NIGHTQUEEN – Releasing on February 24th, 2012, is the third full-length album from Belgium’s NIGHTQUEEN. For Queen And Metal will be released on Massacre Records. A brand new track from For Queen And Metal, titled Nightfall, is currently streaming now at: http://www.massacre-records.com.
I highly recommend you check out this new song from NIGHTQUEEN and crank it up LOUD! Metal be thy name…
* For more info on NIGHTQUEEN, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.
Stone.
ON TOP – The first full-length, Top Heavy, from American Heavy Metallers On Top was released back on November 15th, 2011, via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. If you’re in need of a Heavy Rockin’ fix you’ll hear it on this album, there’s no Metal question about it. This is a band that has obvious Traditional Heavy Metal influences and they are not bashful about showcasing it in their heavy sound.
Top Heavy is super loaded with retrospective Heavy Metal spirit and feel, to the point where it overspills from the songs for one damn fun listen after another. This Downingtown, Pennsylvania trio knows how to keep the energy level turned on high through their songs, with no ballads to screw things up. A guitar driven album that pays dividends with numerous and memorable solos, courtesy of Alex Kulick. Trust me, Alex can wield his axe and he exhibits a respect for both speed and melody with his admirable playing.
Jason Gulino (vocalist, bassist & founding member) delivers as the frontman, with clean, lean, confident and punctual vocals that standout in a very good way. Danny Piselli on drums plays tight with Jason and lends plenty of old school fills while never overstepping the song. Danny comes across as a “less is more” drummer, (which is a rare talent in itself) and plays beats I can remember. On Top proves you can create some damn cool Heavy Metal without showing off or trying to break any hellish speed barrier.
Gang vocals on Into The Night resonates, an element of Traditional Heavy Metal that always packs an extra punch to a song. Another Night Of Sleaze and Hot Wet are the closest that On Top gets to Sleaze Metal. It’s the overall vibes, beats and lyrics that makes both songs so contagiously sleazy. On Top has rhythm, they aren’t afraid to play fast while not tripping over themselves. Up To No Good and Too Much seals the deal with convincing attitude musically and vocally, with the gang vocals once again… adding that extra Metal kick.
The clear fact that On Top has served up their originality to a time-tested sound only drives home the relevance factor. Top Heavy bestows some downright applaudable balance with its speed, heaviness and melodic sound. A power trio to watch out for is On Top. A good-times party album it is. Blanketed with credible spirit and attitude, Top Heavy is one damn legit Heavy Metal album you must check out… now!
* ON TOP – TOP HEAVY Now available on Itunes, Amazon, Spotify, CD Baby and CD Universe.
Top Heavy
Into The Night
Sleepless
Sick And Tired
Another Night Of Sleaze
Die High
Fire Down Below
Hot ‘N Wet
Success And Excess
Up To No Good
Too Much
* For more info on ON TOP, click on the links below:
http://www.purevolume.com/ONTOP
http://soundcloud.com/ontoprock
http://www.myspace.com/bandontop
http://www.youtube.com/user/ONTOPROCK?fe…
LONG LIVE ON TOP.
Stone.
TWISTED SISTER – Back in 1984, TWISTED SISTER, the legendary Heavy Metal band from Long Island, New York, released their third studio album: Stay Hungry. One of the three “biggest hits” from this album was I Wanna Rock. The other two “hits” were We’re Not Gonna Take It and The Price. I Wanna Rock became the battle cry for countless Metalheads back in 1984, with its popularity reaching eye-popping heights courtesy of its respective MTV video.
To this day I still love hearing I Wanna Rock cranked up VERY LOUD. This song will forever be an inspiration to me, decades after its release. I recently found the 45 rpm of I Wanna Rock at an antique store located in Zionsville, Pennsylvania. I paid $1.50 (U.S.) for it. Both the vinyl and cover sleeve are in excellent shape.
The B – side to this 45 rpm is The Kids Are Back from 1983’s You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll, (the second studio album from TWISTED SISTER). The Kids Are Back is another song that Rocks my face off too. These TWISTED SISTER songs and albums are simply put: F’n timeless. Check out the pics below of my I Wanna Rock 45 rpm. Remember… you can’t even buy a decent cup of coffee these days for $1.50, yet you can buy some Heavy Metal history at this price. Metal be thy name.
Front Cover Sleeve
Back Cover Sleeve
I Wanna Rock – A Side
LONG LIVE TWISTED F’N SISTER.
Stone.
Photo credit: Tim Cadiente
Left to right: Matt McJunkins, Jeff Friedl, Maynard James Keenan, Carina Round, Mat Mitchell, Josh Eustis
BAND EMBARKS ON NEW NORTH AMERICAN TOUR FEB. 23rd
Jerome, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2012 — Puscifer, the eclectic music-meets-comedy troupe helmed by Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Feb. 16.
Puscifer released their sophomore album, Conditions of My Parole, in October and quickly followed with a North American tour that The Boston Globe referred to as “musical theater” and the Philadelphia Weekly described as an “engaging performance with hilarious pre-recorded between-song skits featuring MJK alter-egos Major Douche and white-trash hero Billy D.”
The second leg of the band’s North American tour kicks off on Feb. 23 at The Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Tex. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now at venue box offices and via Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s websites. The Mar. 17 Riverside, Calif. performance at Fox Performing Arts Center is on-sale this Friday, Jan. 27. A limited number of VIP packages, featuring wine tastings and VIP experiences are available via http://puscifer.frontgatetickets.com.
Audience tickets for the band’s Jimmy Kimmel Live performance are available on Thursday, Jan. 26 via http://www.1iota.com.
Puscifer’s touring band members are: Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, Josh Eustis, Carina Round, Matt McJunkins and Jeff Friedl.
February 2012 Tour Dates:
Feb. 23 – Austin, TX @ Long Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 25 – Baton Rouge, LA @ River Center Theatre
Feb. 26 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
Feb. 28 – Nashville, TN @ Andrew Jackson Hall
Feb. 29 – Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre
March 2012 Tour Dates:
Mar. 01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Byham Theatre
Mar. 03 – Cincinnati. OH @ Taft Theatre
Mar. 04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
Mar. 06 – Kansas City, KS @ Kansas City Music Hall
Mar. 07 – Omaha, NE @ Omaha Civic Auditorium
Mar. 10 – Edmonton, AB @ North Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Mar. 11 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Mar. 13 – Vancouver, BC @ The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
Mar. 14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Mar. 16 – San Francisco, CA @ Palace of Fine Arts
Mar. 17 – Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts Center
Mar. 18 – Escondido, CA @ California Center for the Arts
(Source: Speakeasy PR)
LONG LIVE PUSCIFER.
Stone.
Photo Credit: Helen Collen Photography
MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF JOINING BAND, RELEASING HISTORICAL ALBUMS
TO APPEAR AT THIS YEAR’S LOS ANGELES FIT EXPO – JANUARY 28
MANRAZE – READY NEW SONG FOR ‘I, SUPERBIKER’ SEQUEL
(Los Angeles, CA)-2012 looks to be quite a year for Def Leppard lead guitarist and Manraze founder/vocalist/guitarist PHIL COLLEN. This year marks a number of anniversaries for the prolific axe man namely the 30th anniversary of COLLEN joining Def Leppard as lead guitarist and helping to complete the partially recorded 10x platinum album Pyromania. In addition this year marks the 25th anniversary for the 20x platinum album Hysteria as well as the 20th anniversary of its follow-up Adrenalize.
Last year’s Mirrorball Tour garnered Def Leppard a No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Hot Tours list. Based on ticket totals which grossed over $19 million in ticket sales in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK Def Leppard powered across the globe with Heart as a featured act then ending the tour with Motley Crue and Steel Panther for it’s fans in the UK. The band has now sold over 100 million albums worldwide achieving diamond status twice in their career, one of six bands to ever do so.
June 6th, 2012 will bring the much-anticipated Broadway hit musical turned box office blockbuster, Rock of Ages, a star-studded fiesta directed by Adam Shankman and starring Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti and Mary J. Blige. The 80’s heyday tribute to the L.A.’s Sunset Strip named after one of Def Leppard’s hit tunes will include 3 Def Leppard hits-“Pour Some Sugar On Me”, “Bringing On The Heartbreak”, and the title track “Rock Of Ages”.
Manraze, Phil Collen’s alternative groove side project now being hailed as a “supergroup” features bassist Simon Laffy of Phil’s former group Girl and legendary Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. The three have released PUNKFUNKROOTSROCK, a gritty rock-n-dub stew now available via Rocket Science Ventures/RED. Their critically acclaimed first single “Over My Dead Body” is available for free download at www.soundcloud.com.
Originally released as a limited Holiday download to the Manraze and Def Leppard social media outlets, “Over My Dead Body” reached the download limit within 10 minutes and within 24 hours was streamed over 4500 times. Manraze’s cover tribute of Phil’s favorite guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s classic tune “Fire” has been no less explosive tearing up internet radio stations worldwide and currently #1 on the IHEARTRADIO.COM Rock on Demand chart. Both tracks are set to be released to terrestrial Rock radio in the Spring.
Manraze also recently completed a new single and video titled “Take on the World” featuring newcomer Debbi Blackwell-Cook and written for the 2011 British Superbike racing champion Tommy Hill. The high energy hard rock/dance single, available on iTunes-February 7, is the theme for 2011’s ‘I, Superbiker’ sequel ‘The Showdown: I, Superbiker II’ which will chronicle Tommy’s rise to the 2011 British Superbike championship. The film directed by Mark Sloper is set to be released to 135 theatres in the UK February 21st, 2012.
Following his other passion in life, physical fitness, PHIL COLLEN will be returning by popular demand to the L.A. Fitness Expo on January 28th, 2012 to meet and sign autographs with the public. He will be accompanied by his longtime trainer, Muay Thai martial arts champion and world champion coach Jean Carrillo. Collen and Carrillo together have started a training program ‘Physical Mechanics’ which will focus on fitness regimens that range from first time workouts to extreme physical muay thai training. A fitness dvd and book are soon to follow.
(Source: MAD Ink, PR)
LONG LIVE PHIL COLLEN.
Stone.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – On February 28th, 2012, the 8th studio album from North Carolina’s legendary Corrosion Of Conformity will be released via Candlelight Records. This self-titled album is 13 songs that are undisputedly heavy and steady from front to back. Woodroe “Woody” Weatherman (guitar), Mike Dean (bass, vocals) and Reed Mullin (drums, vocals) have delivered a thunder stomp of an album that’s speed fueled and one fans have been yearning for since 2005’s In The Arms Of God.
As with 1985’s COC gem, Animosity, this power trio is what makes the album a necessity. Always meshing together brilliantly the sounds of Stoner, Sludge, Crossover Thrash and a slice of Hardcore Punk, COC always was and shall forever remain as an American Heavy Metal achievement to my ears. If America ever needed an answer to Motörhead, then that answer is Corrosion Of Conformity. Wow, I’ve always wanted to write that and it felt great. Metal be thy name.
At the core of this comeback album from COC is pure heavy Rock ‘N Roll in all of it’s non-mainstream glory. The molasses thick guitar riffs that cascade from all 13 songs are just part of the chug-a-chug Heavy Metal party that this trio invites your ears, mind and soul into. The Doom exemplifies this party and reveals the many Metal sides to COC, from Stoner to… Doom. Rat City and Leeches are Punk songs played the heavy COC way and potent high-points on this electrifying album.
The Moneychangers will have any fan of Motörhead realizing why I liken this band as the American equivalent to Lemmy’s gang. Part Punk, part Stoner on speed drive, this song summons up all the reasons why COC is so interchangeable musically. Each song on COC brings something new to hear, there are no parts where you swear you’ve heard them earlier on. This makes for all the more reason why COC is difficult to stereotype as a band and corner into any specific Metal genre. An achievement unto itself that is for this (gasp) fun band to immerse your ears into.
Returning to that all sacred word – heavy, this is the one constant that COC illuminates with, on an all fantastical level. In an impressive retrospective approach to heaviness, COC never steers away from that sound of pioneering Heavy Metal. The level of relevance still comes across so astounding on this album due to COC playing so damn real. What We Become, with its Heavy Metal attitude and near anthem like power, could be just as memorable and befitting in the mid 80’s as it is in 2012.
Corrosion Of Conformity is both an album and band that administers Heavy Metal with no gimmicks or artificial flavors. I can’t express more openly, just how psyched-out I’ve been about this new COC album. There is nothing for you to ponder in regards to purchasing COC. Buy it, play it LOUD and if this new COC doesn’t serve you right… then you’re a constipated Pop Rock elitist.
Psychotic Vampire
River of Stone
Leeches
el Lamento de las Cabras
Your Tomorrow
The Doom
The Moneychangers
Come Not Here
What We Become
Rat City
Time of Trials
Canyon Man (deluxe/vinyl only)
The Same Way (deluxe/vinyl only)
* For more info on CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, click on the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/corrosionofconformity
http://candlelightrecordsusa.com
LONG LIVE CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.
Stone
Photo Credit: Mick Rock
Spaun Drum Company have teamed with the Misfits by endorsing the band and drummer Eric “Chupacabra” Arce. They’ve created a new state-of-the-art custom kit, specifically designed with the fiendish ferocity and visual theatrics the ‘Fits are known for.
Spaun uses innovative methods and proprietary technology, (copied by many companies, but never equaled), that are seriously lacking in many custom drums. They design with a “sonic purpose” and believe that the continuous handling of each drum is an integral part of it’s final sound. Every step of the way, there is a heart and soul, an energy, that is crafted into each Spaun drum. Look for the Misfits fiendish new custom kit by SPAUN DRUM COMPANY to be unveiled on tour in the near future!
(Source: Official MISFITS Records Newsletter)
* For more info on the MISFITS, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE MISFITS.
Stone.
Montreal based Extreme Metallers KATAKLYSM will release a multi-disc DVD this Spring entitled The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined, which features a documentary and bonus CD materials. The set will depict the ups and downs of the band’s long, turbulent career, as well as footage of KATAKLYSM’s performance at last year’s Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE) and can be viewed above.
Check out the second teaser for the upcoming release at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05tQFsKBFO4
KATAKLYSM recently recorded the single The Iron Will in Montreal, Canada with guitarist/producer Jean-François Dagenais. It will be mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, BEHEMOTH, MNEMIC) in Denmark and will be made available with a video clip on iTunes one month before the release of The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined.
Watch the video clip for the song At the Edge of the World at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD1BBE-XYxQ . The footage was taken from the bands hometown show at Club Soda in Montreal, which was part of their recent “Spread the Venom” headlining world tour. At the Edge of the World comes from the bands latest acclaimed album Heaven’s Venom. The video clip was filmed by director Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, SOILWORK), who is also helming the bands upcoming Documentary/DVD THE IRON WILL: 20 YEARS DETERMINED.
(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
LONG LIVE KATAKLYSM.
Stone.
Cruz Del Sur Music officially presents the first track off of the upcoming PHARAOH album Bury the Light. The song, entitled Castles In The Sky features Mike Wead of King Diamond fame on guitar. To stream Castles In The Sky, visit Cruz Del Sur Music here: CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC On SoundCloud. Bury the Light is PHARAOH’s fifth album and will be officially released in Europe on February 24th, 2012, and in North America on March 6th. Available formats include CD, limited gatefold LP and digital. For more, visit http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com.
Leave me Here to Dream
The Wolves
Castles in the Sky
The Year of the Blizzard
The Spider’s Thread
Cry
Graveyard of Empires
Burn with Me
In Your Hands
The Spider’s Thread (reprise)
Tim Aymar – vocals
Matt Johnsen – guitars
Chris Black – drums
Chris Kerns – bass
* PHARAOH originates from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Source: ClawHammer PR)
* For more info on PHARAOH, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE PHARAOH.
Stone.
DIO Holy Diver 24 KT GOLD CD – Releasing on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2012, is a limited & numbered 24 KT Gold CD of the iconic Heavy Metal album: DIO Holy Diver. This terrific DIO collectible CD will be released via Audio Fidelity. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders at $19.87 (U.S.).
Holy Diver was originally released back in 1983 on Warner Bros. Records. I uphold Holy Diver as being one of the greatest Heavy Metal albums I’ve ever listened to. The first time I listened to this album I was a junior in High School. The awe-struck feeling that came over me as this album played for my ears, that very first time, I shall never forget.
Ronnie James Dio – vocals, keyboards
Vivian Campbell – guitar
Jimmy Bain – bass & keyboards
Vinny Appice – drums
* For more info on Audio Fidelity, click on the link below:
Rest In Peace, Ronnie James Dio.
Stone.
No rest for the Teutonic ACCEPT. To promote their upcoming Album (stay tuned) ACCEPT will hit the stages in Spring 2012. See below for dates and check out their new tour trailer! Check all tour dates HERE! The new record Stalingrad will be released on April, 6th, 2012.
(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on ACCEPT, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE ACCEPT.
Stone.
’77 – This Hard Rock band ’77 is from Barcelona Spain and man are they… Old School! The second studio album from ’77, High Decibels, is slated for a February 28th release on Listenable Records. This is an album of raw, riff infested and: “share a case o’ beer with your Metal buddy” style of Hard Rock. This is also Hard Rock to crank up in the car, on a long weekend cruise with your chick by your side. Blue collar Hard Rock never sounded so damn fun as ’77 does on High Decibels!
The incredible resemblance that Armand Valeta has vocally to the late Bon Scott is unreal. Musically ’77 does overflow with 70’s AC/DC sound, vibe and feel. With all the AC/DC comparisons aside, what ’77 does very well is they play their Hard Rock with credible passion and they write original songs. The more I’ve listened to High Decibels, the more I hear a band that is fired-up about Rock ‘N Roll and it’s a fever they can easily spread to Rockaholics worldwide like myself.
I am impressed by the old school Hard Rock allegiance that ’77 bestows in their brand of Hard Rock. Too often a band like this will get mocked for being a “rip-off” or dated. My response would be: It’s 77’s style of Rock ‘N Roll that’s spilling from their Rockin’ souls. Metal be thy name. My two favorite songs on High Decibels are: Backdoor Man and Since You’ve Been Gone. I highly dig the bluesy side of ’77’s Hard Rock! Bad-ass Classic Rock is here to stay with ’77 too.
High Decibels is an album where once you hit “play” that’s it. You can’t stop it until it’s over! It’s like a cool party that just got started… why would you want to end a good thing? If you’re a Hard Rock fan from any generation, you should mark ’77 down and make certain to add High Decibels to your “must need” list of good-times and ass kickin’ Rock ‘N Roll albums. Everyone’s album collection deserves a solid kick-in-the-ass and ’77 shall bring it.
Armand Valeta – Frontman & Guitar
LG Valeta – Lead Guitar
Johnnie Dolphin – Drums
Mr. Raw – Bass
High Decibels
(Gotta Go) Gotta Hit The Road
Are You Ready For Rock ‘n’ Roll
Let’s Beat It Up
Backdoor Man
Gimme A Dollar
This Girl Is On Fire
Meltin’ In A Spoon
Since You’ve Been Gone
Promised Land
Things You Can’t Talk About
* For more info on ’77, click on the links below:
http://www.myspace.com/seventysevenrocks
LONG LIVE ’77
Stone.
Warriors Of Metal Festival V Open Air 2012 – Press Release:
We are very excited to announce that the Oklahoma City Power / Speed Metal band FORTE’ have officially confirmed their participation in this year’s Warriors Of Metal Fest V Open Air. FORTE’ released 4 great albums from 1992 to 1999 while signed to Germany’s Massacre Records and self released their Limited Edition “Vae Solis” EP in Sept. 2011! They’ll release their 5th full length album in early 2012.
The incredible Rev Jones who plays Bass for STEELHEART and MSG also plays Bass in FORTE’ and he’s something to behold LIVE! We thank FORTE’ for giving us the privilege to showcase them at our 5th year anniversary Metalfest in 2012!
We are also very happy to report that our American Metal Goddess, Veronica Freeman and our friends in BENEDICTUM have confirmed their return to the Warriors Of Metal Fest stage for a repeat performance in 2012, after being the very first female fronted Metal band that graced our stage in 2011.
The return of Benedictum to WOM Fest V Open Air was made possible in large part due to the generous fan sponsorships of Kent & Kathy Wittwer and DJ Valkyrie Lawson (of Hard Rock Radio Live) who are all WOM Fest fans and saw Benedictum in action this past year at WOM Fest IV Open Air and made this great band only the 3rd one to make a return to our stage besides Cleveland’s Vindicator & Brazil’s Machinage. We welcome Benedictum back to our Metal family in 2012!
Queens, New York’s Epic Metal band THE LAST ALLIANCE was the first band to confirm their participation in our special 5th year Anniversary celebration of True Metal in 2012. The Last Alliance self-produced their debut album “Out Of The Ashes” and are now in the process of recording their sophomore full length saga. It can easily be said that The Last Alliance writes songs that one would expect to hear on an Iced Earth or a Blind Guardian album so we are very excited to showcase this highly talented group of musicians at our festival this year.
The Warriors Of Metal Fest V Open Air will take place on June 29th & 30th, 2012 at the Frontier Ranch, 8836 York Road, Pataskala, Ohio which is just a 20 minute drive East of the capital city of Columbus, Ohio. Tickets for this event are now on sale at the Fest website:
http://www.warriorsofmetalfest.com
Weekend passes for adults (17 and up) are just $50 and Weekend 4-Packs for adults (groups of 4 people) are only $40 per person. Adult single day tickets are $30 for each day and $25 per person in a 4-Pack for a single day ticket. Teenager tickets (11-16) are only $15 for the whole weekend, Friday only or Saturday only. Kids under 11 get in for Free. Camping is free and ticket buyers can also pre-order their Fest T-shirts at the time of their ticket purchase.
LONG LIVE WARRIORS OF METAL FEST.
Stone.
MOLLO / MARTIN – Dario Mollo (guitarist & producer) has teamed up with Tony Martin (vocalist) for another new album of Melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal songs titled: The Third Cage. This album has ten songs of musical substance, fusing both elements of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal in seamless and memorable fashion.
This is a new release from Mollo / Martin that should not be overlooked. A complete album of songs it is and I can’t hold back by calling The Third Cage as one of the best of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums for 2012. The Third Cage will be releasing on January 20, via Frontiers Records.
Below are 5 factors I’m spotlighting as to why The Third Cage is indeed… one of the best in album releases during this new year:
Factor #1: Dario Mollo. This Italian musician is simply wonderful to take in on guitar. You’re not getting anything watered down from Dario, just one stupendous guitarist that knows how to balance the melodic with the heavy. Dario’s solo’s are a treat to my ears and I applaud his precision in keeping each song interesting as hell. You must hear Dario Mollo on guitar to truly understand my appreciation for his skills.
Factor #2: Tony Martin. Yes, Tony is a former vocalist for Black Sabbath and one of the unsung hero’s of Heavy Metal’s history. Whatever Tony has done to keep his vocals in top form after all these years should be bottled up and sold to the highest bidder. Clarity is always key with Tony and his melodic tones resonate all that is golden about a revered era of Traditional Heavy Metal.
Factor #3: Dario exhibits his diversity as a guitarist by adding plenty of Funky licks in Can’t Stay Here. The end result is some Heavy Funk that Tony Martin sings along to brilliantly. This song is a winner and made for a pleasant surprise for me on this album.
Factor #4: The keyboards. The added layer of sound that the keyboards gives to The Third Cage is a key necessity to establishing the feel and vibe of these songs. War Dance is elevated to the stratosphere due to them keys.
Factor #5: Seasoned talent doesn’t always equate to an excellent album of songs, only this seasoned crop of musicians have proven to my ears there was grand chemistry that swirled amongst them, during the writing and recording process. Not one song sounds like it was “slapped together”, instead, attention to detail and a continuity of quality flows from each song.
Wicked World
Cirque du Freak
Oh My Soul
One Of The Few
Still In Love With You
Can’t Stay Here
Wardance
Don’t Know What It Is About You
Blind Fury
Violet Moon
Dario Mollo – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Tony Martin – Vocals
Roberto Gualdi – Drums
Fulvio Gaslini – Bass
Dario Patti – Keyboards
Brian War – Keyboards
* For more info on MOLLO / MARTIN, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE DARIO MOLLO & TONY MARTIN.
Stone.
13 is 100% New American Blue Collar Heavy In Your Face Rock!! Catch 13 opening for Finland’s amazing NIGHTWISH at the Key Club Hollywood! The details are right there on that very cool concert flyer below:
* For more info on 13, click on the link below:
http://www.reverbnation.com/13rocks
* For more info on NIGHTWISH, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE 13.
LONG LIVE NIGHTWISH.
Stone.
The time has arrived. Yes it has. Time for what Stone? It’s time to reveal my very first “live” concert experience. Oh, it was a dandy. No, The Partridge Family wasn’t my first live concert experience. They are mentioned in this post though. I was a youth when I attended my first live concert. I believe I was about eight or nine years old. Hell, I didn’t have a favorite Rock band at that age. This was around 1974 – ’75. While I was growing up that age, wiffle ball, baseball cards and Hot Wheels were all I cared about. For crap sakes, I was into whatever the AM radio dial was playing in the family station wagon, back then.
Needless to say, I make no excuses by revealing my not having a clue about real Rock, Hard Rock or anything remotely close to Heavy Metal at this young age. KISS was “mentioned” to me at Burger King and Pizza Hut birthday parties and that is as close as it came folks. Hell, there were The Partridge Family songs that ignited my adrenaline at age 8 and 9 for shit sakes. Metal as my witness, I’m not ashamed to admit that anymore. My (late) sister had that exact greatest hits album by The Partridge Family (shown at top of post).
**********
Those were different times, man. It was all about accessibility and exposure during my childhood, with obvious limited technological access to music back then, compared to today. Okay, onward with my first live concert experience. Enter… Nelson’s Campground in East Hampton, Connecticut. Yes, this family friendly campground located in the wooded serenity of East Hampton, along the Connecticut shoreline, was where it would all happen for my first plunge into loud, live and rowdy music.
My Dad, Mom, Sister and I headed for this gargantuan field, in the middle of Nelson’s Campground, as it became dusk. There were easily a few hundred fellow campers all assembling in this field as well. I remember being psyched just to be outside, running around and chasing lightning bugs. I easily recall, like it was yesterday, my Dad being “pumped-up” to see this band and they called themselves: The Mozark Mountaineers. Once this band hit the stage, I was a child that was simply awestruck.
**********
The lead singer was a mammoth of a man to my young eyes. He was wearing a stain strewn white t-shirt, with holes cut out to reveal his… nipples. At that moment, I realized I was witnessing something I’ve never seen before. Before this band started to play any music, this same mammoth frontman held up a shotgun to the night sky and fired it off! If I knew the line then, as I know it now, I would have exclaimed: Metal be thy name!
Think about this for a moment, how many bands are you aware of today, that are legally allowed to fire off a shotgun on stage? Did this shotgun fire off “blanks”? From remembering what this band looked like and knowing what I know now… that had to be live ammo. As The Mozark Mountaineers began to play their music, I jumped around and acted silly as a child should. The loud sounds of the banjo and fiddle filled the evening’s air and swirled about this campground field. Laughter and good times I vividly remember, as it stirred up among the campers, all due to this hillbilly band of raucous musicians.
If there is that one song that reminds me of that night which I experienced so many years ago, it is Steamer Lane Breakdown by the legendary Doobie Brothers. Loving that song is just a matter-of-fact for me. Reliving this childhood moment by writing about it, reminds me of where I came from and I could never lose sight of that.
* The Partridge Family – At Home With Their Greatest Hits was released back in 1972 on Bell Records.
* Steamer Lane Breakdown can be heard on the 1978 (Warner Bros.) Doobie Brothers album Minute By Minute.
* Nelson’s Family Campground still exists! Click the link below:
This post is dedicated to my Mom and Sister. May they both rest in peace, up in heaven.
Stone.
Good news for all European RE-ARMED fans! The guys are going to support Chimaira at their upcoming The Age Of Hell Tour 2012.
Here are the confirmed dates:
29.03.2012 BE Antwerp – Trix
30.03.2012 NL Amsterdam – Melkweg
31.03.2012 DE Cologne – Underground
01.04.2012 DE Hamburg – Logo
02.04.2012 DE Berlin – Magnet
03.04.2012 DE Munich – Backstage
Re-ARMED’s new album Worldwide Hypnotize will be released via Massacre Records on January 27, 2012!
(Source: Massacre Records)
* For more info on RE-ARMED, click on the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/rearmed
http://www.massacre-records.com
* For more info on CHIMAIRA, click here: CHIMAIRA – Official Facebook
Stone.
Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone – Back in 1987 Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone released their second studio album: Children Of Madness. Damn good album it is. I let it go decades ago when I was sincerely piss poor to the wind, either in trade or for a few bucks. By some Metal miracle, I do remember the very day I bought this slab of vinyl too. Here is the embarrassing story:
In 1987, I was living in very expensive Connecticut and working at a bearing factory during Summer and Winter breaks from college. I shoveled oil and also worked in the waste treatment facility there. Yes, it was a dirty job. A job only a Metalhead could enjoy. Just a couple of streets away was a fine establishment called The Moosehead Tavern. It was normal for me to stop in there after work and down a few ales. On this particular day, I downed quite a few.
Right next door was a comics and collectibles shop which also sold a very cool assortment of Heavy Metal vinyl. My cousin Randy managed this store and was in charge of buying and selling all the music. Well, on this particular early evening, I stumbled from The Moosehead Tavern into this store and exchanged conversation with the owner and my cousin. Then I saw the Children Of Madness album. Uh, oh…
I grabbed this album and held it up high, like it was my F’n Heavy Metal trophy. Then, without hesitation, I broke into song. Oh no. I began to sing in a drunken stupor, what lyrics I knew to the song: I Don’t Wanna Know. There were a few other customers in the store and they became quite nervous and scared of me, from what I remember. The store’s owner and my cousin told me to either pay for the album or get lost. I paid for the album, all the while I kept bellowing the wrong lyrics to I Don’t Wanna Know. One dude buying sports cards gave me that “I’ll kick your ass look” and I really didn’t give a shit.
My cousin knew I was harmless and just feeling pretty damn good. With his face contorting and fists clenched, the store’s owner was very pissed-off at me. This made me sing belligerently all the more. I left with that new album under my arm and drove myself home. Please remember, this was back in 1987. Yes, I was an idiot. I’m lucky to be alive for being such one. At least I can look back and laugh at it, all while writing about this dumb-ass memory. Metal be thy name.
Take a look and listen to I Don’t Wanna Know by Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone below. Try not to imagine me singing this song in a drunken state either.
Children Of Madness is out of print. There are currently 2 used Children Of Madness CD’s on Amazon.com selling for $74.99 and $99.98 respectively, in U.S. funds.
Paul Di’Anno – vocals
Graham Bath – lead guitar
John Wiggins – lead guitar
Steve Hopgood – drums
Pete West – bass
Rip It Up
I Don’t Wanna Know
Nuclear Breakdown
Torch Of Hate
Whispered Rage
Children Of Madness
Metal Tears
It’s Love
The Promise
To The Limit
* For more info on PAUL DI’ANNO, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE PAUL DI’ANNO.
Stone.
By King Diamond
January 16th, 2012
Hail to all of you,
It has just been confirmed that King Diamond has joined forces with Nick Storch at ICM and Paul Ryan at The Agency Group.
Nick Storch will be in charge of booking King Diamond concerts in North and South America, and Paul Ryan will be in charge of booking King Diamond concerts in Europe and Rest of World.
“It is great to be in the top professional hands of Nick and Paul. They both come highly recommended by Brian Slagel of Metal Blade, who personally suggested the partnership that is now in effect. ICM and The Agency Group have so much combined experience, which will open new doors for us. When it comes to getting us back on stage again, we all agree on how to bring King Diamond to a whole new level. Within a few weeks, we should be able to announce the first part of our plan.
WELCOME ON BOARD AND STAY HEAVY.” – King
“I can speak for the entire team here at ICM that we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a legend of heavy metal. I could not be happier to be involved with King Diamond’s return to the stage.” – Nick Storch
“It’s a huge honour, and one I and everyone here at The Agency Group shares, to be part of King’s team moving forward!… Being such an influence on the metal genre and an artist I have personally enjoyed and been inspired by for many years; it’s a very exciting time to be involved!” – Paul Ryan
King Diamond adds: “There’ll be a lot more great news coming the next couple of weeks. It’s been difficult keeping everything under wraps, but soon it will all be out in the open.
I want to thank you for your amazing patience.
We will get back to the Skype sessions in not too long as well.”
Stay Heavy,
King Diamond
* For more info on KING DIAMOND, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE KING DIAMOND.
Stone.
On Saturday night, January 7th, 2012, the Metal community took another step in dealing with the tragic death of long-time GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot by holding the first of two events in a three-show schedule of shows designed to support the Smoot Family Foundation and honor the life of this prolific artist, who died of a heart attack this past November at the age of only 34.
Cory had played the role of Flattus Maximus in the world’s most infamous band for eleven years, as well as participated in many side projects, while at the same time producing and engineering tons of records at his always busy Karma Studios. In doing so he had become a treasured part of the local and national Metal scene, and they turned out in force to both events, opening their hearts to Cory’s family in a completely selfless display of solidarity, respect, and generosity.
Cory’s widow, Jaime, who is pregnant with Cory’s child, had this message for the fans-
“I want to sincerely thank ALL the friends and fans for their amazing donations and support!! Thanks to Eve and Brent for organizing the events, to the businesses that contributed raffle prizes, and to the venues and bands for making the shows awesome!! You guys made Cory, the baby and me very proud!”
Show highlights included Lamb of God lead singer Randy Blythe singing for thrashers Cannabis Corpse. Blythe was later joined by Municipal Waste lead singer Tony Foresta in shearing off five years of hair from GWAR lead singer Dave Brockie’s head, which was raffled off to a lucky winner but ended up everywhere. But the most stirring performance came from Cory’s band mates Mensrea, who pulled themselves together for a powerful and emotional tribute to the life of this truly amazing man.
The show Saturday night at the Canal Club was also the CD release party for Cory’s solo record, When Worlds Collide, which will be coming out on Metal Blade Records soon. The next planned event is on March 16th, when GWAR, Municipal Waste, and Ghoul will play at the National Theater. All funds raised at the show will go to the Smoot Family Fund. For those who can’t make it and still wish to donate, they can do so HERE.
(Source: Metal Blade Records News Update)
Rest In Peace, Cory Smoot.
Stone.
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