmates Korn just last week in New York City before embarking on tour with Dark Tranquility (which kicked off last night!)

Nevermore: Cult Pre-Nevermore Metal Act Sanctuary To Reunite For New Studio Album


NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane has announced that his late '80s cult metal outfit SANCTUARY will reunite to record a new studio album. "[I've] been talking with Lenny [Rutledge, former SANCTUARY guitarist]," Dane explains. "We are really good friends again and it feels good." He adds, "I missed my relationship with him for many years."

Regarding how the SANCTUARY reunion will affect NEVERMORE, which has a new studio album ("The Obsidian Conspiracy") coming out next month, Dane says, "NEVEMORE is never going away, so don't start any more rumors!"

Brian May and Friends Campaign Against Blood Sports


Queen guitarist Brian May and an array of his showbiz pals have filmed a tongue-in-cheek video to highlight the issue of fox-hunting and blood sports in the run-up to next week’s general election. Come inside to watch it – and be sure to check out the star turns from Patrick Moore and Coleen Nolan!

In the video May pokes fun at the three political party leaders’ failure to get to grips with the economy and calls on the public to use their vote to support the fox-hunting ban.

The video also features the likes of Francis Rossi, Joe Elliott, Tony Iommi and Taylor Hawkins.

It forms part of May’s ‘Save Me’ campaign to prevent the return of legalised blood sports in the British countryside.

May says: “This video is meant to be fun, but of course there is a serious message behind it.

“It’s incredible how many people have no idea that [Conservative leader] David Cameron and his gang stand for the brutality of hunting with dogs, and are intent on repealing the Hunting Act ‘as a priority’ if they are elected.

“Fox-hunting and other blood sports have no place in today’s society and, in the ‘Save Me’ campaign, we’re asking people to make their vote count to keep it this way.”

Go here for more info about Brian May’s ‘Save Me’ campaign: www.save-me.org.uk

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Steve Miller Band To Tour In Support of New Album 'Bingo!'


Legendary rock icon Steve Miller Band will kick off a highly anticipated North American tour May 21st in Las Vegas in a new show designed by acclaimed Broadway director Rob Roth. The tour will support his new album BINGO!, which lands in stores June 15th on Miller’s Space Cowboy Records in partnership with Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records. Having sold more than 30 million records, The Steve Miller Band's trademark sound is a mainstay of rock radio. His yearly summer tour extravaganza has become an anticipated annual event for millions of rock fans.



Co-produced by Miller and engineer Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix), BINGO! is the first of two albums recorded at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch. The sessions introduced new band member Sonny Charles a veteran vocalist of the Checkmates who will also be on the road this summer with Miller. These were the final sessions by harmonica player and vocalist Norton Buffalo, Miller’s “partner in harmony” for 33 years, who died of cancer in October 2009.



While the tour will feature his classic rock anthems “Fly Like an Eagle,” “The Joker,” “Rock ‘n Me,” “Take the Money and Run,” and “Abracadabra,” among others, Miller will also perform selected tracks from BINGO! which echoes his early days on the Chicago scene. On Bingo! Miller has spiced some of the tracks with the Latin percussion battery of conga player Michael Carabello, founding member of Santana, and timbales ace Adrian Areas, son of Carabello’s partner from the original group, Jose “Chepito” Areas. Guitarist Joe Satriani traded solos on ‘Rock Me Baby’ and ‘Sweet Soul Vibe’ with Miller, whose brilliant guitar playing was a major feature of the sessions.



BINGO! will be released in 2 formats: a 10-track digipack CD and a special edition with 4 bonus tracks and expanded artwork. The album’s artwork is a creation of legendary Storm Thorgerson whose album packages for Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd are the gold standard in artistic design. The album is a fully realized mature work of a master craftsman, in a sense, “BINGO!” is the album Steve Miller has been waiting all his life to make.



The Steve Miller Band is a centerpiece attraction of the summer rock concert season playing sixty or more shows every year. He is the Gangster of Love. Some people call him Maurice, the Midnight Toker or the Space Cowboy. And with BINGO!, a masterpiece album by one of the greats, Steve Miller shows he still speaks of the pompitus of love. Get a sneak peak of what's in store by listening to "Hey Yeah" from Bingo! right here, and see all upcoming tour dates below!

Stone Sour In the Studio: Hear What's To Come From 'Audio Secrecy'


Stone Sour are underway on the recording of their 3rd studio album and follow-up to 2006's Come What(ever) May, and this week they're giving us a special sneak peak at a NEW SONG!!

Offering regular video updates on what's going down in Blackbird Studios with producer Nick Raskulinecz, so far we've caught a glimpse of the Nashville house the band has inhabited, some vocals they've committed to tape, some drum tracks they've laid down, and some silly questions the guys answered for their fans.

But now bassist Shawn Economaki is giving us the grand tour of the "Bordello"-like studio, which includes a stop at the soundboards to hear the playback of an as-yet-untitled new track off the upcoming album!!!

Loudness: 'King Of Pain' Artwork Revealed


Japanese metal veterans LOUDNESS will release a new album, "King Of Pain", in Japan on May 19 via Tokuma Japan Communications. The CD will include a 32-page booklet, a LOUDNESS original pick, and application card (valid only in Japan).

"King Of Pain" track listing:

01. Requiem
02. The King Of Pain
03. Power Of Death
04. Death Machine
05. Doodlebug
06. Rule The World
07. Straight Out Of Our Soul
08. Where Am I Going?
09. Emma
10. Naraka
11. Doctor From Hell
12. Hell Fire
13. #666
14. Never Comes

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

StryperTo Release 'The Covering' In The Fall


Christian hard rockers STRYPER have set "The Covering" as the title of their new album of covers, to be released in the fall. The CD will feature the band's original lineup of Michael Sweet on vocals, Robert Sweet on drums, Oz Fox on guitar and Timothy Gaines on bass.

"The Covering" will include STRYPER's renditions of the following classics:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Breaking The Law"
* IRON MAIDEN - "The Trooper"
* SCORPIONS - "Blackout"
* OZZY OSBOURNE - "Over The Mountain"
* SWEET - "Set Me Free"
* VAN HALEN - "On Fire"
* DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
* BLACK SABBATH - "Heaven And Hell"
* UFO - "Lights Out"
* KANSAS - "Carry On Wayward Son"
* KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet recently explaiend the band's decision to pay tribute to its influences on the new album:

"We grew up listening to many different styles of music and there is a list of bands that influenced us throughout our musical education. Bands like JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SCORPIONS, VAN HALEN, UFO, DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN, KANSAS and many others, helped to shape our sound and make us who we are today, musically speaking.

"We grew up on the streets of L.A. playing every club in town from Gazzari's to The Whisky to The Troubadour to you name it. We played covers from all the bands mentioned above and we shaped our own sound from listening and performing songs from these classic bands.

"We wanted to step outside the box and record a record that shows you, the fans, where we come from — our historical, musical roots so to speak. It's a side to STRYPER that no one has really seen or heard before, or at least quite like this.

"We performed 'On Fire' by VAN HALEN on a few tours and we also performed 'Breaking The Law' by PRIEST on this last tour. The response was far beyond our expectations each time we performed these songs. People seemed genuinely surprised to hear STRYPER cover these songs and even more surprised to hear STRYPER perform these songs relatively well.

"This will be an opportunity for Robert [Sweet, drums], Oz [Fox, guitar], Tim [Gaines, bass] and myself to loosen up and have some fun.

"For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith — you're wrong. We've never been more serious about our faith at any point in our lives. It is, however, important to enjoy what you do and lighten up from time to time. That's what we plan to do.

"This will be a fun record to make and we hope that this comes through, as well as the chance to showcase the abilities that we've been blessed with."

Fan-filmed video footage of STRYPER performing a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Breaking The Law" on January 23, 2010 at Tivoli in Utrecht, The Netherlands can be viewed below.

Megadeth and Slayer team up


Slayer and Megadeth's long-awaited and much-ballyhooed Canadian Carnage tour -- currently rolling through the west -- might live up to its violent billing onstage, but don't expect any hostilities behind the scenes.

While the pioneering thrash-metal outfits have had their share of feuds and traded their share of insults over the years -- and haven't toured together in almost two decades since their aptly named Clash of the Titans trek in the early '90s -- any bad blood has long since dried up and all the hatchets have been buried.

At least, that's what Megadeth majordomo Dave Mustaine and Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo told us in separate interviews from their Southern California homes recently. Despite dealing with some niggly personal annoyances -- notoriously cantankerous 47-year-old singer-guitarist Mustaine was battling the flu, while the understated 44-year-old Lombardo was dividing his time between us, a truck windshield repair, another phone and his dog -- both of the old pros were nothing less than gentlemanly toward each other. And toward us.

Here's some of what the Daves had to say about joining forces on their co-headlining tour, their rabid fans and their upcoming CDs -- Megadeth's Endgame and Slayer's 10th studio set, which may be titled World Painted Blood, if you believe the Internet.

On touring together again after so many years

Mustaine: "This tour's going to be outrageous. It has been quite some time. Because we played when we were so young, it seems like it was just yesterday. I think the fans are going to be excited because it's two very powerful bands."

Lombardo: "Obviously, we go back to the '80s. We did Clash of the Titans back in '91. And this has been a long hiatus. So I guess it intrigues everybody in one way or the other. But for me personally, it's just another gig. It doesn't mean anything. I haven't seen Dave in many, many years. We've never crossed each other's paths in any way, shape or form."

On whether there's any friendly competition between them

Mustaine: "No. There really isn't any room in my psyche, my id, to think, 'Well, this guy can play better than I can, so I better get out there and shake my ass.' Dude, it's music. I just go out there to have fun and to play. I've been playing a long time. I'm a legendary guitar player. I've got what I want in life. I'm very confident and very content. If every time I go up onstage, I get caught up in trying to steal back my thunder from the guy who was onstage before me, then I never really had any thunder in the first place."

Lombardo: "Competition? No. Nooooo. There's no competition. It's never crossed our minds. At least, not for me. Whether it's us playing with Megadeth or us playing with anyone else, it's not going to change our performance. We're still going to kick ass. There's only one thing on our mind, and that's to deliver the best possible music and the best performances."

On their new albums

Mustaine: "I've made the record of my career. It's as aggressive as anything I've played in years. It's faster than anything that I've heard in a long time. The record is the best Megadeth record I've ever done by far. It's my favourite record. I've been playing songs to people and everybody goes -- 'Whoo!' or 'F--- yeah!' That's been the consensus -- a lot of whoo-hoos, hugs and f--- yeahs." (Laughs)

Lombardo: "It's not done. There's no title. We haven't done artwork. They're only about 3/4 done mixing. But I have to say that it compares to the classics -- Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons (in the Abyss). And I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it. (Singer-bassist Tom Araya's) vocal melody and singing approach is very listener-friendly -- not in a way where people are going to say, 'Dude, they went commercial.' No way. It's just more melodic. People are scared of the word melody because maybe it sounds like a happy word. But you can have very dark, extreme music with melody. It's not something to be afraid of. There's only good music and bad music -- and good music has hooks and something to carry you through and entertain you."

On playing new material live

Mustaine: "We're gonna play one of the songs from the new album -- a song called Headcrusher. It's about a medieval torture device. That's by far the most appropriate song for us to play for this audience. It's straightforward, no-nonsense Megadeth thrash metal."

Lombardo: "We might do one or two new things -- maybe Psychopathy Red. That's the newest one. But aside from that, it'll be the classics at full-force energy -- just pure energy out there."

On their fans and haters

Mustaine: "I've been through a lot of stuff. I've been pretty open with my fans about it -- all that 'a burden shared is a burden lessened' bulls---, I believe in that. Our fans know that they can count on me to be honest with them. I talk to them a lot on my LiveLine website. I think sometimes that I should talk to them a little bit more about stuff that's a little bit more meaty -- like political stuff and social issues. But I know if I do that, there's gonna be somebody who's going to take exception with me and make it their life's ambition to tell me I'm wrong. And I've got a couple of stalkers, which is very unfortunate. There's one girl that's following me around saying she's my stepsister and demanding my older sister take a blood-test. It's really disappointing. I'm accessible to the fans ... but dude, my job is not as fun as it used to be."

Lombardo: "Our music brings out an animalistic instinct in human beings. It's animalistic music. It's driving, it's very extreme. It's just like a caveman, you know? But people that take it too seriously, I think personally they're too tightly wound. We can't forget that it's just art, self-expression, pushing the envelope of controversy and the envelope of offence. But you don't see us killing or shooting people."

Twisted Sister refuse to tour


Twisted Sister rocker Jay Jay French has vowed never to tour with the group again - because he's convinced he will "lose money" if they hit the road.

The We're Not Gonna Take It hitmakers are bombarded with offers to schedule a tour, but guitarist French insists the group is worth more if they only agree to play one-off concerts.

French tells NoiseCreep.com, "It will never ever happen. I would just assume things would maybe happen, but we will never tour (again). I look at the mathematics of it every year, the mathematics makes no sense. None. Every year people ask me, every year I revisit the math. Every year it completely makes no sense to tour. It's just an incredibly money-losing proposition. I don't like losing money.

"I know what these (other) bands make, I know their lifestyle, I know what they do. I can't function that way. I don't believe it's viable for them. I believe they (tour) because they really have no other options on this planet. And by going out on the road constantly, they devalue themselves because they're out there all the time.

"We work in a completely separate business model. If I don't play, guess what? My value increases, doesn't it? So the less I play, the more valuable I become. So I work completely opposite. I'll bet you I make more money playing 12 shows than most (other) bands make playing 50 shows."

Warrant: Jani Lane arrested for DUI


Glam rocker Jani Lane is in trouble with the law again - he was reportedly arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).

The former Warrant frontman was pulled over by officers while driving in the Woodland Hills area of California on Sunday evening and has been booked on suspicion of DUI, according to TMZ.com.

Last year Lane pleaded no contest to a charge of DUI and was sentenced to two days in jail and 36 months probation, as well as alcohol education classes and community service. A warrant for his arrest was allegedly issued in February after he failed to appear at a progress hearing. His lawyer later insisted he was in hospital recovering from an unspecified ailment at the time of the court date.

Slash: Reunion Of Classic Guns 'n' Roses Lineup Is 'Just Not Logistically Going To Happen' - May 9, 2010


Australia's CourierMail.com.au recently conducted an interview with legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES). A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

CourierMail.com.au: Your new solo album, "Slash", features Fergie as a guest vocalist. How did that go down with your rock fans?

Slash: It certainly raised some eyebrows. She's pretty badass. She's a rock singer who has made it as a pop singer. She has great rock chops. When the rumors went around Fergie was on my record everyone thought I was going to go pop. I knew what I was doing. I'd heard her sing rock before, no one else had, so I kept my mouth shut and waited until it came out. This is the first rock recording she's done.

CourierMail.com.au: There's a cover of GUNS N' ROSES' "Paradise City" she's singing on. Discuss.

Slash: Ha. That got an interesting response. Some people loved it; all the purists were fucking devastated I'd covered it. It was just a fun thing I did. I'd been playing that song with CYPRESS HILL for years, I always wanted to record it. Fergie was around, she's a huge Axl (Rose) fan, she came and sang it. I didn't put it on the album because I didn't want to make it look like it was really serious. So I put it on a Japanese B-side, and of course it trickled down. But it's actually a really cool version.

CourierMail.com.au: What did you have in common with Fergie?

Slash: It turns out we have a lot of similar war stories from the past. We both come from a chequered past, let's just say.

CourierMail.com.au: You're clean and sober now, but everyone always talks about your drink and drug hell — which you didn't really touch on in your autobiography.

Slash: I didn't want to focus on all that stuff in the book. I'm over it. The main focus on the book was to get out some of the reality about GUNS N' ROSES and the reunion.

CourierMail.com.au: Have you had offers to turn it into a movie?

Slash: People asked me if I wanted to license it for a movie. It doesn't really interest me. It's just a book I wrote to get some shit off my chest. I couldn't imagine someone playing me in a movie.

CourierMail.com.au: Has the book at least stopped people asking if you are going to reunite with Axl Rose in GUNS N' ROSES?

Slash: It slowed down considerably when I put the book out, yes. It really does spell it out. You'd have to be an idiot to not get it, but there's still obnoxious people who insist on perpetuating that myth. All things considered, I'm really flattered the band has this stigma, this ongoing mystique attached. I try not to get too agitated. There's this newer generation of GUNS N' ROSES fans who never saw the band — it'd almost be nice to get it together to do some shows for them, but it's just not logistically going to happen.

CourierMail.com.au: What did you think of "Chinese Democracy", the first GUNS N' ROSES album without you?

Slash: It's great. It's the perfect Axl record.

CourierMail.com.au: That's very diplomatic.

Slash: No, it is. Axl's brilliant. I look at it differently than your average fan, I look at it more from what he's about and what it represents and our relationship. I think it's a great record. It's very much the record I would have expected him to do.

CourierMail.com.au: So what's the status of VELVET REVOLVER — dormant?

Slash: It's just in a state of limbo until we bunker down and figure out who the (new) singer's going to be.

CourierMail.com.au: What's your favorite GUNS N' ROSES video?

Slash: The only one I like is "Paradise City" because it's live.

CourierMail.com.au: What about "November Rain"? Your guitar solo on a mountain is a great rock video moment.

Slash: I haven't seen that in years. "November Rain" is still one of the most expensive videos ever made. I hate videos. So that's right up at the top — the epitome of the kind of thing I cannot stand.

Ratt Guitarist Warren DeMartini: "'Best Of Me' Was One of Those Magic Moments"


Writes music blog Attention Deficit Delirium, "Twenty-six years after Out Of The Cellar became a multi-platinum hit and made them rock superstars, original [b]Ratt[/b] members Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Warren DeMartini (guitars) and Bobby Blotzer (drums), along with long-time bassist Robbie Crane and guitarist/ex-Quiet Riot member Carlos Cavazo, have released one of the strongest musical statements of their career, Infestation. It’s their first new album in 11 years, and despite hitting middle age, the band has not lost its edge and produced a multifaceted collection of catchy hard rock tunes. It also showcases stellar six-string playing from DeMartini, whom many fans consider to be an underrated rock guitarist."

Read an excerpt from the extensive interview below, go here for the full feature, and get your copy of the return to Ratt n' Roll form Infestation NOW!

I’m enjoying the new album.
Me, too. Right now I’m going back and listening to stuff that I wrote, at least for my parts. Some stuff you come up with and record on the spot, and you don’t play it again unless it gets into the live set. Sometimes you go, “How did I do that?”

Infestation reminds me of the first EP and Out Of The Cellar with elements of Detonator present as well.
I always thought it was too bad that Detonator didn’t come out between Dancing Undercover and Reach For The Sky because I think it would’ve been a different thing. But by the time Detonator came out, the scene had really changed.

Do you think that the time off may have helped you to come back with something fresh?
I don’t know. Not really. The time off was unavoidable, and I feel if we had continued on from 1999, this record could’ve come out much earlier. But it takes some time and miles to break in a band to do something on a record. It’s a weird thing. It was good preparation for us to get together and do a couple of tours before we did this record, because it brings in a continuity that you just can’t get any other way. At least that’s the way it is for Ratt.

What are your favorite songs on the album?
There’s a song in the album called “Take A Big Bite,” and the opening reminds me of a moment during the first rehearsal, when Stephen came back to the band, and we were rehearsing “Lack Of Communication”. Live we would come up with different endings [because the song fades on album]. We came up with an ending for “Lack of Communication” that was more of a segue with a completely different riff to it. We rehearsed the song, and by the end of it Stephen was blown away. He said we should make a song out of that, and it was at that moment I realized that creatively our friendship was still intact, even after all the tumultuous years that had gone by. The riff to “Big Bite” opens up with the riff that used to be the outro to “Lack of Communication”. “Best Of Me” was one of those magic moments where Carlos played the opening riffs when we were rehearsing the material for Infestation, and it just went on to be a favorite of mine. “Last Call” is one of my favorite things I’ve done in a while. It was a riff that we worked out for the self-titled 1999 album that came out in Columbia, but it didn’t make it onto that record, which ended up being a good thing because I mixed that riff and the other parts with some ideas that Carlos had. We ended up co-writing the music that one, and then Stephen came up with the words. That’s a really fun riff to play.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Slash 'not interested' in biopic


Former Guns N' Roses rocker Slash refuses to adapt his autobiography for the big screen, insisting a movie about his turbulent life doesn't "interest" him.

The guitar legend released the self-titled tell-all in 2007, revealing details about his struggle to stay sober, and his infamous fallout with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, which led to him leaving the band in the mid-1990s.

Slash has dismissed the prospect of a reunion with Rose, who continues to tour with a new line-up, and the rocker insists he doesn't want to resurrect their tumultuous history for a film.

He tells CourierMail.com.au: "The main focus on the book was to get out some of the reality about Guns N' Roses and the reunion.

"People asked me if I wanted to license it for a movie. It doesn't really interest me. It's just a book I wrote to get some s**t off my chest. I couldn't imagine someone playing me in a movie."

U2: Last week for Artificial Horizon triple vinyl


Artificial Horizon is a limited edition triple vinyl remix set curated by the band. Running to 60 minutes, this Collectors Edition release, on purple vinyl, features 13 tracks remixed by some of the world's leading DJs and producers.

Ratt: Returns to the Sunset Strip 2


To document Ratt's record release show on the Sunset Strip and talk to the band about what went into the making of their killer, 11-track return-to-ratt-n-roll-form album Infestation, we had cameras on hand shooting the guys backstage, onstage, behind the scenes and much more.

Queen: Guitar Rhapsodies Sheet Music


The sheet music and guitar tab is now available for each of the four the solo pieces from Queen Guitar Rhapsodies by Carlos Bonell.

The pieces can be downloaded at www.musicradar.com under the “guitar tab” section.Each piece is available in full classical guitar notation and comes with or without tab.

Love of My Life and Who Wants to Live Forever are in fact in the current best sellers list on www.musicradar.com along with Blur and Kasabian!

The four pieces available are: Love of My Life, Who Wants to Live Forever, Lily of the Valley and Nevermore.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Meat Loaf back from brink of retirement


TORONTO — After his last foray into “Hell,” Meat Loaf pretty much felt like his lengthy career had lost its wings.

His 2006 release, “Bat Out of Hell 3,” was borne from tumultuous sessions during which the Dallas singer felt that he was being manipulated by his producer and record label. The record was also the subject of a nasty legal dispute between Meat Loaf and his longtime collaborator Jim Steinman.

While it opened in the Top 10 on the charts, the record didn’t stay there long. Even worse, Meat Loaf didn’t necessarily believe in the tunes with the same zeal he applied to much of his catalogue.

He had health issues. He was unhappy. And, in 2007, he famously announced his retirement while onstage in Newcastle.

At the time, he meant it.

“I thought it was over,” the 62-year-old told The Canadian Press during a recent interview at a Toronto hotel.

“It was awful, it was awful. It was the worst period in my career.”

After three-plus decades and worldwide album sales well into the eight digits, Meat Loaf says he felt ready to leave music behind.

The first idea the despondent singer had for the next phase of his life almost sounds like a punchline now.

“I was getting ready to sell my house and move (to California) so I could open up a Jimmy John’s,” he explained, referring to the American fast-food sandwich chain.

“I was going to try to get a whole regional section, but I was going to start with one, and that was going to be what I was going to do: I was going to open up Jimmy John’s.

“But I was so depressed, after a while, even my Jimmy John’s thing, I couldn’t get the energy to do anything with that. And then, all of a sudden, I just got up and went . . . this,” said the animated singer, using an explicit four-letter word and repeating the phrase.

“I’ll show ‘em.”

Four years after the third “Bat” and Meat Loaf is back with “Hang Cool Teddy Bear,” a collection of typically over-the-top theatrical rock tunes.

The nearly seven-minute opening track, “Peace on Earth,” introduces all the elements Meat Loaf aimed for this time out: a flurry of pounding guitars, impossibly overblown vocals and thunderous drums.

Fans of Meat’s tender side will have to look elsewhere.

“If you liked (my other albums) because you wanted to hear all the ballads, forget it,” he blustered. “If you liked the rockier side of me — which I think most people do — then you’re going to absolutely fall in love with this.”

Meat Loaf certainly has. He calls his new record “the most important” of his career. He’s careful not to say it’s the “best,” out of respect, he says, for the first megasuccessful “Bat Out of Hell.”

But he says the two records are “in the same ballpark.”

“Maybe ‘Hang Cool Teddy Bear’ is in the bullpen and ‘Bat Out of Hell’ is on the pitcher’s mound, waving.”

He says “Bat Out of Hell 3” failed largely because the characters he inhabited on the record’s lyrics were undefined (“it was a bad script,” he says). He credits producer Rob Cavallo (the Warner executive responsible for signing and producing Green Day) with sharpening his focus this time out.

The record’s central character is a dying soldier whose life flashes forward instead of backwards as he takes his final breaths.

He intentionally didn’t tell the record’s slate of guest writers (including Canadian Raine Maida, Jon Bon Jovi and “American Idol“ judge Kara DioGuardi) about the overarching theme because he didn’t want “a bunch of dead soldier stories.”

Perhaps as a result, the high-minded concept isn’t completely obvious in listening to the record’s freewheeling tunes.

First single “Los Angeloser” begins with a DJ scratching a record and Meat Loaf hollering “I’m just a white boy/ I play the guitar” over a strummed acoustic, while the chorus of “California Isn’t Big Enough” finds the singer howling about his groin with an irrepressible conviction.

If the off-colour reference offends his fans? Too bad, he says.

“I read something on Amazon: ‘No Meat Loaf record has ever reverted to swear words before, I can’t believe that he would actually do that,”’ he said. “I just went: ‘Lady, I love ya, but you’re stuck in a time warp.’ What we say on this record, compared to what you could find on any movie channel or any movie, we’re in kindergarten over here. We haven’t even got to the fifth grade yet.

“We’re on that cartoon MTV used to have, ‘Beavis and Butthead.’ That’s where we are.”

Well, Meat Loaf is certainly animated. Directing a conversation with him is as impossible as predicting which tangential rabbit hole he might venture down next.

His salt-and-pepper hair cropped close, he dresses in all black, with jewellery jingling around his neck and each of his wrists. He looks slimmed down but grows concerned when he thinks a photographer has taken his picture while he’s seated in a cushy armchair.

“I look like a lumpy little frog when I’m sitting down,” he worries.

Indeed, it doesn’t seem as though he likes to sit still for long. It’s part of why he’s so bothered that labels have tried tirelessly to recreate the success of the first “Bat” record.

“Whenever I’ve tried to turn the corner or change, record companies always come back in going ‘no, no,”’ he said. “They always want to call it ‘Bat Out of Hell.’

“This album would have been ‘Bat Out of Hell 11’ if a record company had their way. I would have more of these than the ‘Police Academy’ (movies).”

But he thinks “Hang Cool Teddy Bear” does, in fact, represent a turning point.

“The record has legs,” he said. “That’s the thing about this record. Where other records I’ve made didn’t have legs — in fact, ’Bat Out of Hell 2’ didn’t have the legs that ‘Bat 1’ did.

“Word of mouth on this record is really unbelievable. I really think this could have longer legs.”

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Tarja Turunen: What Lies Beneath Artwork revealed!


The session took place in Finland last February. Jens Boldt took the photos and Dirk Rudolph created the artwork.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Blind Guardian New album


The title of the forthcoming Blind Guardian album is "At the Edge of Time". The long awaited follow up to "A Twist in the Myth" will be released in late summer 2010.

Tristania: New album taster


First official taster of upcoming Tristania album is now available via the Youtube channel.
Songs are: "Year of the Rat" and "The Passing". Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7qpyU0CG2Y

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Pretty Maids: New bass player announced


Pretty maids has announced their new bass player, HAL PATINO (King Diamond). Hal Patino has been a friend of the band since the eighties, and is familiar with the sound, style and history of the band, and was therefore a natural choice to take the spot as the new bass player.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Indica with Nightwish


The paths of Nightwish and Finnish girl band Indica have crossed several times in the past three years. Indica have been a support act on two Nightwish tours and singer Jonsu is known to be the vocalist of Nightwish's single Erämaan Viimeinen.

On June 25th, the band will release their first ever album in english Europe-wide through Nuclear Blast. A Way Away also marks the second release involving Tuomas Holopainen as producer. The first digital single, In Passing, is already available in all major online stores.

Visit the band's website for latest news and tour dates, a sneak preview of things to come, and be sure to check the Indica webshop to pre-order the album.

Kamelot: Kamelot returns to Trondheim, Norway for Headliner show!


In the intimate setting of Blæst the spearheads of symphonic power-prog will do an out-of-the-ordinary hot & steamy mid-summer gig.

A unique chance to experience Kamelot up close, but be quick: This one will sell out fast!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Kamelot: Roy Khan Interview


Kamelot Germany recently interviewed Roy Khan while they were on tour for the 2010 Pandemonium Over Europe tour. You can check it out below!

Kamelot Germany: Thomas said in an interview that the overall sound of the new album is very Kamelot like, but the lyrics are much darker, even darker than on "Ghost Opera". What is it that makes darker themes more interesting to write about than positive and uplifting stories?

Roy Khan: It has more to do with the music which is even more melancholic and darker in its expression. Not way more though, it’s still very Kamelot, but the themes this time are spinning around serial killers, hell, failure...it's just a slightly different thing. And sometimes things are not really planned out, they just happen to be the way they are coming up. That's how we write our music.

KG: But what makes it more interesting to write about dark themes?

RK: It’s not really more interesting although it has always come quite naturally...it’s about making it fit an athmosphere that is already there.

KG: What do you think are the main differences between the new album and the previous ones?

RK: I would say that "The Black Halo" and "Ghost Opera" and the new one are not too far from each other. There is no humongous difference. Except for the fact that The Black Halo is a concept album, of course. Maybe the main difference, at least from Ghost Opera, is that there are quite a few guest artists this time. There's also a 10 minute piece I think people will love.

KG: There is an interview with Jon Oliva on the internet where he says he will be on the new album too.

RK: Yes, he’s one of the guest guest artists.

Kamelot In General

KG: Which songs of Kamelot do you like to sing the most? Don't say all of them, there have to be favourites!

RK: I love our ballads. That also has to do with the fact that I can hear myself properly on stage. When the double base is going and all the instruments are playing, it’s really hard for me to find my way through the sound picture sometimes, but I really like all the songs. Playing live is a trip especially now that we have so many albums to choose from. We all like all the songs. Of course "March Of Mephisto" is a favorite. The crowd participation is always humongous. So many songs I like...there's not one that stands out as my favourite. I can't give you one though, when fact is there is not one that stands out in this regard.

KG: And which one is the most challenging?

RK: In general the older stuff is harder for me to sing, but we can always tune everything down anyway. Like the other guys can tune their instruments down, so it’s not really about that. The ballads are easier because I can hear myself better, but it’s not like there is a song that is very different in difficulty for me to sing.

KG: I have a question regarding a song that you wrote quite a long time ago. It's the song "Will You Remember". It's one of my favorite ballads from Kamelot and I only stumbled across it accidentally, when I got it as a bonus track on the Japanese version of "The Fourth Legacy". How did it happen that such a beautiful song was never recorded as a studio version, but only as a live version for a bonus track?

RK: We just happened to do that in Germany. It was recorded at a really small Café in Wolfsburg. Well, not exactly Wolfsburg, but in the little town where the studio is. Almost nobody there. I don’t know why we never took it to the studio, it’s just one of those things. Nobody there knew us, it was just an intimate fun little thing that we did and then we just left it like that.

KG: I just think it’s very unusual to play a song live that you haven’t recorded.

RK: It is...Kamelot is also an unusual band.

KG: Which Japanese legend is "Love You To Death" based on? Can you tell us its name?

RK: It was actually Thomas who found it and he just gave me that idea for lyrics for that song. I don’t really know too much about it. It’s like famous, well actually I don’t know how famous it is, I never even read it. Thomas just explained to me what it is about and the story is very simple.

KG: Kamelot have a very unique style when it comes to stage settings and clothes. Do you have someone who develops and coordinates these things or do you guys do that yourself?

RK: We pretty much do that ourselves. I had a designer guy in Norway that had opinions of course, when we were making a new jacket or I had stuff modified, but it’s all basically stuff we either pick out or change the way we want it to be.

KG: Your new coat looks really great.

RK: Thank you. Yeah, I like it too.

KG: What fabric is it? Leather?

RK: No, it’s... I’m not sure what it is. More like...I’m not sure what it’s called.

Conception

KG: Are you still in contact with the other band members from Conception?

RK: Oh, yes, constantly. With Tore I talk every week. The other two also a little bit now and then, but not so much.

KG: Conception did two or three concerts in 2005. How are the chances for more concerts in the future?

RK: No, we haven’t planned anything.

KG: Do you know who owns the rights for the albums of the band since Noise Records is not existing anymore?

RK: They are owned by Universal now.

Future Solo Album

KG: You've been thinking about doing a solo album for quite a while. Are there any concrete plans and can you tell us a bit about them?

RK: There has not been time nor energy. I mean...the production like the one we just did takes a long, long time and then there is touring, videos and festivals. I write stuff all the time though. The songs are just stacking up. Like I always say, at some point it just has to come out, but right now it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.