Archive for January, 2012

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BEAK – Debut Album, EYRIE, Set For April 3rd, 2012 Release

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Jan. 10, 2012, Chicago – Beak, the Post-Metal quartet formed by local Chicago luminaries Chris Eichenseer and Jason Goldberg previously of The Timeout Drawer, release Eyrie, the band’s debut album on Apr. 3 via Someoddpilot Records.

Recorded and mixed in late-2011 at Engine Studios by Neil Strauch (Sage Francis, Bonnie Prince Billy), the five-track release highlights the band’s adept combination of blistering heaviness and melodic prog-rock.

“Metal for the sake of it just doesn’t interest us. We need more than heavy riffage and the trappings of the genre,” expained Eichenseer. “I wish we could call it something else, because to me it’s more. We’re not afraid to carry influence from our roots in post to Punk Rock. We’re very aware of storytelling and depth. We’re not interested in skulls.”

Vocalist Jon Slusher discussed the conceptual aspect of the debut album: “Eyrie is the nest of a bird of prey built in a high, inaccessible place.  The album is conceptual.  It’s the path of ruin, the crumbling of empires and the marching of time. ”

Beak is Andy Bosnak (Guitar), Chris Eichenseer (Drums), Jason Goldberg (Bass, Vocals) and Jon Slusher (Guitar, Lead Vocals).

EYRIE – Track Listing:

Angry Mother of Bones

Hands Collide

Men at Arms

Billions of Eyes

The Weight & Time

* The band’s next performance is February 23rd, at Reggie’s (Chicago) with Anvil. An April tour will be announced shortly.

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

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

www.beakmusic.com/

www.facebook.com/pages/Beak/183159646995

Stone.

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AC/DC – Stern Pinball Machine: AC/DC Pro You MUST Check Out!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, pinball machines, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

AC/DC – Whoa. Check out this very, very cool AC/DC pinball machine manufactured and sold by Stern Pinball. The details on this AC/DC pinball machine are unreal! This new AC/DC pinball machine not only looks like it’s gonna be a thrill to play, it also looks like a piece of art! Metal be thy name. Yes, I’m an AC/DC fan… who isn’t? Or so it seems. Maybe if I start saving some money and buy less potato chips, I can maybe get this sensational AC/DC pinball machine… down the Metal road.

Stern Pinball has the company slogan: “The only maker of REAL pinball games on the planet!!”. From looking at this AC/DC pinball machine, they aren’t kidding.

Check out the specs for this amazing pinball machine below:

AC/DC Pro Model Features:

• 1 Ramp Mounted Magnetic Diverter For Cannon Loading

• High Definition Color Cabinet and Decal Artwork

• Motorized Rotating Ball Cannon, Player Controlled

• 3 “Thunderstruck” Standup Targets w/ Super Bright Flash Lamps

• 4 “ROCK” Standup Targets (on right)

• Lit Start/Fire Cannon Button w/ Laser Cut S/S Trim Plate

• Back Panel Jukebox Song Selector w/ Flashing Red Horns

• Posi-Lock Ball Ejector and Electric Top Gate

• 2 Molded Super Speed Ramps

• T.N.T. Explosion Butyrates In Key Locations

• 2 High Powered Slingshots

• 3 Super Bright LED Jet Bumpers

• 1 “Greased Lightning” Spinning Target

• Traditional Country-Specific Coin Door

• 8 Inch Cabinet Speaker with bold, enhanced sound quality

• QR Codes

• Molded “Hells Bell” Toy, Fixed, W/Standup Target

• Fixed T.N.T. Detonator

• Band Member Butyrate Display

• 5 AC/DC Standup Targets (on left)

• 3 T.N.T. Standup Targets (center)

• Black ABS Lower Arch

• “Latch” Lockdown Bar

* Thanks to Metal Buddy Dan, on the heads up for this story.

* For more info/visit Stern Pinball by clicking on the link below:

Stern Pinball

LONG LIVE AC/DC

LONG LIVE STERN PINBALL.

Stone

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ALMAH – ‘Motion’: Brazilian Metal At Its Very, Very Finest and An Album To Absorb

Posted in album reviews, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ALMAH – Releasing in North America on January 17th, via AFM Records, is the third studio album from Brazil’s fantastically talented Metal band: ALMAH. To say this is one Metal album to own in 2012 feels like a call of Metal duty on my part. Angra vocalist Edu Falaschi is paired with his Angra bandmate Felipe Andreoli on bass, with Marcelo Barbosa and Paulo Schroeber on guitars and Marcelo Moreira on drums. Whoa, can both Marcelo and Paulo play them guitars! Metal be thy name. This album boasts some unbelievable guitar driven moments, all which leaves my eyes bugging out of my head. Seriously.

Edu Falaschi has somewhat silently become a premier vocalist in the world of Metal. You may not see Edu’s name on many top-ten lists for vocalists, only make no mistake, he takes a backseat to not many of his peers, in my Metal opinion. As a band, ALMAH can play their Metal fast, heavy and melodic. The glowing appeal about ALMAH is their ability to mix-it-up on Motion. ALMAH does not fall into any tidy comfort zone when it comes to Metal.

Motion opens up with Hypnotized and ALMAH delivers some crunchy and steel reinforced Metal on this song. Add into the mix a muscular rhythm section, backing vocals that elevates the high vibe, with mouth-watering guitars spewing out unyielding riffs, leads and a killer solo and you have… Metal bliss. Late Night  In ’85 is mid-paced and still has the ability to psyche-out my senses. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, Edu can sing and he soars on Late Night In ’85. This song also benefits from an amazing guitar solo at the 3/4 mark, bringing Late Night In ’85 to a glorious finish, simultaneously with Edu’s vocals.

Daydream Lucidity is a marvelous listening journey. This song showcases the melodic vocals of Edu and the guitars of Marcelo and Paulo. With illuminating guitar parts that are shredding and other parts melodic, Daydream Lucidity is a shining moment on Motion. When and Why is atmospheric from its opening note, with a tremendous help from tones created by some brilliant acoustic guitar. ALMAH created a ballad here with When and Why and it resonates emotion courtesy of Edu’s vocals. It makes for a cool and mellow way to close out Motion.

Lyrically smart and coming across so spontaneous are the songs on Motion. This is an ultra-talented band of musicians and ALMAH can take a bow for an album I’ve listened to many times over already. ALMAH has proven there is creativity in Metal without being straight-lined progressive and their new album Motion is not to be ignored… it’s to be absorbed.

MOTION – Track Listing:

Hypnotized

Living and Drifting

Days of the New

Bullets On the Altar

Zombies Dictator

Trace of Trait

Soul Alight

Late Night in ’85

Daydream Lucidity

When and Why

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

http://www.almah.com.br

http://www.facebook.com/official.almah

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE ALMAH.

Stone.

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AUTUMN – Stream “Truth Be Told (Exhale)” On mxdwn.com, “Cold Comfort” Available Worldwide Now!

Posted in gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Today, online music destination mxdwn.com will be hosting the premiere of Truth Be Told (Exhale) from AUTUMN’s new album, Cold Comfort. The song is the 8th track on the record and contains some of the albums most poignant and moving melodies. The track can be heard now HERE.

Terrorizer Magazine describes Cold Comfort as “Haunting, lush gothic metal the Netherlands that drips with melody.” This is one that fans of Katatonia, The Gathering, etc. will not want to miss!

The title track, as well as the video for The Scarecrow, can be seen now at www.metalblade.com/autumn.

Cold Comfort is the band’s fifth full-length effort and their third for Metal Blade Records. It offers a collection of striking songs blended into a diverse and yet surprisingly compact album, one that AUTUMN considers to be their most personal and meaningful to date.

AUTUMN needed not look far for a man to put at the helm with the right pioneering philosophy for the band to begin taking leaps: Erik-Jan Dodd, AUTUMN’s live sound engineer since the My New Time era, envisioned a more vintage approach for Cold Comfort. An experiment the band was all too eager to embrace, explains guitarist Mats van der Valk. “If there’s anyone who knows what we’re all about and more importantly: what we could potentially be all about, it’s E-J.”

AUTUMN guitarist Mats van der Valk comments on the band’s upcoming shows in Germany: “We’re well pleased that we’ll be setting foot on German soil again this February, bringing Cold Comfort to Berlin, Köln and Hamburg. We’ve grown fond of these cities during previous tours, have always been welcomed with heartfelt smiles by awesome audiences. We’re very much looking forward to meeting up with fans and friends, old and new, as we hit the stage for the first German shows of the Cold Comfort campaign!”

AUTUMN – European Tour Dates 2012

01/27 Groningen, NL Vera

02/07 Berlin, DE K17

02/08 Koln, DE Luxor

02/09 Hamburg, DE Headcrash

02/10 Tilburg, NL 013

03/03 Aalten, NL Rock of Ages Festival

05/12 Emmen, NL Emmen Metal Festival

06/16 Oss, NL Groene Engel

(Source: Metal Blade Records News Update)

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

http://www.autumn-band.com

http://www.facebook.com/AutumnBand

LONG LIVE AUTUMN.

Stone.

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MIKE PATTON – Scoring “The Place Beyond The Pines”

Posted in Hard Rock, hollywood news, movie scores, movies, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Jay Blakesberg

Jan. 9, 2011, San Francisco – Mike Patton (Faith No More, Tomahawk, Mr. Bungle) has been selected by writer/director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) to provide the score for The Place Beyond The Pines, which stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes.

Patton, who rose to prominence as a teenager as the front man for Faith No More and is known as one of music’s most eclectic musicians, has done a series of scores over the past few years including the Italian drama A Solitude of Prime Numbers, Crank 2: High Voltage and the short film A Perfect Place.

Patton is also currently working on a new Tomahawk album with a projected late summer release date.

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

LONG LIVE MIKE PATTON.

Stone.

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13 – Metal You Must Hear, A Heavy Hittin’ Band You Must Know About!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Back in 2011, the Metal & New American Rock band known as 13 pulled up their Mid-West Rockin’ roots in Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan… and headed out to L.A. where they are continuing on their contagious brand of Heavy Music noize! Strap yourself in and be prepared to see and read more about 13 in the coming months, right here on Metal Odyssey!

13 – Are they Metal? Is this band 13 original? Are they pissed off at the status quo? Do they instill the fire and talent necessary to cause a stir within the world of Heavy Music? Are their songs worthy of playing at maximum volume? Have they recruited throngs of fans, from biker rallies to festivals and world-famous clubs? Has this band shared the stage with many of Rock and Heavy Metal’s greatest names? The Metal answer is YES to all of the previous questions regarding 13.

13 is their name and playing ear stompin’, beer swillin’, knuckle crunchin’, American-made, blue-collar Metal is their game. 13 is ready to seize 2012 and call it their own, currently working on new songs, playing live at L.A.’s the Whiskey A Go Go with Ana Kefr, along with photo and video shoots on their current and busy schedule.

13 is a Heavy Music band on the rise and my best advice to you is this: either join ’em or get out of their way… cause 13 is on a Metal mission to create and play some credible, kick-ass and Heavy Hittin’ Rock ‘N Roll \m/

Yes, I really, really dig the Heavy Crunch of sound that 13 delivers. I’ve chosen two of my favorite songs from this raucous band for your listening enjoyment. Check out these two songs from 13 below! Play ’em LOUD and spread the Metal word: 13 is a Metal Band you must hear and know about!

CLICK BELOW TO HEAR: LOCOMOTIVE

CLICK BELOW TO HEAR: GO FUCK YOURSELF

13 have shared the stage with: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock, Alice In Chains, Mother Love Bone, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Foghat, Yngwie Malmsteen, ACCEPT, Lynch Mob, Monster Magnet, Nuclear Assault, Murder Dolls, Vince Neil, Blue Oyster Cult, Pennywise and GWAR… to name a many few!

13:

BOBBY K – drums & vocals

ZAK – vocals

SNARL – guitar & vocals

SIN – bass & vocals

* For more info on 13, click on the link below:

http://www.reverbnation.com/13rocks

LONG LIVE 13.

Stone.

1 Comment »

SKELETONWITCH ‘Forever Abomination’ – 5 Reasons Why You MUST Own This Extreme Metal Album

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums with tags , , , , , , , on January 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SKELETONWITCH – Forever Abomination is the fourth studio album from Ohio’s SKELETONWITCH and was released back on October 11th, 2011, on Prosthetic Records. I bought this release on CD and it has served me right. Forever Abomination has kicked my Metal ass, many times over. I’m not bullshitting either. Below are 5 reasons why you MUST buy Forever Abomination.

Reason #1: SKELETONWITCH seamlessly unites Thrash and Death Metal grooves resulting in a Metal sound that is Skeletelextreme.

Reason #2: Chance Garnette. His vocals are drenched with Black Metal tones and he sings on this album at his most venomous best yet. Chance has to have steel reinforced vocal cords. How else could he sing at such an optimum level of aggression?

Reason #3: If you’re looking to have your ears and senses galvanized, then rest assured, Forever Abomination will have you staring into space as you wonder what just happened to you. Yes, you will yearn for more.

Reason #4: Musicianship. Extreme Metal musicianship at that. This band plays so heavy and fast that it’s staggering. All the while, not once do the songs embody any muddled parts. The intricacies are all there and SKELETONWITCH keeps evolving as a band.

Reason #5: The dark lyrics throughout Forever Abomination are a powerhouse unto this album. Combine these lyrics, with the scathingly fierce atmosphere from the Extreme wall of sound that you’ll experience and it’s Metal mind-boggling.

SKELETONWITCH:

Chance Garnette – vocals

Nate “N8 Feet Under” Garnette – guitar

Scott “Scunty D” Hedrick – guitar

Evan “Loosh” Linger – bass

Dustin Boltjes – drums

Forever Abomination – back cover

FOREVER ABOMINATION – Track Listing:

This Horrifying Force (The Desire To Kill)

Reduced To The Failure Of Prayer

Of Ash And Torment

Choke Upon Betrayal

Erased And Forgotten

The Infernal Resurrection

Rejoice In Misery

Cleaver Of Souls

Shredding Sacred Flesh

Sink Beneath Insanity

My Skin Of Deceit

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

SKELETONWITCH – FOREVER ABOMINATION

LONG LIVE SKELETONWITCH.

Stone.

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EXHUMED – Announce: Grind Over Europe Tour 2012

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, extreme music, gore metal, goregrind, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Following their first ever trek through Brazil with Aborted, California Goregrind ministers EXHUMED will spray their blood overseas next month on the Grind Over Europe Tour 2012. Set to kick off on February 24 in Barcelona, Spain, the band will mercilessly tear through 16 cities. Speakers will blow, ears will bleed, villages will crumble. You have been warned. The band will be joined by label-mates Rotten Sound and Magrudergrind.

Comments vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey: “We’re fully chuffed to have an opportunity to Grind Over Europe with a couple of our favorite bands: Rotten Sound and Magrudergrind! If you don’t like blastbeats, manic energy, beer, stage-diving, rhino charges, swinging thumbjumps or Scott Carlson bass grinds, do yourself a favor and stay the fuck home! This tour, in addition to being a screaming whirlwind holocaust, will single-handedly bring the phrase ‘play fast or die!’ back en vogue. We’re psyched to get to hit a few countries for the first time on this tour, as well as dust off some old and particularly short, fast, and loud numbers for the set. Our very first tour in ’97 was the Grind Over Europe II tour with Hemdale and Nyctophobic, so whoever said ‘you can’t go home again’ is obviously full of shit! Bring your studded vests, dreadlocks, Agathocles split EPs, and worn out old Napalm Death shirts on down to the show and let’s tear some shit apart! Cheers!”

EXHUMED w/ Aborted:

02/16/2012 Beco – Porto Alegre, RS

02/17/2012 Music Hall – Belo Horizonte, MG

02/18/2012 Hangar 110 – São Paulo, SP

02/19/2012 Hangar Bar – Curitiba, PR

2/20/2012 Armazém do Café – Catanduva/SP

EXHUMED Grind Over Europe Tour 2012 w/ Rotten Sound, Magrudergrind:

02/24/2012 Estraperlo Club – Barcelona, Spain


02/25/2012 TBA Spain


02/26/2012 Sala Jala Jala – Almería, Spain


02/27/2012 Revolver Bar – Lisbon, Portugal


02/28/2012 Hard Club – Porto, Portugal


02/29/2012 Sala Heaven – Santander, Spain


03/01/2012 Salle Des Fêtes De Labège – Toulouse, France


03/02/2012 Kulturwerk 118 – Sursee, Switzerland


03/03/2012 Les Caves Du Manoir – Martigny, Switzerland

03/04/2012 Lo Fi Club – Milano, Italy


03/05/2012 Mochvara – Zagreb, Croatia


03/06/2012 Dürer Kert – Budapest, Hungary


03/07/2012 Euphoria Music Hall – Cluj-Napoca, Romania


03/08/2012 Nova Pekaren – Nitra, Slovakia


03/09/2012 Black Pes – Prague, Czech Rep


03/10/2012 Barrak Music Club – Ostrava, Czech Rep

EXHUMED will be touring in support of All Guts, No Glory, issued earlier this year via Relapse Records. The band’s first new record in almost eight years offers up 11 slaughter-filled tracts of soul-raping, Grind-infused Death Metal that toppled an array of Year End lists including Decibel, Pitchfork, NPR.org, MetalSucks and Skulls N Bones. To stream All Guts, No Glory in full visit: http://www.exhumed.bandcamp.com

(Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE EXHUMED.

Stone.

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TRUTH CORRODED – To Perform on Sounds Of Extreme European Tour 2012 With: KRISIUN, MALEVOLENT CREATION & VITAL REMAINS

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

South Australian Extreme Thrashers TRUTH CORRODED will kick off the New Year with the band’s first ever tour of Europe. The band will be main support on ‘THE SOUNDS OF EXTREME TOUR 2012’ featuring KRISIUN (Century Media) MALEVOLENT CREATION (Nuclear Blast) and VITAL REMAINS touring across Europe and the UK from January 27 to February 18. Tour dates as follows:

SOUNDS OF EXTREME EUROPEAN TOUR 2012:

1.27.2012 – Bielsko-Biała, Poland @ Rudeboy
1.28.2012 – Kosice, Slovakia @ Collosseum
1.29.2012 – Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic @ Klub Mir
1.30.2012 – Jena, Germany @ Rosenkeller
2.03.2012 – Le Locle, Czech Republic @ Scarkrows
2.04.2012 – Dietikon, Czech Republic @ Sounddock14
2.05.2012 – Trier, Germany @ Exhaus
2.07.2012 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage
2.08.2012 – Darmstadt, Germany @ Steinbrucht Theater
2.09.2012 – Alkmaar, Holland @ Victorie
2.10.2012 – Groningen, Holland @ Vera
2.11.2012 – Rotterdam, Holland @ Baroeg
2.12.2012 – Vosselaar, Belguim @ Biebob
2.13.2012 – Manchester, UK @ Moho
2.14.2012 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Pint
2.15.2012 – London, UK @ Underworld
2.16.2012 – Paris, France @ Glazart
2.17.2012 – Bad Oeynhausen, Germany @ Druckerei
2.18.2012 – Essen, Germany @ Turoc

The tour will follow on from the TRUTH CORRODED tour of Australia, Japan and South East Asia in early 2011.

TRUTH CORRODED will be promoting the bands latest album ‘WORSHIP THE BLED’ which was released through ‘ULTIMHATE RECORDS’ in Europe and Japan in September.

Worship The Bled features Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) on drums and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY).

The album is available through ULTIMHATE RECORDS in Europe and Japan and through TRUTH INC RECORDS in Australia.

(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity, Management, A&R)

* Stream: Worship The Bled

* Follow TRUTH CORRODED at their official Facebook page for more updates: www.facebook.com/TruthCorroded 

LONG LIVE EXTREME METAL.

Stone.

2 Comments »

MESHUGGAH – Reveals 2012 Release Date For New Album

Posted in experimental metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, math metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Swedish Math Metal icons MESHUGGAH have revealed the release date of the bands upcoming new album:

“After a long time of deep soul-searching and intense wrecking of the psyches, the new album is finally done. Soon you will meet this colossus that will pulverize your being. Welcome to the other side on March 27.”

The release for most European countries is set for March 30, 2012.

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

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

http://www.meshuggah.net

http://www.facebook.com/meshuggah

LONG LIVE MESHUGGAH.

Stone.

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KORN – Jonathan Davis On BATTLEFIELD 3 Video Game This Weekend!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, hip hop, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, video games with tags , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

KORN – Korn’s Jonathan Davis Joins the age old rivalry between Metal and Hip Hop this weekend on the video game BATTLEFIELD 3!

Click here: BATTLEFIELD 3 to see how you can participate!

MATCH-UP NO. 2


Representing Team Metal: Korn’s Jonathan Davis


VS.


Representing Team Hip Hop: Mickey Factz


Time: 10AM-12PM, January 8 2012

Weapon of choice: Battlefield 3, PlayStation® 3


Map and mode: Strike at Karkand, Conquest Assault

(Source: Roadrunner Records)

LONG LIVE JONATHAN DAVIS & KORN.

METAL RULES.

Stone.

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MECCA ‘Undeniable’ – A Melodic Rock Album Which Accentuates AOR Quality

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, melodic rock, melodic rock bands, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MECCA – Joe Vana, vocalist and founding member of MECCA, has once again assembled a group of seasoned musicians to showcase their skills on Undeniable. This being the sophomore release from MECCA, it firmly establishes why Joe Vana has all the reason in the world to carry out his musical visions. Released back on November 29th in North America, on Frontiers Records, Undeniable is undeniably melodic and lyrically engaging.

Wether it’s the mid-paced ballad Did It For Love or the steadier rocker W2W, MECCA bestows the talent  for creating a mood within the song that compliments its respective story. Undeniable isn’t going to Rock your face off, instead this album will entertain with its eleven songs of emotion filled vocals from Joe Vana and soothing melodies that do soar, with the title track being a fine example of this. Joe Vana’s vocals are so identifiable for Melodic Rock and he easily seizes these songs on this album.

Life’s Too Short and Perfect World are two songs where MECCA combines philosophical lyrics with AOR quality that too often is missing on current American FM playlists. MECCA presents their music with intelligent lyrics, still the sappy meter does explode on such tracks as Did It For Love and From The Start. It’s the quality of the song, courtesy of the musicianship of MECCA, that makes me overlook any sappy saturation that happens lyrically. If you’ve ever been, want to be or are in love, these songs are accurately relevant.

In a Melodic Rock nutshell, MECCA has proven they can make me fall for the mellow and semi-hard side of Rock once again, with their respect for quality at every turn being a cumulative highlight for my ears. Undeniable is an album that also captures the spirit of AOR with its inspired vibes ever-present and lifeless moments nowhere to be found. This is an album of songs that belongs on my top shelf, I won’t be storing it away anytime soon.

Fans of Survivor, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Bryan Adams, Mister Mister and Foreigner (to name a many few) should  enjoy the Rockin’, soothing and melodic ride that MECCA takes on Undeniable. AOR and Melodic Rock fans across the board could justifiably find many, if not all of these songs on Undeniable difficult to forget.

MECCA:

Joe Vana – vocals

Joey Vana – guitars, backing vocals

Brian Moritz – keyboards

Paul Pisciotto – synthesizers

Wally Hustin – bass

Rick Vitek – drums

Mark Alano – guitars

UNDENIABLE – Track Listing:

Perfect World

Closing Time

Ten Lifetimes

Life’s Too Short

I Know

Did It For Love

From The Start

Deceptive Cadence

W2W

Undeniable

As I Walk Alone

* For more info on MECCA, see the links below:

FRONTIERS RECORDS

http://www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic

LONG LIVE MECCA.

Stone.

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BLACK BREATH: Seattle Savages Go On The Attack With Second LP In Early 2012

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 6, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Seattle’s barbaric wrecking crew BLACK BREATH have completed their second LP and are preparing to fire it point-blank into the public’s face this March. The forthcoming new platter, dubbed Sentenced to Life, is the highly anticipated follow-up to the band’s raging 2010 debut album, Heavy Breathing, which blew away fans of both hardcore-fueled Rock and Roll and crushing Swedish Death Metal internationally.

Now in 2012, BLACK BREATH‘s neck-snapping Sentenced To Life projects an even more vile, Metallic sonic attack than its predecessor, bearing is a bit less rock and roll swagger and a showcasing more full-on crushing rage. The album is a product of furious creativity jammed into a short span of time, written in the seemingly endless Winter after returning from their November 2010 European tour.

Bearing 10 thunderous tracks in under 33 minutes, Sentenced To Life features such smashing BLACK BREATH hits as “Feast of the Damned,” “Doomed,” “Forced Into Possession,” “Home of the Grave” and of course the title anthem “Sentenced to Life.” The band once again recorded at God City Studios with Kurt Ballou, and had the finished product mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side. Easily the band’s most thunderous recording to date, BLACK BREATH sentence every listener to a life of headbanging after spinning this motherfucker!


Sentenced To Life will burst into stores and distros for public armament in March 2012. A final release date, full track listing, cover art and preview of the new album will be announced in the weeks ahead.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on BLACK BREATH, click on the links below:

http://blackbreath.com

http://www.facebook.com/BLACKBREATH.MUSIC

http://www.southernlord.com

LONG LIVE BLACK BREATH.

Stone.

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The Black Keys ‘El Camino’ – An El Boring Listen Into What’s Already Been Done In Rock ‘N Roll

Posted in alternative rock, Hard Rock, rock album reviews, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 6, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The Black Keys – Yes, I blindly purchased the new CD from The Black Keys (nonesuch) and it’s for some reason titled El Camino. I pay dearly sometimes for making a “blind purchase” when it comes to music. To sum it up, this El Camino CD is boring. It sounds as if Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are not just huge fans of 70’s Rock… they obviously are both stuck in the “it’s been done already” school of Rock ‘N Roll and are a long way from graduating.

A fuzzy guitar sound with raw and unnecessary fuzzy production is pure nonsense when it comes to this genre of Rock in 2012. The Psychedelic, Stoner, Doom and Black Metal genres can utilize the “fuzz” in their respective sound brilliantly, only a Rock group like The Black Keys should stick to some clarity in their presentation of sound and maybe they won’t come across like a 1977 garage band playing to just their cousins.

Too numerous are the moments on El Camino where I recognize that IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Black Keys are not pushing the Rock ‘N Roll envelope here folks and that’s what makes this CD such a waste of time. Where’s the relevance? Listening to this band is like listening to a severely slow-paced Wolfmother with a hangover. The worst song on El Camino is hands down: Little Black Submarines. This song is so annoying, that upon my first listen I wanted to break down and cry, fearing that it made me constipated.

The one and only “bright spot” on El Camino is Sister. This song rocks like there is no tomorrow. Mind Eraser ends this CD on a cool note, still it’s too late. If only The Black Keys stuck to this Rockin’ blueprint of Sister and Mind Eraser throughout all 11 songs… and they didn’t. The digipak and liner notes are equally repetitive and humdrum as the music. Do we really need to waste paper like this? The liner notes are 16 pages which dedicate 15 of these pages to photos of what else? El Caminos. The digipak is a four-fold that features… 8 more photos of… El Caminos! Laugh out loud and Metal be thy name!

By now you realize I’m not a fan of what The Black Keys are trying to accomplish with their Rock sound. If you’re looking for a memorable and original sounding Rock CD you are better off picking up the newest CD from The Trews. Trust me, a thorough listen into Hope & Ruin from The Trews is a quantum leap forward compared to El Camino. The Black Keys surely won’t care about anyone who doesn’t dig their music. Why? They made the cover of Rolling Stone! Life goes on…

El Camino – Track Listing:

Lonely Boy

Dead And Gone

Gold On The Ceiling

Little Black Submarines

Money Maker

Run Right Back

Sister

Hell Of A Season

Stop Stop

Nova Baby

Mind Eraser

Stone.

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REZISTOR ‘Beware The Silent’ – FREE Album Download From Romanian Thrash Metal Battalion!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on January 6, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

REZISTOR – I was recently contacted by a Metal/Thrash band from Romania (EU) known as: REZISTOR. This Thrash Metal Battalion wants YOU to hear their new album Beware The Silent and they are offering it for FREE! I you need to do is go here http://www.rezistor.go.ro and you will find the necessary info for downloading this kick-to-the-teeth Thrash assault from REZISTOR! (I am very impressed by this band’s website… it is extremely well done).

I really dig what I hear from the Thrash Metal noize of REZISTOR. These guys haven’t taken a page from Old School Thrash and Metal… they’ve studied the F’n text-book on it. While blending their own stylings to a raw and aggressive Thrash Metal approach that’s relevant, REZISTOR should not go unheard or unspoken! REZISTOR shouldn’t remain as an unsigned band for long. Any Metal record label, with an ear for raw Metal talent, should be checking out what REZISTOR has created here. Metal be thy name.

Here is some background information on Beware The Silent, as provided by REZISTOR:

“Beware the Silent” is Rezistor’s response to the society we live in: one governed by corrupted laws that chain the individual and alienate him from the fundamental human values. Its lifeforce is feeding on the dark energy boiling deep down inside each individual forced to obey unjust rules and punished for not blindly conforming to a shallow and artificial grey society.

The album features 8 songs: 7 with English lyrics and one in Romanian, with powerful and introspective lyrics. The cover artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu (Twilight13Media) and it represents a very personal and unique representation of the album’s lyrical content and atmosphere.

“Beware the Silent” is selfproduced, with a set intention of obtaining a raw old school sound, as close as possible to an actual live rehearsal performance, without losing sound clarity: no modern processing, no fillers, no artificial tricks to wow the listener while masking the lack of inspiration and musical content, just pure unfiltered Metal riffing and throat shouting. The band doesn’t care about musical trends and prefers to remain loyal to the roots of old school aggressive Metal, and that is the foundation “Beware the Silent” was built upon”.

Beware The Silent was recorded: May – October of 2010. All music and lyrics by REZISTOR.

REZISTOR IS:

Eugen Ranga – vocals

Alexandru Voicu – guitar

Valentin Zechiu – bass

Cristian Barla – drums

LONG LIVE REZISTOR.

Stone.

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SABATON – New Album Details Revealed, Release Party Scheduled For Los Angeles!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, power metal bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Swedish Power Metal superstars SABATON just issued the following statement, revealing first details on the bands upcoming album:

“We can now confirm the rumors, the new SABATON album will be called Carolus Rex and in a few days we will start recording it. At the moment we cannot reveal any information about it, other than that it will be available at the end of May this year. We felt it was time for America to get something of a special show and this time the release party will be in Los Angeles, California. This show will be the only US West Coast show and it will be the world premiere of new songs.

-Happy new year, friends!“

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

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

http://www.sabaton.net

http://www.twitter.com/sabaton

http://www.youtube.com/sabaton

LONG LIVE SABATON.

Stone.

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FOOLS FOR ROWAN – Launch Kickstarter Campaign, To Release New Album & Music Video In 2012

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based Rock band, is set to release a new album and music video in 2012. It has been almost two years since the band has released new material. Fools For Rowan has written most of their record while on tour over the last year and recently started recording the new songs. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist in their efforts.

The powerhouse rock group, Fools For Rowan, is defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. The band has grown a large committed fan base partly due to the success of their first album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. The album’s first single, “Burnt Around the Edges” received acclaim from the college-age demographic in both the U.S. and Canada.

In addition, the second single, “Dead” received spins on Top 40, College and Modern Rock radio. In addition, the video for the song was featured on Fuse TV. Due to their zealous live performance, Fools For Rowan has recently had the privilege of sharing the stage with such artists as: Evanescence, Trapt, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies.

Kickstarter is an online pledge system that funds creative projects. The Kickstarter campaign, that will raise money for the band’s new album and a music video, has already been initiated online. Fools For Rowan offers a fantastic array of different prizes such as an autographed drumstick, a concert set list, band merchandise, arm wrestling contests, and even a dinner date with members of the band!

“It’s been two years since our last album, so we’re really anxious to get our new music into the hands of our fans,” says lead vocalist, Erin Mullins. Fans will have until January 2st to help the band meet its goal. As always, the group is looking ahead. Fools For Rowan will continue to tour the U.S. in hopes of spreading the power of rock ‘n’ roll!

To learn more about Fools for Rowan’s Kickstarter campaign visit here.

Check out the band’s website here.

(Source: LaFamos PR & Branding)

LONG LIVE FOOLS FOR ROWAN.

Stone.

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COPPERHEAD – Southern Rock Band: 5 Cool Reasons To Buy Their Debut S/T Album From 1992

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock, southern rock albums with tags , , , , , , on January 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

COPPERHEAD – It was sometime during the Spring of 2011 when I came across the Southern Rock band Copperhead, while perusing the internet for all things Rock ‘N Roll. After sampling a few songs from the 1992 S/T debut album from Copperhead, I eagerly purchased it off of iTunes. This is the one and only studio album that Copperhead ever released too. Going back to 1992, I only remember Copperhead by band name only.

I guess that’s what makes being a lover of Rock ‘N Metal so damn fun, I’m always catching onto a new band from yesteryear! I steered best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, to this Copperhead album and he is as huge a believer in this band’s Southern Rock sound as I am. Copperhead may no longer be an active band, still they are a band well worth remembering and checking out. If Copperhead has reunited in any way, shape or form, please leave a comment!

Below are five cool reasons why you should buy this Copperhead S/T debut album. I’ve also included two fun facts about the album.

Reason #1: If you are a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Marshall Tucker Band, etc., then you shall have no problem at all diving ears first into Copperhead.

Reason #2: This Copperhead album in my most honest opinion… ROCKS from start to finish.

Reason #3: Neil Carswell (vocalist, guitarist & founding member) has that classic Southern Rock voice that’s just as contagious as his band’s music.

Reason #4: Copperhead could jam! From driving guitars to the keyboards, Copperhead just let it all loose on this album. In my opinion, this band kept it real with Southern fried and blue-collar enthusiasm through their songs.

Reason #5: This is straight-up Southern Rock here folks and nothing is watered down. So, crank up some Copperhead, grab your six-pack then kick back, while those good times and Southern Rock vibes take control.

Oh… by the way, my favorite song on this Copperhead album is: Highway. Whoa and Metal be thy name.

Two Fun Facts About This Copperhead Album:

Fun Fact #1: The song Long Way From Home became the title song for the motion picture: Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man. Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson starred in this movie too.

Fun Fact #2: The song Busted was included on the 1992 movie soundtrack: Dr. Giggles.

This is the cover for the Dr. Giggles movie soundtrack CD. Dr. Giggles is a Slasher film, can you tell?

COPPERHEAD – Track Listing:

Busted

Whiskey

The Scar

Brown’s Gold

Where Will I Be?

Keepin’ On

Highway

Hard Livin’

Lazy Days

Not My Tear

Born Loser

Long Way From Home

* Copperhead is available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records. I’ve also seen it for sale on Amazon.

* Live & Lost (released in 2002), is a compilation of Copperhead studio and live tracks. It is also available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records.

* For more info on NEIL CARSWELL and COPPERHEAD, click on the link below:

COPPERHEAD – Official Website

COPPERHEAD ROCKS.

Stone.

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SEVEN ENDS – Signs To Massacre Records

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on January 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SEVEN ENDS from Limburg, Netherlands, was formed in the darker months of 2007 by guitarist Ricardo, vocalist Jan and drummer Cor. Soon Noud joined the band, bringing thunder with his bass, together with Tim on guitar completing the band. Tim’s presence was not very long, after about a year he was replaced by Leon.

SEVEN ENDS’ musical style can be described as furious Thrash/Death Metal. Speed and aggressiveness are the main ingredients, all flavored with a hint of melody and a grooving touch to it.

Their first EP was recorded in 2008 and it was time to hit the stage. Reactions to EP and live performance were overwhelming from the start. SEVEN ENDS played live with bands such Legion of the Damned and Torture Squad, and in summer 2010 they got their chance at the legendary Wacken open air festival in Germany after winning the Dutch Wacken Metal Battle, among the greatest names around in metal and rock.

In 2011 SEVEN ENDS finished recording their first full length album, mixed and mastered by no other than Andy Classen (Legion of the Damned, Belphegor, Tankard).

“To The Worms” is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records.

SEVEN ENDS:

Jan Bieseman – Vocals

Ricardo Carta – Guitars

Leon Vinders – Guitars

Noud van Erp – Bass guitar

Cor Niessen – Drums

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on SEVEN ENDS, click on the links below:

http://www.sevenends.com

http://www.massacre-records.com

Stone.

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RETOX – Schedule Five California Dates For February 2012

Posted in Music, post hardcore, Punk rock, punk rock albums, punk rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit: Ian Campbell

Retox, the SoCal Punk quartet who released their debut album in late 2011 (Ugly Animals, Ipecac Recordings), return to the road this February with five California dates kicking off Feb. 16 in singer Justin Person’s San Diego hometown and venturing north to San Francisco with additional stops in Palm Springs, Long Beach and the band’s hometown of Los Angeles.

February 16   –  San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

February 17   –  Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar

February 18   –  Los Angeles, CA  @ The Smell

February 19   –  San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside

February 21   –  Palm Springs, CA @ The Dillon Roadhouse

On Ugly Animals…

“Retox owes its real allegiance to classic L.A. punk – imagine the Circle Jerks forced into San Diego’s noise-rock woodchipper.” – Revolver

“Animals crams 11 slamming defibrillations into a mere 13 minutes, bolting through its furious post-hardcore convulsions so quickly that your brain barely has time to register each song before the band moves on to its next speedy freakout.” – SF Weekly

“The cumulative effect of Ugly Animals feels like you’ve fallen off a skyscraper, stopping in intervals to smash through 37 sheets of plate glass. But you’ll want to get back on the elevator to the top floor to take the trip again.”  – Alternative Press

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

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

http://www.facebook.com/retoxrules

http://www.uglyanimals.net

Stone.

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