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.
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.
Street credibility? Check. Uncompromising sound? Check. Pure enthusiasm? Check.
GUN BARREL don’t breathe new life into the great tradition of Heavy Metal, they inject it with high pressure. These guys combine old school, misfit Rock ‘n’ Roll and Metal attitude in an ingenious way. Being the representatives of this dirty Metal Rock ‘n’ Roll, they really let it rip during their legendary live performances.
You can feel the animal instinct and the heart and soul that make the band skyrocket on stage. If nothing else, this might be due to the fact that GUN BARREL are among the most frequent performers in Germany. Those, who survived the GUN BARREL live drumfire are totally thrilled and become serial offenders. This is unavoidable.
GUN BARREL are always good for a surprise. Acoustic show or full decibel attack; it is not unusual that guest stars such as Andy Brings appear on stage with them, that they contribute songs to several samplers, take a flight to Spanish island Mallorca by the order of Rock ‘n’ Roll or that they give the audience an understanding of their sound at legendary festivals such as Wacken Open Air or Slovenia’s Metalcamp.
GUN BARREL have gone through a lot during the last 10 years; so these dudes became a tough alliance. Rock star affectations? No way. Despite all the glamour, the band remains down-to-earth and continues to look forward – one is still up to much more!
GUN BARREL’s new album Brace For Impact will be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records!
Patrick Sühl – Vocals
Rolf Tanzius – Guitar
Toni Pinciroli – Drums
Tomcat Kintgen – Bass
(Source: Massacre Records)
* For more info on GUN BARREL, click on the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/GunBarrel
http://www.massacre-records.com
LONG LIVE GUN BARREL.
Stone.
ZERO DEGREE was formed in 2006 by Pascal, Tobias and Thomas. Up to that, the three were part of other bands, but they decided to look for a new challenge. Their purpose was to create music in the style of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Iron Maiden.
To recreate their music and harmonized guitar sounds live, they consequently needed three guitarists. Over the course of the year André, Maik and Sebastian joined the band.
The now complete line-up played their first shows in 2007. Throughout their career the guys were able to share the stage with bands from different genres of metal. These included Eisregen, Maroon, Mercenary, Deadlock, Suidakra and Anima.
In 2007 the band produced their first demo “The Storm And The Silence” which was mainly used as promotion on MySpace and for concert promoters.
ZERO DEGREE’s debut album Surreal World is going to be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records.
Thomas – Vocals
Pascal – Guitar
Maik – Guitar
Tobias – Drums
André – Bass
Sebastian – Guitar
(Source: Massacre Records)
* For more info on ZERO DEGREE, click on the links below:
http://www.zerodegreemetal.com
http://www.facebook.com/zerodegreemeta
Stone.
Hellfest Open Air Festival 2012 – On June 15th, 16th and 17th of 2012, Hellfest Open Air will take place in Clisson (Loire-Atlantique) France. BLACK SABBATH is headlining! With LYNYRD SKYNYRD and MACHINE HEAD! LAMB OF GOD! LIZZY BORDEN is confirmed! Take a look below at the beyond incredible assemblage of bands that will be performing at Hellfest Open Air 2012! Well over 60 bands!! Metal be thy name!
* For more info on HELLFEST OPEN AIR 2012, click on link below:
Hellfest Open Air Festival 2012 – facebook
LONG LIVE HELLFEST OPEN AIR.
LONG LIVE BLACK SABBATH.
LONG LIVE LIZZY BORDEN.
Stone.
On November 11th, 2011 (11-11-11), the ultra legendary BLACK SABBATH announced their reunion for 2012! Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are back together! Metal Odyssey wants to join in on this historic Metal celebration reporting this epic Metal news! You most likely have heard this fabulous news already or seen the reunion announcement video, regardless, watch it again below and allow the Metal jubilation to cascade upon you! Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band) interviews BLACK SABBATH, with their new producer Rick Rubin in attendance as well.
* Above video was uploaded to YouTube by Revolver TV on 11-11-11.
LONG LIVE BLACK SABBATH.
Stone.
KATANA – On Monday, July 18th, 2011, KATANA guitarist Tobias Karlsson will join METALHEADRADIO.COM‘s DJ Rem for an exclusive one-on-one interview. Tune in to DJ Rem’s show, Locked Up, at 9:30 EST on July 18th for what promises to be an unforgettable chat with one of the New Wave of Traditional Metal’s most fierce up and comers.
KATANA from Gothenburg, Sweden, is the next big thing in Traditional Heavy Metal. They deliver a show that is 100 percent pure adrenaline and will take the audience straight back to the golden age of the early eighties. Since the current line up was established in 2008, KATANA has worked hard to perfect their live act, which includes everything one would expect from a true eighties band and then some.
The music of KATANA is heavily influenced by British and German bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Accept. They definitely show that the genre is more alive than ever and their newly recorded debut album will set a new standard for what Classic Heavy Metal is supposed to sound like in 2011.
(Source: ClawHammer PR)
* To read the Metal Odyssey album review for KATANA – HEADS WILL ROLL, (posted on June 13th, 2011), just click on the big header link below!
* For more info on KATANA, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE KATANA.
Stone.
PHARAOH: TEN YEARS EP – American Power Metal is well represented when a band such as Pharoah exists. Seriously. The six songs on the Ten Years EP are a strong representation of just how excellent the musicianship of Pharaoh is. Metal truth be told, I wish this was a 12 song album, Pharaoh hammers out their one-of-a-kind Metal sound that well. This is a durable band with mighty Metal experience (see band lineup below) and this experience comes through remarkably well on each song.
The Classic Heavy Metal feel and vibes are unmistakable as I listen to Ten Years. Pharaoh plays their American-made Power Metal with relevant muscularity, with melodic moments flourishing throughout their sound. One Metal constant about Pharaoh is their ability to sound raw and tough, with an old school sensibility. It’s this raw toughness in the Metal mix that adds to Pharaoh’s mystique, for me.
Ten Years will be released on June 7th, 2011, on Cruz Del Sur. This EP contains two unreleased songs from the Be Gone (2008) recording sessions, two tracks previously released only as a bonus 7″ and two cover songs: Slayer’s Tormentor and New Model Army’s White Light. Ten Years sets the Metal stage for the forthcoming and fourth studio album from Pharaoh, which is scheduled for release later in 2011.
Pharaoh does a standup job at covering Slayer’s Tormentor, with no slippage on the speed factor on both guitar and the rhythm section. Tim Aymar may not be Tom Araya on vocals, still he embellishes this song with the necessary searing notes, leathery vocals and pissed-off attitude. Tim Aymar can hit the high notes with ease as well as delivering gritty, old school tones. A great example of just how diverse Tim’s vocals are is the title track Ten Years. This song is a Metal showcase for Tim’s vocals, there’s no doubt to my ears about that.
The thick and melodic sounds of Matt Johnsen’s guitar are totally enjoyable. Matt’s flirtation’s and nod’s to Classic Speed Metal are apparent and very welcomed to my Metal lovin’ ears. Matt Johnsen has his own signature tone happening on guitar and perhaps should be looked upon as one of Metal’s best kept secrets.
Pharaoh has always been a dynamite Power Metal band, it’s time for scores of Metal fans out there to realize just how excellent a band they truly are. I highly recommend all of Pharaoh’s works from the past and this Ten Years EP. Pharaoh was formed back in 1997 and there hasn’t been a better time than now to be catching onto their sound. Classic Heavy Metal and American Power Metal lives… and Pharaoh carries these two sub-genre’s torches with Metal pride.
Tim Aymar – vocals (Control Denied)
Matt Johnsen – guitar (Fool’s Game, Dawnbringer)
Chris Kerns – bass
Chris Black – drums (Dawnbringer, Superchrist, High Spirits, ex-Nachtmystium)
Ten Years
When We Fly
White Light
Reflection and the Inevitable Future
Nothing I Can Say
Tormentor
* For more info on PHARAOH, click on the links below:
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
LONG LIVE PHARAOH.
Stone.
INSIDE HOLLOW featuring Dan Nelson (ex-Anthrax) on vocals have just released video footage of their live performance from their April 16, 2011 show at Port 41 in NYC. The video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Herojack76?feature=mhum
Fans can call Dan Nelson via his TheLiveLine phone number and listen to his personal audio blog updates as well as leave him voicemails. http://theliveline.com/DanNelson Call Dan @ 866-944-3266
(Source: Team All About The Music)
Dan Nelson – vocals
Roy Nelson – guitar
Matt Borowka – bass
Frankie Apicelli – drums
* For more info on INSIDE HOLLOW, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE INSIDE HOLLOW.
Stone.
With the street date for Pennsylvania-based traditional/Doom Metal warriors ARGUS‘ sophomore album, Boldly Stride The Doomed, just over a week away, high-traffic Metal ‘zine MetalReview.com is hosting a stream of the entire ten-song opus until its official for North American release on May 3, via Cruz Del Sur Records. Stop by and crank up the album stream at this location now!
In addition to the album stream, MetalReview is also hosting a contest in conjunction with Cruz Del Sur and ARGUS directly. Running from now until the May 3 North American release date, the “Name That Mascot and Tell Us What the Hell He’s Doing On Those Two Covers” contest focuses on the cover art for ARGUS‘ new Boldly Stride The Doomed full-length, as well as their 2009 self-titled debut album, both crafted by artist Brad Moore. Check out the full details and enter the contest at this location.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on ARGUS, click the link below:
LONG LIVE ARGUS.
Stone.
HUNTED – In my Metal quest for delivering to visitors of Metal Odyssey, unsigned bands that are decidedly worthy of their Metal existence, I have uncovered yet another exemplary band. This Progressive Metal band is based in Cardiff, Wales and is known as HUNTED. Remember the name of this band, cause once a record label signs them (and Hunted will get signed) you can say, with Metal pride, you knew about them “back in the day”. Welcome The Dead is the debut album of ten songs that ruptures with proficiency, the Progressive Metal of Hunted. Hunted is a band that’s on the Metal advance and I’m on board for their Metal offensive.
The Metal influences are easily detectable from the Progressive Metal sound that Hunted plays. I hear Geoff Tate’s influence resonate from the vocals of Chris G and trust me, this guy can sing like his life depends on it. Picture if you will, Iron Maiden fusing their Progressive Metal with Dream Theater and you have what Hunted reminds this Old Schooler of and openly agrees with. Hunted is light years from being a copy-cat band, so rest assured you will be listening to a band that has taken such legendary Metal influences and carved out their own flaming ball of Metal originality.
Minus any keyboard atmospherics, Hunted remarkably pulls off an ambiance of Progressive Metal space that excels. This band can play heavy, my ears don’t doubt this for a second. I Want Nothing has it’s tempo changes, only it plays out quite Heavy in both it’s Metal and vocal personality. There is a lot to be said, as to how Hunted structures their songs, leading the listener on a Metal landscape that evolves with it’s intensity and simmers down with melodic majesty.
The totality of musicianship and the vocals of Chris G carry Hunted in unison, combining for a band that plays extremely tight. While not radiating an over-polished listen in sound, there is an air of rawness to this album that many superstar bands are missing today. I am impressed by the talents of Tim Hamill and Hunted in producing and mixing this album, these are songs that can’t be thrown together with their delicate parts. Hunted comes across as a band that planned this Welcome The Dead album a long time ago, in a Metal galaxy far, far away. This is not an album you can listen to three times over and write about. Instead, Welcome The Dead is an album that needs to be digested for a month, enjoyed and continually savored.
The articulation of Chris G’s vocals coinciding with the Metal articulation of Steven Barberini on guitar could not have happened overnight… or over the course of one year, these songs are that luminous with profound energy, thought and dynamism. The melodic leads and solos that Steven plays are so flavorful, that I am launched into a world of swirling Metal highs because of my hearing them. Sounds sappy? Not to me. Music, especially Metal, can move me like there’s no tomorrow. Metal be thy name.
Aria (In Memoriam) plays out at 8:49 and is one of the finest Progressive Metal epic songs I’ve ever listened to. Emotion spills over from both this songs music and vocals. If your going to make Progressive Metal songs that last this long, the key is to keep the emotion on high and never let up and Hunted does just that. The title track/intro begins with the sounds of war, bullets ripping through the air, marching boots and an air raid siren. This is Progressive Metal. An intro such as this sets the stage, mood and impending anatomy to the songs that follow.
Hunted plays as if they have been together for twenty years. Layered songs with clever lyrics, the enthusiasm and competence this band exhibits through their playing of these songs cannot be denied. I’m already looking forward to another album from Hunted… right now. Then again, Metal, Progressive Metal that is this grand, cannot be manufactured or served up fast-food style. Welcome The Dead is an album of Progressive Metal and Metal for discerning fans of Metal Music. I’ll just end this rave review by adding: Hunted is without question, in the sparse crème de la crème crowd of unsigned Metal bands. Metal be thy name.
Track Listing For Welcome The Dead:
Welcome The Dead (1:19)
The Silence Of Minds (6:03)
Chosen (4:28)
Aria (In Memoriam) (8:48)
The Incident (0.33)
Impaled (5.11)
Scars (5.23)
I Want Nothing (5.41)
Shadows (7.00)
The Heart Collector (Bonus Track) (5.49)
Chris G – vocals
Steven Barberini – guitars
Jon Letson – bass
Matt “Animal” Thomas – drums
Metal Odyssey gives HUNTED Welcome The Dead Five Metal Fists out of Five!
* Welcome The Dead was mixed and produced by Tim Hamill and Hunted.
* Welcome The Dead was mastered by John K. (Biomechanical)
* Welcome The Dead was recorded & edited by Tim Hamill at Sonic One Studio, Wales, UK.
* Album cover art by: Marcela Bolivar
* For more info on HUNTED, click here: HUNTED – myspace music
LONG LIVE HUNTED.
Stone.
(Photo Credit: Tom Medvedich)
(New York, NY) — STRAIGHT LINE STITCH is streaming their entire new album “The Fight Of Our Lives” this week over at AOL Music, to celebrate it’s release that comes out today, March 22, 2011.
Listen to “The Fight Of Our Lives” here: http://aol.it/gLKCmO
Their current single, “Conversion” is featured on iTunes as the FREE “Discovery Download” single of the week. Download it here: http://bit.ly/hLdGni
The band has no qualms about staying on the road this year. They recently announced off-dates with the one and only IN FLAMES during their run on the 2011 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL. They’ve also announced a handful of dates with road mates NONPOINT, Revolver magazine’s “Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock: Hell Hath No Fury” tour supporting IN THIS MOMENT and last but not least, DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL. All dates can be found below.
4/6 Tallahassee, FL @ Floyd’s Music Store
4/7 Charleston, SC @ Jimbo’s Rock Lounge
4/8 Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans
4/9 Johnson City, TN @ Capones
4/10 Winston Salem, NC @ Johnny and Junes
4/18 Fayetteville, AR @ Rogue
4/19 Amarillo, TX @ The Sorority House
4/20 Farmington, NM @ Top Deck
Supporting In This Moment:
4/25 Sparks, NV @ The Alley
4/27 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
4/28 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/29 Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom
4/30 Spokane, WA @ The A Club
5/01 Billings, MT @ Railyard
5/03 Des Moines, IA @ House Of Bricks
5/05 Madison, WI @ The Annex
5/06 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
5/07 Barrington, IL @ Penny Road Pub
5/08 Evansville, IN @ Boney Junes
5/09 Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music Hall
5/10 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
5/11 Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
5/12 Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s
5/13 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
5/14 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
5/15 Flagstaff, AZ @ The Orpheum
7/18 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
7/25 Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre
7/26 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights
8/01 Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
8/08 Kansas City, MO @ Harrah’s
Jul. 09 – San Bernardino, CA @ San Manuel Amphitheatre
Jul. 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Jul. 12 – Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheater
Jul. 13 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheatre
Jul. 15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jul. 16 – Albuquerque, NM @ Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion
Jul. 17 – Denver, CO @ Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul. 19 – St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Front woman Alexis Brown is the featured “Hottest Chick in Hard Rock”, in the newest issue of REVOLVER MAGAZINE. Copies are on stands now!
STRAIGHT LINE STITCH originally hailing from Knoxville, TN, features Alexis Brown on vocals, Seth Thacker and Kris Norris on guitar, Jason White on bass, and Kanky Lora on drums.
(Source: eOne Music)
* For more info on STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, click the links below:
Straight Line Stitch – MySpace.com
http://www.facebook.com/straightlinestitch
LONG LIVE STRAIGHT LINE STITCH.
Stone.
(New York, NY) — Hard hitting “gorship” outfit IMPENDING DOOM have signed a world wide deal with eOne Music. “We’re very excited to start a new chapter in our career on a label who has proven to be a staple in the Metal community,” says guitarist Corey Johnson. The band is writing new material to be released later this year. Johnson continues, “We’re certain that with our new material, the touring plans we have on the horizon and having such a powerful label behind us there will be no stopping Impending Doom!“
IMPENDING DOOM are currently on tour with NORMA JEAN and STICK TO YOUR GUNS, with a few weeks left before they head over to Europe for the first time in their career alongside WHITECHAPEL.
3/16 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
3/17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
3/18 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
3/19 Worcester, MA @ Palladium Upstairs
3/20 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
3/22 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
3/23 Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
3/24 Tampa, FL @ State Theatre
3/25 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
04/08 Glasgow, UK – Cathouse
04/09 Sheffield, UK – Corporation
04/10 Manchester, UK – Academy 3
04/11 Birmingham, UK – Academy 3
04/12 Islington, UK – Islington Academy
04/13 Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms
04/14 Paris, FRA – Boule Noire
IMPENDING DOOM have achieved success in recent years with releases like “The Serpent Servant” and “There Will Be Violence;” both cracking the Billboard Top 200 Chart. Often seen on tour with acts like CHIMAIRA, WHITECHAPEL and AUGUST BURNS RED, the band has no plans of stopping now.
IMPENDING DOOM are Brook Reeves on vocals, Cory Johnson on guitar, David Sittig on bass and Brandon “B-Town” Trahan on drums.
(Source: eOne Music)
* For more into on IMPENDING DOOM, just click the links below:
IMPENDING DOOM – myspace music
LONG LIVE IMPENDING DOOM.
Stone.
HELSTAR – Riding high on the incredible response to their recently released seventh full-length Glory Of Chaos, Houston’s HELSTAR are busy booking live appearances for the coming months. In addition to their appearance this weekend at the San Antonio Metalfest, several brand new Summer appearances have also been confirmed, both in their home state of Texas as well as two appearances in Northern New Jersey, with more to be announced for New York City and more shortly.
3/05/2011 The Dorm – San Antonio, TX
6/17/2011 The Rail – Fort Worth, TX
6/18/2011 Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
6/24/2011 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
6/25/2011 *TBA – New York, NY
Released in North America via AFM Records in early February, HELSTAR’s Glory Of Chaos is a ballsy, blazing full-length display of pure American heavy metal, taking their classic sound to aggressive new measures on the new album.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on HELSTAR, click the links below:
LONG LIVE HELSTAR.
Stone.
THE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER IS BACK WITH A NEW ALBUM!
It’s been 9 years since the Australian Metallers of PEGAZUS have released their last album and although the band always stayed active, they are now back with a worldwide release!
PEGAZUS will release their brand new album “IN METAL WE TRUST” on April 15, 2011 through Black Leather Records. The distribution is in the hands of the German company TWILIGHT VERTRIEB.
The album contains 11 brand new Classic Heavy Metal songs with original singer Justin Fleming on vocals! As a tribute to the great guitarists of the 80’s, PEGAZUS has invited Ross The Boss (founding member of MANOWAR , ROSS THE BOSS, The Dictators a.o.), Jeff Watson (ex Night Ranger & Mothers Army) and David Shankle (formerly of MANOWAR, DSG) to contribute a solo for the song “Old Skool Metal Dayz”.
In addition, the band has put up a brand new MySpace design based on the new CD cover artwork. The first sample for their song “Metal Messiah” from the new album can be found and heard there as well. You can check this all out here: PEGAZUS – myspace music
The band is revealing the cover artwork for “IN METAL WE TRUST” with the complete tracklisting:
TRACK LIST:
Metal Messiah
Road Warrior
Old Skool Metal Dayz
We Live To Rock
Haunting Me
Eye For An Eye
Ghost Rider
Metal Gods
End Of The World
Death Or Glory
Old Skool Metal Dayz (Extended Version Feat: David Shankle, Ross The Boss & Jeff Watson)
PEGAZUS is:
Justin Fleming – Lead Vocals
Johnny Stoj – Guitars and Vocals
Cory Betts – Bass
Ange Sotiro – Drums
For all info and a new sample, please visit their brand new MySpace at:
Follow PEGAZUS also through these sites:
PEGAZUS – YouTube Pegazusmusic
PEGAZUS – Pegazusmusic on Twitter
LONG LIVE PEGAZUS.
LONG LIVE CLASSIC HEAVY METAL.
Stone.
MANOWAR – Fans of REAL Metal the world over unite! MANOWAR will be releasing, via Magic Circle Music, the re-recorded reissue of their 1982 debut Heavy Metal classic – Battle Hymns. On February 1st, 2011, Battle Hymns MMXI shall be unveiled unto the ears of Metalheads of all generations! This reissue includes two live tracks, recorded in 1982, that have never been released before! The tracks are: Fast Taker and Death Tone.
A recent quote by MANOWAR vocalist Eric Adams: “We constantly receive requests for the classics. Our fans love the early songs as much as they love the new ones. Our fans can be sure that we have squeezed every drop of power into Battle Hymns 2011 that today’s technology allows.”
* For this re-recorded reissue, legendary screen actor Sir Christopher Lee has replaced the late and legendary Orson Welles with narration on the classic song – Dark Avenger.
* Original MANOWAR drummer Donnie Hamzik returns on Battle Hymns MMXI.
MANOWAR:
Eric Adams – vocals
Joey DeMaio – bass
Karl Logan – guitar
Donnie Hamzik – drums
Death Tone
Metal Daze
Fast Taker
Shell Shock
Manowar
Dark Avenger
William’s Tale
Battle Hymn
Fast Taker – (Recorded live at Abilene Taylor City Expo Center Arena, 1982)
Death Tone – (Recorded live at Dallas Reunion Arena, 1982)
* For more info on MANOWAR, click on the links below:
* For more info on Magic Circle Music, click here: MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC
LONG LIVE MANOWAR.
Stone.
HEAVEN & HELL – Back in 1982, an elite group of musicians known as Black Sabbath released a double live, molasses heavy album titled: Live Evil. In 1982 those two vinyl disks were like gold, to a then sixteen year old who knew a whole lot about nothing. Going on three decades later, that Live Evil album still is gold to this same dude, who knows a little about something. Fast forward to 2007, the legendary lineup of Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) returned to public view known as Heaven & Hell, with their Live From Radio City Music Hall double live album, released on Rhino Records. This legendary foursome was back… albeit a name change. Taking on the name of one of the most prolific Heavy Metal albums ever to be recorded, Heaven & Hell was now this bands identity.
Yes, Bill Ward was the amazing drummer on that phenomenal Heaven And Hell album from 1980, a legend without discussion. However, Vinny Appice is one quarter of Heaven & Hell and always will be. I won’t dare compare the Live Evil album of ’82 to this newly released Heaven & Hell: Neon Nights, 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell, Live In Europe, (released November 16, 2010, on Armoury Records for Niji Productions). There is nothing to gain by comparing this band to itself, some three decades prior. I am not the same person I was three decades ago… the past is a memory and the future is today.
This historic Heaven & Hell concert was recorded at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, back in 2009. Yes, the late and ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio does sound older on this newly released live album, only his vocals still gives me the same euphoric chills now as he did so many years ago. While listening to Neon Nights-Live In Europe, I realize I’m listening to a man who was a fighter, a man who was not going to back down to any illness that may invade his body. I think of my father, who is currently battling cancer, I think of his strength and will to live as well. I could only hope and pray that I can be as strong and courageous as these two amazing men.
It is the human factor that comes across so strong and vividly on this new Heaven & Hell album, I’m listening to a band that was with me all those years when I was lost and now listening to a band when I was found. The images and memories just come alive for me, as I keenly listen to this Heaven & Hell album… memories of seeing DIO on the Dream Evil tour of 1987, remembering holding, listening to and staring at my Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll album, while being introduced to real Rock ‘N’ Roll at an age where it was most important. I reflect on that first time I heard the opening riff from Tony Iommi, clearing the path for Voodoo and how it made me a believer in what Heavy Metal does for my soul.
No, this is not going to be a standardized album review of this new live Heaven & Hell album. I can’t find it appropriate in my heart or soul to give one. Instead, this album is a celebration of what these four men, these musicians, have given to me and an untold number of other fans for three decades plus… their music speaks louder to me now than it did in 1982. I’ve found my new piece of gold that I’m holding, listening to and staring at in 2010, the only difference now it being a CD, the one constant is… it’s Heaven & Hell.
* To donate to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund” and find out more about current DIO albums and merchandise, just click on the link below:
Mob Rules
Children Of The Sea
I
Bible Black
Time Machine
Fear
Falling Off The Edge Of The World
Follow The Tears
Die Young
Heaven And Hell
Neon Knights
LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF HEAVEN & HELL.
REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.
Stone.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – From the initial sounds of an angry thunderstorm hovering upon you on the opening track Escape, The Devil Wears Prada proves there is no room for watering down a concept EP that revolves around… Zombies. Zombie EP, released on August 24, 2010, on Ferret Records, is for all Metal intents and purposes Extremely Heavy.
All five songs are about Zombies and the nightmare of having them take over humanity. Zombies… that’s Metal. The Devil Wears Prada makes it very apparent that they are Metal as well, based on their extremities of speed and heaviness, combined with vocals that quite possibly could bring Mount St. Helens down to its fiery knees. Metal be thy name, can Mike Hranica belt out the lyrics with the upmost Hardcore potency, while making me feel like I really should be scared about these damned Zombies.
If there ever was any doubt that a Metalcore band could pull off an amazingly Extreme Metal EP of the harshest degree, then the The Devil Wears Prada makes me a believer. This young band has given me every reason to believe they will be around for another ten or twenty years from now… while never lending themselves to being just another number on the long list of Metalcore star gazers. What makes Zombie EP so real for me, is it’s sheer intensity that never caves into a dull moment. Metal be damned, just try to fast forward through any one song on Zombie EP and you are short-changing yourself from the total relentlessly Extreme package.
I can completely embrace what The Devil Wears Prada has accomplished with this Zombie EP. Yes, their fusion of Extreme Music genres is worthy of raucous applause, only the haunting Zombie concept just seems to fit so perfectly with their ferocity of sound, that in turn envelopes the mind and senses so seemlessly well. All the key elements of Extreme Metal and Hardcore are ever apparent with The Devil Wears Prada. To lump this band into a Metalcore only bucket is a result of not listening to what they play. From the blast beats to a guitar tandem spilling out memorable heavy riffs while mixing up Death Metal caliber grooves, the melodic shades of this band do spill out onto their songs by some amazing miracle.
My recommending The Devil Wears Prada to Metal, Hardcore and Extreme Metal fans is an easy thing to do. Giving this band a listen and experiencing their fired up energy and Extreme sound on this EP might just serve many a Metalhead right… both young and old. Just the front cover photo of this Zombie EP gives off enough scary vibes to last an hour. There is something about those sinister power lines, amid the backdrop of a fog filled landscape and greying sky… that’s Zombieville if I ever saw it. The liner notes contain excellent creepy and macabre photography as well, along with the back cover to this Zombie EP, (see pic below).
Mike Hranica – vocals & lyrics
Chris Rubey – guitars
Jeremy DePoyster – guitars & vocals
Daniel Williams – drums
James Baney – keys & synth
Andy Trick – bass
Escape
Anatomy
Outnumbered
Revive
Survivor
* For more info on The Devil Wears Prada, just click on the link below:
The Devil Wears Prada – Official Website
Stone.
DARKBLACK – Midnight Wraith, a five song EP from Portland Oregon’s DarkBlack, will be releasing on December 1, 2010, on Stormspell Records. Wether you call yourself a Traditional Metal or Old School Metal fan, DarkBlack is a band that may inspire your going out to buy that 1983 Chevy Nova you’ve been holding out on… complete with fuzzy, black dice hanging from the windshield mirror with hood stripes too. As with their Traditional Metal peers, the likes of Enforcer, Ravage and White Wizzard, (to name a few), DarkBlack takes me down Metal memory lane to a time when bootleg and demo cassette trading was the norm.
Stop right there. Is there any Metal relevance you ask? Hell yeah there is! DarkBlack is a Metal band that doesn’t seem to care about contemporary fads… Old School Metal never says die! With that said, this Midnight Wraith EP does sound raw and absent of any multi-million dollar producer… and that is what makes this new release from DarkBlack all the more appealing to my Metal ears.
If any Metalhead out there needs to be swayed into listening to Midnight Wraith, just revisit the first two Iron Maiden albums from the Metal yesteryear. They were not the muscular produced gems of Iron Maiden’s The Number Of The Beast or A Matter Of Life And Death albums. In a perfect Metal world, Metal is best when it stays underground… and DarkBlack seems to have tapped into those underground Metal vibes quite naturally.
DarkBlack may not have their own Boeing 757-200 jet, complete with a band mascot painted on it, yet what they do have is a Metal hunger in their playing and it comes right out at me through their songs. Yes, there is plenty of room for DarkBlack to expand on their Metal palette, however, if one is to look at the legacies of Motorhead and Venom, who gives a crap about how raw a band does sound anyways, especially when the seeds of Metal legitimacy have been planted.
All five songs on Midnight Wraith seem to lure me in, they are like Metal bait on a hook. The riffs, guitar leads and solos are memorable throughout all five songs, admittedly they are kinda hard to ignore. A streamlined speed and heaviness combined with a melodic approach is what DarkBlack has embarked upon. I can’t help rooting for a band like DarkBlack, these guys would be voted off that bubble gum Fox network talent show in a heartbeat and would make the cast of Glee run for cover. What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing, is the correct answer.
Timothy on vocals could justifiably use some more oomph in letting his pipes be heard, he is a very decent singer… a production tweak is really all it takes there. As for the overall musicianship you can expect to hear on Midnight Wraith, it is all about the foundation. DarkBlack has it and will no doubt continue to build upon it. Sometimes you have to reach back into your Metal archives and realize that some of today’s biggest Metal bands never sounded super polished on their first two or three albums either. DarkBlack is worth checking out and keeping a Metal eye on… give ’em an Old School try, it might just serve you right.
* For more info on DARKBLACK, just click on the link below:
Midnight Wraith EP Track Listing:
Doom Herald
Power Monger
Golden Idol
Midnight Wraith
Broken Oath
GO GET ‘EM DARKBLACK.
Stone.
(New York, NY) — Legendary Metal-Sludge giants CROWBAR will release their crushing, long-awaited new studio album, “Sever The Wicked Hand” on Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 via eOne Music.
* The full album is available now for pre-order on iTunes.
The new album, produced by Kirk Windstein and mixed by Zeuss, is the band’s first new album of all new original studio material since 2005’s “Lifesblood for the Downtrodden.” Front man and founder Kirk Windstein recently told Decibel Magazine, “This is probably the most important record of Crowbar’s career.”
(Source: eOne Music press release, November 23, 2010)
Kirk Windstein – Crowbar founding member, vocalist and guitarist.
Sever The Wicked Hand Track listing:
Isolation (Desperation)
Sever The Wicked Hand
Liquid Sky And Cold Black Earth
Let Me Mourn
The Cemetery Angels
As I Become One
A Farewell To Misery
Protectors Of The Shrine
I Only Deal In Truth
Echo An Eternity
Cleanse Me, Heal Me
Symbiosis
Long Live Kirk Windstein and Crowbar.
Stone.
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