Archive for April, 2011

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HAVOK – Denver Thrashers To Kick Off Tour With Thrash Legends Forbidden

Posted in concerts, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 30, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Young Denver Thrash battalion, HAVOK, who recently wrapped up a tour supporting Florida Death Metal legends Malevolent Creation, are gearing up for two very special treks. The first is a short run of headlining dates that will commence in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 3 and run through to Amarillo, Texas on May 12. From there, the band will head home for a short break before joining Bay Area Thrash Legends, Forbidden, for a near month-long journey that will kick off in West Hollywood, California and level 22 North American cities before drawing to a close in Escondido, California. Also joining the tour will be Revocation and White Wizzard.

Commented vocalist/guitarist David Sanchez: “Starting May 3, we’ll be heading out for a west coast run.  Touring the west coast was how we got our start, so it always feels like home. It will be great to return for some head-smashing headline shows. Then in June, we’ll be doing a US/Canada run, coast to coast, with Forbidden, Revocation and White Wizzard! I am so psyched to be touring with all of these great bands!  Forbidden is one of my favorite Thrash Metal bands and I really hope to hear some songs from their first two albums. Revocation is one of my favorite bands to have come out in the last 10 years and they’re all friends of ours, so I’m super pumped to get to hang out with them every night! I anticipate White Wizzard to be epic-as-fuck every night as well. I’m very excited to be a part of this tour because I feel that it will be one of the best Metal packages of the 2011. Metal fans definitely won’t want to miss this tour. Prepare for some massive amounts of headbanging. Looking forward to seeing you all on the road!”

HAVOK Headlining Dates:

5/03/11 – Club Vegas – Salt Lake City, UT

5/04/11 – Metalheads – Las Vegas, NV

5/07/11 – Lost On Main – Chico, CA

5/10/11 – Big Fish Pub – Tempe, AZ

5/11/11 – Juggernaut – Gallup, NM

5/12/11 – Sorority House – Amarillo, TX

HAVOK w/ Forbidden, Revocation & White Wizzard:

6/09/11 – Whiskey A Go-Go – W. Hollywood, CA

6/11/11 – The Alley – Sparks, NV

6/12/11 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR

6/13/11 – Studio Seven – Seattle, WA

6/14/11 – Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, BC

6/15/11 – Sapphire Nightclub – Kelowna, BC

6/16/11 – Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB

6/17/11 – Riddell Centre – Regina, SK

6/18/11 – Royal Albert Arms – Winnipeg, MB

6/19/11 – Station – St. Paul, MN

6/20/11 – Mad Planet – Milwaukee, WI

6/21/11 – Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL

6/22/11 – Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH

6/23/11 – Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY

6/24/11 – Championship Bar – Trenton, NJ

6/25/11 – Alrosa Villa – Columbus, OH

6/26/11 – Fubar – St. Louis, MO

6/27/11 – Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO

6/29/11 – Marquis Theatre – Denver, CO

6/30/11 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM

7/01/11 – Clubhouse – Tempe, AZ

7/02/11 – JT’s Limelight – Escondido, CA

HAVOK will be touring in support of their critically acclaimed Time Is Up full-length released via Candlelight Records late last month.The  follow-up to the band’s pummeling Burn debut, Time Is Up features ten tracks of meticulously crafted Thrash Metal anthems that have been garnering praise from critics nationwide.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on HAVOK, click the links below:

http://www.myspace.com/havok

http://www.facebook.com/HavokOfficial

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

LONG LIVE HAVOK.

LONG LIVE FORBIDDEN.

LONG LIVE REVOCATION & WHITE WIZZARD.

Stone.

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FOREIGNER – Revisiting Their 1979 Album: Head Games

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 30, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

FOREIGNER – Back in 1979, I was exiting seventh grade in the Spring and entering eighth grade for the coming Fall season. I turned thirteen years of age in January of 1979, kicking off this memorable year as a teen. I used to think the world was mine for the pickings back then… I know much better now. One album that was released back in 1979 was definitely mine for the pickings though, it was Head Games by the forever steady and legendary Foreigner. Head Games was the third studio album from Foreigner, released on Atlantic Records.

When I realized my mother was going to buy me this album, as a reward for doing yard work and other chores, I was ecstatic. You see, Foreigner would be the very first band where I owned every one of their albums! Fortunately for me, Foreigner did not have an extensive catalog of albums back then, so corralling their first three releases was not a difficult task… I just had to earn these albums. Let me tell you this much, I did feel like a big shot and a tad cocky among my school buddies back then, due to my Foreigner loyalty in owning all three of their albums. I chuckle about it now for did it really matter? I guess it did matter at that age.

With albums being such a rare gift or reward for me, (back in 1979 that is), I kept this Head Games album in ultra mint condition. Yes, I did play Head Games like the cows were coming home to fart. I played this album and made certain that my favorite song Dirty White Boy was cranked up the loudest. Being thirteen and turning up the volume to Dirty White Boy, with my bedroom windows open during the warm days, so the neighbors could hear it, was my big idea of rebellion. Yes, I thought I was a rebel by doing that. Metal be thy name.

The big hit was the title track of course and Head Games was played on FM radio all the time back in ’79. I remember like it was yesterday, the ostrich bumps I would get up and down my arms and face whenever I played this song loud… or heard it on the FM dial. Um, I still kinda get ostrich bumps from this song… kinda. Rev on the Red Line is another song on Head Games that never lost it’s Classic Rock cool to my ears… it plays out so smooth and flows so well, while holding it’s hard edge.

Back in ’79, I considered Head Games to be my third favorite Foreigner album, behind their debut/self-titled from 1977 and Double Vision from 1978. I still feel this way. (Double Vision is hands down, my favorite Foreigner album ever). Yes, I do hold fond memories for this Foreigner album. I can remember the album cover giving off the “wow factor” to us kids back then, now I can only shrug and chuckle at it’s classic innocence.

I was into Lou Gramm’s vocals before I ever knew who Joe Lynn Turner was. I was into Foreigner before I can honestly say I was really into Black Sabbath. In reality, thirteen was the age I was during this year of ’79, which was part of the beginning years of my journey, a Rock music journey toward discovering more bands and albums that I could ever dream of. Head Games is an album I will always consider to be a building block of my lifetime infatuation with Hard Rock and yes… Metal.

FOREIGNER as they appeared on Head Games:

Lou Gramm – vocals

Mick Jones – guitar

Rick Wills – bass

Ian McDonald – guitar

Al Greenwood – keyboards

Dennis Elliott – drums

Track Listing For Head Games:

Dirty White Boy

Love on the Telephone

I’ll Get Even With You

Seventeen

Head Games

The Modern Day

Blinded By Science

Do What You Like

Rev on the Red Line

* One nifty fact about Foreigner:  Guitarist (multi-instrumentalist) Ian McDonald was a founding member of the legendary Progressive Rock band: King Crimson.

* For more info on FOREIGNER, click on this link: FOREIGNER

The word “nifty” was used in this Metal Odyssey post. Um, yup.

LONG LIVE FOREIGNER.

Stone.

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VOIVOD – To Release Live Album In The U.S. Via Sonic Unyon Metal

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Sonic Unyon Metal is extremely proud to announce the confirmed upcoming release of a live album from the almighty VOIVOD!

Late in 2009, VOIVOD released their live Tatsumaki DVD, filmed the previous fall when they toured Japan for the first time ever. To celebrate its release of the DVD, VOIVOD performed in front of a sold-out crowd on December 12th, 2009 at Club Soda in their adopted hometown of Montreal, Quebec. It was their first headlining show in the city of Montreal in more than ten years and it was celebrated in grand style. It was a fitting end to a busy year that saw them named Metal Band Of The Year at the 2010 Indie Awards in Canada. The show was recorded for posterity and is now being released as the fifteen-track Warriors Of Ice, the first official VOIVOD live album to feature original band members Denis ‘Snake’ Belanger on vocals and bassist Jean-Yves ‘Blacky’ Theriault, as well as new guitarist Dan “Chewy” Mongrain.

Set for release on June 21, 2011, Warriors Of Ice highlights the classic period of the original VOIVOD lineup as well as a few new songs, all raging with the band’s notorious live energy. Containing songs from their classic albums, spanning from 1984’s War And Pain right up through 1991’s Angel Rat, as well as two songs from their 2009 Infini LP, the album is built of VOIVOD’s signature songs, from “Voivod” and “Nuclear War” to “Tribal Convictions” and “Astronomy Domine.” View the cover art for Warriors Of Ice — designed by drummer Michel Langevin, a.k.a. “Away”.

VOIVOD:

Denis “Snake” Belanger – vocals

Jean-Yves “Blacky” Theriault – bass

Dan “Chewy” Mongrain – guitar

Michel “Away” Langevin – drums

Warriors Of Ice Track Listing:

01. Voivod

02. The Unknown Knows

03. The Prow

04. Ripping Headaches

05. Ravenous Medicine

06. Tribal Convictions

07. Overreaction

08. Panorama

09. Global Warning

10. Treasure Chase

11. Tornado

12. Nothingface

13. Brain Scan

14. Nuclear War

15. Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd cover)

The 15-track set captured on Warriors Of Ice is undeniably packed with VOIVOD fan favorites, making it an absolute must-have release for diehard fans and a great starting point for the uninitiated as well. This is the main set VOIVOD ravaged their audiences with on their 2010 US tour alongside Kreator, and at their headlining slot at the 2010 Scion Rock Fest.

VOIVOD are currently touring Europe, and will begin to assault the North American masses again this May when they are scheduled as one of the top headliners of the 2011 Maryland Deathfest. Stay tuned for more North American tour dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on VOIVOD, click on the links below:

http://www.voivod.com

http://voivod.net

http://www.facebook.com/Voivod

http://www.sonicunyon.com/metal

LONG LIVE VOIVOD.

Stone.

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CHIMAIRA – ANNOUNCES SPRING 2011 TOUR DATES!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal tours, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

New York, NY) — CHIMAIRA have announced a handful of tour dates this spring throughout Ohio and Michigan.

5/25/11 Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
5/26/11 Sandusky, OH – The Underground
5/27/11 Louisville, OH – The Carriage House
5/28/11 Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under
5/29/11 Geneva, OH – The Cove
5/30/11 Mentor, OH – Live Wire

The band is fresh out of the studio having completed their upcoming yet to be titled record due out later this year. After making headlines with recent member changes and Charlie Sheen related shenanigans, CHIMAIRA are ready to get back to playing live shows.

CHIMAIRA is Mark Hunter (vocals), Rob Arnold (guitar), Matt DeVries (guitar), Emil Werstler (Bass), Sean Zatorsky (Keyboards/Samples) and Austin D’Amond (Drums).

(Source: eOne Music)

LONG LIVE CHIMAIRA.

Stone.

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HUNTED – Progressive Metal Band Signs To Massacre Records!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on April 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

HUNTED – Based in Cardiff, Wales, the Progressive Metal band HUNTED has signed on with Massacre Records. This very cool Metal news was expressed to me, via correspondence, from HUNTED guitarist Steven Barberini. This Metal news was also released by HUNTED via their twitter page on April 21, 2011, which read: “Hunted sign to Massacre Records! Official announcements coming soon!!” As more Metal details surface, Metal Odyssey will bring it to you! Visit HUNTED on twitter: HUNTED – twitter

Metal Odyssey gives HUNTED a Metal congratulations and horns up! This is well deserved Metal news for an excellent band that has released a debut album that is one of 2011’s very best in Metal: Welcome The Dead.

To read Metal Odyssey’s complete album review for HUNTED – Welcome The Dead, (posted on March 23, 2011),  just click on the big header link below:

HUNTED “Welcome The Dead” – Colossal Progressive Metal To Prize

* For more info on HUNTED, click on the link below:

HUNTED – myspace music

LONG LIVE HUNTED.

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER – SICKENING: AN OVERDOSE OF METAL NEVER FELT SO GOOD

Posted in Extreme Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – Just about two years removed, from Morphine Killer’s 2009 back-to-back EP releases of Unapologetic and Nightmares… and their first full-length album Sickening is unleashed. Morphine Killer has self produced each release thus far, all released on their very own Final Breath Records. If I’ve said it once, I shall never stop saying: the do-it-yourself ingenuity of Eski and Belle Roka, combined with the music genius and production expertise of Eski and the premier vocals that both musicians bestow are what will catapult this Metal duo to great heights one day… very soon.

I look back on the time when I happened to cross paths with this band and it has served me right ever since. A Metal band that gravitates towards a never ending improvement approach, from album to album, instead of levitating, will continuously create music that will stand out. This is the Metal mindset and work ethic of Morphine Killer. What Eski has accomplished with his multi-instrumental and multi-tasking talents on Sickening is nothing short of stunning. Then again, after becoming so absorbed by this bands first two EP’s, I should have expected an album like Sickening to sound this strong and mature.

Eski recently summed it up best to me: “If you have something to prove, you’ll have an edge to your sound. Each new CD is the next chapter of Morphine Killer”. How true are those words from Eski. Sickening is without doubt, a brand new listen into dark lyrical themes which are carried aloft by edgy Metal vibes. This is what shakes loose any status quo cobwebs within my ears. The Metal of Morphine Killer is real, street and non-contained.

There are Metal bands that want to be cool and accepted, while forgetting about song writing, production and substance. Then there’s Morphine Killer, where the music ingredients and chemistry within the band mean something. Eski states: “The biggest benefit is that it’s just the two of us and we’re constantly evolving which breeds continuity”. We’re most proud of this album production wise, we feel we’ve come into our own vocally on this new album”.

The 2010 Morphine Killer single Throw It All Away has made it’s home on Sickening and it already made it’s mark on Metal Odyssey’s “Top Ten Songs of 2010” list, (posted on December 24, 2010). Belle Roka’s vocals on Throw It All Away, It’s Too Late, Crack The Whip and Sacreligious Celebration makes for a legitimate reminder to me, that she can sing like a Classic Rock diva. Morphine Killer’s wild card strength lies in their approach to Heavy Music diversity. Both Belle and Eski are not bashful in bestowing what Rock genres have influenced their creativity and talents. From Grindcore to Classic Rock, there are many Metal nuances to be heard on Sickening.

An Air Of Disrespect and Time To Destroy are blasting reminders that Morphine Killer will grind it out, shred and deliver their brand of Extreme Metal. This song is a formidable statement that Morphine Killer can get pissed off and put some potent rage into their Metal and vocals. The instrumental New Industry is a swirl of macabre sound, courtesy of some ominous keyboards that swirl about and engulf the atmosphere with chilling vibes. Eski remarked: We introduced keyboards on Sickening more often than in the past. It’s another layer of excitement, another wall of sound versus the guitar, bass and drums.”

When speaking to Eski on what the lyrical thought process was behind Sickening, Eski stated: “People want problems solved, but they want someone else to solve them. In our everyday lives, it really has become a real sickening display of how we say one thing and do another. We can’t write happy songs just because it’s what everyone wants to hear, we write how we feel. There is a real beauty about something being so strange, mysterious and scary, we just want to help show that”.

Morphine Killer has released a killer album with Sickening… certainly one of the best in Metal releases this year.

MORPHINE KILLER:

Belle Roka – vocals & keyboards

Eski – vocals, guitar, bass & drums

Track Listing For SICKENING:

Another Day In The Flames

Crack The Whip

Sacrilegious Celebration

An Air Of Disrespect

It’s Too Late

The Breeding Ground

Time To Destroy

Throw It All Away

New Industry

* Sickening album cover designed by: Bobby Rodriguez.

* For more info on MORPHINE KILLER, click the links below:

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

MORPHINE KILLER – facebook

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

MORPHINE KILLER – STORE

IF THE FUTURE OF HEAVY MUSIC IS IN THE HANDS OF BANDS LIKE MORPHINE KILLER, THEN I CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT. – Stone

LONG LIVE MORPHINE KILLER.

Stone.

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IHSAHN – Confirmed For ProgPower USA

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Former Emperor vocalist/guitarist IHSAHN will make his first American solo appearance at ProgPower USA, scheduled September 14-17 at Center Stage in Atlanta. Confirmed by festival organizer Glenn Harveston, IHSAHN replaces Arcturus on the Friday evening lineup of the popular music festival. Tickets are nearly sold out; fans are encouraged to buy tickets now.

IHSAHN comments, “I am very excited to get the opportunity to play at ProgPower. My backing band, Leprous, played the festival last year and had a fantastic time. Given the nature of my solo-material, I believe this festival will be a great place to present it live.  I have already performed at several festivals/shows in Europe in 2009/2010 and will do a few more this year.”

IHSAHN’s performance is expected to include selections from all three solo albums – The Adversary (2006), Angl (2008) and his most recent, After (2010). “As compelling as Emperor’s best,” says Decibel in a review of After in their February 2010 issue. Continuing, the magazine notes, “IHSAHN sounds as fresh as he did fifteen years ago, but with the hindsight of a grown man.” Revolver called the album, “brimming with classical, goth, prog, and eighties-metal passages.”

After completes IHSAHN’s planned trilogy of initial recordings. The album showcases the Norwegian icon with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect), bassist Lars K. Norberg (Spiral Architect), and saxophonist Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). Currently at work on his fourth album, IHSAHN confirms he is eighty percent done with the songwriting and is planning for a mid-2012 release.

Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) Award Nominee IHSAHN (born Vegard Tveitan) began playing music at a very early age. As a teenager, his friendship with Tomas Haugen (a.k.a. Samoth) would trigger the start of his music career — one that to date includes over fifty individual recordings, five high-profile Emperor European tours (the band reaching US shores on only three occasions) and the respect of fans and peers worldwide. In mid-2009, IHSAHN gave his first live performance in Oslo supporting Opeth.

IHSAHN is endorsed exclusively by Ibanez Guitars, Line 6, Steinberg and Blackstar Amplification.

Tickets for ProgPower USA are available now via Ticketmaster.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info, click on the links below:

http://www.ihsahn.com
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.progpowerusa.com

LONG LIVE IHSAHN.

Stone.

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ARGUS: Full Album Stream and Contest Hosted By MetalReview Is Live Today! April 25th, 2011

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

With the street date for Pennsylvania-based traditional/Doom Metal warriors ARGUS‘ sophomore album, Boldly Stride The Doomed, just over a week away, high-traffic Metal ‘zine MetalReview.com is hosting a stream of the entire ten-song opus until its official for North American release on May 3, via Cruz Del Sur Records. Stop by and crank up the album stream at this location now!

In addition to the album stream, MetalReview is also hosting a contest in conjunction with Cruz Del Sur and ARGUS directly. Running from now until the May 3 North American release date, the “Name That Mascot and Tell Us What the Hell He’s Doing On Those Two Covers” contest focuses on the cover art for ARGUS‘ new Boldly Stride The Doomed full-length, as well as their 2009 self-titled debut album, both crafted by artist Brad Moore. Check out the full details and enter the contest at this location.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on ARGUS, click the link below:

ARGUS – myspace music

LONG LIVE ARGUS.

Stone.

1 Comment »

SEETHER – Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray: Releases May 17th, 2011!

Posted in alternative metal, alternative rock, Hard Rock, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SEETHER –  Following their incredibly successful 2007 studio album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, Seether will be releasing Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray on May 17th, 2011, via Wind-up. With 12 new songs on this hotly anticipated Seether release, the deluxe edition includes 4 bonus tracks! Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray features Country Song and you can currently purchase this new Hard Rockin’ slice of Seether on iTunes!

Stone says, about Country Song:

Country Song re-establishes Seether as an Alternative Metal/Hard Rock band that leaps away from the Rock norm, while leading by example. The flirtatious Country Rock vibe gives way to the heaviness that is Seether. The combination of Shaun Morgan’s vocals and heavy guitar, with foot stompin’ and fist raising rhythms, inventively elevates Country Song into a stratosphere of Modern Hard Rock perfection. Great music happens, with great song writing.

SEETHER:

Shaun Morgan – lead vocals, guitar

Dale Stewart – bass, backing vocals

John Humphrey – drums

Troy McLawhorn – guitar

Track Listing – Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray:

For Cue

No Resolution

Here and Now

Country Song

Master of Disaster

Tonight

Pass Slowly

Fade Out

Roses

Down

Desire For Need

Forsaken

* The Deluxe Edition includes the following bonus tracks:

Dead Seeds 

Yeah

Nobody

Effigy

* For more info on SEETHER, just click the links below:

SEETHER – Official Website

SEETHER – Official facebook

SEETHER – myspace music

Wind-up

LONG LIVE SEETHER.

Stone.

1 Comment »

9 Chambers: In Studio and Recording “Goin’ The Other Way” – See The Video Here!

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Left: Ed Mundell, Right: Greg Hampton

(All Photo Credits: Rockframe Media/Karen Murphy Mundell)

9 CHAMBERS – Led by multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Hampton and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist Ed Mundell, the new Hard Rock supergroup of 9 Chambers is currently in the studio and recording for their forthcoming debut album.

The lineup for 9 Chambers with their storied backgrounds: Vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, The New Czars, Lita Ford, to name a few), guitarist Ed Mundell (ex-Monster Magnet), Jorgen Carlsson on bass (Gov’t Mule) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heavn & Hell, DIO) on drums.

“Some guest drummers of recognition will be on board to finish off a few songs”, Greg Hampton has recently told me. Stay tuned for more updates, videos, song samples and news as it breaks from 9 Chambers… it will all be covered right here on Metal Odyssey! Check out Greg Hampton and Ed Mundell below, trading off and playing their guitar licks while recording “Goin’ The Other Way”:

Jorgen Carlsson – bass

Vinny Appice – drums

* Check out some very cool song samples from 9 Chambers by clicking this link: 9 Chambers – Audio Samples

* For more info on 9 Chambers, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

* Related post (click below) on 9 Chambers, featured on Metal Odyssey:

9 Chambers – Hard Rock Supergroup Of: Greg Hampton, Ed Mundell, Jorgen Carlsson and Vinny Appice!

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

2 Comments »

Ted Nugent – “Tied Up In Love” From 1984 Revisited!

Posted in classic rock, Guitar, guitar legends, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

TED NUGENT – Back in 1984, the 8th studio album from guitar and Rock legend Ted Nugent was released on Atlantic Records. This album was Penetrator and it ROCKS, regardless of what any snotty, red carpet, plastic faced, poser ridden, “professional” and overpaid Rock critics may have written about it over the decades. Ted Nugent had the vocal talent of Brian Howe on Penetrator. I’ve always enjoyed the vocals of Brian Howe, his solo material and (career) albums with Bad Company is always an excellent listen for me.

I bought Penetrator on vinyl back in ’84 at a department store called Bradlees. I no longer have that slab of vinyl… it’s a shame. One of my favorite songs from Penetrator is Tied Up In Love. This Ted Nugent album saw the inclusion of keyboards. Tied Up In Love gets a tempo boost from the keyboards. The elevation of sound these keys give this song never fails to psyche-me-out. Ted Nugent also adds many kickin’ guitar licks to Tied Up In Love. A true hard and heavy song classic from an album that I’ve never forgotten about. Metal be thy name.

Getting back to the keyboards, which are so prevalent in this melodically accessible Ted Nugent piece of history, is my maybe being a tad bias about keyboards in the first place. I’ve always revered the Classic Rock backbone sound of the B3 organ, only that takes us off topic by a few strands of corn hair. My love affair for the keyboards in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is rather unshakable. The too numerous to count European Power Metal bands that I scream for in Metal glee, is true Metal measurement, to my everlasting infatuation towards the mighty sound that the keyboards bring to the Rock ‘N’ Roll party.

Here’s hoping you dig Ted Nugent’s Tied Up In Love as much as I do!

Track Listing For Penetrator:

Tied Up In Love

(Where Do You) Draw The Line

Knockin’ At Your Door

Don’t You Want My Love

Go Down Fighting

Thunder Thighs

No Man’s Land

Blame It On The Night

Lean Mean R&R Machine

Take Me Home

* For more info on TED NUGENT, just click on the link below:

TED NUGENT

TED NUGENT SHOULD BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. DAMMIT.

LONG LIVE TED NUGENT.

Stone.

15 Comments »

HEMOPTYSIS – Drummer Travis Thune Announces Endorsement Deal With Los Cabos Drumsticks

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Hemoptysis are proud to announce that their drummer, Travis Thune has inked an endorsement deal with Los Cabos Drumsticks.

Travis had this to say:
“I am proud and honored to become the newest member of the Los Cabos family. I fell in love with their drumsticks the first time I tried them. They provide the extra weight and durability I need to play drums for Hemoptysis. There is no other drumstick I would rather use”.

Hemoptysis Upcoming Live Dates:

Apr 29  The Drunken Lass  Prescott AZ.
Apr 30  Burts Tiki Lounge   Albuquerque NM.
May 7   The Cubhouse       Tempe AZ.* Tickets
*with Sepultura, D.R.I., Hate, Belphegor, Neuraxis, Bonded By Blood, and Keep of Kalessin
May 13  The Rock Tuscon AZ.

Hemoptysis full length debut “Misanthropic Slaughter” will be available in stores throughout Europe on May 27, 2011. The album is being released throughout Europe via Rock It Up Records, and the European version will include the music video for “Shadow of Death” as a bonus feature. Digital copies of Misanthropic Slaughter are available through iTunes, physical copies can be purchased at: Hemoptysis – Official Merchandise Store

(Source: Hemoptysis)

* For updated news on Hemoptysis:
Official Site:   http://www.hemoptysismetal.com/
Myspace:        http://www.myspace.com/hemoptysismetal
Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/hemoptysis

LONG LIVE HEMOPTYSIS.

Stone.

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EGYPT CENTRAL – White Rabbit: Releases May 17th, 2011! Exclusive Live Concert Photos From 2011 Tour!

Posted in concerts, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

EGYPT CENTRAL  – Memphis Tennessee’s Alternative Metal/Hard Rock foursome of Egypt Central will be releasing their ultra-anticipated sophomore album, White Rabbit, on May 17th, 2011, via Fat Lady Music. As a follow-up to their successful self-titled debut album, White Rabbit has 12 new songs for fans to get revved up for!

EGYPT CENTRAL:

John Falls – vocals

Joey Chicago – bass

Blake Allison – drums

Jeff James – guitars

Back on March 19, 2011, I had the opportunity to check out Egypt Central perform live at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Egypt Central opened for Modern/Alt Rock legends COLD on the: A Tour Of The American Dream, with Oceans Divide and Kopek also lending support . Local favorites and rising Hard Rockers Maddam Ink. capped off the evening of Heavy Music.

With the talented eye and lens of Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre, these very cool photos (below) were taken at that show. Egypt Central kicked some major Rockin’ ass that night. ‘Nuff said. This is a band that took ownership of the stage and had their fans psyched-out beyond belief.

(Left: John Falls on vocals, Right: Jeff James on guitar)

(Joey Chicago – bass)

(John Falls – vocals)

(Jeff James – guitar)

(Blake Allison – drums)

Track Listing For White Rabbit:

Ghost Town

White Rabbit

Goodnight

Kick Ass

Change

The Drug (Part 1)

Down In Flames

Enemy Inside (Part 2)

Blame

Dying To Leave

Surrender

Backfire

* All live photo credits: Tom Coderre

* White Rabbit was produced & mixed by Skidd Mills for Skiddco Music LLC

* For more info on EGYPT CENTRAL, click on the link below:

EGYPT CENTRAL – official myspace

EGYPT CENTRAL – Official Website

FAT LADY MUSIC

LONG LIVE EGYPT CENTRAL.

Stone.

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TRILLION RED – two tongues ep: Take A Dark Descent Into An Ambient Metal Abyss

Posted in ambient music, avant-garde music, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

TRILLION RED – Comprised of 4 songs, this Trillion Red (debut self-released) two tongues ep combines all the dark ambience, progressiveness and flirtations with Extreme Metal that this Metalhead could wish for. The duo of Patrick Brown (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards) and Max Woodside (drums) from San Francisco, have formulated quite an exquisite Metal sound and style that is as sinister as it is ambient.

While I listened to these songs the first several times, I let my Metal mind journey afar to experience where it would go. I kept envisioning a trek to the center of the Earth, just a few blocks from the gates of Hell itself, discovering what Metal would sound like when it’s created there. I’m not kidding around. Music is supposed to take you places, so if my Metal minds eye has me trotting about somewhere in Middle Earth due to Trillion Red’s dark wall of Metal sound, so be it. Metal be thy name.

As a Metal bonus, there are Metal genres that scream out through the songs on two tongues ep: Stoner and Doom chugging make it’s presence heard on Lullaby. Creepy and atmospherically macabre, Lullaby is not to be confused for a song that let’s the sun shine in while sugar plums dance in your head. The opening track No Visible Help (Hold Tight!) is carried by thumping Metal bass grooves and retrospective guitar tones and riffs that should make Tony Iommi proud. Patrick’s intro vocals on this song indicates to me, an admirable taste for Black Metal.

Forging Two Tongues / A Reckoning has Patrick summoning up the spirit of Jim Morrison in his vocal tone, with a poetic vibe in his calmer verses. Oh, can Patrick switch vocal gears however, giving this song it’s maniacal beauty with his Extreme vocal range. The coda of this song only solidifies my feelings of being a few blocks from the gates of Hell too… whoa.

Right Over To The Helm begins innocently enough with a slow tempo of Stoner fused with psychedelic sound, while Patrick takes a deliberate and eloquent approach to singing, with a near spoken word. At nearly the mid-point, the tempo picks up quickly and shades of psychedelia smothered in Metallic froth boils over. Trillion Red is not delivering the same old here, they are delivering an ambient horn of plenty and I’m listening. Hell yeah I am.

Musically as a whole, Patrick displays his keen talents of being a multi-instrumentalist, while Max is downright good and very cool to take in on drums. A “less is more” style to Max’s drumming fits right into these songs. Songwriting is a plus here, while the layering of all 4 songs gives this ep it’s intriguing delight. Trillion Red have created songs to be digested thoroughly, then savored and reached for again… and again.

With bands that Patrick has looked up to, such as Triptykon/Celtic Frost to Pink Floyd, with Old School Swedish Death Metal, YES, Miles Davis and George Carlin in-between, it is no wonder he has such a savvy grasp on the music he’s created and played on this two tongues ep.

Left: Max, Right: Patrick

TRILLION RED:

Patrick Brown – vocals, guitars, bass & keyboards

Max Woodside – drums

TRILLION RED Track Listing:

No Visible Help (Hold Tight!)

Forging Two Tongues / A Reckoning

Right Over To The Helm

Lullaby

* For more info on TRILLION RED, click the link below:

TRILLION RED – Official Website

TRILLION RED – myspace music

LONG LIVE TRILLION RED.

Stone.

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Children Of Bodom – “Was It Worth It?” Video Rips, Tears and Burns!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, melodic death metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

CHILDREN OF BODOM – Released on March 8th, 2011, via Spinefarm Records, Relentless reckless forever is the newest, brutal, crashin’, Thrashin’, Metalin’, rippin’, tearin’ and burnin’ album from Children Of Bodom. (I think I described this fabulous new album from COB quite well, in the opening sentence). Alexi Laiho is on fire once again with both his Extreme vocals and blistering guitar licks!

Relentless reckless forever is easily one of the BEST Metal albums 0f 2011 that I’ve been exposing my Metal ears to. Metal be thy name: if you haven’t picked up this new COB album just yet, what are you waiting for?

Below is the music video for Was It Worth It? from Relentless, reckless forever. Take my Metal advice, it is worth it to listen to and watch Was It Worth It? below!

CHILDREN OF BODOM:

Alexi Laiho – guitars & vocals

Janne Warman – keyboards

Roope Latvala – guitars

Jaska Raatikainen – drums

Henkka Blacksmith – bass

* For more info on CHILDREN OF BODOM, click the link below:

Children Of Bodom – Official Website

LONG LIVE CHILDREN OF BODOM.

Stone.

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OCEANS DIVIDE – Concert Overview: The Crocodile Rock Cafe, Allentown, Pennsylvania, March 19th, 2011

Posted in alternative rock, concerts, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, modern rock, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 20, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(All Photo Credits: Tom Coderre)

OCEANS DIVIDE – I went to the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, back on March 19th, 2011, to catch A Tour Of The American Dream. This tour is headlined by Modern/Alt Rock/Hard Rock legends COLD. Oceans Divide, Egypt Central and Ireland’s very own Rockin’ juggernaut known as KOPEK, each took the stage that night in support of COLD. Pennsylvania’s local favorite and steadily rising Maddam Ink. capped off the evening of Hard Rock noize.

And what a night of Hard Rock it was. I remember turning to Tom Coderre (Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer) and saying: “this is like a mini-indoor Hard Rock festival tonight”. Tom agreed and was stoked to get his camera into Rockin’ gear. The mood among the huge crowd of Hard Rock lovin’ fans was laid back and friendly. Once the Hard Rock was played on stage though, the mood of the fans quickly shifted into psyche-out mode. Oh, there is nothing more exhilarating than standing among a crowded club of fellow Heavy Music fans, all with one common goal to… GET ROCKED OUT!

Chris McCoy – vocals

Chris McCoy – The vocalist for Oceans Divide bestowed complete confidence onstage, with a touch of swagger in his step. Chris also has the vocals to back it up. Harmonious and still hard edged, Chris’s vocals gives an identity to the band he founded and leads.

Oceans Divide can take some hefty credit for psyching out their fans in attendance. Their hook laden and melodic style of sound, coupled with the high energy level they exhibited, convinced me Oceans Divide has something very cool and now going on. My Metal perception told me Oceans Divide looked and played comfortable on stage, exhibiting signs of a band that plays tight and gets along. I’ll say this much: I went to the Crocodile Rock that night familiar with a few songs from Oceans Divide… and left as a jubilant believer of this band.

Anyone unfamiliar with Oceans Divide should get acquainted with their self-titled debut album, which has the subtitle: the ep. Oceans Divide plays Rock and Hard Rock, fused with some Modern style relevance, at a level of quality I’m used to hearing from bands such as Creed, Alter Bridge and CAVO, to name a few. Yes, these guys from Spokane, Washington are new… and they’re really good. Melodically driven songs carried out through stellar musicianship and head turning vocals, are what makes Oceans Divide a band worth listening to and watching play live.

Silas McQuain – On drums, Silas was letting his beats be known and felt, as he kept the live rhythmic pace of Oceans Divide moving and the fans grooving.

Left: Dan Goodman on bass with Chris McCoy. Dan’s twin brother John plays lead guitar for Oceans Divide, (not shown).

Morgan Mallory on rhythm guitar

I had an opportunity to chat with rhythm guitarist Morgan Mallory after their set. Filling in for Eric Varnell on this tour only, Morgan (more than) appeared to fit right in with Oceans Divide, both onstage and off. Morgan proved to be a friendly, outgoing and very likable guy. Morgan is also the frontman for LUCID, a Rock/Metal band from the state of Washington. You can find out more about Morgan Mallory by clicking here: Morgan Mallory.com

(Left: Stone “that’s me”, Right: Chris McCoy/vocalist)

Chris McCoy, as with every member of Oceans Divide, is a class act. Chris stopped to chat with fans all night long. Signing autographs and posing for pictures for his fans seemed like a call of duty for the Oceans Divide frontman. As COLD later took the stage, Chris motioned to Cold’s frontman Scooter Ward and said to me: “It’s because of Scooter Ward and Cold that I’m doing what I do today. I was listening to Cold when I was fourteen years old. He and that band paved the way for bands like ours, he is an inspiration to me”.

OCEANS DIVIDE – ep (Released February 2011) This 7 song ep was released via UEG (Union Entertainment Group, Inc.) * This OCEANS DIVIDE ep comes with: The Metal Odyssey Hard Rockin’ stamp of approval.

This is the “lit-up” signage above the merch table for Oceans Divide.

Here is a cool cymbal that was for sale at the Oceans Divide merch table. Notice it is autographed by the band too! I didn’t buy it, um, I had already spent my limit on CD’s and beer. Metal be thy name.

* For more info on OCEANS DIVIDE, just click the link below:

OCEANS DIVIDE – Official Website

LONG LIVE OCEANS DIVIDE.

Stone.

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SYMFONIA – New Album “In Paradisum” Streaming Via AOL Music and Released Today! April 19th, 2011

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SYMFONIA, the new Melodic Metal project featuring the all-star lineup of vocalist Andre Matos (ex-Angra), guitarist Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), drummer Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween), bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) and keyboardist Mikko Harkin (ex-Sonata Arctica), unleash their debut full-length today via Armoury Records. Titled In Paradisum, the ten-track offering was recorded mainly in Finland, mixed and mastered in Italy and produced by Timo Tolkki.

In celebration of its release, the album is currently streaming in its entirety via AOL Music. To check it out, point your browser HERE.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE SYMFONIA.

Stone.

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Masaki Murashita of HEMOPTYSIS: Announces Endorsement Deal With ENGL Amps

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Photo Credit: Eyeful Images Photographic Arts)

Hemoptysis guitarist (and vocalist) Masaki Murashita has announced an endorsement deal with ENGL Amps, joining notable musicians such as Gary Holt (Exodus), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Mille Petrozza (Kreator), Marty Friedman, and many others in his endorsement of ENGL Amps.

Murashita had this to say:
“I’m extremely honored to become a member of the Engl family. Engl’s amps are absolutely amazing, and I was hooked on them the instant I plugged in. Engl has provided me with another killer “weapon” for Hemoptysis’ Metal onslaught.”

Hemoptysis Upcoming Dates:
Apr 29  The Drunken Lass – Prescott AZ.
Apr 30  Burts Tiki Lounge – Albuquerque NM.
May 7   The Cubhouse – Tempe AZ.* Tickets
May 13  The Rock – Tuscon AZ.

* With Sepultura, D.R.I., Hate, Belphegor, Neuraxis, Bonded By Blood, and Keep of Kalessin

(Source: Hemoptysis)

* For more info on HEMOPTYSIS, click on the links below:

HEMOPTYSIS – myspace music

HEMOPTYSIS – Facebook

HEMOPTYSIS – Official Website

Hemoptysis – Official Merchandise Store

LONG LIVE HEMOPTYSIS.

Stone.

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FAITHSEDGE – AOL Music Is Streaming Entire Debut Album Now! April 18th, 2011

Posted in arena rock, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

FAITHSEDGE – The debut and self-titled album of Melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal from FAITHSEDGE will be released tomorrow, April 19th, 2011, on Scarlet Records. Originating from Huntington Beach, California, FAITHSEDGE is a band of Rock Music industry pros… and they’re worth every millisecond of your time to check out!  You can listen to the entire album streaming, right now, at AOL Music! Just click this link: AOL MUSIC – FAITHSEDGE

FAITHSEDGE:

Giancarlo Floridia – vocals & guitar

Fabrizio Grossi – bass

Alex De Rosso – lead guitar

Tony Morra – drums

* To read the complete album review I wrote for FAITHSEDGE, just click on the big link below:

FAITHSEDGE – Debut Album Is One Of The Year’s Best In Both Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

* For more info on FAITHSEDGE, click the links below:

FAITHSEDGE – facebook

FAITHSEDGE – Official Website


LONG LIVE FAITHSEDGE.

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER – “SICKENING” RELEASES APRIL 20TH, 2011! HERE’S THE METAL DETAILS…

Posted in Extreme Metal, gothic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – From Garden Grove, California, MORPHINE KILLER returns! The Metal… the Extreme Metal… along with their explosively melodic single Throw It All Away are all heard on the new full-length: SICKENING. April 20th, 2011 is the release date for SICKENING via Final Breath Records.

Following the Metal success of their 2009 EP releases of Unapologetic and Nightmares, MORPHINE KILLER are back with an album of 9 songs that will leave your eardrums scorched and begging for more! SICKENING is the Metal beacon that will stop fans of Metal and Extreme Metal right in their tracks. Don’t miss out on one of 2011’s most anticipated Metal releases… serve yourself Metal right and get your copy of SICKENING!

* SICKENING will be available through Amazon.com, iTunes, Emusic, cdbaby and a few other outlets within the next few weeks.

* You can pre-order SICKENING by clicking here: MORPHINE KILLER – STORE

MORPHINE KILLER:

Belle Roka – vocals & keyboards

Eski – vocals, guitar, bass & drums

Track Listing For SICKENING:

Another Day In The Flames

Crack The Whip

Sacrilegious Celebration

An Air Of Disrespect

It’s Too Late

The Breeding Ground

Time To Destroy

Throw It All Away

New Industry

* SICKENING includes Throw It All Away, the single released in 2010. This amazing song features the astounding vocals of Belle Roka and the stellar musicianship of Eski. This melodically heavy side of Morphine Killer ignites! Throw It All Away was honored in Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Songs of 2010! Check it out for yourself and give Throw It All Away a listen by clicking the big links below!

MORPHINE KILLER – NEW SINGLE “THROW IT ALL AWAY” IS OUT NOW AND CAN’T MISS!

Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Songs Of 2010 And #1 Music Video!

* For more info on MORPHINE KILLER, click the links below:

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

MORPHINE KILLER – facebook

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

IF THE FUTURE OF HEAVY MUSIC IS IN THE HANDS OF BANDS LIKE MORPHINE KILLER, THEN I CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT. – Stone

LONG LIVE MORPHINE KILLER.

Stone.

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