Kamelot: Casey Grillo clinic announced for Madrid!

Casey Grillo will be holding a drum clinic for all the music fans in Madrid, check out the flyer below for all the information!

Lacuna Coil in South America

Lacuna Coil proudly announce their first run in South America!!! Check the tour section on website the band for the dates list!!!

Testament: A reading from the old Testament

If Testament could have just one thing as its legacy, it would probably be the metal band’s ability to survive. Since forming in northern California in 1983, the band has been through lineup changes, the grunge movement of the early ’90s and major health battles, but lived on to tell its tale.

“We’ve been through all that stuff,” vocalist Chuck Billy said while riding in his truck in California recently. “Experiencing all that stuff and still being here today, I think it was all really about the music.”

And the music wasn’t a ballad or radio-friendly single like many bands are pushed to release.

“So we really had time to focus on the band and just write the songs because at the end of the day, 10, 20, 30 years down the line, we’re the ones that have to live with these songs, not the A&R guy telling us what he wants,” Billy explained. “We have to be happy with ourselves and what we do.”

Now, 20 years after the release of its debut album “The Legacy,” Testament — which also features guitarist Eric Peterson, bassist Greg Christian, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Glen Drover (filling in for Alex Skolnick) — will play the 1987 album in its entirety when the band opens for Megadeth Thursday, March 18 at the Scranton Cultural Center. Exodus is also on the bill.

With Megadeth performing its critically acclaimed “Rust In Peace” album on this tour, doing “The Legacy” seemed like a natural fit for Testament.

“We did (the album) before in Europe, and it went over pretty well,” Billy said. “(So we said) ‘We had a good time doing it that time, let’s do it again for this tour.’ I think people will dig it.”

In Testament since 1986, Billy’s seen the state of music shift over time — including metal music’s resurgence of late.

“Metal’s been a lot more healthier than it has in a long time,” he said, “so it’s perfect timing for us to get out there and be performing.”

Billy’s also seen the genre’s demographic get younger over the years.

“Especially in Hollywood,” he began. “When we go down there, it’s like the old ’80s scene almost — especially the way kids are dressing these days: the tight stretch pants and denim jackets with all the patches on it. It’s like ‘Wow,’ he added with a laugh.”

This summer, Testament will go on the road again with Megadeth — and Slayer — for the American Carnage tour. The three had toured together for the European Clash of the Titans tour in 1990, and Testament has toured several times with Megadeth. When asked if he has any trepidation about spending so much time on the road with Megadeth and its notoriously volatile frontman Dave Mustaine, Billy was frank.

“Not at all, we’ve toured with them, shit, twice last year, and we’ve known Dave and toured with him back in 1989, before Clash of the Titans, so we’ve known him for a long time,” he replied. “And we’ve known every Dave …” he paused to laugh, “… and all Dave’s personalities.”

With Glen Drover filling in for Skolnick while the guitarist’s jazz trio is touring with Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Rust In Peace tour is a family reunion of sorts: Glen’s brother Shawn is Megadeth’s drummer — and Glen had been in Megadeth himself from 2004-2008.

Unlike the current tour, Testament’s setlist on American Carnage will feature mostly tracks from its 2008 CD “The Formation of Damnation.” It was the band’s first release in nine years, and its first with Skolnick since 1992. As the band works on the follow up to “The Formation of Damnation,” fans shouldn’t expect to hear any new songs this summer.

“We’re going to save it for the record,” Billy explained. “It’s kind of too soon to judge it — we want everybody to judge it by the whole thing. We’re going to try to finish it and get it released this year, definitely.”

On its last tour, Testament began offering a VIP package for fans which includes autograph opportunities, meet-and-greets and more. It was so well-received the band decided to do it for every tour.

“The fans were so appreciative (that) every single day someone would say, ‘Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this,’” Billy recalled. “We decided to just keep doing it, that if fans are digging it, and if they want to come hang out, let’s give them the opportunity.”

While Billy is a fan of thrash-metal bands like The Haunted and Soilwork, when it comes to what he’s listening to these days, the singer sticks close to home.

“Right now, I’m not really listening to a lot because when I’m writing, I don’t try to get stuck. I’ve been listening to a lot of our stuff because I’m really trying to get ‘The Legacy’ stuck in my head, so I’ve been pounding that on myself,” he said with a laugh.

Symphorce Signs With AFM Records

German melodic metallers SYMPHORCE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont and singer Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), have inked a deal with AFM Records. The band is currently working on a new studio album for a tentative late August release.

SYMPHORCE's last CD, "Become Death", was released in February 2007 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at the House Of Music Studios in Winterbach (near Stuttgart), Germany with producer Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69). Mastering duties were handled by Achim Köhler (BRAINSTORM).

Nevermore: Post The Obsidian Conspiracy Cover Artwork Trailer

One always says that you can’t rush greatness or perfection, and this couldn’t be more true in the case of metal titans NEVERMORE, who last released This Godless Endeavor in 2005. The Seattle quartet have returned with the new full-length release, The Obsidian Conspiracy, which is what could be their most impressive offering of their illustrious decade plus, heralded career.

The Obsidian Conspiracy was recorded with renowned producer Peter Wichers (who previously worked with vocalist Warrel Dane on his solo debut Praises To The War Machine). Longtime friend and collaborator Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ARCH ENEMY) once again handled mixing and mastering duties. The album is set for June 8th North American release and May 31st European release.

The captivating and dynamic cover art was once again created by the great Travis Smith (OPETH, KATATONE) and can be viewed now in the YouTube clip below.

Nevermore are also confirmed to play various high profile festivals plus a handful of headline shows with special guests DEATH ANGEL all over Europe, see below for the exact dates:

Upcoming European dates include:

May
13 - Dessau, Germany - Metalfest Open Air Germany
14 - Mining, Austria - Metalfest Open Air Austria
15 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Metalfest Open Air Switzerland
16 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob (with Death Angel, Cauldron)
18 - London, England - O2 Academy Islington (with Death Angel, Cauldron)
19 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul (with Death Angel, Cauldron)
21 - Budapest, Hungary - Metalfest Open Air Hungary
22 - Pilsen, Czech Repbulic - Metalfest Open Air Czech Republic
23 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Rock Hard Festival

June
19 - Clisson, France - Hellfest

July
4 - Istanbul, Turkey - Unirock Festival
6 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Metalcamp
16-17 - Balingen, Germany - Bang Your Head

More dates to be announced soon.

As previously reported, Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis has announced several clinic dates for Europe, including an appearance at the annual Frankfurt Musikmesse trade fair in March. His schedule is currently as follows:

March
26 - Frankfurt Musikmesse - Frankfurt, Germany (Schecter Booth)
27 - Frankfurt Musikmesse - Frankfurt, Germany (Schecter Booth)
30 - Music City - Prague, Czech Republic
31 - Schecter Centrum “Big Music” - Banska Bystrica, Slovakia

April
2 - Debrecen - Budapest, Hungary
3 - Debrecen - Budapest, Hungary
6 - Rock 'N' Roll Krakow - Krakow, Poland
7 - Rock 'N 'Roll Warsaw - Warsaw, Poland
8 - PPC Music - Hannover, Germany
9 - Musik Schmidt - Frankfurt, Germany

Pretty Maids: New Release Date

The release date has been changed to May 14 2010.

Pain Of Salvation: 'Road Salt - Ivory' Artwork Unveiled

Sweden's PAIN OF SALVATION is tentatively scheduled to release its new album, "Road Salt - Ivory", in Europe on May 19 via Insideout Music. Frontman Daniel Gildenlöw previously stated about the CD, "It is a 12-track album of sweaty grovel, asphalt butterflies, untreaded paths and brave decisions. It will be presented to the world in one standard edition and one limited director's cut, of which we, of course, recommend the latter one."

He added, "See, as usual, we refuse to add some stuff haphazardly to put together a limited product — we always see the larger version as the 'real' one; the one that makes us the proudest."

The cover artwork can be viewed below.

PAIN OF SALVATION recently took part in the national Swedish competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestivalen, with the band's very atmospheric rendition of the song "Road Salt".

Guns 'n' Roses: New Guitarrist

March 21, 2009 - Guns N' Roses is proud to announce that guitarist n' songwriter Dj Ashba has joined the band for an upcoming tour.

Ashba, who officially replaces current NIN guitarist Robin Finck, is best known as co-founder of hard rock bands Sixx AM and Beautiful Creatures.

"Dj's a gifted, energetic guitarist that Guns N' Roses is proud to have on board!!" exclaims Axl Rose.

"We're very excited to have the opportunity to work together. Guns' radar has silently been aware of Dj's presence for quite some time! He brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns N' Roses live. Once Dj's name was in the hat, the hat disappeared!!"
"It's an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of a band that I have always loved and respected," said Dj Ashba.

"I'm looking forward to working with Axl, who is not only one of the few great front men of our generation, but a true artist."

Dj Ashba co-wrote and co-produced Motley Crue's latest album "Saints of Los Angeles," which garnered a 2008 GRAMMY nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance, as well as co-wrote and co-produced the Sixx AM album "Heroin Diaries."

Circle II Circle: Mitch Stewart on Good Time Metal Oldies...

Keep your eye out for this! Mitch Stewart, Circle II Circle bassist/song writer/bad ass musician will be doing an interview with Good Time Metal Oldies. The interview takes place Wed., March 24th.

15 Years in the making Good Time Metal Oldies Radio!

Broadcast ScheduleTuesday nights from 7-9pm EST ON Pure Rock Radio http://www.purerockradio.net/

Matt Sorum Comments On Jim Marshall's Passing: 'I Will Miss Him Dearly'

Drummer Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT) has commented on the passing of legendary rock photographer Jim Marshall, who died on Tuesday night (March 23) in his New York City hotel room at age 74. Marshall was due to appear at a gallery opening on Wednesday night for his new book "Match Point" with celebrity photographer Timothy White.

Marshall is often credited as being among the earliest "guerrilla" rock photographers to redefine how musicians were shot both onstage and off.

Infamous for his brash exterior and pistol packing ways, Marshall's photos of Jimi Hendrix at Monterey and Janis Joplin are among the most iconic shots in rock — as are his pictures of Johnny Cash "flipping the bird" at San Quentin in 1969, THE GRATEFUL DEAD In Haight Ashbury in 1966, and THE BEATLES at their final concert that year at San Francisco's Candlestick Park.

Commented Sorum: "The world has lost a great cultural icon. Jim Marshall passed away [Tuesday] night in NYC at the age of 74. I was proud to call him my friend for the last 22 years. I met him on tour when i was playing with THE CULT. Our singer, Ian Astbury, asked Jim to join us on tour. He traveled with us on many adventures across America as we opened for METALLICA on the '...And Justice For All' tour.

"Being a huge fan of rock and roll and the people Jim photographed, I picked Jim's brain for stories of his glory days behind the scenes of the greats he shot like THE DOORS, Hendrix, Bob Dylan, THE WHO, STONES, THE BEATLES, Janis Joplin and many more.

"His jazz photography was unparalleled. He shot jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Monk, among others. He captured the essense of the personality behind the musician by capturing them in their natural state. He wasn't a fan of posed sessions and always carried three German film cameras around his neck to capture the perfect moment.

"The stories that went with the photographs were mesmerizing. The famous photo of Johnny Cash flipping the bird was actually at Jim himself. Jim was the only photographer allowed at THE BEATLES' last concert. The STONES invited Jim into the 'Exile on Main St.' sessions as he captured classic moments.

"I have many of his pieces and have always told those stories he told me with pride as I share them with visitors at my house.

"He once sent me his entire collection of drummers he had shot, Ringo to Max Roach. I was overwhelmed with his kindness and felt honored that I knew him.

"He lived in the same house in San Francisco that was a museum for the music lover. I spent time there drinking scotch, which he loved, scouring through his file cabinets of stuff he forgot he had shot. He just sent me a photo of Miles Davis that was unreleased because he learned I named my French bulldog after the jazz legend.

"He was a sweet gentle man who had a rough exterior from years of hard living. I will miss him dearly, but am grateful that I met him and was able to call him my friend.

"Say hello to all your old friends for me, Jimi, Janis, Coltrane, Lennon and Miles.

"I love you, Jim."

Boston's Tom Scholz Suing Local Newspaper For Defamation

Karina Brown of Courthousenews.com reports that Tom Scholz, a founder of the rock band Boston, says the Boston Herald defamed him in an article blaming him for the 2007 suicide of the band's lead singer, Brad Delp. And Scholz claims Herald reporters fabricated quotes from Delp's wife to do so.

A week after Delp committed suicide, in March 2007, the Herald published an article under the headline "Pal's Snub Made Delp Do It," according to Scholz's complaint in Suffolk County Court, Boston.

He claims Herald columnists Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa - who also are named as defendants - used fabricated quotes from Delp's widow in the article in the Herald's "Inside Track" section.

The widow, Micki Delp, denied making two of the statements that were "quoted" in the article, Scholz says.

The column reported that Delp said her ex-husband "was driven to despair" by "a dysfunctional professional life that ultimately led to the sensitive frontman's suicide."

The 21-page complaint cites this passage from the March 16, 2007 article: "According to Micki Delp, Brad was upset over the lingering bad feelings from the ugly breakup of the band Boston over 20 years ago. Delp continued to work with Scholz and Boston but also gigged with Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan and Sib Hashian, former members of the band who had a fierce falling out with Scholz in the early '80s.

"As a result, he was constantly caught in the middle of the warring factions. The situation was complicated by the fact that Delp's ex-wife, Micki, is the sister of Goudreau's wife."

Scholz says the Herald writers fabricated the quotes, and that Micki Delp "in fact, made no such statements".

In 2008, Scholz sued Micki Delp and her sister, Connie Goudreau, for defamation; that lawsuit is still pending.

According to Delp's testimony in the 2008 lawsuit, Micki Delp told Fee that she did not know why Brad Delp had committed suicide.

When the story was published, Micki Delp demanded that Fee retract the statements, but Fee refused, according to the complaint.

Scholz says Fee and Raposa also invented quotes from an anonymous "insider" in order "to sensationalize a story about Mr. Delp's suicide in an effort to sell newspapers and to portray Mr. Scholz as an insensitive, heartless and oppressive person."

Scholz seeks damages for defamation and emotional distress. He is represented by Howard Cooper and Seth Robbins with Todd & Weld of Boston.

Symphony X enter the studio!

Things are moving right along with the new CD! The music is all finished and Jason arrived in New Jersey this week, drums start tracking today. Mike has promised to get photos of the recording sessions so stay tuned for those!

Tristania: Tour announced

The band Tristania Finns announced his new tour, visit the band's website for details.

Ratt's Guitarist Carlos Cavazo on Landing The Gig

a recent interview with SleazeRoxx.com, former Quiet Riot/ current Ratt guitarist Carlos Cavazo talks about auditioning for the band, coming up alongside them in the 80s, and writing the new record Infestation.

Says Cavazo, "I did go through an audition process. I think the guys just wanted to check me out... I hadn't seen them in about ten years and I could have been 500 pounds for all they knew."

As for how he got called to audition in the first place, Cavazo explains, "Warren [DeMartini] was actually the guy that called me about the vacancy. He got my number from Vinnie Appice at some club in L.A. that they hung out at."

Discussing the resulting album from his union with Ratt, Cavazo says, "When we were writing for the album we talked, and the goal was to come up with stuff that was true to the classic Ratt sound and come up with great new songs that weren't '80s sounding but could also fit in with what is current today, and I think we did a pretty good job in that regard... It kind of fell into place because we are from the same era, everything just fell into place. Warren and I love the same guitarists, we like the same stuff, there's chemistry there and I think you can hear it on the album as well as live."

Evil Masquerade on stage

Evil Masquerade on stage tonight in Copenhagen/Denmark.

Twisted Sister: Coming This Years

Atlantic Records catalog! That's right, deluxe re-issues of every Atlantic album, along with bonus DVD content.

Watch the website of band for exclusive information on release dates and what you can expect to find in the re-issues!

Iron Maiden announce new studio album

IRON MAIDEN are pleased to announce that their forthcoming new studio album will be called 'THE FINAL FRONTIER', and is expected be released late summer of this year.

The announcement comes with news of a North American Tour with Very Special Guests Dream Theater to open in Dallas, Texas, on 9th June and finish in Washington D.C. on 20th July, making it Maiden's most extensive North American tour in many years.

Following these shows in USA and Canada The Final Frontier World Tour will travel back to Europe for a few selected major festival and stadium shows with the band planning to continue to many other countries in 2011 (full currently confirmed dates below).

Masterplan: New Album "Time To Be King"

Masterplan have just reunited with original singer Jorn Lande and also finished the recordings for their new album "Time To Be King", that will be released on April 16th. For March you can expect the release of a single to preceed the album.

Symphony X: New web site coming, social site links

The band would like to apologize for the lack of updates for the last year or so. We'd like to thank Lisa for her many years helping with the web site, but she has moved on to other things and is no longer able to work on the SymX web site at this time. Thank you Lisa!

With that said, we are welcoming back Deron Blevins (aka MetalAges) to the SymX family! A new site is being worked on at this time, and will launch prior to the new album. In the meantime, hop on over to some of our other Symphony X hangouts:
Symphony X forum
Symphony X @ Facebook
Symphony X @ MySpace

You can also keep up with the band on Twitter: Symphony X @ Twitter

Pretty Maids is back on line

After a few days lost in cyberspace, prettymaids.dk is back up.

Pretty Maids: Album title

the band announced the name of the new album 'Pandemonium out until the middle of the year.