Archive for the heavy metal news Category

TOAD – Arizona Metal Miscreants Announce March 2012 Tour

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on February 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Phoenix, Arizona Metal miscreants TOAD are set to embark on a live takeover next month. The punishment will begin on March 2 in Tempe and wind its way through 15 cities before coming to a ceremonial close in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The band will be joined by a host of eclectic bands throughout the tour including Lo-Pan, Sons Of Tonatiuh, Black Market Ministry and more.

Commented the band in a collective statement: “TOAD has long been preparing for this moment, and the time has finally come. This journey will lead us into uncharted territory and will spark the widespread corruption of anyone and everyone that is either willing or unfortunate enough to participate. We are confident that this experience will be only the beginning of the debauchery and mayhem that is yet to come.”

TOAD — short for “Take Over And Destroy” — will be touring in support of their criminally underrated five-track Rotten Tide EP, self-released last year. Flaunting a fully analog recording, the monolithic offering was produced by Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket Recording and features the exclusive use of vintage gear from the ‘60s and ‘70s to create “a true rock ‘n’ roll sound.” An underground masterwork of sorts, Rotten Tide has created a stir amongst scene diehards in the know. Said Metal Storm in a 9.4/10 review: “It’s got that raw, grooving Rock n Roll appeal that you’ll find with the likes of Bison B.C. combined with the grim psychedelic feel offered by few others than Nachtmystium.”

Added The Sleeping Shaman: “Rotten Tide comes across like the bastard son of Entombed with its spit-in-your-eye attitude and brash swagger. It’s rough and raw, whilst managing to sound decently produced…it grooves, it has dark psychedelia, it’s catchy, it’s unhinged; there is a mash-up of Punk, Black Metal, crazy treble picking, utterly abrasive and yet catchy.” The Obelisk agreed: “Rotten Tide blends a variety of styles from bombastic Hardcore Metal to post-Mastodonic technicality, and — perhaps most curiously of all — a preference for analog recording that’s almost entirely absent from the larger scope of Modern Metal. “

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TOAD Tour Dates 2012:

3/02/2012 Palo Verde – Tempe, AZ

3/03/2012 Lyzards – Prescott, AZ

3/04/2012 Burt’s Tiki Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT w/ OldTimer

3/05/2012 Curtis Street Pub – Denver, CO w/ Low Gravity, Backwoods Payback

3/06/2012 Kelly’s Irish Pub – Wichita, KS

3/07/2012 JR’s Lightbulb Club – Fayetteville, AR w/ Left Holding The Gun, Perpetual Werewolf

3/08/2012 Downtown Music – Little Rock, AR w/ Crankbait, Lost Coves

3/09/2012 The Buccanneer – Memphis, TN w/ Lo-Pan

3/10/2012 WonderRoot – Atlanta, GA  w/ Sons Of Tonatiuh, Canopy

3/11/2012 TBA
3/12/2012 The Tiki Bar –  Shreveport, LA w/ Black Market Ministry

3/13/2012 Tsunami – Monroe, LA w/ Black Market Ministry

3/14/2012 TBA

3/15/2012 TBA – New Orleans, LA

3/16/2012 The Saturn Bar – New Orleans, LA w/ PonyKiller, Brain

3/17/2012 TBA – Austin, TX

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(Source: EarsplitPR)

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

https://www.facebook.com/TOADmusic

http://takeoveranddestroy.bandcamp.com

LONG LIVE TOAD.

Stone.

ALICE COOPER – To Headline: BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012

Posted in Black Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 – 4 days, 4 stages and over 100 + bands! With ALICE COOPER headlining! Metal be thy name! DIMMU BORGIR, HATEBREED, ANVIL, WATAIN, BEHEMOTH, SANCTUARY, NILE and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY! Now that’s a Metal cross-section of bands! BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR looks to be one hellishly potent Metal extravaganza in 2012!

ICED EARTH, SEPULTURA, EASTERN FRONT, ORANGE GOBLIN, TESTAMENT and the Metal list goes on! Click on the BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR link at bottom of post for a complete list of bands performing!

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 will take place on August 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. This mammoth Metal event will take place at Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent, UK.

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For more info on BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR, click on the link below:

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR

For more info on ALICE COOPER, click on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/AliceCooper

ALICE COOPER – myspace music

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER.

LONG LIVE BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR.

Stone.

LO-PAN: Ohio Fuzz Purveyors Kick Off Spring 2012 Tour

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, heavy metal news, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Ohio’s primo fuzz purveyors, LO-PAN, are kicking off their Spring 2012 in top form. The heavy rocking four-piece will embark on a trek starting March 1 that will find them hitting the East Coast and the South sharing the stage with some of rock’s finest, including Freedom Hawk, Sistered, Truckfighters, and Small Stone Records labelmates, Wo Fat!

Touring in support of 2011’s epic Salvador, LO-PAN are said to already have new material in the works and will take part in Small Stone’s annual SXSW showcase, set for March 16 at Headhunter’s in Austin, Texas, where they’ll perform alongside Suplecs, Dixie Witch, Gozu, Dwellers and longtime tour comrades, Backwoods Payback, among others.

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LO-PAN SPRING TOUR 2012:

3/01/2012 Lava Lounge – Pittsburgh, PA w/ EYE, Sistered, October

3/02/2012 The Velvet Lounge – Washington, DC w/ EYE, Kohoutek, Ambition Burning

3/03/2012 Thumbs – Virginia Beach, VA w/ EYE, Freedom Hawk, Constrictor

3/04/2012 The Union – Athens, OH w/ EYE

3/08/2012 Springwater – Nashville, TN

3/09/2012 The Buccaneer – Memphis, TN

3/10/2012 The Roadmap – TexArkana, AR w/ Truckfighters

3/11/2012 Downtown Music – Little Rock, AR w/ Truckfighters

3/12/2012 Ridglea Bar – Ft. Worth, TX w/ Hands In The Honeypot

3/13/2012 Boiler Room – Dallas, TX w/ Wo Fat, Mothership

3/14/2012 Rudyard’s – Houston, TX

3/15/2012 The Ten Eleven – San Antonio, TX

3/16/2012 Headhunter’s – Austin, TX – Smallstone Records Showcase w/ Tia Carrera, Dixie Witch, Suplecs, Gozu, Backwoods Payback, Dwellers

3/17/2012 Happy Hippie – Lake Charles, LA w/ Backwoods Payback, Large Marge, Survive The Musical

3/18/2012 Tsunami Bar – Monroe, LA w/ Backwoods Payback, Electric Sermon, Large Marge

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info on LO-PAN, click on the links below:

http://www.lopandemic.com

http://reverbnation.com/lopandemic

http://www.smallstone.com

http://www.lechuzabooking.com

LONG LIVE LO-PAN.

Stone.

TESLA – 2012 Tour Dates & Venues Listed

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on February 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

TESLA – If you are one of “the lucky ones” and are setting sail on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise, then you’re gonna be Rockin’ out to the legendary TESLA! For those of you who aren’t sailing the Atlantic on this Rockin’ ship, there are still other tour dates during 2012 where you can catch TESLA live. Check out the TESLA tour dates and venues below!

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2012 Tour Dates & Venues:

02/25/12 – 02/28/12 – Ft. Lauderdale, Bahamas, Key West – Monsters Of Rock Cruise

03/31/12 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Arizona Bike Week at WestWorld of Scottsdale

04/01/12 – El Cajon, CA @ Sycuan Casino

05/18/12 – Lincoln, CA @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort

07/13/12 – Oshkosh, WI @ Rock USA at Festival Park

07/14/12 – McHenry, IL @ Peterson Park

07/20/12 – Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Live

07/21/12 – Hot Springs, AR @ Timberwood Amphitheater at Magic Springs

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TESLA:

Jeff Keith – Vocals

Frank Hannon– Guitar

Brian Wheat – Bass

Troy Luccketta – Drums

Dave Rude – Guitar

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(Source: Tesla The Band.com)

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

http://TESLAtheBAND.com

http://youtube.com/teslatheband

ROCK USA OSHKOSH 2012 – Official Website

ROCK USA OSHKOSH 2012 – Facebook

LONG LIVE TESLA.

Stone.

MUNICIPAL WASTE – Debuts New Track From Forthcoming Album ‘The Fatal Feast’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on February 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The U.S. based Thrash Metal outfit MUNICIPAL WASTE have posted the first song from the band’s upcoming fifth studio album “The Fatal Feast” for streaming on Facebook. Head over to the official MUNICIPAL WASTE Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/MUNICIPALWASTE to hear the title track, “The Fatal Feast”. The new album will be released April 10th (North America) and April 13th (EU) via Nuclear Blast Records.

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

LONG LIVE MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Stone.

Stéphan Forté ‘The Shadows Compendium’ – Guitar Virtuoso Creates An Instrumental Album Of Sensation

Posted in Guitar, guitarists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Stéphan Forté – This is an instrumental album from guitar virtuoso Stéphan Forté. A seasoned musician who is highly respected within the guitar world of the world-famous and novice alike, Stéphan will have his new album, The Shadows Compendium, released on February 28th, 2012, via Listenable Records.

Stéphan Forté is exceptionally known for being the founder and guitarist for the French Progressive Metal band – Adagio. This album features the meat and potatoes of  a rhythm section, while the keyboards play an extensive and exciting role within these songs. Symphonic, melodic and built on delectable speed, while guitar is the star, The Shadows Compendium is not an album to miss in 2012.

If you’ve never heard the guitar playing of Stéphan, Neoclassical is the key word here. In the event you are a casual fan or die-hard loyalist to Yngwie Malmsteen, then the guitar brilliance of Stéphan will ignite your senses into six and seven-string overdrive and send you into axe shredding bliss. As with his legendary peers, (to name a select few) the likes of Michael Schenker, Vinnie Moore and (of course) Yngwie Malmsteen, Stéphan plays his guitar with such unique emotion that it comes across as vocals.

The technical playing that is showcased by Stéphan is pure art that accentuates his aptitude for speed and melodies, while the never-ending illusion that something magical is happening will always drift into my senses as I listen to The Shadows Compendium. Not an imitator and original as one could wish for from a guitarist of Metal, there is no denying, that Stéphan has his very own alluring tonal identity with his Lag signature guitar.

Stéphan is within a world-class tier of Metal guitarists or guitarists of any genre for that matter. All 8 songs are rich with all the flamboyance of Stéphan’s fret mastery, while never caving in to any dull interludes, (the) ones that usually hinder any sense of musical elevation that’s already been established. Musically sound and stimulating on all grounds, The Shadows Compendium not only showcases a guitarist that has arrived to legendary status, this album reflects Stéphan’s respect for a song’s texture and most importantly its purpose.

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The Shadows Compendium – Track Listing & Guest Musicians:

I – The Shadows Compendium (Guests: Jeff Loomis / Nevermore & Franck Hermanny/ Adagio)

II – De Praestigiis Daemonum (Guest Mattias IA Eklundh / Freak Kitchen)

III – Spiritual Bliss

IV – Duat (Guest: Glen Drover/ ex Megadeth)

V – Sorrowful Centruroides (Guest: Derek Taylor /Solo artist)

VI – Prophecies Of Loki XXI

VII – I think there’s someone in the kitchen (Guest: Daniele Gottardo/Solo Artist)

VIII – Improvisation on Sonata no. 14, c # minor – Op. 27 no 2

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For more info on Stéphan Forté, click on the links below:

http://www.stephanforte.org/

http://www.facebook.com/stephanforte

Long Live Stéphan Forté.

Stone.

SONATA ARCTICA – ‘Stones Grow Her Name’ Releases In May, More Album Details

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 February 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Finland’s SONATA ARCTICA have named their seventh studio album Stones Grow Her Name. Recorded in several studios all over Finland, mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Mikko Karmila and mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck, the album will be released in Europe on May 18th and in North America on May 22nd.

SONATA ARCTICA vocalist Tony Kakko comments:

“Our newest adventure is only a final touch short of being ready. The recordings went extremely well and the mixing is in schedule. Have to say I am enjoying myself greatly. I’ve had a very hard and work- filled two-year period writing the songs while touring extensively with our previous album The Days Of Grays, but it has all been worth it! Yet again, we are introducing new things to keep the music alive and interesting. New elements, styles and new moods, talented guest artists and ideas for the enjoyment of the loyal friends of our music. Can’t wait for you to get your hands and ears on Stones Grow Her Name! Hope to see you all again on tour! Be well!“

The track listing for the standard jewel case version will be:

01. Only The Broken Hearts (Make You Beautiful)
02. Shitload Of Money
03. Losing My Insanity
04. Somewhere Close To You
05. I Have A Right
06. Alone In Heaven
07. The Day
08. Cinderblox
09. Don’t Be Mean
10. Wildfire II
11. Wildfire III

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(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

For more info on SONATA ARCTICA, click on the links below:

http://www.sonataarctica.info

http://www.youtube.com/user/SonataArctica

LONG LIVE SONATA ARCTICA.

Stone.

LIZZY BORDEN – Confirmed For Gods Of Metal 2012!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on February 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

As reported on the official website of LIZZY BORDEN:

LIZZY BORDEN is on the bill of the most important Rock italian festival: Gods Of Metal 2012! The Lizzy Borden “Appointment with Death Show” has produced spectacular performances in over 20 countries over the last 4 years, playing the main stages of some of the biggest festivals around the world and we have the honor to announce the return of the “shock rock” band to Italy on June 23 (MOTLEY CRUE headliner). Already confirmed for Gods of Metal 2012 are: Ozzy & Friends, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, Manowar, Slash, The Darkness and many more. For more info go to: http://www.godsofmetal.it/en/

LONG LIVE GODS OF METAL.

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LIZZY BORDEN:

Lizzy Borden – Vocals

Joey Scott – Drums

Marten Andersson – Bass

Dario Lorina – Guitar

AC Alexander – Guitar

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For more info on LIZZY BORDEN, click on the links below:

http://www.lizzyborden.com/

http://www.youtube.com/lizzybordenband

LONG LIVE LIZZY BORDEN.

Stone.

NIGHTQUEEN ‘For Queen And Metal’ – An Indelible Debut Album Of Heavy Metal

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , on February 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTQUEEN – Releasing today, February 24th, via Massacre Records, is the debut album from Belgium’s Nightqueen. Fronted by the dynamic vocals of Keely Larreina, this is a band and album that shouldn’t get missed by fans of Symphonic, Epic, Melodic or Power Metal. What am I thinking? It’s all about Heavy Metal in the first place. This debut from Nightqueen begins fittingly with Into The Night, a symphonic intro that elevates the mood, setting the stage for what shall be a momentous and inspiring ride of Melodic Metal.

Nightfall follows, with Keely’s vocals showcasing her impressive range and capacity to sing Power Metal with conviction. Nightfall and Mystical Nights are two songs that truly get this debut album from Nightqueen propelling in the right direction. The Power Metal meets Symphonic Metal combination that Nightqueen executes, springs from the Metal gates rather impressively. Now the path has been paved and Nightqueen erupts with all the Power Metal goodness they can muster with the title track. For Queen And Metal is a fabulous listen into what this band can deliver! Whoa.

Lady Fantasy and Nocturnal Thoughts are sung with powerful eloquence by Keely and she is a voice to hear. Her ability to bring that added convincing emotion to the song is an asset in itself. Guitarists Rex Zeco and Alan Rawson complement one another, adding the muscular melodies with energized leads and solos, not only on these two aforementioned songs, they both execute brilliantly throughout this entire album.

Secret Of The Blind Man encompasses every standout attribute that I admire about Nightqueen. This song is Symphonic, it’s Power Metal and radiates with an epic ambience. I can’t help feeling inspired from this song’s instrumentation. Nightqueen never loses their flare for keeping it Metal on their debut. I hear slivers and shades of Traditional Metal, especially on Majesty. Riffs abound in Majesty and Keely sings as if she should be standing atop a mountain, looking down upon her minions, in an 80’s style music video. Grand stuff it is indeed.

Nightqueen is that band that impresses me from every corner, for if it’s not Keely’s vocals that are captivating me, then it’s the symphonic atmosphere or the masterly drumming of William Blodyn. The keyboards of Daniel Kells amplifies that ever expressive European vibe and flavor. Steven Steele stands tall on bass, giving these Nightqueen songs their booming beats that reveal themselves so plentifully. Then of course, as I’ve previously mentioned, Rex and Alan are an adept guitar duo that can easily steal the Metal show. If there is one complaint I have, it’s I wish Nightqueen was around twenty or so years ago.

For Queen And Metal is one enjoyable debut album to encounter from Nightqueen. This band has no problem in conveying their totality of talent to my ears. I was looking forward to this debut from Nightqueen for many months, now I realize why. If you like what I’ve stated about Nightqueen and their brand of Metal, then there should be no apprehension in the air you are currently breathing… for you are hereby dismissed to venture out and purchase this noble debut from Nightqueen. To me, this group has earned the right to have their name and Metal known across the seas. Hail to Nightqueen!

For Queen And Metal – Track Listing:

Into The Night

Nightfall

Mystical Night

For Queen And Metal

Lady Fantasy

Nocturnal Thoughts

Secret Of The Blind Man

Majesty

Rebel To Rebel

Screaming For Mercy

Dark Fairy

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

http://www.nightqueen.be/

NIGHTQUEEN – myspace

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

Stone.

FEAR FACTORY – Announce American Tour Dates For 2012

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, industrial metal, industrial rock, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on February 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

FEAR FACTORY today confirms their first tour dates for 2012. Set to begin in San Antonio on May 1, the tour’s initial dates include stops in Dallas, Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Denver among others. Joining FEAR FACTORY for the tour is Boston’s Shadows Fall, Kansas City-based The Browning, Riverside, California’s The Devastated, and Legacy Of Disorder from New Zealand. The tour will precede the release of FEAR FACTORY’s new album titled The Industrialist.

FEAR FACTORY recently announced the addition of bass player Matt DeVries. The Ohio native previously noted, “I have been asked to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band.” Guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell noted, “we are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring line-up. He has been a friend for a very long time and he is a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine.”

With rehearsals for the tour expected to start soon, the members of FEAR FACTORY are finishing details on their forthcoming new album expected for release early summer. Greg Reely has now completed the album’s mix. All that remains is final artwork and packaging. Regarding the new material, Cazares and Bell affirm, “this album perfectly captures the true nature of FEAR FACTORY. The industrial/metal blend is a strong return to our original concept for FEAR FACTORY.”

The Industrialist follows 2010’s critically acclaimed Mechanize. Blabbermouth said, “this is the album fans have been waiting for…a fiery and evolved rebirth of the band that changed metal in the ’90s.” Revolver Magazine called Mechanize, “one of the best albums of the band’s career. Its combination of new-wave melody, rapid-fire aggression, and electronic ambiance sounds as fresh today as FEAR FACTORY did nearly 20 years ago. Call it the soul of their new machine.” Decibel Magazine noted, “FEAR FACTORY are back and beyond intact.”

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Confirmed dates as of press time are:

5/01/2012 Backstage Live – San Antonio, TX

5/02/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX

5/03/2012 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

5/05/2012 State Theater – St. Petersburg, FL

5/06/2012 Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

5/09/2012 Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC

5/10/2012 Theater of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

5/11/2012 Wally’s Pub – Hampton Beach, NH

5/12/2012 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY

5/13/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD

5/16/2012 The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI

5/20/2012 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info on FEAR FACTORY, click on the links below:

http://www.facebook.com/fearfactory

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

LONG LIVE FEAR FACTORY.

Stone.

OPERA DIABOLICUS – Release New Video, New Album “† 1614” Releases February 28th

Posted in Black Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Swedish act Opera Diabolicus will be releasing their debut album entitled “† 1614” on February 28th via Metalville Records.

Check out below, the new video from the Swedish act OPERA DIABOLICUS (featuring members from KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, THERION, DREAM EVIL and more). The video is more or less a 10 minute long short movie and includes acting scenes, epic scenery and a great deal of dark atmosphere and of course blood (everything a metal video should include right?). The video is filmed and edited by 11FRAMES (stationed in Gothenburg. Sweden).

Stone Says: Both song and video are quality atop excellence. Blood Countess Bathory is an experience both musically and visually. When you combine this group of musicians, songwriters, filmmakers and producers to create this project, the end result is inevitably legendary. Every detail just seems to fall into place so perfectly, both musically and visually on Blood Countess Bathory. For the faint at heart, be forewarned, there is plenty of blood in this video!

Opera Diabolicus is the brainchild of composer/musician David Grimoire and lyricist Adrian de Crow. The idea sprung to life when the two of them met randomly at a stage play of Umberto Eco’s book The Name of the Rose at a theatre in Gothenburg in 2006. Both of them were very intrigued by the story and they ended up talking about how interesting it would be to make a theatrical and dark metal musical based on that kind of story. The conversation between them that took place in Gothenburg that bleak December night planted the seed that soon should grow to be the concept of Opera Diabolicus – The concept of combining the dark elements of music and theatre in alliance with musical excellency.

The music could be described as dramatic and dark doom metal with atmospheric, epic and progressive elements. If you’re into bands like Candlemass, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Memento Mori, Therion, Notre Dame, Dimmu Borgir and Kamelot this is definitely the band for you to keep your eye on.

The upcoming album features among others; Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Notre Dame, Therion, Dimmu Borgir), Mats Levén (Kryx, Therion), Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil), Jake E (Amaranthe, Dreamland) and Camilla Alisander-Ason on vocals, daemonic voices and ghoulish sounds. Snowy Shaw has also contributed with his well-known drums of doom. The album is produced and mixed by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) at his Sonic Train Studio.

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† 1614 – Track Listing:

1. Overture

2. The Gates

3. Bloodcountess Bathory

4. The 13th Guest

5. In Memoriam

6. Mythos Lamia

7. Forbidden

8. Stone by Stone

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(Source: Opera Diabolicus)

For more info on OPERA DIABOLICUS, click on the links below:

www.operadiabolicus.com

www.facebook.com/operadiabolicus

LONG LIVE OPERA DIABOLICUS.

Stone.

Mötley Crüe – A Visual History: 1983 – 2005 – I Bought It At A Bargain!

Posted in classic rock, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal books, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music books, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Mötley Crüe – As I wandered about a (somewhat) nearby Barnes & Noble last Friday, I came face-to-face with a very large hardcover book that I couldn’t resist buying. Mötley Crüe – A Visual History: 1983 – 2005. The sticker price was $9.99 (U.S.) and it was on… clearance! Metal be thy name, I love that magic “C” word.

Now, it only gets better. With my Barnes & Noble club card, I saved an additional 10%. Whoa. Why am I getting all psyched out about this price I paid, you may be pondering? Just take a look at what Amazon.com is asking for the same book in “new” condition: $37.95. Whoa! You read that correctly too. Plus, Amazon.com only has one new book currently in stock, with no used editions for sale!

Stone saved BIG here my Metal brethren. Rounding it out, it’s about saving $29.00 when you compare the Barnes & Noble price to that of Amazon.com. Honestly, this Mötley Crüe book is in pristine condition too. Usually those “clearance” books are kinda beaten around the edges. Not this time. Ring that Metal bell, cause Stone scored a Metal deal!

This Mötley Crüe book is a keeper. A Heavy Metal coffee table book it is. Legendary photographer of all things Rock ‘N Roll, Neil Zlozower, has compiled one stunning visual history of Mötley Crüe with his work here. The foreword is by Nikki Sixx. There are over 250 amazing photos to take in. This book measures (approximately) 9.25″ x 11.25″. Former Mötley Crüe co-manager/manager Doug Thaler lends some interesting anecdotes on one page as well.

Stone’s Metal Tip #1: Always shop around for your Metal stuff. When you see a Metal bargain, nail it!

Stone’s Metal Tip #2: You, yes you, can also own this cool Mötley Crüe book at an amazing bargain price. It’s selling at Barnes & Noble (BN.com) right now for $8.98! Take that expensive Amazon.com!

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Book cover photo credit: Neil Zlozower

For more info on Mötley Crüe, click on the link below: 

Mötley Crüe

Long Live Mötley Crüe.

Stone.

HEXEN – Album Artwork And Track Listing Revealed For: ‘Being And Nothingness’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , on February 22, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Los Angeles Thrash battalion HeXeN are set to unleash their second album, Being And Nothingness. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Vivid Tone Recording Studio (Lividity, Guthrie Govan, etc.) by producer Rich Bruce, the sonic onslaught of Being And Nothingness sees the band moving toward a far more comprehensive and thorough voyage of metal musicality and further distancing themselves from being just another run-of-the-mill revival band.

Being And Nothingness contains nine tracks of Progressive Thrash proficiency, closing with an epic eight-part suite, and features a hand-painted cover by celebrated extreme Metal illustrator Kristian Wåhlin/Necrolord (King Diamond, Dissection, Emperor, etc) viewable by clicking – HERE.

Commented HeXeN in a collective statement: “We are completely stoked for this long-worked on, long-awaited second release and we can’t wait to showcase this opus live to all our fans. Unlearn what you have learned about metal!”

Being And Nothingness – Track Listing:

01. Macrocosm

02. Grave New World

03. Defcon Rising

04. Private Hell

05. Walk As Many, Stand As One

06. Stream Of Unconsciousness

07. Indefinite Archetype

08. The Nescient

09. Nocturne –

i. Opus 55 № 1 in Fmin

ii. Out of Reach

iii. Existential Crisis

iv. Entrance of the Absurd

v. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

vi. With Salvation I Persist

vii. Elegy of the Night

viii. End in Purplexity

Being And Nothingness will be released via Pulverised Records. Stay tuned for more announcements from HeXeN.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.facebook.com/pages/HeXeN/266806818176

http://www.pulverised.net

LONG LIVE HeXeN.

Stone.

LISTENABLE RECORDS – Offering FREE 22 Track Sampler!

Posted in Extreme Metal, gothic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Listenable Records is offering fans a FREE 22-track sampler, which is now available for streaming and download at Listenable Records Free Sampler. The album, which features tracks from many of Listenable’s dynamic and diverse roster of artists – past and present – includes Gojira, Svart Crown, Sarah Jezebel Deva, 77, Hate, KATANA, TORNADOTormentedSerpent Cult and many more.

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

For more info on Listenable Records, click on the link below:

LISTENABLE RECORDS

LONG LIVE LISTENABLE RECORDS.

Stone.

PRIMAL FEAR ‘Unbreakable’ – The Time Is NOW To Join The METAL NATION

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, power metal albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

PRIMAL FEAR – I guess if I wasn’t listening to this new Primal Fear album so often, I would have written a review on it much sooner. Seriously, Unbreakable has made it mandatory for me, to raise my fists to the air and thank the Metal Gods for Primal Fear and Power Metal. Released on Frontiers Records back on January 20th, this album is a must to the maximum Metal degree.

Once I realized what I took in from this new Primal Fear offering of Power Metal glory, I began to wonder, could 2012 be “The Year Of Power Metal”? With Iron Savior releasing their new album The Landing, (which brought me to tears of Metal joy) and now I’m brought down to my knees from Unbreakable… how else could I describe this year of Metal thus far? Primal Fear has not only delivered an unbelievable album of Power Metal, they’ve also created some of the most amazingly memorable songs of their legendary career. To my Metal blistered ears they have.

Once I realized how unreal golden Bad Guys Wear Black and Metal Nation are for transmitting everything triumphant about Power Metal, there is Strike,Where Angels Die, Give Em Hell, Blaze Of Glory and Marching Again. Metal be thy name does Primal Fear get their point across with their new album… that Primal Fear is not a Power Metal force to reckon with, they are THE Power Metal force. Period. This album from Primal Fear is the Metal beacon that tells us Metalheads that everything is okay and we shall strike down all negative obstacles in our F’n way.

As I see it, you’re either gonna join the Metal Nation, are already a member or decide that you’re gonna take a pass. If you take that nonsensical pass, then stop reading this review now. Then, go take some ex-lax, stick your thumb in your mouth and peruse your VHS library of Shirley Temple movies.

Back to Unbreakable. Sorry about that my true Metal brethren. Hell, you want guitar driven? You want duo guitars? Trading guitar leads and solos that will shock and awe? Wanna hear guitars blazing the old-fashioned way, as in kicking your Metal lovin’ ass like there is no tomorrow? Alex Beyrodt and Magnus Karlsson will take care of it. Are you looking for a premier Power Metal vocalist, one whose name itself equates Metal? Ralf Scheepers is the modern-day Rob Halford. Yes, there is another Metal God and his name is Ralf Scheepers. Now, go take that Metal check and cash it… then tell ’em all that Stone says so.

Spread the Metal word. What word Stone? That the rhythm section of Primal Fear is a Power Metal vehicle sent to us all as a gift from the Thunder God. Mat Sinner (bass) and Randy Black (drums) sound so powerfully perfect together that it’s implausible to think otherwise. There are 12 songs on Unbelievable, (oops, I meant Unbreakable) that are a representation of how Heavy Metal was meant to escalate the psyche-you-out senses in the first place. Metal Nation members know what I mean. Screw the non-believers.

If everything I’ve written thus far sounds like a Metal temptation to you, then you absolutely won’t be able to resist hearing  a Primal Fear ballad. Yes… I stated… ballad. Born Again is the song and it’s quite Metal moving to me. Ralf Scheepers proves he can impact just as effectively singing a ballad as he does belting out extraordinary high notes on a Power Metal anthem. I will say this and not be ashamed: Born Again is a beautiful song from Primal Fear.

Yes, amongst the Power Metal domination I hear on Unbreakable, the Metal jubilation I feel does give a nod to beauty when it’s so eloquently played and sung. Still, bad guys will always wear black and the Metal Nation is a flaming juggernaut, one that shall never be contained nor controlled. Metal be thy name.

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UNBREAKABLE Track Listing:

Unbreakable (Part 1)

Strike

Give Em Hell

Bad Guys Wear Black

And There Was Silence

Metal Nation

Where Angels Die

Unbreakable (Part 2)

Marching Again

Born Again

Blaze Of Glory

Conviction

_______________________________________________

Backing Vocals: Ralf Scheepers, Mat Sinner, Erik Martensson and Oliver Hartmann.

For more info on PRIMAL FEAR, click on the links below:

http://www.primalfear.de

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE PRIMAL FEAR.

Stone.

BEAK – Prepare For Debut Album With New Video Clip; Band Shares “EYRIE” Cover

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on February 22, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

CHICAGO QUARTET’S DEBUT ALBUM OUT APR. 3CHICAGO SHOW MAR. 31 AT ULTRA LOUNGE

Feb. 21, Chicago — Beak, the Post-Metal quartet formed by local Chicago luminaries Chris Eichenseer and Jason Goldberg previously of The Timeout Drawer, have created a clip highlighting music from their forthcoming debut album, Eyrie (Apr. 3, Someoddpilot Records), which can be seen here:  http://vimeo.com/37183154.

The band has also shared the cover art for Eyrie which was created by Eichenseer, a sought after graphic artist who has done artwork for American Heritage, Caural, Elliot Lipp and others. The album cover photo was shot outside of Monterrey, Mexico where Eichenseer was teaching a course on graphic design.

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:

1.  Angry Mother of Bones

2.  Hands Collide

3.  Men at Arms

4.  Billions of Eyes

5.  The Weight & Time

__________________________________________________

Upcoming tour dates:

Feb. 23  Chicago, IL  Reggie’s

Mar. 31  Chicago, IL  Ultra Lounge* Record Release Show

Apr. 11  Lansing, MI  Mac’s Bar

Apr. 12  Columbus, OH  Ruby Tuesday

________________________

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

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

www.facebook.com/pages/Beak/183159646995

www.beakmusic.com/

LONG LIVE BEAK.

Stone.

PHILM SIGN WITH IPECAC – Announce May 15th Release For Debut Album “HARMONIC”

Posted in Hard Rock, heavy metal news, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Cammy Kinney

LOS ANGELES TRIO FEATURES DAVE LOMBARDO (SLAYER), PANCHO TOMASELLI (WAR) AND GERRY NESTLER (CIVIL DEFIANCE)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2012 – PHILM, the Los Angeles power trio featuring Slayer’s Dave Lombardo, War’s Pancho Tomaselli and Gerry Nestler of Civil Defiance, have signed to Ipecac Recordings and will release their debut album, Harmonic, on May 15.

“When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to Slayer’s sound,” explains Lombardo. “They couldn’t be more different.  I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent of the drummers from the late ’60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as ‘rhythmic emotion.”  It’s almost like taking all the heavy songs of the ’60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today.”

“We decided to record Harmonic in the intimate setting of a home, with various vintage recording equipment. ” says Lombardo on the band’s debut album. “The music was written collectively in an improvisational manner, unlike the majority of recordings I’ve done before. This was very important given this is my first recording where I’m carrying the title of Producer and performer. The album achieves a dense, unholy convergence of tones and discords.We also touch on haunting, desolate, ambient sounds. Our music tends to be written in a manner where we never know the outcome until we listen back to what we recorded. A Harmonic journey.”

A highly anticipated release, PHILM officially took form in late 2010 with a handful of tour dates and an early four-song demo that quickly began to make the rounds of in-the-know music critics.  Noisecreep said the band “has crafted a crunchy, thrashy, yet thoroughly unclassifiable sound” and the OC Weekly said of the trio: “PHILM’s ability to melt down metal influences and mix them with the elements of funk, ambient jazz and punk… is potent and has left audiences wondering how so much noise could emanating from just three musicians.”

PHILM’s next show is Apr.28 at The Ruby Room in San Diego with  more tour dates to be announced soon.

_______________________________________

Harmonic – Track Listing:

01.  Vitriolize

02.  Mitch

03.  Hun

04.  Area

05.  Way Down

06.  Harmonic

07.  Exuberance

08.  Sex Amp

09.  Amoniac

10.  Held in Light

11.  Dome

12.  Killion

13.  Mezzanine

14.  Mild

15.  Meditation

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

_____________________________________________

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

www.facebook.com/PHILMOfficial

www.ipecac.com

LONG LIVE PHILM.

Stone.

IMPENDING DOOM – “Baptized In Filth” Releases March 13th, Via eOne Music

Posted in christian heavy metal, christian rock, Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Southern California Death Metal road warriors, IMPENDING DOOM are releasing their next onslaught of gorship “Baptized in Filth” three weeks from today on March 13th, 2012. Produced by Andreas Magnusson (The Black Dahlia Murder) and Machine, this is the bands fourth full length and most ferocious effort to date. Bassist David Sittig comments:

“Baptized in filth represents the mindless indulgence and self worship in the vile world we live in. This album is meant to scare the hell out of you!”

IMPENDING DOOM has also confirmed for this years Metal Alliance Tour along side acts like Devildriver, Job For a Cowboy and Dying Fetus. If that wasn’t enough the band is also playing select dates on this years VANS Warped Tour this Summer.

(Source: eOne Music)

_____________________________________

For more info on IMPENDING DOOM, click on the links below:

 http://www.thearteryfoundation.com/artis…

http://impendingdoom.merchnow.com/

eOne Metal

LONG LIVE IMPENDING DOOM.

Stone.

Masaki Murashita – Hemoptysis Guitarist / Front Man Featured In Providence Cables Demonstration Videos

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Hemoptysis guitarist and front man Masaki Murashita has done a series of nine demonstration videos for Providence Cables, all of which can be viewed at www.providence.jp. 
In addition to an introductory piece, a total of eight videos are included with Murashita discussing the original concepts, ideas, and the characteristics of each specific model.

English and Japanese language versions of the videos are available, the latter of which will be placed in music instrument stores nationwide in Japan this spring. Some of the acclaimed artists that have used the guitar cables include Carl Verheyen, Larry Carlton, Michael Landau, and Ramon Goose.

To view all eight videos, please visit the links below:

English version

Japanese version

Hemoptysis is working in support of their latest album, Misanthropic Slaughter (produced by Grammy Award winning producer Ryan Greene). The band recently released a music video for the track “M.O.D.,” The video was shot  in an abandon warehouse in Vail, AZ. Production and direction came courtesy of Sean Sinerius and Robert Jaime at Big Shot Studios. To check out the video for “M.O.D.” visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRy7sW7cxlU.

(Source: Hemoptysis)

(Masaki Murashita Photo Credit: Eyeful Images Photographic Arts)

VISIT THE MASAKI MURASHITA MERCH STORE! CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW!

http://masakimurashita.bigcartel.com/

VISIT THE HEMOPTYSIS MERCH STORE! CLICK LINK BELOW!

Hemoptysis – Official Merchandise Store

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

HEMOPTYSIS – Official Website

LONG LIVE HEMOPTYSIS.

Stone.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – Full Album Stream At AOL Music! New Album Releases February 28th In North America

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal, stoner metal, stoner rock with tags , , , , , , , on February 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Starting today, AOL Spinner is streaming CORROSION OF CONFORMITY‘s self-titled new studio offering in its entirety. Set for North American release on February 28, 2012 via Candlelight RecordsCorrosion Of Conformity was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, the 11-track offering was produced by the band in cooperation with long-time collaborator John Custer, mixed by John Lousteau (Foo Fighters) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (Melvins, High On Fire).

Featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, the album’s release closes a six-year recording gap and completes over a year of concentrated writing and recording for the band.

To hear the record, go to THIS LOCATION.

In conjunction with the record release, the Raleigh, North Carolina legends will embark on a full U.S. headlining tour this March. Set to commence on March 1 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City, the trek will hit 16 cities including two performances at this year’s SXSW Music Conference in Austin. The band will be joined by Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light unless otherwise noted.

_________________________________________

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
w/ Torche, Valient Thorr, A Storm Of Light

03/01/2012 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
03/02/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD
03/03/2012 Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC

03/05/2012 Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
03/06/2012 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
03/07/2012 Double Door – Chicago, IL

03/08/2012 Triple Rock – Minneapolis, MN
03/09/2012 Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
03/10/2012 Downtown Music Hall – Little Rock, AR

03/11/2012 Hi-Tone Café – Memphis, TN
03/12/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX
03/14/2012 SXSW – Austin, TX ! #
03/15/2012 SXSW – Austin, TX ! #

03/16/2012 The Big Spill @ Korova – San Antonio, TX # w/ Saviours, Zoroaster, more
03/17/2012 One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA ! # w/ Zoroaster
03/18/2012 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL ! # w/ Zoroaster
! = No Torche
# = No Valient Thorr

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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For more info on CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, click on link below:

http://www.coc.com

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

LONG LIVE CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.

Stone.