Focus on Metal Network

Devastating new Release from A Sound Of Thunder

2012-03-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows I like my metal tunes to come in around 4 minutes.

A Sound Of Thunder's new release Out Of The Darkness opens with a track that comes in at 8:31 that's almost the dreaded jam band song length. And ya know what? This track is so strong that I never noticed until I was looking at the track list.

What puts this one in a leg like that? Two words…Nina Osegueda!!!

This is one vocalist that is absolutely sonically stunning. I am blown away by her vocal abilities and she ranks right up there with Veronica Freeman and Angela Gossow in this reviewers book.

The scream at the beginning of "Fight Until The End" will firmly cement the Veronica comparison.

This is some first rate power metal on this release, the bands second after Metal Renaissance in 2011. These guys have not let up so far and I can't wait to hear what comes next.

Besides the killer pipes from Nina there's a killer group of players in here too. Founder Josh Schwartz lays down some great guitar riffs topped with old school melodic hooky solo lines. This guy is no one trick pony. Stylistically the ten tracks on this one touch all styles and they are done to perfection.

The rhythm section? Dead nuts on beat. No over playing. No derivative masturbatory double bass over everything. The Chris Haden keeps the groove and new bassist Ben Washburn keeps it all right in the pocket weaving the drums and guitar together.

Best tracks? There ain't no bad ones but if I had to cough up the top three they would be "Fight Till The End", "Murderous Horde" and "Kill That Bitch"

Bottom Line: Melodic. Killer vox. Top notch production. This one's a metal masterpiece. Buy this now and metal your nuts off!!!

Thank You Lance and all the folks at Nightmare Records for continuing to put out killer metal like this.

I urge all you metal heads to hit the Nightmare Records site and check out all the metal goodness in store there.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/asoundofthunder

Website: www.asoundofthunderband.com

ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/asoundofthunder

Nothin' Top Heavy about ON TOPS's latest

2012-02-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

"Top Heavy" the latest release from East Coasters ON TOP

ON TOP has created a powerful ripping release with their latest, Top Heavy. The bands first full length release following a the three song demo Another Night Of Sleaze in 2008 and a six track EP in 2010.

The power trio plans tour this release is poised for a great year ahead.

Jaron Gulino puts forth a killer vocal performance on this one, to say nothing of his great bass work too (Witness track 9). Danny Piselli's drum style is very comparable to a cross between Wild Mick Brown and Phil Rudd. The icing on the cake is the arrival of new guitar slinger Alex Kulick (formerly of Striker). Alex stakes his claim right away on the 44 second intro track "Top Heavy" which shows off a fair bit of EVH flair and technique. That one segues into Into The night which reminded this metal head of Queenryche's "Queen of the Ryche" before going into a classic Dokken style verse and chorus. Where once again Alex runs throw a killer lead break.

Four of the tracks are redone versions of track as on the prior two releases but unlike when some bands do this and you tell the old ones form the new ones, not on this disc. It all a very cohesive disc and it all flows nicely.

Standout tracks include the aforementioned "Into The Night", "Success And Excess", and "Hot N' Wet"

If you yearn for the days of metal tunes about decadence and good times with a some anthemic stuff chucked in for good measure this release has 11 tracks of just what you are looking for. With most tracks clocking in at under 5 minutes you can listen the whole thing and be surprised at quick it all goes by. That's a good thing in these days of way too many tracks on a disc.

The bottom line ON TOP is like Dokken meets AC/DC meets Crue and results are great. FoM gives this one a buy rating.

Top Heavy can be purchased at this location: http://hpgd.comoj.com/store/hpgd036.html

ON TOP Band Links:

http://www.reverbnation.com/ontoprock

http://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Top/153690374644194

http://ontop.bandcamp.com/ http://soundcloud.com/ontoprock

http://www.myspace.com/bandontop

http://www.purevolume.com/ONTOP

Free Sampler from Listenable Records

2012-02-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

Listenable Records is offering fans a free 22-track sampler, which is now available for streaming and download at sampler.listenable.net. The album, which features tracks from many Listenable's dynamic and diverse roster of artists - past and present - includes Gojira, Svart Crown, Sarah Jezebel Deva, 77, Hate, Serpent Cult and many more. Full sampler tracklisting below:

01- TORNADO

"Hate Worldwide" taken from the album "Amsterdamn Hellsinki"

02- GOJIRA

"Yama's Messengers" taken from the album "The Way of All Flesh"

03- STEPHAN FORTE

"Duat" taken from the album " "The Shadows Compendium"

04- SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA

"The World Won't Hold Your Hand" taken from the album "The Corruption of Mercy"

05- BETRAYING THE MARTYRS

"Martyrs" taken from the album "Breathe in Life"

06- KATANA

"Phoenix On Fire" taken from the album "Heads Will Roll"

07- SVARTCROWN

"Into A Demential Sea" taken from the album "Witnessing the Fall"

08- HATE

"Lux Aeterna" taken from the album "Erebos"

09- HEAVENWOOD

"Once A Burden" taken from the album "Abyss Masterpiece"

10- IZEGRIM

"Deathstrip" taken from the album "Code of Consequences"

11- KRUGER

"Villains" taken from the album "For Death, Glory and the End of the World"

12- PANZERCHRIST

"Impact" taken from the album "Regiment Ragnarok"

13- TORMENTED

"Come Back from the Dead" taken from the album "Rotten Death"

14- THE ORDER OF APOLLYON

"Never" taken from the album "The Flesh"

15- CAVUS

"Death Rattle" taken from the album "Fester And Putrefy"

16- 77

"High Decibels" taken from the album "High Decibels"

17-DARKANE

"Convicted ( Live )" taken from the live cd /dvd "Layers of Live"

18- LIVARKAHIL

"The Flesh of All Damned" taken from the album "Signs of Decay"

19- ELECTRIC MARY

"OIC" taken from the album "III"

20- THE RED SHORE

"The Seeds of Annihilation" taken from the album "The Avarice of Man"

21- THE ORDER OF APOLLYON

"Word" taken from the album "The Flesh"

22- SERPENT CULT

"Growth of the Soil" taken from the album "Raised by Wolves"

www.listenable.net

www.shop.listenable.net

www.myspace.com/listenable

www.twitter.com/listenable

www.facebook.com/listenablerecs

Life's Blood Great New Release From Widow

2012-02-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Released November 11th on Pure Steel Records "Life's Blood" the new release from Widow is a winner for fans of NWOBHM as well as great American metal.

Life's Blood is the North Carolina based bands fourth release and the first on Pure Steel records.
Just look at the cover art for this bad boy. That's classic metal my friends. That's what drove metalheads to explore all those unknown bands in the import bins. First look and I was whisked back to cover for the Witchfinder General classic "Friends of Hell" release.

Is the music within worthy of such a kick ass cover? Hell yeah!!!
This is 12 tracks of solid metal. None of this mono-tempo crap. We are talking about songs that build from cool intros. Just when you think you have an idea where it's going, you get a fresh twist.
NWOBHM is deceptive. It sounds simple but you have to have all things in the right measure to achieve great NWOBHM feel and Widow does it right. Crisp solid drumming, pumping bass lines, clean vocals, and twin harmonies leads...from a three piece!!!
Okay so they do the Brit bit to a tee but that ain't all they alo toss in some great American influences as well. The last band that did that as effectively as this was Tokyo Blade on their last release.

Usually I can pick out that one song from a release that is my pick from it, but not this one. Every track on this is great. I CAN however pick the coolest track name, "I Scream for Ice Queen"

Focus on Metal puts Widow's "Life's Blood" on the must have list of albums this year.
This is one of those release that you will want to listen to from track one "Lady Twilight" to track 12 "The One I Know". I know I did...and LOUD.

www.reverbnation.com/widow
www.myspace.com/widow
www.puresteel-records.com

Stay tuned to Focus on Metal to hear select tracks from this incredible metal release.

Sycco Returns

2011-12-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Dario Sycco returns to podcasting as a Metal Detector. On the air since 2006, Sycco (former co-host of Radioactive Metal, This Week in Metal and Focus on Metal podcasts) is not afraid to express his opinion. His large collection of metal and 30 years of metal listening experience combined with extensive knowledge of audio production help to turn Metal Detector into a metal podcast with balls and charisma. This show is all about metal discoveries with everything a discriminating metalhead would ever want including news, trivia, guests, killer music & much more. If you’re not afraid of the explosive combination of German precision, British sarcasm and Polish sense of humor produced in isolation of frozen Canadian prairies, then this might be a show for you. If you’re looking for an old-timer digging into his nostalgia box of vinyl, you may have to look elsewhere.
Episode 1 features an interview with Tony Iommi, segment on the truth behind the Big 4 of Thrash, news, trivia, great music and much more. The show is available as a free subscription via iTunes. You can also check out Dario's new website www.TrueMetalhead.com. All his former shows as well as the new Metal Detector are available on the largest metal podcast network called Cast Iron Ring.

Morbid Angel vs Death Metal

2011-06-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Greetings metal fans. I have awakened from my slumber and after a week of listening to the newest Morbid Angel release and reading all of the reviews, it's time for the final word.

First off, I have a list of "must have" releases for 2011. It includes Obscura, Origin, Opeth, Amon Amarth, Autopsy, Machine Head, Dream Theater, just to name a few. Oh, how could I forget Morbid Angel. I don't care when they release an album it will be a must buy for me as long as they are recording music. It's in my Death Metal DNA. Now I, along with the majority of all extreme metal fans as well, have been anticipating this release for nearly 8 years. Does Illud Divinum Insanus deliver the what we expected? Before you jump to a conclusion, let's think about that answer. What is expected from what many consider to be one of the greatest death metal bands of all time? Another version of Altars or Covenant? Perhaps a continuation of Gateways or Heretic? Just like each of you, after the first and second spin of this record, I was caught off guard. Morbid Angel had taken a left turn and infused a style of music that we, as metal-heads, were not prepared for. Or were we? I am one of the fortunate fans that had been able to have a brief email correspondence with none other than Trey Azagthoth. Over a few emails and the following of his myspace page, everything has slowly cleared my vision. If you are a musician you are typically inspired by what you listen to, not just by what you play. If anyone had really been paying attention to what Trey had been listening to over the years you would surely start to realize that he is a fan of heavy electronic/techno style music. Now with that being said, it was still difficult to really give Illud a honest listen because I, too, was expecting something along the lines of Domination era Morbid Angel. Now to the hard truth. Illud is not a bad album, it was simply not was expected. Morbid Angel requires you to adapt, overcome and really listen to what is going on. Now on to the review.

Two things must be stated: David Vincent is back and Pete Sandoval is on injured reserve. Now with that said, I have read a lot of online reviews for this record and also this lineup. I will openly state that if you think that replacement drummer Tim Yeung is a bad drummer not worthy enough to supply the beat on this record, than you need to have your hearing checked. Purists may want Pete back but Tim is more than capable to handle the skins. He is one of the best Death Metal drummers out there. Period! I want nothing more than to see Pete get back to 100% but until then, Tim will do just fine.

Track 1: Omni Potens
It reminds me of Burzum. At least prison era Burzum.

Track 2: Too Extreme!
Not what you expected now is it. The great vocals of Vincent are there, the crazy trademark guitar sounds of Azagthoth are there. The lyrics are lacking in my opinion. This sound is almost electronic with what may be a drum machine. We are your new religion, no religion...

Track 3: Existo Vulgore
This song is certainly what I expected. Good tune. Heavy as hell. The drumming is supreme and vocals are traditional Vincent. Weird chorus, almost catchy...

Track 4: Blades for Baal
Oh shit, is this what I was waiting for? Probably the best song on the album. At least in my opinion. Reminds me of early 90's death metal with exceptional production. This needs to be a song played live.

Track 5: I am Morbid
I have no idea what happened. After track 3 and track 4, the train needed to change direction. Although it is catchy as a song, it certainly was not expected from Morbid Angel. Song has grown on me but still hard to digest.

Track 6: 10 More Dead
I actually like this one a lot. The riffs and drumming set the pace for a grooving death metal song. Funny lyrics, great production.

Track 7: Destructos vs The Earth/Attack
With the first listen I clearly was saying what in the hell happened? The scary thing that did happened was that this song has gotten stuck in my head and for some reason has grown on me. No, I am neither drunk or high. I want to hate this song but the truth is I can't get that fucking song out of my head...

Track 8: Nevermore
Love the way this starts out. Heavy and traditional sounding. I was smiling while jamming this one. It certainly has the flavor of Domination era MA.

Track 9: Beauty Meets Beast
This songs starts out strong as well. Not a bad song. It feels mid paced and almost reminiscent of mid 90's death metal as well. It will do.

Track 10: Radikult
I don't even want to comment on this song. Is this Metallica mixed with NWA? Skip!!!

Track 11: Profundis-Mea Culpa
Weird song altogether. I like it after hearing track 10. Initially slow paced and not what I expected as an album closer. The song picks up and actually is not as bad as most reviewers are slamming it to be.

After giving this album multiple listens and trying to figure this record out it has started to grow on me. I initially felt that this beast was a clear failure for a legendary band that once gave me aural pleasure not matter which album I chose to spin. That being said, I will say that my opinion is worth shit to most, but this album, although tarnished with electronic/techno style beats, is better than what many say. I rate this album 6.5 out of 10. That is the final word.

Let the comments begin...

SEPULTURA - Kairos cover revealed

2011-05-05T11:47:00.001-07:00

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA will release their new album,"Kairos" (an ancient Greek word signifying a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens) on June 24 in Europe and July 12 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork for the CD was created by Erich Sayers, a Los Angeles-based freelance digital artist and photographer whomSEPULTURA first met at the band's recent concert at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California.

Commented Sayers: "I started by researching 'Kairos' for images and meaning as soon as the band gave me the title.

"'Kairos' is about time, the actions we take, and the positive or negative repercussions that follow. I knew the image would have wings. I also knew I would somehow need to represent time, but in a way that is timeless.

"Speaking with Andreas [Kisser, guitar], he had an idea for a gel skull. I was uncertain how I would make that happen, but I did and it is unique.

"Actions and their repercussions are represented by the arms, transitioning from the strong healthy arm on top and the decrepit hand below. The background is made from a couple of photos I took on a recent trip to Morocco. They give the composition a mystical quality.

"It was an honor for me to work with SEPULTURA. I am a longtime fan of this legendary band.

Added Kisser: "We were very lucky choosing the artist to design the cover of 'Kairos'. His name is Erich Sayers and we met him backstage at a SEPULTURA concert in Los Angeles last January. He left us his card and when we checked his website we were very impressed by his awesome work. I explained to him the concept of 'Kairos' and he fastly captured what we wanted, sending us ideas in that same week. He's a very talented guy, who knew how to draw the concept of the album. The cover is different from all the other covers we did in the past but it's 'old school’ at the same time, like the album itself. We're very happy with the result."

SEPULTURA's new CD was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil with producer Roy Z. (JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, HELLOWEEN). 13 tracks were laid down during the sessions, including cover versions of MINISTRY's "Just One Fix" andTHE PRODIGY's "Firestarter".

"Kairos" track listing:

01. Spectrum
02. Kairos
03. Relentless
(2011)
04. Just One Fix (MINISTRY cover)
05. Dialog
06. Mask
(1433)
07. Seethe
08. Born Strong
09.Embrace The Storm
(5772)
10. No One Will Stand
11. Structure Violence (Azzes)
(4648)

"Kairos" deluxe edition track listing:

01. Spectrum
02. Kairos
03. Relentless
(2011)
04. Just One Fix (MINISTRY cover)
05. Dialog
06. Mask
(1433)
07. Seethe
08. Born Strong
09. Embrace The Storm
(5772)
10. No One Will Stand
11. Structure Violence (AZZES)
(4648)

Bonus tracks:

12. Firestarter (THE PRODIGY cover)
13. Point Of No Return

* Plus bonus making-of DVD

In a recent interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Kisser was asked how the band came up with the "Kairos" title. "The whole theme of the album is the concept of the time, and the title reflects that — it's like one concept of time which is not chronological, from one to two; it's like a an instant in time, it's a special time of change," he replied, before adding, "Everyone's life is written by [their] choices — you have many 'kairos' moments, like if you go [from] point A [to point] B [to point] C, you are driven by your choices or your guidance; you have to go either one way or the other. And that's the kind of time we talked about — not about aging or getting old or going back [in time]; it's just [about those important] moments that can change everything. . .We thought about [that in regards to] SEPULTURA itself — 26 years of history and the moment where we are now; why we're here; why we're doing this album and why we have what we have; the changes we have inside and outside the band. It's a collection of 'kairos' [moments] that [got us] here. It's being inspired by our own biography, but mostly [focusing] on whatSEPULTURA is today."

Regarding the "Kairs" artwork, Andreas said, "The artwork is done already. We had this young guy [Los Angeles-based freelance digital artist and photographer Erich Sayers] that we met backstage at our show in Hollywood, at the House of Blues, in January. This guy was a fan and he gave us his card and he sent us some artwork and it was fucking amazing; the guy is an awesome artist. And we decided to work with him on this album. We explained to him the concept and, of course, we sent him lyrics and some pictures and some sculptures, [visual] representations of 'kairos,' and he came up with a really cool design. It's woman's body figure with a skull with a type of skin that is like a gel melting with big wings and stuff. And she's holding an [hourglass] with [the SEPULTURA] tribal 'S' [logo]. it's really nice. He really worked fast and he was very creative with a lot of ideas. We were very fortunate to find a guy like this under those circumstances — at a show — and it was great to work with [someone who] was so excited to be working with us."

On the topic of the songwriting process for SEPULTURA's new CD,Andreas said, "[We] really [wanted to] keep [the album] short. One of the characteristics of the old albums [was that they didn't have a lot of songs on them] — like 'Arise' had nine songs, and 'Master Of Puppets'had nine or eight — so our idea was to have ten songs, and really [make them as good as possible], maybe add parts and think a little bit more about the riffs instead of just throwing songs out there one after the other. 'Cause with [2006's] 'Dante XXI' and 'A-Lex', it was kind of that way... especially with 'A-Lex', since it was our first album with Jean Dolabella on drums, just working with him, writing with him for the first time, it was more like a big jam. But this one, we stopped and thought more about the whole concept and we focused on being more creative in the end. After using books [as the basis of the lyrical concepts on] our past albums, and the experience of doing that, we limited ourselves [this time around] to be more creative. I think it really helps when you have a goal and focus, and it worked great on this album."

When asked about SEPULTURA's decision to work with Roy Z this time around, Kisser said, "The idea [for the new album] was really to putSEPULTURA on stage in the studio and having a producer that is [also a performing artist himself], it helps a lot [in capturing that live energy] in the [recording studio]. The album was practically recorded live; that was the idea initially — to try to be as live as possible — and more than 50 percent of first takes [is what we kept on the record]. It sounds really live and we're very happy with the chemistry we had with Roy in the studio. He really liked the idea of trying this raw approach. He didn't know the studio very well in São Paulo, but he learned [as we went along]. We didn't have too much time for pre-production [either], but everything worked out really perfectly. We were ready to record and he was very quick and smart in finding ways to [capture] the sound [we were looking for]. It was fun to record guitars with him, using different pedals and amps and stuff, and [he had] nice ideas to build really cool solos. So it was great; he was really the perfect guy for us [to work with] at this moment. . . In the end, the result is amazing; we're very happy. I think it's one of the best SEPULTURA albums that we ever did — the whole vibe and the sound and the lyrics and the songs and the style. I'm very confident that we created something really special with this one."

Photo below by Estevam Romera

Source (Blabbermouth)

Dream Theater finally reveal who the new drummer is!

2011-04-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Mike Mangini, the 48-year-old session artist who has played forANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE and STEVE VAI, has officially joined DREAM THEATER as the replacement for the recently departed Mike Portnoy.

Commented Mangini: "The day that I got the phone call to be in DREAM THEATER, it took my brain a minute to assemble what was going on, and when it sank in, the feeling was just of tremendous relief.

"It means so much to me, I almost felt like crying a couple of times. [Laughs] I didn't know what to do.

"What it means to me to be part of not only such a legendary band, butthis band, is a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I feel like a puzzle piece, and with Mike [Portnoy] in particular, I feel really honored to carry on the torch for him; I'm carrying on his spirit."

Regarding the decision-making process, the members of DREAM THEATER had the following to say:

Jordan Rudess (keyboards): "The thing that stands about Mike Manginiis that he [plays] with such intensity and direction and power, and that was very engaging.

"It was hard to totally decide; you can't just say, 'OK, it's him and write off some other guy, because they're both incredible."

John Petrucci (guitar): "We unknowingly used a method that we use when we write music, which is, 'Just hear out my side.'

"During that discussion, we kind of came to some conclusions, we hashed things out, and at the end of the discussion, it was clear. We made a decision."

John Myung (bass): "A lot of it was just how felt with each particular drummer. It turned out that we were kind of all on the same page as to who we needed to carry on. I think it was meant to be."

Mangini is notorious for his technical prowess and holds three out of four World's Fastest Drummer titles. These include the Fastest Matched grip at 1,247 strokes in 60 seconds; Fastest Hands, which he earned by executing 1,203 single-stroke notes in 60 seconds without drumsticks mallets etc.; Fastest Traditional Grip which he earned by executing 1,126 strokes in 60 seconds; and Fastest Single Stroke Foot record, playing 13,222 hits in 15 minutes and 5,222 hits in five minutes.

Mangini has written two books about his drumming techniques. These books, titled "Rhythm Knowledge", are a practice method for deconstructing and simplifying complex polyrhythms and time signatures.

Mangini joined ANNIHILATOR in 1991 and appeared on the band's "Set The World On Fire" album. He toured with the group in support of the CD until 1994 at which point he was asked to play with the Massachusetts band EXTREME, replacing that group's original drummer Paul Geary.

After EXTREME dissolved in 1996, Mike was informed through drummerJonathan Mover that guitarist Steve Vai was auditioning drummers for his live band. Mike successfully auditioned for Steve Vai's band and relocated to Los Angeles.

From late 1996 to early 2000, Mangini was the highly regarded drummer of Vai's live ensemble, which also included bassist Philip Bynoe, guitar wizard Mike Keneally and (in 2000) guitarist Dave Weiner. Mike also recorded several drum tracks for Steve's "Fire Garden" and"Ultrazone" albums.

In 2005, Mike accepted a full-time teaching position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and today he is a prominent faculty member in the school's percussion department.

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band last summer while on tour with AVENGEDSEVENFOLD.

He played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them in late 2010 .

The third and final webisode in which the members of DREAM THEATERshare with their fans some of the intense process, along with the musical joy, that went into choosing a new drummer can be viewed below.

A little more than a month after Portnoy's sudden departure fromDREAM THEATER, the band held three days of auditions in New YorkCity. Over an amazing and productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly with seven of the world's greatest drummers, learning about them musically, personally and professionally, and assessing the fit of each drummer's incredible chops with the band's trademark prog-rock sound.

The members of DREAM THEATER have been extremely sensitive to the fact that this is not only a monumental decision in their own lives, but also a critical moment in the lives of their fans around the world. "The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow," said guitarist John Petrucci. "The fact that as a result of that event we'd be introduced to seven infinitely capable and uniquely talented drummers was heartening."

The following seven drummers took part in the DREAM THEATERaudition process:

* Aquiles Priester (age 39) (ANGRA, PAUL DI'ANNO)
* Peter Wildoer (age 36) (DARKANE)
* Marco Minnemann (age 40) (KREATOR, NECROPHAGIST, EPHEL DUATH, JOE SATRIANI)
* Virgil Donati (age 52) (PLANET X, SEVEN THE HARDWAY)
* Derek Roddy (age 38) (HATE ETERNAL, NILE, TODAY IS THE DAY)
* Mike Mangini (age 48) (STEVE VAI, EXTREME, ANNIHILATOR)
* Thomas Lang (age 43) (JOHN WETTON, ROBERT FRIPP, GLENN HUGHES)

Source: (Blabbermouth)

MEGADETH's 'Peace' Expanded 25th-Anniversary Reissue Rocks Times Square

2011-04-29T07:13:00.001-07:00

A photo of the upcoming expanded, commemorative 25th-anniversary reissue edition of MEGADETH's "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?"album being advertised on the world's largest digital display system located in New York's Times Square via the 126-foot-wide, 47-foot-tallReuters sign can be seen below.

The 7,400-square-foot digital billboard, which soars 23 stories into the sky above Times Square, reaches more than 1.5 million people per day.

PR Newswire in 2007 entered into an agreement with TimesSquare2, a division of Reuters, to make its customers' photos and images viewable on the Reuters sign. The billboard features a regular stream of PR Newswire customer photos throughout each day. The photos are accompanied by a news-release headline, and are displayed in fifteen-second increments.

MEGADETH's vital, platinum-certified album, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", has been digitally remastered for the first time and expanded for a commemorative 25th-anniversary release in multiple configurations on July 12 by Capitol/EMI. All of the versions, including a 2CD lift-top box, digital album, and a deluxe 5Disc+3LP box set, include a previously unreleased 1987 concert from the band's first world tour and new liner notes written by MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine and METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. The deluxe box set also includes previously unreleased and rare mixes of the album's tracks and hi-res audio for the remastered album and concert, as well as an expanded 20-page book, plus 8"x10" photos and reproductions of vintage MEGADETH memorabilia. The cover of the box uses a new, unique process of lenticular 3D which reinterprets the original cover, creating the illusion of MEGADETH's Vic Rattleheadcharacter jumping out of the art.

Released in 1986, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" wasMEGADETH's second album and the band's first Capitol/EMI release. The acclaimed album thrust MEGADETH into the international spotlight, and it remains a powerful thrash metal staple.

In his liner notes for the new edition, Dave Mustaine reflects on writing the album's title track: "I had written other lyrics by now, but there was something different about 'Peace Sells' because it told my story about my faith; my beliefs; my distrust of government; my work ethic; my integrity. This was MY song."

"If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line"

"Amen!," continues Mustaine. "I was so tired of not shaving, not bathing, not eating, not having a home, a companion, NOTHING. Yeah, I'll be the first in line, but it had better work this time. Well, it was working, thank God, just fast enough for what I needed, but not nearly as fast as I would hope."

"Whether you heard this record for the first time in 1986, or you hear this record for the first time today or tomorrow, 'Peace Sells' is a greatheavy metal album," writes Lars Ulrich in his liner notes for the new edition. "Nothing more, nothing less. It has stood the test of time. And will continue to do so."

Dave Mustaine pioneered the hugely successful MEGADETH after his departure from METALLICA. Beginning with the band's 1985 debut album,"Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!", and evolving through a shifting series of lineups, MEGADETH has crafted a dynamic, intelligent style that combines the aggressiveness of thrash metal, the improvisational nature of jazz, and cynical, articulate, politically-charged lyrics into an innovative mix that has built a rabid worldwide following.

For nearly three decades, MEGADETH has taken heavy metal into the future — musically, lyrically, and culturally. The band has enjoyed great success on Billboard's album and single charts, including three Top 10 titles on the Top 200 Albums chart and four Top 10 Modern Rock singles,"Almost Honest", "Trust", "Breadline", and "Crush 'Em".

With defiance and grace, through unusual quality and intelligence,MEGADETH has raised a generation on a diet of truth serum and bitter pills. Instead of being kicked to the curb for their insolence, they've been rewarded with nine Grammy Award nominations, six gold, five platinum, and one double platinum albums, and three gold-certified DVD releases, in addition to last year's double platinum concert DVD, "The Big 4: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria".

MEGADETH is currently on tour in Europe. On April 23, MEGADETH will again join forces with METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX for The Big Four Festival in Indio, California, and The Big Four have confirmed several European shows for July. MEGADETH will also play more than 20 North American dates in July and August on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with DISTURBED, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM.

"Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?" track listings:

2CD / Digital (Booklet with liner notes by Dave Mustaine and Lars Ulrich):

Disc 1 (original album, remastered)

01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Peace Sells
04. Devil's Island
05. Good Mourning / Black Friday
06. Bad Omen
07. I Ain't Superstitious
08. My Last Words

Disc 2 (previously unreleased 1987 concert)

01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Bad Omen
04. Rattlehead
05. Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good
06. Looking Down The Cross
07. My Last Words
08. Peace Sells
09. These Boots Were Made For Walkin'
10. Devil's Island
11. Mechanix
12. Last Rites / Loved To Deth
13. Good Mourning / Black Friday

Deluxe 5Disc+3LP Box Set

* Two 8x10 photos / two 8 ½ x 11 reproduced vintage concert flyers / one reproduced vintage ticket stub / 20-page book with liner notes by Dave Mustaine and Lars Ulrich

Disc 1 (original album, remastered - tracklist above)

Disc 2 (Dave Mustaine mixes & masters for 2004 album reissue - tracklist above)

Disc 3 (Randy Burns mixes, remastered)

01. Wake Up Dead [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
02. The Conjuring [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
03. Peace Sells [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
04. Devil's Island [previously unreleased]
05. Good Mourning / Black Friday [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
06. Bad Omen [previously unreleased]
07. I Ain't Superstitious [previously unreleased]
08. My Last Words [previously unreleased]

Disc 4 (previously unreleased 1987 concert – track listing above)

Disc 5 (hi-res audio: original album + previously unreleased 1987 concert - tracklists above)

LP 1 (original album, remastered – track listing above)

LPs 2 & 3 (previously unreleased 1987 concert – track listing above)

Photo below courtesy of MEGADETH's official Twitter account

Source: (Blabbermouth)

K.K. DOWNING Retiring From JUDAS PRIEST!!!

2011-04-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

British metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have announced that original guitarist K.K. Downing has formally retired from the band and will therefore not be joining them on their forthcoming Epitaph Tour. The remaining members of the band respect his decision and naturally all wish him well. Having thought long and hard about how to proceed, singer Rob Halford, guitarist Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis unanimously agreed that they should go ahead with the tour and not let fans around the world down.

Fate also stepped in and delivered the perfect replacement — 31 year-old British guitar player Richie Faulkner (LAUREN HARRIS, DIRTY DEEDS). He has blended into the band perfectly and is a great talent who is going to set the stage on fire, according to a press release.

The Epitaph Tour will include songs from every PRIEST studio album and also tracks that they have never before performed on stage plus all the old favorites.

With a new album due to be released next year, the "metal gods" are preparing to tour the planet once more. Heavy metal at its best complete with lasers, lights, bikes and hellfire! It's a show not to be missed!

When questioned about his plans for the future after PRIEST completes its previously announced farewell tour, Downing recently said, "To be perfectly honest I have not given any thought as to possible case scenarios after the final tour. At the moment though I feel that PRIEST has played its part in music history and feel very proud to have achieved what we have. So there is a good positive feeling inside me and, of course, I feel very indebted to the fans all over the world. As for the future, we probably need the help of Nostradamus."

JUDAS PRIEST's most recent double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after shifting close to 4,000 units.

JUDAS PRIEST's previous studio CD, "Angel of Retribution", premiered with 58,000 copies in the U.S. back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

JUDAS PRIEST announced in December that it will head out on its farewell world tour beginning in 2011. The band intends to hit all major cities across the globe as they sign off on a career that has lasted for nearly 40 years.

Source (Blabbermouth)

New IN FLAMES album details

2011-04-13T09:39:00.001-07:00

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES will release their tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, June 17
Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, June 22
Spain, Italy: Tuesday, June 21
Rest Of Europe: Monday, June 20
North America: Tuesday, June 21
Australia, New Zealand: Friday, June 24

13 songs were laid down for the CD, which was recorded at the band's IF Studios in Gothenburg with engineer Roberto Laghi (HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE).

"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" track listing:

01. Sounds Of A Playground Fading
02. Deliver Us
03. All For Me
04. The Puzzle
05. Fear Is The Weakness
06. Where The Dead Ships Dwell
07. The Attic
08. Darker Times
09. Ropes
10. Enter Tragedy
11. Jester's Door
12. A New Dawn
13. Liberation

The cover artwork was created by Dave Correia and can be viewed below.

In an exclusive interview with the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén, 38, revealed that "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" will almost certainly challenge the band's fans' musical expectations.

"We have some songs that pretty much go against the hard rock formula," he said. "There's a song called 'The Attic' where we have an accordion playing the chorus instead of me singing it. Another song begins with a spoken-word part that evolves into a kind of hardDEPECHE MODE-type thing. We also have some really fast, typical IN FLAMES tunes.

He added, "We've never denied where we come from, but at the same time we like to challenge our listeners."

"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" is the first IN FLAMES album to be recorded without founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who quit the band in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

"It's a really sad situation," Anders said. "We're talking about a friend whom we've known for a really long time. It's like a relationship that has burnt out. It just didn't work out anymore. He's a really great guy in many ways, but it's important that everybody can get along. If they don't, it affects a lot of people."

He continued, "We've lived with this for many years, and it's really sad that things are the way they are. I wish they weren't."

Fridén also talked about the often dark lyrical content on "Sounds Of A Playground Fading".

"Some people I know have passed away, and then you have kids being born," he explained. "I've got two kids myself and, of course, it has affected the songwriting. Suddenly you're not alone anymore."

IN FLAMES will release the "Deliver Us" digital single via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand: Friday, May 6
UK: Sunday, May 8
North America, Spain, Italy: Tuesday, May 10
Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, May 11
Rest Of Europe: Monday, May 9

IN FLAMES recently recruited Niclas Engelin from fellow Swedes ENGELas the band's new second guitarist.

IN FLAMES's last album, "A Sense of Purpose" (2008), shifted 20,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which sold just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to debut at position No. 58.

"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" album cover:

"Deliver Us" single cover:

Source: Blabbermouth

ORIGIN: New Album Track Listing Unveiled

2011-04-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

American technical death metal innovators ORIGIN will release their new album, "Entity", on June 7 in North America and June 10 in Europe viaNuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Expulsion Of Fury
02. Purgatory
03. Conceiving Death
04. Swarm
05. Saliga
06. The Descent
07. Fornever
08. Committed
09. Banishing Illusion
10. Consequence Of Solution
11. Evolution Of Extinction

Bonus track:

12. You Fail!

One of the most intense and technical forces of the contemporary death metal world, ORIGIN has returned to stake its claim as the leader of metal's new wave of extremity with its fifth studio effort. As expected, the death grind trio of Mike Flores (bass, vocals), Paul Ryan (guitar, vocals) and John Longstreth (drums) continues to churn out frantic, hell-paced grids of metal torment, but now further complements the arrangements with a newfound propensity for churning grooves and the hook-laden approach that first reared its ugly, but accessible head on the band's 2007 offering, "Antithesis". The band once again returned to Chapman Recording Studios in Lenexa, Kansas to work with longtime engineer and friend Robert Rebeck.

As stated multiple times in the past, ORIGIN proves once again that they stand head and shoulders above their peers.

Commented drummer John Longstrength: "As you can see, we're getting closer and closer to having a new album available for you.

"This has been a project that has been a long time in the making with all the unexpected twists and turns that come with creating an album and we are almost there.

"So, this is the new album cover! Designed by the band and executed flawlessly by artist extraordinaire, Colin Marks.

"As you can see, this time there's no aliens, no scary faces, no silly comic book imagery, no bullshit. It's back to basics for the people that don't fall for, or appreciate, bullshit trends that currently compromise the validity of this art.

"Let this album cover with its grey, dead, coldness reflect our disdain for the misconception that ORIGIN is represented by a giant, planet eating, scary face that's aimlessly roaming the cosmos like an idiot.

"Like the cover, the music on this album is stone, it's cold, it's serious, it's desolate, it's very angry, it's the band unified and working overtime to create what we feel will be the finest 45 minutes ORIGIN has created yet. This album is its own bitter entity."

Added artist Colin Marks: "It's been a real pleasure collaborating with the ORIGIN guys on the artwork for 'Entity'.

"From the beginning John had a very specific vision of how this record should look and I tried to interpret that as accurately as possible.

"The whole look of the album, the way I see it, is a suffocating vision of absolute solitude and isolation, with huge barren otherworldly landscapes. It's a simple concept, but it works well and hopefully reflects the bleak tones and heaviness of the new songs."

Catch the band, with their new frontman Jason Keyser, on tour with HATE ETERNAL, VITAL REMAINS and ABYSMAL DAWN in North America starting on June 15 at Emo's in Austin, Texas. Look for ORIGINon the road in Europe, South America, Mexico, Asia, Australia and the rest of the world in 2011 and 2012.

Source: Blabbermouth

Glen Drover's Metalusion out this week

2011-04-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to order your copy of Glen Drover's new release Metalusion which dropped on Tuesday.
The album is available at a bunch of places including Amazon and iTunes. Support another great Focus On Classic Metal guest and grab some great music too.

Ultra rare MAYHEM "De Mysterris" vinyl on eBay

2011-04-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

This rare 1st pressing vinyl is available via eBay listing right here with a BUY IT NOW option of $1,299 US.

De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is an album by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Songwriting began as early as 1987, but due to the suicide of vocalist Dead (Per Yngve Ohlin) and murder of guitarist Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth), the album's release was delayed until May 1994. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is widely considered one of the most influential black metal albums of all time.

Background and recording
Mayhem began writing songs for the album in 1987, with vocalist Dead composing the lyrics. In 1991, studio versions of the songs "Freezing Moon" and "Carnage" appeared on the CBR Records compilation album Projections of a Stained Mind. However, in April 1991, Dead committed suicide and bassist Necrobutcher left the band as a result. Mayhem were now in need of a vocalist and bassist to record the album. In May 1991, Euronymous recruited Attila Csihar (who performed with Tormentor) as vocalist and Varg Vikernes (who performed solo as Burzum) as bassist. In 1992, Vikernes was allegedly behind three church arsons in Norway. Blackthorn (who performed solo as Thorns) claimed to have written some of the riffs for the album and to have finished some of Dead's song lyrics. This lineup recorded much of the album during the first half of 1993 at Grieghallen in Bergen.
On 10 August 1993, Vikernes and Blackthorn travelled to Euronymous' home in Oslo. Upon their arrival a confrontation began, which ended when Vikernes fatally stabbed Euronymous. His body was found outside the apartment with twenty-three cut wounds – two to the head, five to the neck, and sixteen to the back. Vikernes defends that most of Euronymous's cut wounds were caused by broken glass he had fallen on during the struggle. He was arrested within days and sentenced to 21 years in prison for both the murder and the church burnings.
During Vikernes' trial, police stated that they had found explosives and ammunition in Vikernes's home. According to the media, Euronymous and Vikernes had conspired to blow up Nidaros Cathedral, which appears on the album cover. Vikernes denied this allegation in a 2009 interview, stating "I was getting [the explosives and ammunition] in order to defend Norway if we were attacked any time. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union could have decided to attack us".
After Vikernes was arrested for the murder, Euronymous's parents requested that Vikernes's bass tracks be removed. Hellhammer allegedly agreed to remove the tracks and re-record them himself. However, Vikernes's contributions remained in the final mix.
The album was eventually released in May 1994, shortly before Vikernes was imprisoned. It features the last lyrics written by Dead before his suicide, and the last songs recorded by Euronymous before his murder.

Title and artwork
The title De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is a Latin phrase which Euronymous translates (and intended to be translated) as Lord Satan's Secret Rites[citation needed]; but the phrase translates more literally as Of Lord Satan Mysteries/Of Lord Satan Secrets/Of Lord Satan Secret Rites. The album cover shows the east side of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. The original release of the album on DSP featured no lyrics in the booklet and the cathedral on the front was coloured a shade of blue. A second pressing on DSP contained lyrics in the booklet and the color of the cathedral was purple, the color that was originally intended. A third pressing on DSP also contained lyrics, but the building was blue again. The more common reissue on Century Black does not feature lyrics and the cathedral is blue.

Reception
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is widely acclaimed as one of the masterpieces of the black metal genre, and its bleak aesthetics and lyrics have often been cited as an inspiration by other black metal groups.
While Mayhem's previous vocalist had been Swedish, Attila Csihar was from Hungary. His style is somewhat atypical for black metal, and has provoked a mixed reception from fans; for example, Metal Reviews gave him the nickname "Attila 'Fingernails' Csihar" (although a subsequent review by the website praised his later, Ordo Ad Chao-era performances). The song "Freezing Moon" was included on Kerrang!'s 25 Extreme Metal Anthems. The track "Freezing Moon" has been covered live and in studio by such bands as Behemoth, Vader, Enslaved, Cradle of Filth and Darkmoon. "Funeral Fog" was covered by Emperor with Csihar on vocals.

Track listing
All songs written and composed by Mayhem.
No. Title Length
1. "Funeral Fog"
2. "Freezing Moon"
3. "Cursed in Eternity"
4. "Pagan Fears"
5. "Life Eternal"
6. "From the Dark Past"
7. "Buried By Time and Dust"
8. "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas"

Additional Info
The track "From the Dark Past" was originally titled "Materialized In Stone",[citation needed] but was changed upon the album's release. The title was later used by Swedish black metal band Marduk on their album Opus Nocturne the following month.
The lyrics of "Life Eternal" song was a gift made by vocalist Dead to Mauricio Montolla "Bull Metal" owner of the underground label Warmaster Records in Colombia who was a pen pal friend of him and Euronymous and who have made the first release of the Dawn of the Black Hearts album. "Bull Metal" would use this lyrics later on a theme of his band Typhon in 1995.

Credits
Attila Csihar – vocals
Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) – electric guitar
Count Grishnackh (Varg Vikernes) – bass guitar
Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums
Blackthorn (Snorre Ruch) – wrote some of the lyrics and guitar riffs
Dead (Per Yngve Ohlin) – wrote most of the lyrics

Official 25th Anniversary SLAYER sneakers!!!

2011-04-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Who knew that when Slayer’s legendary album Reign In Blood was released that it would go on to inspire a pair of shoes?
That’s right, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that thrash classic, Nike SB, in collaboration with Brooklyn Projects, is releasing official Slayer sneakers.
The Reign in Blood Dunk shoes will be available starting June 6 in select skate shops, according to BraveWords.com.
Meanwhile, Slayer are in the midst of a European tour and have a run of Big Four dates scheduled for summer.

Right now, the metal band are without guitarist Jeff Hanneman (who’s recovering from an infection thought to be caused by a spider bite), and have tapped Exodus’ Gary Holt to fill in.

Holt will leave Slayer after the April 4 show, and Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O’Brien will take over from there.

IN FLAMES signs with Century Media

2011-03-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have inked a deal with Century Media Records. The band's tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", will be released on the following dates:

Sweden - June 15
Germany - June 17
Rest Of Europe - June 20
North America - June 21

The first single will be out in early May.

13 songs were laid down for the CD, which was recorded at the band's IF Studios in Gothenburg with engineer Roberto Laghi (HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE).

In an exclusive interview with the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén, 38, revealed that "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" will almost certainly challenge the band's fans' musical expectations.

"We have some songs that pretty much go against the hard rock formula," he said. "There's a song called 'The Attic' where we have an accordion playing the chorus instead of me singing it. Another song begins with a spoken-word part that evolves into a kind of hardDEPECHE MODE-type thing. We also have some really fast, typical IN FLAMES tunes.

He added, "We've never denied where we come from, but at the same time we like to challenge our listeners."

"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" is the first IN FLAMES album to be recorded without founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who quit the band in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

"It's a really sad situation," Anders said. "We're talking about a friend whom we've known for a really long time. It's like a relationship that has burnt out. It just didn't work out anymore. He's a really great guy in many ways, but it's important that everybody can get along. If they don't, it affects a lot of people."

He continued, "We've lived with this for many years, and it's really sad that things are the way they are. I wish they weren't."

Fridén also talked about the often dark lyrical content on "Sounds Of A Playground Fading".

"Some people I know have passed away, and then you have kids being born," he explained. "I've got two kids myself and, of course, it has affected the songwriting. Suddenly you're not alone anymore."

IN FLAMES recently officially recruited Niclas Engelin from fellow Swedes ENGEL as its new second guitarist.

The first official photo of the new IN FLAMES lineup can be viewed below.

IN FLAMES's latest album, "A Sense of Purpose" (2008), shifted 20,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which sold just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to debut at position No. 58.

Good Fight Music is the new North American label home for the classicIN FLAMES catalog, starting with "The Jester Race" through"Soundtrack To Your Escape". These titles, which until recently were unavailable in the marketplace, were put back on music retailers' shelves and made available at digital stores (iTunes) on November 22, 2010.

Source: (Blabbermouth)

MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT, STEVEN WILSON Complete Work On Material For 'Storm Corrosion' Project

2011-03-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

The much-anticipated collaboration project between OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt and PORCUPINE TREE's Steven Wilson, tentatively dubbed"Storm Corrosion", has completed writing material for its debut album.Wilson says, "There's still a lot of recording work to do, but this should definitely be out in early 2012."

In fall 2010 interview with the U.K. branch of Roadrunner Records,Wilson stated about "Storm Corrosion", "It's nice to know that what [Mikael and I] always suspected was that when we actually got together [and began collaborating on songs], it was gonna be quite easy. It was also in the back of your mind, thinking, 'Maybe it won't work.' Maybe it [was] just built up so much [in my head before we started writing material], and it was so easy. So easy. And the music was so crazy and so inspiring to both of us. So I think that was good to feel, like, 'It's gonna work.'"

Regarding the similarities and differences between PORCUPINE TREEand OPETH and how they play into "Storm Corrosion", Wilson said, "The funny thing is that the music we're making together is actually nothing like either of us made before. Because I think we both had this idea of this kind of music that we knew we couldn't get our bands to play, but that we both kind of understood where we were coming from. 'Cause we have this kind of passion [for] very experimental, obscure records, almost orchestral in their scope. And we wanted to make a record like that for a long time."

He continued, "It's a long way from metal and it's a long way from anything that, I think, Mikael has ever done, including the 'Damnation'record [from OPETH].

"I think a lot of people thought, 'Oh, it's gonna be like 'Damnation'.' It's not; it's a long way from that, too. And it's actually a long way from anything I've done; [it's] possibly closer to aspects of things I've done, but really quite distinct from anything I've ever [released]. [It's] very orchestral, lots of strings, lots of guitars and vocals, too. Lots of very long songs that kind of go in different directions that you don't necessarily expect them to go in — almost theatrical in a way. And we both kind of admitted to ourselves that there are a lot of fans out there that are probably gonna hate it. But we're doing it for us."

He added, "The one thing we didn't wanna do is get together and do a prog-metal supergroup, which would have been so easy to do — and kind of expected, in a way. And, you know, we might do that anyway one day. But this time around, we thought, 'Let's just do this [kind of] record.'

"Some people will love it and some people will not, and that's OK, because, in a way, I don't think we wanted to just give what was expected, and we're certainly not doing that."

On the topic of the recording process for "Storm Corrosion" and whetherSteven and Mikael are self-producing the new project, Wilson said, "It's great, because in many respects, Mikael is the closest I know to someone who is... How do I put this? He's the equivalent of me in his band. He's like the captain of the ship and we kind of understand each other — all the frustrations of being in that position, all the stresses and pressures of being in that situation — so because of that, there's no ego thing at all — yet! [Laughs] But we're both kind of control freaks, in a way, so that's kind of a strange situation to be, where you're working with someone where you don't feel any of those issues and you have that complete trust. So we're just like... [I go], 'Here, you have the guitar. Do something amazing.' And he does. And then I'm like, 'Oh, I've got an idea for that,' and I do some keyboard thing. And he's like, 'That's amazing! I love that.' And so it's really... It sounds like we're kind of blowing each other the whole time... [Laughs] But it's just so much fun. And that's the important thing — I think it's fun. Because there's no ego and there's no pressure. Because people don't know what to expect."

He continued, "We've kind of already resigned ourselves to the fact that we're gonna do something that people are gonna hate, anyway. I mean, I'm exaggerating... I'm sure a lot of people are gonna dig it. But people are gonna be surprised by it.

"We're not giving people what they expect, so there's little pressure, really — there's very little pressure. It's just literally swapping instruments and I'm kind of recording it on my own system."

Although former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was initially supposed to be part of the project, it now appears that he will no longer be involved.

"To be honest, there's just no room for drums on what we've done so far," Åkerfeldt told Classic Rock magazine last year. "I called Mike up, and he was cool about it. He's got so much going on anyway, and I'm sure we will work together in the future."

Source: (Blabbermouth)

NAPALM DEATH, Ex-BENEDICTION Members Join Forces In ABSOLUTE POWER

2011-03-26T10:07:00.001-07:00

ABSOLUTE POWER, the U.K.-based classic metal band featuring former/current members of NAPALM DEATH and BENEDICTION as well as producers behind albums for such acts as PARADISE LOST, EVILEand CROWBAR, will release its long-awaited, self-titled album on May 9. The NWOBHM-inspired, fist-pumping warriors have been sitting on the finished product for some time, but are now ready to unleash the solos, the riffs... and the power.

ABSOLUTE POWER is:

* Simon Efemey (producer; PARADISE LOST, CROWBAR) - Vocals
* Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, BRUJERIA) - Bass
* Mitch Harris (NAPALM DEATH) - Guitar
* Russ Russell (producer; EVILE, DIMMU BORGIR) - Guitar
* Ian Treacey (BENEDICTION, MEATHOOK SEED)- Drums

If the band lineup wasn't stellar enough, the band has roped in some well-known metal mates for guest appearances. Tim "Ripper" Owens(JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) provides additional piercing vocal violence, with a '70s solo assault being launched by DIAMOND HEAD founder Brian Tatler.

Commented Embury: "I am very excited to finally get our debut album out there; it's been a long labor of love for us and it's only through our united passion for true heavy metal that we are here today!

"If all goes well with this download release, we hope to release the album in true classic heavy metal style on a limited-edition gatefold vinyl release, which will be awesome!"

The album, released via FETO Records, will be available for download from iTunes, Amazon and all usual outlets from May 9.

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

Source: (Blabbermouth)

Expanded Editions of First Two Blizzard of Ozz Releases Due May 31

2011-03-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

The wait is over. On May 31 Epic/Legacy will release expanded editions of Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of a Madman. These are restored and remastered from the ORIGINAL analog tapes by George Marino.
That's right classic metal fans the return of the correct tracks with Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake. Order has been restored. No slight on the tracks substitute tracks that were laid down, but true classic metal fans want the original tracks from the guys that wrote the tunes. Randy, Bob, and Lee were instrumental in pulling Ozzy back from the brink and their tracks deserve to be preserved as intended.
The expanded editions will also include unreleased live material with Randy Rhoads and the touring rhythm section of Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge from the Blizzard tour on the Diary disc and extra studio cuts on the Blizzard disc.
The material will be available in several formats. Each disc will be available separately in either vinyl or CD format. Also available will be the deluxe box set with the vinyl and the CDs plus a DVD documentary "Thirty Years After The Blizzard" which contains over 30 minutes of unseen footage of Randy live plus interviews with Lemmy, Zakk, and many others.

King Diamond Health Update

2011-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Good news from the land of Diamonds. According to his most recent blog from his wife, Livia, he is doing great and is on the road to recovery. Best wishes to the King and cheers to a speedy recovery.

Here is the link to his blog:
http://www.myspace.com/kingdiamond/blog/542376602#pm_cmp=O_5106_notif

Below is the latest post:

King Diamond Health Update

Hi Everyone,

Some of you have been asking for an update on King's health, so I thought I'll write what's been going on.

King has just finished his Cardiac Rehabilitation program this past Friday, and graduated with flying colors. Thanks to the wonderful people at the rehab center, his exercise regimen helpe him gain a lot of muscle, and start on the road of building up good endurance.

We will start regular exercises now to get the endurance up to nice levels.The examinations by his heart surgeon and cardiologist revealed that his health is steadily improving, and they all expect him to feel better than ever, 15 years younger than he really is.

I am immensely proud of what he has achieved in these short 3 months, stopped smoking entirely, changed diet and doing regular exercise among other things.I cannot say anything certain about when he will be back working on King Diamond related things, but he is looking forward to finishing the DVDs eventually, and he is most certainly not stopping music.

I hope this information was helpful, I can honestly say that his progress has been nothing short of amazing. He is the strongest person I know.

He would also like to extend his huge gratitude to all of you, for your absolutely amazing support. It has really meant a lot to him.

Enjoy his Cardiac Rehabilitation "graduation" picture below.

Cheers and Stay Heavy, Livia