Tuesday, February 28, 2012

NAPALM DEATH debuts video about Mark “Barney” Greenway’s favorite independen t films

The legendary NAPALM DEATH will be releasing their 14th studio album, Utilitarian, tomorrow (February 28th) in North America! To welcome the arrival of this grindcore masterpiece, the band has now posted a new video of Mark "Barney" Greenway discussing his favorite independent films. To watch the video, click here.

Utilitarian is now streaming in its entirety online, so be sure to join the album listening party
here while you still can (the stream will be taken down after March 2nd). For more information about the available formats for Utilitarian, watch the trailer here. The album has already received rave reviews from the metal press-- read on for a few critics' takes on this new NAPALM classic!

The band is already confirmed to play the 2012 editions of Wacken Open Air (Germany), Hellfest (France), Maryland Deathfest (USA), and several other shows throughout Europe. Check the dates below to see when NAPALM DEATH will be coming to a city near you!

NAPALM DEATH live 2012
02.03. Tilburg - Neurotic Deathfest (Netherlands)
03.03. Aachen - Musikbunker (Germany)
04.03. Paris - Maroquinerie (France)
17.03. Kathmandu - Metal Mayhem (Nepal)
19.03. Jablonec - Eurocentrum (Czech Republic)
20.03. Cheb - KC Svoboda (Czech Republic)
21.03. Pardubice - Zluty Pes (Czech Republic)
22.03. Ostrava - Garaz (Czech Republic)
23.03. Slavonice - Sokolova (Slovakia)
24.03. Trencin - Piano Klub (Czech Republic)
25.03. Kosice - Colloseum (Slovakia)
26.03. Budapest - TBA (Hungary)
27.03. Cluj-Napoea - Flying Circus Pub (Romania)
29.03. Pfarrkirchen - Bugaloo (Germany)
30.03. Antwerp - Trix (Belgium)
31.03. Enschde - Atak (Netherlands)
04.04. Blois - Chatodo (France)
05.04. Castres - Bolegason (France)
06.04. Rambouillet - Usine a Chapeaux (France)
07.04. St Brieuc - Citrouille (France)
20.04. Aiglemont - Rock Sur El' Mont Festival (France)
21.04. Montbeliard - Impetus Fest (France)
22.04. Pforzheim - Haus der Jugend (Germany)
27.04. Lausanne - Les Docks (Switzerland)
28.04. Bari - Demode' Club (Italy)
29.04. Livorno - The Cage Teather (Italy)
05.05. Lissabon - Jurassic Club Fest 2012 (Portugal)
11.05. Magdeburg - Factory (Germany)
12.05. Essen - Zeche Carl (Germany)
13.05. Neukirchen - Sägewerk (Germany)
24.-27.05. Sonar, Baltimore - Maryland Deathfest (USA)
01.06. Barcelona - Primavera Sound (Spain)
15.06. Clisson - Hellfest (France)
14.07. Neukirchen-Vluyn - Dong (Germany)
27.07. Bertingen - Rock unter den Eichen Open Air (Germany)
02.-04.08. Wacken - Wacken Open Air (Germany)
06.08. Tolmin - Metalcamp (Slovenia)

KING'S X drummer Jerry Gaskill suffers heart attack

Jerry Gaskill, drummer for legendary rockers KING'S X, suffered a heart attack Sunday, February 26, and was accordingly rushed to the hospital. After undergoing an emergency operation, Jerry was put in intensive care (where he currently remains).

In light of Jerry's sudden hospitalization, all upcoming North American tour dates for KING'S X have been cancelled. Jerry will be spending these days recovering back to full health so that he can hopefully join the band behind the drums at some point in the future.

For the latest updates about his condition, please check the
InsideOut Music Facebook page or the @InsideOutUSA Twitter account.

The 5th Annual ROCKAPALOOZA Festival, Presented by Monster Energy Drink, Announces Full Line-Up

The 5th annual ROCKAPALOOZA festival, presented by Monster Energy Drink, is pleased to announce the full line-up for this year’s festival. This year’s Monster Energy Stage features headliners Puddle of Mudd, and opening acts Saliva, Rehab, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Emphatic. The second stage includes Wayne Static, Woe Is Me, Riven (formerly Motograter), Rotation, Sore Eyes, and Ghosts of August. ROCKAPALOOZA is also sponsored by the National Guard, Verizon Wireless, Budweiser, and Q106 FM.

The advance price of tickets for this year’s ROCKAPALOOZA is $30, while day of show tickets cost $35. All children under the age of 10 are admitted free, and the event is ALL AGES. This year, Jam Heads Party Deck passes are just $100 and include half off discounts on beer and food, free Monster Energy Drink, a meet and greet with Puddle of Mudd, Rehab, and Sore Eyes, and features a shaded area with seating. For regular attendees, Budweiser is offering $1 drafts from 10am-12pm. Doors open at 10am.

The festival will also host a free pre-party concert on Friday, June 22nd at the fairgrounds featuring headliners Trapt and openers Sore Eyes. The free concert is also ALL AGES and doors open at 6pm.

Bands that have performed at ROCKAPALOOZA in the past include Sevendust, Crossfade, OTEP, Mushroomhead, Silverstein, Smile Empty Soul, and more. Past hosting and appearance duties have gone to Pauly Shore, Big Black and Bam Bam of MTV’s Rob & Big, and Big Cat from MTV’s Fantasy Factory. Last year, over 8,000 people attended the festival.

You can purchase tickets online now at www.etix.com!

Main Stage Nationals on Monster Energy Stage:

Headliner: Puddle of Mudd

Saliva

Rehab

We Came as Romans

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Emphatic

2nd Stage: National Guard Stage

Wayne Static

Woe Is Me

Riven (Formerly Motograter)

Rotation

Sore Eyes

Ghosts of August

Other opening bands include:

Bobaflex

Afroman

Coolio

It Lies Within

Caesar

Lifeline Revolution

Ballz Deluxe

Blind Reflection

Second Season

Breaking Paradox

Distant Decend

Throwing Gravity

Mockingbird

Blackened Earth

Thee Unknown

Fall of Eleven

The Elder Beer Men

DeverauX

Rotation

Myths and Legends

Circus Asylum

Seeking Seven

Hollow Drive

Ionia

Fire in the Sky

Violet Void

Killjay

Beyond the Shadows

Barefoot Breakdown

Nothing More Than This

The Sunset Villians

Manian

The Getbye

Shattered

Nation of Wealth

Featuring special guest host and bartender Dennis Haskins (known as Mr. Belding of “Saved by the Bell" fame).

For more information about the 5th annual ROCKAPALOOZA festival, please visit:

MESHUGGAH: NEW ALBUM TRAILER NOW AVAILABLE

A video trailer for KOLOSS, the new studio album by Swedish extreme technical metal band MESHUGGAH, is now available for viewing on the Nuclear Blast YouTube channel.

The track “Do Not Look Down” can be streamed in its entirety in the Nuclear Blast USA Web Shop (click open any pre-order bundle item to get to the Soundcloud player).

“Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion” can be streamed here. A lyric video for the song can be viewed on YouTube.

KOLOSS will be released in Europe on March 23rd and in North America on Monday, March 26th. The North American deluxe digi-pak version includes a bonus, hour-long DVD with studio footage taken during the making of the album.

MESHUGGAH is headlining “SCION A/V PRESENTS: The Ophidian Trek” tour with guests BARONESS & DECAPITATED, which launches April 29th. Confirmed dates are:

4/29/12 House of Blues - Houston, TX

4/30/12 House of Blues - Dallas, TX

5/01/12 Emo’s - Austin, TX

5/03/12 Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ

5/04/12 House of Blues - Anaheim, CA

5/05/12 House of Blues - Hollywood, CA

5/06/12 The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA

5/08/12 Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA

5/09/12 Showbox Sodo - Seattle, WA

5/11/12 Odgen Theatre - Denver, CO

5/13/12 First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

5/15/12 House of Blues - Chicago, IL

5/16/12 St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI

5/17/12 Sound Academy - Toronto, ON – CANADA

5/18/12 Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA

5/19/12 Palladium - Worcester, MA

5/20/12 Olympia de Montreal - Montreal, QUE – CANADA

5/22/12 The Fillmore - Silver Springs, MD

5/23/12 Terminal 5 – New York, NY

Advanced tickets & V.I.P. bundles can be purchased at ArtistArena.com

Sign up here to receive the latest MESHUGGAH news.

2008’s obZen has sold over 82,000 copies in the U.S. and debuted at #59 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, clinched the #14 spot on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart, was the #1 Most Added metal album on the CMJ Loud Rock and FMQB radio charts.

Alive, MESHUGGAH’s 2010 live DVD, debuted at #8 on the Nielsen SoundScan Top Music DVD Video chart.

FORBIDDEN: "OMEGA WAVE" NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ROCKBAND NETWORK

FORBIDDEN’s “Omega Wave” for Xbox 360™ is now available for purchase from your gaming console at the RockBand Network’s online store. The track comes from the album of the same name, which debuted at #27 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, #83 on the Billboard Top Hard Music Albums chart, and #92 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart the week following its October 2010 release.
Metal fans are encouraged to submit artist & song requests for Rock Band here.

View the “Omega Wave” video – directed by Jon Schnepp of Metalocalypse fame for Schneppzone Inc. – on YouTube.

FORBIDDEN performed at the Bonded By Baloff: A Decade Of Remembrance memorial event last month in Oakland, California with their new drummer Sasha Horn.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

FEAR FACTORY Announce American Tour Dates

FEAR FACTORY today confirms their first tour dates for 2012. Set to begin in San Antonio on May 1, the tour’s initial dates include stops in Dallas, Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Denver among others. Joining FEAR FACTORY for the tour is Boston’s Shadows Fall, Kansas City-based The Browning, Riverside, California’s The Devastated, and Legacy Of Disorder from New Zealand. The tour will precede the release of FEAR FACTORY’s new album titled The Industrialist.
FEAR FACTORY recently announced the addition of bass player Matt DeVries. The Ohio native previously noted, “I have been asked to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band.” Guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell noted, “we are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring line-up. He has been a friend for a very long time and he is a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine.”
With rehearsals for the tour expected to start soon, the members of FEAR FACTORY are finishing details on their forthcoming new album expected for release early summer. Greg Reely has now completed the album’s mix. All that remains is final artwork and packaging. Regarding the new material, Cazares and Bell affirm, “this album perfectly captures the true nature of FEAR FACTORY. The industrial/metal blend is a strong return to our original concept for FEAR FACTORY."
The Industrialist follows 2010’s critically acclaimed Mechanize. Blabbermouth said, “this is the album fans have been waiting for…a fiery and evolved rebirth of the band that changed metal in the ’90s.” Revolver Magazine called Mechanize, “one of the best albums of the band’s career. Its combination of new-wave melody, rapid-fire aggression, and electronic ambiance sounds as fresh today as FEAR FACTORY did nearly 20 years ago. Call it the soul of their new machine.” Decibel Magazine noted, “FEAR FACTORY are back and beyond intact.”
Confirmed dates as of press time are:

5/01/2012 Backstage Live - San Antonio, TX

5/02/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX

5/03/2012 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

5/05/2012 State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL

5/06/2012 Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

5/09/2012 Ziggy’s - Winston-Salem, NC

5/10/2012 Theater of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

5/11/2012 Wally’s Pub - Hampton Beach, NH

5/12/2012 Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY

5/13/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD

5/16/2012 The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI

5/20/2012 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO

THE SAFETY FIRE releases new single, “Circassian Beauties”, online

THE SAFETY FIRE has pushed the boundaries of the ever-growing British progressive music scene since their inception in 2006, but now the band is finally ready to release their first full-length album, Grind The Ocean, on April 9th in the UK and April 10th in North America! Originally set to be released in late February via Inside Out Music, Grind The Ocean is available for pre-order here. If you pre-order your copy, you'll still receive the album on the original date of release (February 27th in the UK, February 28th in North America), plus additional bonus content in a special digipack, so reserve your copy now!

In anticipation of this upcoming release, the band has now debuted a new single, "Circassian Beauties", from Grind The Ocean . To listen to the track, head over to THE SAFETY FIRE's official YouTube.

For fans that can't wait for Grind The Ocean's release, THE SAFETY FIRE recently posted the first in a series of album teaser trailers. To watch the video, click
here. A video for the band's first single, "Huge Hammers", can also be viewed here.

THE SAFETY FIRE will join PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS, and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE on the road this spring for the band's first tour of North America! In regards to the tour, guitarist Derya "Dez" Nagle comments: "We are super hyped to come to the US, especially with such an amazing lineup. We are huge fans of all the bands playing and feel they all bring their own unique vibe to what should be an amazing tour. It's our first time to the US, and we are ready to bring the ruckus/party."

A complete list of tour dates is below, so check to see when this epic progressive metal show will be coming to a city near you!

THE SAFETY FIRE tour dates feat. PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS, TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE
3/25 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
3/26 - Lawrence, KS - Granada
3/27 - Dallas, TX - Trees
3/28 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
3/30 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine
3/31 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
4/1 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club
4/2 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
4/3 - Portland, OR - The Branx
4/4 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
4/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
4/7 - Denver, CO - Summit
4/9 - St. Louis, MO - Pops
4/10 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave II
4/11 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
4/12 - Columbus, OH - The Outland Ballroom
4/13 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
4/14 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
4/16 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
4/17 - Orlando, FL - The Social
4/18 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
4/20 - New York, NY - Gramercy
4/22 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero

DARK TRANQUILLITY releases new video for "In My Absence"

DARK TRANQUILLITY is proud to present their new music video, "In My Absence"! Taken from their latest release, We Are The Void (2010), "In My Absence" is the band's fifth promo clip for the album, and it was filmed by the band themselves on the road, with guitarist Niklas Sundin (www.cabinfevermedia.com / www.adurolabs.se) taking care of the editing/post production duties. Additional live footage was provided by Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED, AT THE GATES) and Nikolas Pegler. Click here to check out this new video from DARK TRANQUILLITY.

In regards to this video, Niklas Sundin comments: "I wanted to create a live video that would capture the energy of our show both from the audience's perspective as well as from the stage. To accomplish this, we headed out on our recent Europe/Russia tours equipped with a GoPro HD camera, which was mounted on various objects (guitar necks, vocal microphone, member's bodies etc.) on most of the shows. Despite probably looking pretty weird for those in the crowd that noticed the little device, we arrived home with a lot of interesting footage, and after a lot of editing we're happy to present the final result: A clip for 'In My Absence', filled with an energy and closeness out of the ordinary. Enjoy!"

DARK TRANQUILLITY, the unstoppable metal machine from Gothenburg, Sweden, has already played over 160 shows all over the world in support of We Are The Void, and the band continues to tour, heading to exotic locations such as China, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Turkey, as well as appearing at European summer festivals in the upcoming months. In fall 2012, they will take a break to focus on a new album.

All upcoming tour dates for DARK TRANQUILLITY are below, so check to see when they'll be coming to a city near you!

DARK TRANQUILLITY live 2012:
08.03.2012 - Close-Up Båten (Metal cruise), Sweden & Finland
23.03.2012 - Beijing, China
24.03.2012 - Shanghai, China
27.03.2012 - Tokyo, Japan
28.03.2012 - Osaka, Japan
31.03.2012 - Seoul, South Korea
05.05.2012 - Tel Aviv, Israel
06.05.2012 - Istanbul, Turkey
31.05.2012 - Metalfest, Austria
02.06.2012 - Metalfest Dessau, Germany
03.06.2012 - Metalfest Poland
05.06.2012 - Metalfest Croatia
06.06.2012 - Metalfest Italy
08.06.2012 - Metalfest Loreley, Germany
10.06.2012 - Metalfest Switzerland
15.06.2012 - Metal Gate, Czech
28.o7.2012 - Faceplant Metalfest, Sweden
16.08.2012 - Summer Breeze, Germany
17.08.2012 - Motocultor festival, France
13.10.2012 - Metal Invasion Festival, Germany

ORIGIN: U.S. Headlining Tour Announced!

Genre defining technical death metal giants, ORIGIN, will tour the United States this April/May on an epic headlining run that will bring together some of today’s best brutal bands. Groups like spastic-vegetarian-gore-grinders CATTLE DECAPITATION, psychedelically influenced tech-deathsters DECREPIT BIRTH, groove laden death-gore mongers ABORTED, and underground buzz band sensations RINGS OF SATURN and BATTLECROSS. Commented gentlemen drummer/wordsmith John Longstreth of ORIGIN:

"Hey ladies n' germs, it's Longstreth of ORIGIN here with a little dirt on what we currently have on the table. We're calling it OCCUPATION DOMINATION 2012. Simply put, it’s the most brutal death metal tour package of the spring and it’s starting up in the end of April and running all the way through till the end of May. This tour is for fans of the extreme, blast beat driven, face melting, skull crushing, type of DEATH METAL that parents and young children are still afraid of. In addition to ORIGIN, we have CATTLE DECAPITATION, ABORTED, DECREPIT BIRTH, and new comers RINGS OF SATURN and BATTLECROSS coming through your town to lay waste to your local music venues. It would be appropriate to consider these shows more endurance tests than metal concerts. Come out and treat yourself to death metal boot camp this spring to ensure yourself that you will be in top shape for the next ‘progressive’ core band or washed up ‘old school death metal’ fest tour that will be sure to roll through the states soon after. Cheers and see you there!"

OCCUPATION DOMINATION 2012
ORIGIN, CATTLE DECAPITION, DECREPIT BIRTH, ABORTED, RINGS OF SATURN, BATTLECROSS
April 20 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
April 21 Wilmington, DE @ Mojo 13
April 22 Trenton, NJ @ BackStage at Champs
April 23 Keene, NH @ Railroad Tavern
April 24 Brooklyn, NY @ Europa
April 26 Peoria, IL @ Brass Rail
April 27 Joliet, IL @ Mojoe's
April 28 Portage, IN @ Camelot Arena
April 29 St Louis, MO @ Fubar
May 2 Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater
May 4 San Diego, CA @ Ruby Room
May 5 Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
May 6 Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky A Go-Go
May 7 Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
May 8 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
May 9 Stockton, CA @ Plea For Peace
May 10 Sparks, NV @ The Alley
May 11 Portland, OR @ Branx
May 12 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 13 Boise, ID @ The Venue
May 14 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
May 15 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
May 18 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
Entity was released on June 7, 2011, and was recorded at Chapman Recording Studios in Lenexa, Kansas with longtime engineer and friend Robert Rebeck. Artwork was handled this time around by Colin Marks (NEVERMORE, KATAKLYSM, EXODUS).
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, Entity. As expected, the death the band 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. As stated multiple times in the past, ORIGIN proves once again that they stand head and shoulders above their peers.

The Guitar Collection: George Harrison iPad App Released Today

BANDWDTH Publishing, in conjunction with the George Harrison Estate, announces the release of a special iPad app celebrating the guitarist and his historical guitar collection. The Guitar Collection: George Harrison iPad app is available through iTunes today, two days before Harrison's birthdate.

The app brings George Harrison's private guitar collection to life through photographs, detailed descriptions, audio, and video footage. For the first time, with the help of unique 360° imaging by photographer Steven Sebring, fans can see the scratches, dings, and worn threads on the guitars as if they were themselves holding the instruments. The app features a number of Harrison's best known guitars, including the Gretsch G6128 Duo Jet, the Gibson J-160E, the Rickenbacker 360/12, the Fender Stratocaster named 'Rocky', the Ramirez Classical, the Fender Rosewood Telecaster, and the Zemaitis Lotus 12-String, Additional guitars will be added to the app in the future.

Fans can examine Harrison's private guitar collection, through personal audio recordings from Harrison himself as he introduces many of the guitars and plays sections of songs.

The history of each guitar is laid out in great detail; including the origin of the guitar, when and how it became part of Harrison's collection, modifications he made to it and why each was so important in creating his distinctive sound. Songs from his catalogue are organized by the guitars used on each track, which allows the user to appreciate the personalities of each instrument.

The video section of the app contains footage of Ben Harper, Josh Homme, Mike Campbell, and Dhani Harrison each playing and showcasing the guitars and exploring their feel and tone. In addition, Conan O'Brien and Dhani discuss what make these guitars so exceptional. Also in this section, guitar great Gary Moore shares his views on what made George Harrison such a distinctive and influential guitar player.

The app, available now, is selling for $9.99 at the Apple App Store, at the link below:

Watch a video previewing the app's features at the link below:

Scion A/V Set to Release New Melvins EP, Scion A/V Presents: The Bulls & The Bees, on Mar. 13

Scion A/V has partnered with the Melvins for an EP titled Scion A/V Presents: The Bulls & The Bees, a five-song collection that marks the band's first original material since their 2010 album The Bride Screamed Murder. The release will be available as a free download on Mar. 13 via Scionav.com, with "The War On Wisdom" streaming this Friday on Pitchfork.com.

The Melvins formed in 1983, kicking off what would be a seismic shift in heavy music and focusing the epicenter of modern music firmly on the Pacific Northwest for the next decade plus. The band blended punk, metal, hard rock to create a new subgenre that has been tagged with a variety of labels including sludge, grunge and doom and won a cult of fans that have yet to waiver some twenty-nine years into the band's career. Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover have been the band's constants (Crover joined in 1984) with Big Business' Jared Warren and Coady Willis joining the band in 2006 for (A) Senile Animal

"The Melvins have remained such a consistent presence in heavy music," says Jeri Yoshizu, manager of sales promotions for Scion. "It's an honor to have them create an original release for Scion A/V."

Osborne described Scion A/V Presents: The Bulls & The Bees as "amazing in its noisy calm intensity."

Scion A/V Presents: The Bulls & The Bees Track Listing:

1. The War on Wisdom

2. We Are Doomed

3. Friends Before Larry

4. A Really Long Wait

5. National Hamster

The EP release will be followed by a 21-date U.S. trek that kicks off on Apr. 11 at The Blank Club in San Jose, Calif. and wraps up exactly a month later on May 11 at The Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana, Calif. Dates are:


Tour Schedule:

April 11 San Jose, CA The Blank Club

April 12 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall

April 13 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour

April 14 San Diego, CA The Casbah

April 17 El Paso, TX House of Rock

April 19 Austin, TX Mohawk

April 20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live

April 21 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack's

April 23 Orlando, FL The Social

April 24 Gainesville, FL Double Down Live

April 25 Atlanta, GA The Loft at Center Stage

April 26 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend

April 28 West Chester, PA The Note

April 29 New York, NY Webster Hall

May 1 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom

May 2 DeKalb, IL Otto's Nightclub

May 3 St. Louis, MO The Firebird

May 4 Nashville, TN Exit Inn

May 7 Dallas, TX Trees

May 9 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Brewing Company

May 11 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Concert Theatre

HEXEN - Album Artwork And Track Listing Revealed

Los Angeles thrash battalion HeXeN are set to unleash their second album, Being And Nothingness. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Vivid Tone Recording Studio (Lividity, Guthrie Govan, etc.) by producer Rich Bruce, the sonic onslaught of Being And Nothingness sees the band moving toward a far more comprehensive and thorough voyage of metal musicality and further distancing themselves from being just another run-of-the-mill revival band.
Being And Nothingness contains nine tracks of progressive thrash proficiency, closing with an epic eight-part suite, and features a hand-painted cover by celebrated extreme metal illustrator Kristian Wåhlin/Necrolord (King Diamond, Dissection, Emperor, etc) viewable HERE.
Commented HeXeN in a collective statement: “We are completely stoked for this long-worked on, long-awaited second release and we can’t wait to showcase this opus live to all our fans. Unlearn what you have learned about metal!”
Being And Nothingness Track Listing:
1. Macrocosm
2. Grave New World
3. Defcon Rising
4. Private Hell
5. Walk As Many, Stand As One
6. Stream Of Unconsciousness
7. Indefinite Archetype
8. The Nescient
9. Nocturne -
i. Opus 55 № 1 in Fmin
ii. Out of Reach
iii. Existential Crisis
iv. Entrance of the Absurd
v. The Unbearable Lightness of Being
vi. With Salvation I Persist
vii. Elegy of the Night
viii. End in Purplexity

Being And Nothingness will be released via Pulverised Records. Stay tuned for more announcements from HeXeN.

TOAD: Arizona Metal Miscreants Announce March Tour

Phoenix, Arizona metal miscreants TOAD are set to embark on a live takeover next month. The punishment will begin on March 2 in Tempe and wind its way through 15 cities before coming to a ceremonial close in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The band will be joined by a host of eclectic bands throughout the tour including Lo-Pan, Sons Of Tonatiuh, Black Market Ministry and more.

Commented the band in a collective statement: “TOAD has long been preparing for this moment, and the time has finally come. This journey will lead us into uncharted territory and will spark the widespread corruption of anyone and everyone that is either willing or unfortunate enough to participate. We are confident that this experience will be only the beginning of the debauchery and mayhem that is yet to come.”
TOAD — short for “Take Over And Destroy” — will be touring in support of their criminally underrated five-track Rotten Tide EP, self-released last year. Flaunting a fully analog recording, the monolithic offering was produced by Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket Recording and features the exclusive use of vintage gear from the ‘60s and ‘70s to create “a true rock ‘n’ roll sound.” An underground masterwork of sorts, Rotten Tide has created a stir amongst scene diehards in the know. Said Metal Storm in a 9.4/10 review: “It's got that raw, grooving rock n roll appeal that you'll find with the likes of Bison B.C. combined with the grim psychedelic feel offered by few others than Nachtmystium.” Added The Sleeping Shaman: “Rotten Tide comes across like the bastard son of Entombed with its spit-in-your-eye attitude and brash swagger. It’s rough and raw, whilst managing to sound decently produced…it grooves, it has dark psychedelia, it’s catchy, it’s unhinged; there is a mash up of punk, black metal, crazy treble picking, utterly abrasive and yet catchy.” The Obelisk agreed: “Rotten Tide blends a variety of styles from bombastic hardcore metal to post-Mastodonic technicality, and — perhaps most curiously of all — a preference for analog recording that’s almost entirely absent from the larger scope of modern metal. “

TOAD Tour Dates 2012:

3/02/2012 Palo Verde - Tempe, AZ
3/03/2012 Lyzards - Prescott, AZ
3/04/2012 Burt’s Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT w/ OldTimer
3/05/2012 Curtis Street Pub - Denver, CO w/ Low Gravity, Backwoods Payback
3/06/2012 Kelly’s Irish Pub - Wichita, KS
3/07/2012 JR’s Lightbulb Club - Fayetteville, AR w/ Left Holding The Gun, Perpetual Werewolf
3/08/2012 Downtown Music - Little Rock, AR w/ Crankbait, Lost Coves
3/09/2012 The Buccanneer - Memphis, TN w/ Lo-Pan
3/10/2012 WonderRoot - Atlanta, GA w/ Sons Of Tonatiuh, Canopy
3/11/2012 TBA
3/12/2012 The Tiki Bar - Shreveport, LA w/ Black Market Ministry
3/13/2012 Tsunami - Monroe, LA w/ Black Market Ministry
3/14/2012 TBA
3/15/2012 TBA - New Orleans, LA
3/16/2012 The Saturn Bar - New Orleans, LA w/ PonyKiller, Brain
3/17/2012 TBA - Austin, TX

Famed Guitarist JOHN 5 to Release New Solo Album ‘God Told Me To’ with Rocket Science Ventures on May 8th, 2012

JOHN 5 is pleased to announce the new release date for his impressive upcoming full-length solo CD/DVD, God Told Me To. The CD/DVD will be released through Rocket Science Ventures and Sony/RED on May 8th, 2012—just days before he heads out to perform with Rob Zombie on their upcoming co-headliner with Megadeth (see below for tour dates). God Told Me To was recorded and produced by JOHN 5, Chris Baseford (Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee) and Bob Marlette (Sebastian Bach, Black Sabbath) in 2011. The cover art for the album is illustrated by none other than Rob Zombie, who is also tapping JOHN 5 to score the entirety of his upcoming film, ‘The Lords of Salem’.

JOHN 5 doesn’t just play the guitar. His guitar is an extension of his soul and through it his music has become the Frankenstein birth penetrating the ear drums of fans and admirers worldwide. For JOHN 5, the music is not just about playing, but living, breathing, feeling and passion. His impressive resume has seen him work with some of the most renowned musicians in the industry (Rob Halford, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie to name a few), and has cemented his name into the annals of rock history.

The CD portion of the release features ten painstakingly handcrafted pieces transcending multiple styles—an equal combination of acoustic and electronically influenced tracks—each designed to gradually reveal JOHN 5’s innovative interpretation of his instrument. The orchestration of God Told Me To showcases JOHN 5’s ability to master the subtlety of dynamics, thus emphasizing the overall production value of this body of work. God Told Me To stands tall as a stunning, audible cultural experience.

The DVD portion of the release is hosted by retro-style horror-host Mike Odd and takes a look inside the world of JOHN 5 during his terrifying trip into the realm of God Told Me To. The DVD features footage of JOHN 5 in the studio while working on the new album, exclusive videos taken on tour, a peek inside the photo shoot for his 2011 remix album Remixploitation, and more.

“I'm so proud of this record, I’ve put more time into this release than any other! It's half acoustic and the other half electric with a tribute to Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen with ‘Beat It’,” states JOHN 5. “The DVD shows me actually recording the songs as well as behind the scenes of a "day in the life" of JOHN 5! This album will take you on a musical journey designed to show more diversity in my playing than in the past. Enjoy!”

JOHN 5 continues to branch out, coupling his solo career with his work in Rob Zombie. His five previous solo albums, up to his 2010 release, Art of Malice, continue to break new molds in solo instrumentalist work. JOHN 5 also continues to work in 2012 with other artists including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart, and is currently working on new music for Rob Zombie’s upcoming album.

JOHN 5 Performing with ROB ZOMBIE on Co-Headliner with MEGADETH:

5/11 Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

5/12 Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion

5/16 Pittsburgh, PA@ Stage AE

5/18 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Deltaplex

5/20 Columbus, OH @ Columbus Crew Stadium (Rock On The Range)

5/22 La Crosse, WI @ La Crosse Center

5/24 Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Center

5/25 Wichita, KS @ Hartman Arena

5/26 Pryor, OK @ Fever Music Festival Grounds (Rocklahoma)

JOHN 5’s brand new, redesigned website features a huge merchandise store, news updates, tour information, and more. For more on JOHN 5, his upcoming tour with Rob Zombie, and God Told Me To, please visit www.john-5.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

PHILM SIGN WITH IPECAC, ANNOUNCE MAY 15 RELEASE FOR DEBUT ALBUM "HARMONIC"

PHILM, the Los Angeles power trio featuring Slayer's Dave Lombardo, War's Pancho Tomaselli and Gerry Nestler of Civil Defiance, have signed to Ipecac Recordings and will release their debut album, Harmonic, on May 15.
 
"When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to Slayer's sound," explains Lombardo. "They couldn't be more different. I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent of the drummers from the late '60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as 'rhythmic emotion." It's almost like taking all the heavy songs of the '60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today."
 
"We decided to record Harmonic in the intimate setting of a home, with various vintage recording equipment. " says Lombardo on the band's debut album. "The music was written collectively in an improvisational manner, unlike the majority of recordings I've done before. This was very important given this is my first recording where I'm carrying the title of Producer and performer. The album achieves a dense, unholy convergence of tones and discords. We also touch on haunting, desolate, ambient sounds. Our music tends to be written in a manner where we never know the outcome until we listen back to what we recorded. A Harmonic journey."

A highly anticipated release, PHILM officially took form in late 2010 with a handful of tour dates and an early four-song demo that quickly began to make the rounds of in-the-know music critics. Noisecreep said the band "has crafted a crunchy, thrashy, yet thoroughly unclassifiable sound" and the OC Weekly said of the trio: "PHILM's ability to melt down metal influences and mix them with the elements of funk, ambient jazz and punk... is potent and has left audiences wondering how so much noise could emanating from just three musicians."

Harmonic track listing:

1. Vitriolize

2. Mitch

3. Hun

4. Area

5. Way Down

6. Harmonic

7. Exuberance

8. Sex Amp

9. Amoniac

10. Held in Light

11. Dome

12. Killion

13. Mezzanine

14. Mild

15. Meditation

PHILM's next show is Apr.28 at The Ruby Room in San Diego with more tour dates to be announced soon.