Northern Virginia-based Doom-Rock outfit KING GIANT are currently in the final mixing and mastering stages for their upcoming sophomore full-length, Dismal Hollow, currently being slated for release by Autumn 2011.
In March of this year, the five members of KING GIANT entered legendary Inner Ear Studios (Minor Threat, Fugazi, Avail, Jawbox, etc.) to take their thunderous Doom-bred Southern Rock to the next level on their sophomore full-length; the follow-up to their acclaimed debut album, Southern Darkness. The band have just released a trailer built around the creation of the new album, showcasing some killer footage of what is in store. Check out the newly completed preview of what’s to come right here.
KING GIANT have also recently signed with 313 Artist Management — home of Hour Of 13, Pristina, Cortez, When The Deadbolt Breaks and more — so expect to hear more widespread news and live action from the band in the coming months as more live ventures are booked and the album nears completion.
The band have also raised a Kickstarter project to incorporate fans into the support and creation of their next video, to be filmed later this year. Check out that promo here.
Complete info on the forthcoming KING GIANT album will come to light in the weeks ahead, but this much is certain; the record is guaranteed to be one of the most groove-heavy, Doom-fueled albums of the whole year.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on KING GIANT, click on the links below:
Hemoptysis guitarist Masaki Murashita has posted a video demonstration of ENGL’s Fireball100. The Video features Murashita playing through the Fireball 100 with different music styles, demonstrating the Fireballs ability to work under various conditions, and settings. The video is available in English, as well as Murashita’s native language of Japanese.
Hemoptysis’ debut album is available in Europe beginning on May 27, 2011. European pre-orders are available now through Amazon at this location. Misanthropic Slaughter is available in Europe via Rock It Up Records, and as a bonus features the music video for Shadow of Death.
VASTUM – BrooklynVegan is currently streaming VASTUM’s entire debut full-length, CarnalLaw! The crushing album will stream from now through the official release via 20 Buck Spin on Tuesday, May 31.
Continuing to brutalize live audiences with their stripped-down and ultra-pulverizing tonal supremacy, VASTUM have confirmed more live actions throughout the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest over the coming weeks, with more tour plans in the works to be announced shortly.
VASTUM Live Actions:
7/01/2011 The Know – Portland, OR w/ Atriarch, Murderess
7/02/2011 Black Lodge – Seattle, WA w/ Ritual Necromancy, Anhedonist, Countdown to Armageddon
7/03/2011 Saratoga – Portland, OR w/ Knelt Rote, Negative Queen
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* To read the Metal Odyssey album review for Carnal Law, (posted on April 3rd, 2011), just click the big header link below:
AMON AMARTH – Following up a hugely successful U.S. headlining tour that found the band touring without support and instead performing two separate sets each night, Melodic Death Metal legends AMON AMARTH will return to North America for the second leg of the “An Evening WithAMON AMARTH” tour.
Scheduled to kick off in Vancouver on August 4, the trek will ravage its way through 22 cities, including several Canadian venues, and come to a close in Boise on September 3. The first set will again feature the band performing the recently-released, critically-acclaimed SurturRising album in its entirety while the second will offer up mixed bag of tunes from their extensive catalog of Norse-inspired awesomeness.
Commented the band in a collective statement: “Yes, it is true! We are coming back to tour North America. The Spring tour turned out to be so successful, and we had such a great time playing the double sets each night, that we decided to bring ‘An evening With AMON AMARTH’ to the rest of the continent, including Canada! We will perform the new album in its entirety, and after that we’re doing a revised second set with all the classics as well as some ‘wild-cards.’”
An Evening With AMON AMARTH
8/04/2011 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
8/06/2011 – Macewan Hall – Calgary, AB
8/07/2011 – Edmonton Events Centre – Edmonton, AB
8/08/2011 – Odeon – Saskatoon, SK
8/09/2011 – The Garrick Centre – Winnipeg, MB
8/12/2011 – The Phoenix Theatre – Toronto, ON
8/13/2011 – Metropolis – Montreal, QC
8/14/2011 – Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC
8/16/2011 – Mr. Small’s – Millvale, PA
8/17/2011 – St. Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI
8/19/2011 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD
8/20/2011 – Starland Ballroom – Sayerville, NJ
8/21/2011 – Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
8/23/2011 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
8/24/2011 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
8/26/2011 – House Of Blues – Houston, TX
8/27/2011 – House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
8/29/2011 – Sunshine Theatre – Albuquerque, NM
8/31/2011 – House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
9/01/2011 – House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
9/02/2011 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
9/03/2011 – The Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
The eighth studio offering from one of Sweden’s finest Death Metal exports,Surtur Rising was released in North America on March 29, 2011 via Metal Blade Records and continues to reap praise from fans and critics alike.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on AMON AMARTH, click on the links below:
(New York, NY) – CHIMAIRA joined in the fun of celebrating Charlie Sheen last week by covering the song “Wild Thing” in the studio, a tribute to Charlie Sheen’s 1989 hit comedy movie “Major League”. “We had some fun at the studio”, says Chimaira’s front man Mark Hunter.
Chimaira is currently in the studio finishing up their upcoming record to be released later this year. Recently signing a new record deal with eOne Music for North America, South America and Japan, Mark Hunter offers: “We are excited to start the new decade with a team that believes in our music, has our back and thinks outside the box. eOne are one of the very few labels out there who still give a damn about the genre and Chimaira are proud to be a part of that. Expect great things in 2011”.
Chimaira released their album “The Infection” back in 2009 to serious critical acclaims with hit singles “Secrets of the Dead” and “Destroy and Dominate”, which claimed the #30 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Their most recent effort was a three disc live DVD, which also features a documentary about the band called “Coming Alive”.
* Over the past 10 years, Chimaira has sold close to 500,000 albums.
A “Wild Thing” song history, (see below), brought to you by Metal Odyssey’s Stone:
* “Wild Thing” was written by songwriter Chip Taylor, (real name: James Wesley Voight), who was born in New York City. This iconic Rock ‘n’ Roll song was originally recorded by The Wild Ones back in 1965. The English Rock Band – The Troggs covered “Wild Thing” back in 1966 and reached #1 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1966.
Stone’s “Wild Thing” Cover Song Review:
Okay, I bought this cover song of “Wild Thing” from iTunes today. It realistically served me right. I never thought I would be saying this about Chimaira… they actually made a (gulp) “fun” song. This cover version has it’s Metal grooves happening with plenty of crunch. Yes, Mark Hunter still sounds quite pissed off vocally, so don’t worry all of you Chimaira die-hards out there! “Wild Thing” clocks in at 2:30 long, so it’s no epic, it’s just a good Metalkick-in-the-ass to kick start my day. Or is that kick start my night? A Must Metal buy for only $1.29!
CHIMAIRA:
Mark Hunter – vocals
Matt DeVries – guitar
Rob Arnold – guitar
Andols Herrick – drums
Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, samples & backing vocals
* For more info on CHIMAIRA, click the links below:
* Metal Odyssey receives 0% compensation from iTunes for directing you to their store for making a song purchase. This is all done in good Metal faith, to assist all fellow Metalheads worldwide, in finding easy access to this new Chimaira song. Metal be thy name.
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.
HELSTAR Confirmed Live Appearances:
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:
Due to inclement weather conditions, EYEHATEGOD have been forced to cancel their scheduled appearance tonight at Daniel Street in Milford, CT. The band extends their sincerest apologies to all the fans and friends hoping to rock this evening and plan to return soon to make up the date. Misery Index, Thy Will Be Done, Nightbitch and Guerra will perform as scheduled.
Mötley Crüe – The official Mötley Crüe fan club newsletter, has reported, that three concert dates are scheduled for The Crüe to play in Mexico, this May of 2011! Here are the three dates and their respective venues:
May 24, 2011 – Mexico City – Palacio de los Deportes (The Sports Palace)
May 26, 2011 – Monterrey – Teatro Banamex (Banamex Theatre)
May 27, 2011 – Guadalajara – Arena VFG
Mötley Crüe:
Vince Neil – vocals
Nikki Sixx – bass
Mick Mars – guitar
Tommy Lee – drums
* For more info on Mötley Crüe, click here: Mötley Crüe
NIDINGR – The bells of inner Earth are tolling and the lava in hell is boiling, while NIDINGR is uncoiling their Blackest of Metal unto the suspecting and unsuspecting of humanity. Metal be thy name, is this band the keeper of the Darkest Black Metal core… they very well hold the key and secrets to the depths of infinite Metal Blackness. This is Black Metal, unleashed by NIDINGR at it’s most profound underworld greatest. Make no mistake, Wolf Father is an album where you sit down the Black Metal pupils and tell them to listen and learn. After a five year absence in making a new album, (the last being Sorrow, Infinite And Darkness from 2005), this Norwegian Black Metal band has created six new songs based on Norse Mythology themes.
If you find yourself straying about, wondering which bands new album can produce the heaviest and darkest blows of pure Metal, your answer lies within the songs on Wolf Father. Are there heavier and more Extreme albums that exist? Of course. Only don’t try to stay up all night searching for anything heavier. The constant on this album, is that all six songs carry out their sole purpose to devour whatever sounds of calm that may be in their atmospheric path. I do say with Metal certainty though, that NIDINGR wasn’t going to disappoint themselves or any dedicated Black Metal fan out there by creating this piece of Blackened work.
Fafnismol introduces the listener into the world of NIDINGR, with flamingly furious rhythms and breakdown riffs that are as haunting as they are original. Hellhammer on drums crushes down the beats with mind blowing speed. Cpt. Estrella Grasa belts out his torment laden vocals with viciousness that Black Metal loyalists come to expect, from one of the best this genre has to offer. Amidst the blackness there are many guitar parts that flirt on the melodic razor’s edge, all the while the all encompassing blanket of Black Metal stylings override this album as undisputed, darkened and pure underground.
If you are searching for that Black Metal curtain to lift up and reveal the extremity of sound that beckons you, Wolf Father will envelope your senses with it’s fortified blackness. Once you listen to Wolf Father you will undoubtedly listen again and again, trying to come to grips that a Black Metal band such as NIDINGR can be this unimaginably extreme. I recommend highly all Black Metal fans to catch onto this blackened offering from NIDINGR, new fans to this genre should, no, need to grasp what Wolf Father is all about.
* Below is a roll call of associated Black Metal bands attached to each band member:
MOTORHEAD – On January 18, 2011, the ultra-iconic Motorhead will be releasing their 20th studio album, (21st studio album if you count On Parole from 1979). The new Motorhead album is titled – The World is Yours. The first opportunity to purchase a “pre-release” of The World is Yours, is by buying the upcoming issue of the (UK) Classic Rock magazine. This issue of Classic Rock has a release date of December 28, 2010, on Amazon.com.
* The Classic Rock edition comes as a 132 page deluxe magazine, dedicated to Motorhead as a “Motorhead fanpack”, with the CD of The World is Yours, a poster and metal pin badge. A career spanning overview of Motorhead with interviews of each band member are featured in this issue as well. Classic Rock Magazine.com reports this special Motorhead fanpack issue will be available for sale on December 14, 2010.
* The CD/DVD release date is January 25, 2011. The DVD includes the following:
– Documentary on the recording of The World is Yours
– Manchester Apollo live footage (30 minutes)
– Ace Of Spades (acoustic version)
– Get Back In Line (video)
– I Know How To Die (video)
(Source for release dates: The official Motorhead website referred me to Amazon.com, once I clicked on the album cover for This World is Yours on the Motorhead homepage. Therefore, Amazon.com is where the release dates were found.) **Release dates vary from country to country, plus, if you subscribe to Classic Rock magazine, the release date may be different from what date I’ve posted. Metal Odyssey is just reporting what dates have been found from researching through the official website of Motorhead, Classic Rock Magazine.com and Amazon.com.
* The World is Yours will be released on Motorhead Music via EMI distribution.
2010 – the 35th Anniversary of Motorhead Rock ‘N’ Roll!
MOTORHEAD:
Lemmy Kilmister – vocals & bass
Phil Campbell – guitar
Mikkey Dee – drums
Above is the Classic Rock Magazine “Motorhead Fanpack”. You can pre-order it at Amazon.com, the only thing is… get ready to shell out $47.68 (U.S. funds) for it.
IGLOO WARFARE – Brandon Ortiz, aka Eski, is a very busy guy these days. It is a minor miracle that Metal Odyssey caught up with him recently, to get a Metal lowdown on his side project Igloo Warfare. Metal instrumental ear candy is how I best sum up Igloo Warfare. With Eski being in full control of it’s creation, from playing every instrument heard, through production, to the final recorded songs, Igloo Warfare is his work of Metal art.
Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, band manager, promotion and marketing manager, record label owner (Final Breath Records) and every other imaginable title associated with overseeing his music getting heard and noticed, is what Eski is all about. Eski isn’t taking a bow to the “do-it-yourself” crowd, he is leaping over them with his envious drive and passion for the music he loves to create.
With Belle Roka by his side, there is also Morphine Killer keeping the Metal irons burning and the creative genius side of him stirring. Throw in the recent opportunity for Eski to step in to help Faithsedge on bass duties and you have not just a multi-taking musician… you have what is an example of devotion. Here is what Eski had to say:
Stone: So, Eski, how did the name Igloo Warfare come about?
Eski: I got the nickname “Eski” when I was about 15 years old, mainly due to the fact of looking like an eskimo, and being able to withstand the cold weather. I liked the idea of eskimos being up to something inside those igloos, so I went with “Igloo Warfare”, being a random Rock Band name I made up on the spot.
Stone: What inspires your songwriting for Igloo Warfare?
Eski: I love writing music, and usually what happens is I have a lot of Morphine Killer songs on the backburner, ready for vocals. But sometimes I will write songs for a particular mood, such as being an energetic video game song, or a moody movie song.
Stone: What comes easiest for you, writing music or playing it?
Eski: Writing it, definitely! There’s a lot of nuances that come around when it comes down to recording, and it has to be perfect. I have experimented with writing on the spot to the drums I program, because sometimes you just have to go where the music takes you.
Stone: I get that “Escape From New York” vibe on “Spider Whispers Death”. Did you initially set out for a Science Fiction meets Horror element with Igloo Warfare’s sound? Are you a fan of John Carpenter’s haunting movie scores?
Eski: I didn’t really set out for that vibe, but I wanted a sort of eerie vibe with the music, mixed with metal.. maybe that is the music version of science fiction meeting horror! Without knowing it, I have been influenced by John Carpenter! I love the Halloween movies, and Big Trouble In Little China (I loved that they got the idea for Raiden from Mortal Kombat from this movie).
Stone: Do you see your instrumentals being better suited for motion pictures or video games? Perhaps both?
Eski: I’d like to hope for both, but possibly more video games. I’d really like to get into either area if I could, though! I grew up with video games that had awesome music that helped inspire the mood, and I hope to do the same one day.
Stone: Will vocals ever be added to Igloo Warfare’s music?
Eski: I would like to think so! If they do, most likely they are going to end up a Morphine Killer song, unless someone else does vocals as a guest spot, and maybe we can release it as such.
Stone: With “Dopeth”, is it safe to say you are a fan of Opeth?
Eski: Absolutely, I love Opeth. Mikael Åkerfeldt is one of my favorite vocalists.
Metal Odyssey Note: Check out below, the Metal instrumental of Dopeth for yourself, courtesy of IGLOO WARFARE!
Stone: What’s the latest news you can share about Morphine Killer?
Eski: We’ve been working on ten or so songs that still need a bit more fine tuning. We’ve been really busy with our upcoming baby release than CD release, so please excuse us!
Stone: You and Belle are very much excused! A new baby on the way is much more important!
Stone: You’re also currently busy helping out Faiths Edge, handling the bass duties. What’s that been like?
Eski: It’s been really fun to just jam with friends and not feel the pressure of taking the reins so much. It’s also a really fun learning experience to work with another song writer and be able to bounce ideas off of each other. I helped him write a new song which might or might not appear on his next CD, so we’ll just have to wait and see!
NIDINGR – Cult Norwegian Black Metal unit NIDINGR return from a five year hiatus with their raging new album. The assassins that form this deadly unit have culminated their dark arts and aggression on their sophomore full-length Wolf Father, the uncompromising album sure to scathe listeners with its relentless whirlwind of black metal wrath. NIDINGR remain a mainly cult act, although some might conder them a “super group” of sorts when they discover the band is comprised of a long list of notable black metal artisans including bassist/guitarist Teloch (1349, Gorgoroth, Ov Hell, Orcustus, Umoral, Konsortium), bassist/guitarist Blargh (Gravferd, Dødheimsgard), vocalist Cpt. Estrella Grasa (Kort Prosess), and drummer Hellhammer (Immortal, Shining, Thorns, Umoral, Mayhem, Emperor). Wolf Father even features a guest appearance from Ulver’s Kristoffer Rygg (a.k.a. Garm), and features artwork by French visionary Valnoir of Metastazis, known for their work with Watain, Ulver, Peste Noire, Nachtmystium, Anteus and more.
* NIDINGR Wolf Father will be released on Vendlus Records, January 18, 2011.
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 RadioCity 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: NeonNights, 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:
THE DAMNED THINGS – On December 14, 2010, Ironiclast, (Island/Def Jam), the debut album from The Damned Things, releases among the masses. The Damned Things features a heavy hitting lineup from the Hard Rock and Metal world: Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy.
You can currently listen to Friday Night (Going Down In Flames) and We’ve Got A SituationHere, both songs on the Ironiclast album, streaming on The Damned Things myspace music page, (see link below). Iconiclast (Rough Mix) is also streaming there as well. The sound of The Damned Things takes on a Heavy Metal meets Arena vibe, melodic with an elevated, anthem like feel and quality. The Damned Things have created songs that are both accessible to the casual Heavy Metal fan as well as long time Metalheads!
With a robust lineup of musicians that The Damned Things bestows, fans would expect their songs to sound good, right? Instead, this band’s songs sound great! It’s always a tremendous thrill for me to hear about a group of musicians, from different backgrounds, getting together to create an album… it’s even a greater thrill when it sounds like a Rockin’ success! I’ll be getting my ears onto this new debut album from The Damned Things on December 14th and it will serve me right. Look for a full album review of Ironiclast in the near future, right here on Metal Odyssey.
Take a look below at the 7″ clear vinyl single of We’ve Got A Situation Here, (B side is Ironiclast),that I picked up at Hot Topic recently:
This 7″ clear vinyl single is an “Ultra Limited Edition” of only 1,000 copies made! Whoa. Whoa again. I paid $4 (U.S.) for it at Hot Topic and currently there are only two copies for sale on Amazon.com. One is selling for $18.99 and the other is $24.99, (U.S.) funds! I guess I made out like a Metal bandit at Hot Topic! Take that Amazon, ha, ha. Let’s give a giant Metal hooray for Stone! I sometimes feel like Stone “The Metal Hunter”.
* For more info on THE DAMNED THINGS, just click on the links below:
KATAKLYSM – Released on August 24, 2010, on Nuclear Blast America, Heaven’s Venom marks the tenth studio album from Kataklysm, arguably the most brutally powerful Metal band ever exported from The Great White North. This new Kataklysm album is fully loaded with ten songs, which exceed the boundaries of what great Death Metal is supposed to accomplish… by mesmerizing your senses into a state of Extreme Death Metal delirium. It is a tried and true Death Metal band like Kataklysm that I cannot resist rooting for, their tireless effort to make their presence known as a Death Metal force, in the vast world of Metal, is an undisputed benchmark of their existence.
From the onset, Soulless God annihilates with it’s all encompassing and overpowering Death Metal fury. All ten songs for that matter, are an enormous listen into just how Kataklysm has evolved over the past two decades, with their obvious stamp of originality upon the genre of Death Metal, a genre which has become a behemoth in the annals of Metal Music. The melodic nature of Kataklysm’s sound is derived from guitar virtuoso Jean-Francois Dagenais, he can play the heavy while instilling an accessibility to this band from his diverse playing. Even casual Death Metal fans should easily adhere their ears to what Deganais plays here, with loyal fans knowing that he is one of the finest in all of Metal.
Without hesitation, Heaven’s Venom is one of the most engaging Death Metal albums I’ve ever listened to. Slivers of progressiveness will sparingly peer around Kataklysm’s corner, with the spoken word being utilized in the songs: A Soulless God and Hail The Renegade. Kataklysm has never been about fast food Death Metal, this band’s intricacies have always lied within their passion for creating songs that leap out at you with rage and then abruptly casting searing melodic turns without notice. Lyrically, Heaven’s Venom embarks on dark personal struggles and values, with revenge and triumph being touched upon in prolific style, which Maurizio Iacono conveys with undisputed domination. Maurizio is one of those vocalists… when Maurizio sings, Stone listens.
The themes of divide and conquer and good versus evil may seem cliche with their simplicity, only Kataklysm gives forth a larger story than that throughout Heaven’s Venom. The markedness of Heaven’s Venom is truly a carry over from the rest of Kataklysm’s catalog of albums, once again embarking on what I construe to be… thinking man’s Death Metal. Yes, contrary to any department of psychology misnomer, Death Metal can be smart, both lyrically and musically. Along with the forever legendary Death Metal pioneers the likes of Death, Kataklysm will unconditionally receive my Metal accolades for their artistic point style too.
My personal favorite song on Heaven’s Venom is As The Walls Collapse. I will survive all the demons you throw at me, I will deny all the weakness inside… these are lyrics that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Combine intelligent and powerful lyrics with elevated Death Metal grooves and yes, this song is a masterful achievement that will not become obsolete for my ears. I could go as far by saying: As The Walls Collapse sounds superiorly delectable, when listened to ten times in a row, very loudly.
Without exception, is Heaven’s Venom relentless with the double bass and copious rhythmic blasts from Max Duhamel, holy mother of Metal does Max lock himself into a phrenetic groove on every song. Metal be thy name he is outstanding. The combination of Max Duhamel behind the kit and Stephane Barbe on bass makes for an earsplitting wall of Death Metal welcomeness. Heaven’s Venom is what I consider an undeniable right choice for any Death Metal, Metal or Extreme Metal fan alive today. An album such as Heaven’s Venom doesn’t just fall from the sky, this is as creatively heavy as it gets with Death Metal, while being fortified with the upmost intensity and Death Metal proficiency that I’ve come to expect from Kataklysm.
* For more info on KATAKLYSM, just click on the link below:
Kings of Swedish death metal AMON AMARTH have just announced the title of the their forthcoming album as Surtur Rising. Due out in the spring of 2011, Surtur Rising marks the group’s eighth full-length studio release and undoubtedly one of 2011’s most anticipated albums by fans and critics alike. Surtur Rising is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2008 release, Twilight Of The Thunder God, which landed the #7 spot in Revolver Magazine’s Top 20 Albums of 2008 and what MetalSucks called “[a] bottomless gauntlet of riffs that the band endlessly takes gargantuan swigs from, sounding both lush and emotive as well as skull crushingly heavy… every goddamn one is a chest-beating anthem.” Outburn declared how Twilight Of The Thunder God “will render you nothing short of ecstatic” and Time Out New York noted that “AMON AMARTH plays some of the most unabashedly epic metal you’re likely to find these days.” Be sure to stay tuned to MetalBlade.com for more details on Surtur Rising.
AMON AMARTH:
Johan Hegg – vocals
Olavi Mikkonen – guitar
Johan Söderberg – guitar
Ted Lundström – bass
Fredrik Andersson – drums
(Source: Earsplit press release, November 30, 2011)
* For more info on AMON AMARTH, just click on the link below:
OVERKILL – My fellow European Metalheads, Thrashers and Old School Metallers… whatever Metal label you go by, the European Killfest Tour 2011 looks to be your destination for the ultimate Thrash Metal experience. Thrash Metal Legends Overkill will be headlining, with fellow Thrash legends Destruction supporting! Thrash veterans Heathen will be on the bill along with After All. The month of March, 2011 is going to be a Thrashtastic one to remember… courtesy of Overkill and their European Killfest Tour!
The following are tour dates for the European Killfest Tour 2011:
Left to right: Jack Frost/guitar, Rob Pallotta/drums, Charlie Calv/keyboards and DD Verni/vocals & bass
(New York, NY) — eOne Music has signed a world wide deal with NY rock band THEBRONX CASKET CO. “I am totally psyched to be working with eOne for the new Bronx Casket release! They did an amazing job with the Overkill record and I know they will do the same for this. Having a label home where people “get” it and are psyched to work a record is a great feeling”, says front man DD Verni.
The band originally formed in 1998 by Overkill co-founder and bassist DD Verni. Having played in one of the most respected thrash bands ever for over 2 decades, why have another band? Two reasons, states DD, “the challenge of writing interesting new material and for fun of course!”
The bands second release caught the ear of playwright Andrea Lepcio. Soon after, Verni and Lepcio were collaborating with 3-time Tony Winner Hinton Battle to direct and choreograph. Soon the seeds of “The Bronx Casket Co., A New Musical” were planted. Verni quickly recruited several members from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to perform. The cast consisted of performers from the Broadway shows Hairspray, Rent and Dance of the Vampire. There have been several performances off-Broadway for producers/backers and the show is still in the writing stages. It has a gothic/Broadway score with a twisted love story woven throughout. Songs from the first two Bronx Casket Co. releases are included in the show, as well as 13 new songs D.D. Verni penned just for the musical.
It’s been five years since THE BRONX CASKET CO. last released an album and has been well worth the wait. Verni concludes, “This Bronx Casket record is the best we have done, and we are looking forward to getting out on the road and doing some shows.” As with every Bronx Casket Co. release, Verni has charted new territory, and stretched his writing boundaries.
* The forthcoming 2011 album, from The Bronx Casket Co. is titled: Antihero
* Antihero has been produced and engineered by DD Verni, at his New Jersey based – Gear Recording Studio.
* For more info on THE BRONX CASKET CO., click on the link below:
DORO – Metal’s “real” Queen is Germany’s Doro Pesch and she is celebrating her 25th Anniversary as such in grand Metal style. 25 Years In Rock… And Still Going Strong will be released on Nuclear Blast in Europe on November 26, 2010 and November 29 in the UK, while a December 7, 2010 release is slated for North America. This amazing DORO package is a 2 DVD/1 CD, featuring the celebration of her 25th Anniversary concert on December 13, 2008, at the ISS Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany, (Doro’s hometown).
Live concert footage includes: Big City Nights and Rock You Like A Hurricane with Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker, Always Live To Win with Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Walking WithThe Angels with Tarja Turunen, True As Steel with Warlock line-up of 1986 and Warrel Dane, All We Are featuring all the guests from this incredible night,plus many more Metal surprises! The total running time is 5 hours on DVD! Whoa… that’s a ton of DORO greatness!
* DVD 1 is live concert footage, while DVD 2 is a documentary with highlights, extras and bonus features.
DORO – 25 Years In Rock Ltd. Edition Double LP Picture Disc, (above). This beauty is being sold directly on Century Media – CM Distro.com. As of November 20th, I’ve seen it as “temporarily out of stock”… so it’s a hot DORO commodity!
* Click below to see the third trailer for DORO – 25 Years In Rock
DORO – 25 Years Of Rock (2DVD/CD Slipcase)
DORO – 25 Years In Rock CD Track Listing:
Introduction
Earthshaker Rock
I Rule The Ruins
You’re My Family
Herzblut
Unholy Love (Featuring Honza K. Behunek)
East Meets West (Featuring Chris Boltendahl and Axel Rudi Pell)
(New York, NY) — CROWBAR will be hitting the road hard next week along side BLACK TUSK. Dates will span most of the eastern seaboard through the middle of December. All tour dates are below. For more info on CROWBAR, click the links below:
Dec. 02 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall w/ EYEHATEGOD
Dec. 03 – VA Beach @ Hangar 09
Dec. 04 – Trenton, NJ @ Championship Bar & Grill
Dec. 05 – New York, NY @ Santo’s Party House
Dec. 06 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary Coast
Dec. 07 – Providence, RI @ Club Hell
Dec. 08 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
Dec. 09 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Evening Star Music Hall
Dec. 10 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Vista
Dec. 11 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club
Dec. 12 – St Louis, MO @ Fubar
Dec. 13 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
Dec. 14 – Little Rock @ Downtown Music
Dec. 15 – Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
Dec. 16 – Amarillo, TX @ El Cien
Dec. 17 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
Dec. 18 – Shreveport, LA @ Riverside Warehouse (No Black Tusk)
Newly signed to eOne Music, sludge metal legends CROWBAR recently re-released three influential records, CROWBAR, LIVE +1 and TIME HEALS NOTHING on October 5th, 2010. These three records are the band’s core titles and have influenced many of today’s major metal acts including LAMB OF GOD and HATEBREED. With each title originally being released in the early nineties, this will be the first time all three records will be widely available in stores and online. A new CROWBAR record is planned for early 2011.
KIRK WINDSTEIN – Founding member, guitarist and vocalist of Crowbar.
Kirk Windstein formed CROWBAR in 1991. Since that time, the band’s sound has profoundly influenced a new generation of Metal acts the world over. Kirk Windstein is also a key member of KINGDOM OF SORROW (with HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta) and DOWN.
(Source: eOne Music press release, November 19, 2010).
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