Archive for May, 2012

KING GIANT “Dismal Hollow” – Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 3, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

KING GIANT – The thickly heavy, riff infested and insanely memorable Dismal Hollow, from Virginia’s King Giant, is my Metal Pick Of The Day. Released on January 31, 2012, Dismal Hollow is easily one of the must haves for any fan of blue-collar, Southern Metal. With legitimate comparisons to Corrosion Of Conformity, Clutch and Danzig; King Giant still resonates with originality and their Metal is a non-stop driving force! I feel Orange Goblin fans should get a Metal kick from King Giant’s Metal sound.

Honestly, the vocals of Dave Hammerly are eerily similar to that of Glenn Danzig. It all sounds grand to my ears and I get a Metal charge out of how contagious Dave’s vocals truly are. Strong and confident vocals from Dave makes this album of songs sound all the more muscular. Dismal Hollow never relents on its mission of Doom inspired thunder, coupled with more Metal grooves than you knew existed; the Metal psyche-out meter is smokin’ on all 8 songs here, my Metal brethren.

I can’t point out a favorite song that easily here, King Giant smacks it down so F’n thoroughly on Dismal Hollow. I have to say this album as a whole is my favorite; with the instrumental Road To Eleusis being damn near perfect. Something about this King Giant album has me reaching for my Sunrise On The Sufferbus CD from Masters Of Reality. Trust me, King Giant is heavier though.

If you are going Metal shopping today or this weekend, it is pertinent that you pick up Dismal Hollow. This is as imperative a Metal purchase as you’ll ever make in your entire Metal lovin’ life. Metal be thy name.

Dismal Hollow was released on King Giant’s own imprint label, Graveyard Hill Records; with a split release on The Path Less Traveled Records.

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KING GIANT:

Floyd Walters III – bass

Todd “t.i.” Ingram – lead guitar

Dave Hammerly – vocals

Brooks – drums

David Kowalski – rhythm guitar

Photo Credit: Caroline Deutermann

Dismal Hollow – Track Listing:

Appomattox

Tale Of Mathias

A Steward’s Prayer

Pistols and Penance

6 O’clock Swill

The Fog

Road To Eleusis

O’ Drifter

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For more info on KING GIANT, click on the links below:

http://www.kinggiant.com

http://www.facebook.com/kinggiantband

LONG LIVE KING GIANT.

Stone.

MORBID ANGEL To Headline SPREAD THE METAL FEST; More Bands Announced To Lineup

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 3, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Halifax based Spread The Metal Festival, whose goal is to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada with 100% of ticket revenues, is proud to announce headliners Morbid Angel, along with Blackguard, Cryptopsy and Last Call Chernobyl as the next batch of bands added to the line up to support the festival charity fundraiser.

“Spread the Metal Records has lofty ambitions for this festival and as it grows each year, I want to prove that the label is as committed to philanthropy as we are to releasing phenomenal records. We take on the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves, and this festival has the power to help a lot of people, year after year.” – Matt Day STM owner and festival organizer commented.

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Tickets available at the Halifax Forum or by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online www.ticketpro.ca

Event Link – https://www.facebook.com/events/190001607777740/

JULY 5TH:

Answer With Metal – 12pm – http://www.facebook.com/#!/answerwithmetal

Last Call Chernobyl – 1pm

Dischord – 2pm

Hallows Die – 3:15pm

Descend – 4:30pm

Fallen Joy – 6pm

BLACKGUARD – 7:30pm

KATAKLYSM – 9:15pm

JULY 6TH:

Cry Oh Crisis – 12pm

Strigampire – 1pm

Death Valley Driver – 2pm

Crimson Shadows – 3:15pm

Blasphemy Reborn – 4:30pm

Black Moor – 6pm

CRYPTOPSY – 7:30pm

MORBID ANGEL – 9:15pm

ABOUT: Spread The Metal Fest was inspired by STM Records owner Matt Day, whom previously worked for HSF as a volunteer and decided it was time to give back to the community and help an organization and cause that promotes awareness of heart disease along with financial support.

ABOUT: Spread the Metal Records is an artist-oriented label. They recognize the commitment of all those who have signed with them and those who continue to support them in other ways. A label is only as strong as its artists, and indeed the job of the record label is to create an environment where they can pursue their artistic vision. That means giving straight answers, holding themselves accountable, taking responsibility for their mistakes, and recognizing their own limitations. STM believes in every release that they put out and they have more respect for the fans than to expose them to a sub-par album. STM demands the best from themselves, and so they can’t accept any less from the bands that they represent.

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Stone Says: I’ve stated once before, the sincere admiration I have for Matt Day’s charitable kindness through his Spread The Metal Festival and Spread The Metal Records. I also admire each and every band that are giving their time to perform at this fabulous festival; along with the sponsors and anyone else that is involved in making this event happen. This Spread The Metal Fest proves that Metal can make a difference in people’s lives.

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(Source: Asher Media Relations)

For More Info: http://www.spreadthemetal.com/

For more band info, click on the links below:

MORBID ANGEL –  www.morbidangel.com/

KATAKLYSM – www.facebook.com/kataklysm

LONG LIVE METAL. 

Stone.

SATCHURATED: LIVE IN MONTREAL – By Guitar Legend JOE SATRIANI Lands At #3 On BILLBOARD’S DVD CHART

Posted in Guitar, guitarists, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, rock concerts, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

RELEASED ON 3D BLU-RAY, DVD & CD APRIL 24, 2012, THROUGH EPIC RECORDS

(Los Angeles, CA)  Joe Satriani, one of the most respected and innovative guitarist’s in the world, released his critically-acclaimed live concert Satchurated: Live in Montreal last week on 3D Blu-ray, DVD and Soundtrack CD, through Epic Records and today, the DVD enters at # 3 on The Billboard DVD chart.

Joe is about to hit the road on Friday with his ‘other’ band, Chickenfoot, this Friday but from rehearsals, had this to say:

“Satchurated 3D” DVD is #3!!! Big thanks to all of my fans worldwide for making this happen.  See you out there on the road!”

Satchurated was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience during Satriani’s “The Wormhole Tour”, supporting his studio album Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by GRAMMY and EMMY award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. Satchurated: Live in Montreal was recently released for a limited engagement on March 1, 2012 to select theatres throughout the country. The high-definition recording makes Satriani’s performance as much a pleasure to see by DVD, as it is to hear by CD.

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(Source: MAD Ink, PR)

For more info on JOE SATRIANI, click on the link below!

http://www.satriani.com

LONG LIVE JOE SATRIANI.

Stone.

Candlelight Records Sampler Available For FREE Via Amazon Starting Today

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Candlelight Records today launches a free label sampler available exclusively from Amazon.com. The 8-song sampler includes previously unreleased material from FALLOCH, THE ROTTED, WODENSTHRONE, SEAR BLISS, WOE, WINTERFYLLETH, RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER and includes the first single from IHSAHN’s new album Eremita.

“The Paranoid” is taken from IHSAHN’s anticipated fourth solo album. Set for release June 19, Eremita was mixed by Jens Bogren (Opeth) and features performances from drummer Tobias Ornes Andersen (Leprous), saxophonist Jorgen Munkeby (Shining-Norway), guitarist Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore), and vocalists Devin Townsend, Einar Solberg (Leprous), and Heidi S. Tveitan (StarofAsh). MetalSucks editor Vince Neilstein says, “The Paranoid” is a perfect introduction to Eremita. It’s heavy, expansive, and it’s complex without being an asshole about it. Not that any of this should be surprising; IHSAHN’s been developing his own singularly definable sound for three albums now, so fans should know what to expect.”

The inclusion of an early production mix of RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER’s “Fucking Wild” follows the recent announcement of the band’s forthcoming new album, Ghostmaker. The Philadelphia-based quartet recently completed a string of regional performances and are now gearing up for dates to support the new album once it hits stores nationwide on June 19. Guitarist Ryan Moll says, “the title of this track says it all. It’s a rather suiting description of its relentlessness. The lyrics were written by Shawn (Riley) and the title was inspired by some old live Venom recordings.”

FALLOCH’s “The Ghosts That Haunts This Path” is a new song for American audiences. Previously available as a b-side to a European-only single, the song showcases the impressive stylings of the Scottish post-black metal duo. MSN Metal called the band’s debut Where Distant Spirits Remain, “a drop-dead gorgeous, haunting piece of work.” Kerrang called it, “intoxicating, haunting, beautiful.” Brooklyn Vegan adds, “it’s clear that FALLOCH aims to walk along the righteous path of adventurous black metal bands like Alcest. Where Distant Spirits Remain is a great first step in that direction.”

Planning to hit the studio in early June to lay down tracks for their third album, WOE’s reworked “Quietly, Undramatically” opens a new door on the title track from the band’s popular 2010 release of the same name. Vocalist/guitarist Chris Grigg notes, “the remixed version of ‘Quietly, Undramatically’ is a more accurate representation of what was hoped to achieve with the material and offers a different perspective into the album.” Decibel Magazine said, “Woe strive for sophistication without falling into the usual pitfalls of pretentiousness, cartoonish-ness or undue gloss. Essential aggression is maintained, while the atmospheric and emotional depth envelopes are pushed with a bold fearlessness.”

To listen/download the sampler visit HERE.

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info on CANDLELIGHT RECORDS, click link below!

http:/www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

https://www.facebook.com/CandlelightRecordsUSA

LONG LIVE CANDLELIGHT RECORDS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 – Official Lineup & Tour Dates Revealed; Featuring FEAR FACTORY and VOIVOD

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , on May 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

This summer, one of the most diversified Metal tour packages will batter its way through North America! What will be a yearly event, the inaugural SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 is coming for you! Established to give Metal fans a lower cost festival option this season, the tour will commence on July 6 in Seattle, Washington, and feature an eclectic lineup of artists including futuristic Metal conjurers FEAR FACTORY and sci-fi thrash legends VOIVOD as well as CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING and FORGED IN FLAME.

Presented by Full Metal Jackie with further sponsorships by EVH, DDrums, Ampeg, Intune Guitar Pics, Indie Merch, Earsplit PR, Skateboard Marketing, Burning Angel, Yetibite, The PRP, Rockin Wellness, Dirtycheese Design & Development and Blank TV, the caravan of chaos will run through August with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Artist Arena/fan club pre-sale tickets go ON SALE TODAY. Public tickets go on sale Saturday May 5 at 10:00am at THIS LOCATION.

Full Metal Jackie Presents: SHOCKWAVE FESTIVAL TOUR 2012 – with Fear Factory, Voivod, Cattle Decapitation, Misery Index, Revocation, Havok, Dirge Within, Last Chance To Reason, Vildhjarta, The Browning and Forged In Flame:

7/06/2012 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA

7/07/2012 Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, BC

7/11/2012 Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB

7/12/2012 Station 4 – St Paul, MN

7/13/2012 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI

7/14/2012 Kool House – Toronto, ON

7/17/2012 Imperial Theater – Quebec City, QC

7/18/2012 Club Soda – Montreal, QC

7/20/2012 Northern Lights – Clifton, NY

7/21/2012 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY

7/22/2012 Reverb – Reading, PA

7/25/2012 Palladium – Worcester, MA

7/26/2012 Empire – Springfield, VA

7/29/2012 Tebala Shrine – Rockford, IL

8/02/2012 Nakai Hall – Window Rock, AZ

8/03/2012 The Marqee Theater – Tempe, AZ

8/04/2012 House Of Blues – Hollywood, CA

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info, click on the links below!

http://www.shockwavefest.com

http://www.facebook.com/shockwavefest

http://www.fearfactory.com

http://www.voivod.com

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

SIX FEET UNDER “UNDEAD” – A Merciless Sonic Experience Of Death Metal

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SIX FEET UNDER – Picture the scene: A crowded supermarket parking lot, with speed bumps every ten feet and customers walking blindly in front of my car; at the pace of a pack of turtles with blistered bunions. That’s exactly what I encountered yesterday while attempting to drive into this supermarket parking lot and park my car. So, what did Stone do? I cranked up the new Six Feet Under Undead CD to its maximum volume and rolled them car windows down. It didn’t make these antagonistic strangers move any faster… yet the few looks of disgust that were thrown my way did provide (some) sweet Metal victory for Stone.

Cranking up this Undead CD during my lengthy moment of social impoliteness was the perfect Metal prescription for me. Hell, if they didn’t want you to play CD’s loud in a car, then they should equip stereos to not exceed the “number 4” on volume. So let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal told. Now, onward with this primo Death Metal album and I’m gonna tell you just how ecstatic I am about it.

Undead is the total Death Metal package. I mean, I cannot describe it any better than that. I wrote an earlier review on a three song sampler from this Undead album and praised Six Feet Under for what I absorbed sonically. Listening to and enjoying the entire Undead album only solidifies my Metal points made from that prior review.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Cabral

The addition of new bassist Jeff Hughell sounds like a perfect Death Metal match to me. Chris Barnes is undisputedly a vocal icon to Death Metal, he has shown his band the way to Metal glory and Death Metal domination with studio album #9. The crowded pool of younger Death Metal bands, that want to make a name for themselves, should utilize Undead as (one of) their Death Metal textbooks.

A fireball bounty of heavy, heavy, heaviness and thick grooves saturates this album. Aggressive and still coming across polished in a raw Death Metal sort of way; Six Feet Under cannot help themselves if they are talented as hell and play damn tight. Kevin Talley on drums is an amazing listen, I get drawn into his playing for he mixes things up and adds many dynamite fills. Steve Swanson and Rob Arnold create the mind-bending riffs, tones and rhythms, their guitars lend some haunting vibes that compliments the vocals of Chris Barnes.

A favorite song of mine on Undead is Delayed Combustion Device. The Scar and Formaldehyde are unreal killer songs as well. Undead flows together so fine, no song is out-of-place. A Death Metal must it is. I will admit, It’s a grand year when both Six Feet Under and Cannibal Corpse release new studio albums. Death Metal fans of all generations have a lot to celebrate about in 2012 and Six Feet Under is one substantial reason why. Metal be thy name.

Six Feet Under – Undead releases on May 22nd, 2012, on Metal Blade Records.

SIX FEET UNDER:

Chris Barnes – Vocals

Steve Swanson – Guitars

Rob Arnold – Guitars

Jeff Hughell – Bass

Kevin Talley – Drums

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UNDEAD – Track Listing:

Frozen At The Moment of Death

Formaldehyde

18 Days

Molest Dead

Blood On My Hands

Missing Victims

Reckless

Near Death Experience

The Scar

Delayed Combustion Device

Vampire Apocalypse

The Depths of Depravity

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For more info on SIX FEET UNDER, click on the links below!

http://www.sfu420.com

http://www.metalblade.com/sixfeetunder

http://www.facebook.com/sixfeetunder

LONG LIVE SIX FEET UNDER.

Stone.

ROYAL THUNDER AND RCRD LBL Offering Free Download Of “Whispering World” From Forthcoming Album “CVI” (MAY 22, RELAPSE RECORDS); New Tour Dates Announced

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

May 1, 2012, Philadelphia – Royal Thunder, the Atlanta-based quartet who release their debut album CVI on May 22 (Relapse Records), and RCRD LBL are offering a download of “Whispering World”: http://rcrdlbl.com/2012/05/01/download_royal_thunder_whispering_world.

Royal Thunder perform a hometown show tomorrow night at The Masquerade as part of the Decibel Magazine Tour. The band has announced two additional dates: June 27 at The Marquis Theater in Denver and July 12 at the Black Sheep in Colorado Springs. Additional tour dates will be announced shortly.

The band recently recorded an in-studio performance of  “Sleeping Witch,” another track from the forthcoming release, for indieATL, which can be viewed at http://indieatl.com/indieatl-videos/first-video-from-royal-thunder-indieatl-session-sleeping-witch/indieATL is a video partner to Georgia State University’s radio station, WRAS 88.5.

Royal Thunder’s CVI will be streaming in its entirely via AOL Spinner beginning May 21 for one week.

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Stone Says: You just gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta grab this FREE download of Whispering World. You gotta! I’m telling you, once you hear Miny Parsonz on vocals you will be marking your calendar to buy CVI on May 22nd. Oh, yeah, Miny plays one hell of a bass and this entire Royal Thunder pack will… ROCK YOUR FACE OFF!

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(Source: Speakeasy PR & Marketing)

For more info on ROYAL THUNDER, click on the link below!

www.facebook.com/royalthundermusic

LONG LIVE ROYAL THUNDER.

Stone.

ASIA – “Face On The Bridge” (Official Video); Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in Music, progressive rock, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ASIA TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM “XXX” WITH ORIGINAL LINE-UP: GEOFF DOWNES, STEVE HOWE, CARL PALMER & JOHN WETTON

ASIA will release their new studio album “XXX” (pronounced Triple X) on Frontiers Records on June 29th in Europe and July 3rd in North America. The new record, produced by Mike Paxman, which is being hailed as ASIA’s best album since its classic early 80s releases, will be released as a CD, collector’s edition CD/DVD (featuring new music videos and behind the scenes footage), and on vinyl (limited edition Europe only). Original artwork for “XXX” album courtesy of Roger Dean.

Stone Says: I love this song! Everything about Face On The Bridge just resonates the classic sound and appeal of this original ASIA lineup! I absolutely cannot wait to hear this entire new album from ASIA! Those ASIA vibes I’m feeling from this song takes me back to another time; those days when I played their debut album continuously during the entire Summer of ’82. This new ASIA song and video, Face On The Bridge, is my Metal pick of the day!

ASIA:

Geoff Downes – keyboards

Steve Howe – guitars

Carl Palmer – drums

John Wetton – bass, vocals

ASIA – XXX (Frontiers Records)

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For more info on ASIA, click on the links below:

http://www.originalasia.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS

(Source: Frontiers Records)

LONG LIVE ASIA.

Stone.

Mayhem Festival Cruise – December 7th – 10th, 2012; Band Lineup, Info & Some Metal Thoughts…

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MAYHEM FESTIVAL CRUISE –  I couldn’t think of a better way to spend 4 days of early Winter! Whoa. This Mayhem Festival Cruise sails to the Bahamas and back to Miami, while pretty much guaranteeing no snow, sleet or freezing rain in the forecast! If I had the expendable loot and time to just “pack up and go” I’d be all over this cruise… or any of the cruises that boast festivals lately.

Just take a glance at the poster above! Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Kingdom Of Sorrow, Gojira, Battlecross and Suicide Silence. Whoa. Whoa again. Lot’s of heavy-duty bands assembling on this cruise! Plus, the legendary Jamey Jasta will be on double-duty with Hatebreed and Kingdom Of Sorrow. Excellent.

Since I’m not going, I felt it was my Metal duty, to inform my Metal brethren, who just might be able to jump on board this Mayhem Festival Cruise. I’m sure I will be ushering in Winter and its dreary weather with open arms, while this Mayhem Festival Cruise sets sail. (!) It’s all good though. I’m just glad these bands exist and METAL RULES BY LAND… AND SEA! Metal be thy name.

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* For more info, click on the link below:

http://www.mayhemcruise.com/

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

HALESTORM – JUNE / JULY 2012 TOUR DATES

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, heavy metal news, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HALESTORM – Below are the June and July 2012 tour dates for Pennsylvania’s Hard Rockin’ HALESTORM. Their new chart successful album The Strange Case Of… was released back on April 10th, via Atlantic Records. Check ’em out below to see if Lzzy Hale and her band will be in your area! Metal be thy name.

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06/23 – Portland, OR – State Theater (New Medicine only)

06/25 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

06/26 – Northampton, MA – Pearl Street

06/27 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s

06/29 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle & Cork

06/30 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater

07/01 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom

07/04 – Toronto, ON – The Mod Club

07/07 – Tremont, IL – Twisted Spoke

07/10 – Des Moines, IA – People’s Court

07/13 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep

07/14 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

07/16 – Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre

07/17 – Billings, MT – Babcock Theatre

07/19 – Fargo, ND – The Venue @ Playmaker’s

w/ New Medicine & Emphatic

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(Source: HALESTORM Official Website)

For more info on HALESTORM, click on the link below:

http://www.halestormrocks.com

LONG LIVE HALESTORM.

Stone.