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SHAKRA – Back On Track: Swiss Hard Rock Band Is Blazing Forward!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SHAKRA – Watch out… before you dive your eardrums into this new Shakra studio album Back On Track, bear in mind this veteran band is aiming to kick your Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Metalin’ ass! I just cannot resist warning you all. When an album of 13 songs ROCKS this HARD, HEAVY and MEMORABLE, by God I am gonna raise some noize about it. Released on May 3rd, 2011 via AFM Records, Back On Track has Shakra on track for worldwide Hard Rock domination. Glory be to Metal, this album is a non-stopper… I just can’t hit the stop button when it is playing. I could have easily taken the easy road, by just giving this album a three word review like this: buy this album. Alas, I have to rant and rave about Back On Track.

Based in Switzerland, Shakra is following up on their last album Everest, which soared to #4 on the Swiss album charts back in 2009. I honestly see Shakra making gigantic strides in the States, with enough promotion and (hopefully) consistent radio play, be it FM or satellite. Shakra is tailor made for the Hard & Heavy Rock that makes 80’s old schoolers proud and play with enough relevance for todays younger generation to dig… big time. In a Metal nutshell, Shakra caught my undivided Hard Rockin’ attention from the opener B True B You to the unbelievable closer: Stonger Than Ever. This last song puts the thunder stamp on this album where I’m left muttering… holy crap that was one hell of a goooood listen!

Shakra now has a new lead singer with John Prakesh, (replacing Mark Fox) and he is damn good. Damn good. There are moments where I hear some Marc Storace (influence?) in John’s vocals, only don’t think for one second that John Prakesh isn’t an original. His vocals are a reminder to me, that a band can be elevated by it’s front man. This guy sings the Rockin’ daylights out of this album, Metal be thy name and hallelujah to all. Shakra plays as a cohesive unit, with their energy and Heavy Rock spirit coming through LOUD and very clear on Back On Track. Blazing is the most adequate adjective to describe the sound and total vibe I receive from Shakra, these guys are running on all Hard & Heavy Rock cylinders with Back On Track.

Revved up guitar leads and Hard Rockin’ riffs? Check. Hooks? Check. Melodic and memorable songs? Check. Pumped up chorus? Check. Thumpin’ rhythm section? Check. Psyche-you-out sonic thrills by the minute? Um… check again. Look, I would never praise an album that is the equivalent of bird crap on a windshield. Shakra has created an album that is the equivalent of a Hard & Heavy Rock celebration. This celebration called Back On Track MUST be shared to all fellow Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans alike. Shakra for all intents and purposes, have smacked it down and let it loose with Back On Track. Spread the Hard Rock word: SHAKRA.

* Recorded and produced with Shakra’s own guitarist Thom Blunier, at Power Ride Studios.

* Back On Track entered the official Swiss Album Charts at #2, the highest charting SHAKRA album ever. Back On Track entered the German Album Charts at #84.

* Back On Track is the eighth studio album from SHAKRA.

SHAKRA:

John Prakesh – vocals

Thom Blunier – lead guitar

Thomas Muster – rhythm guitar

Dominik Pfister – bass

Roger Tanner – drums

Track Listing:

B True B You

I’ll Be

Crazy

Back On Track

When I See You

MMTWGR

Yesterday’s Gone

Someday

Eternity

Lonesomeness

Unspoken Truth

Brand New Day

Stronger Than Ever

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

http://www.shakra.ch

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE SHAKRA.

Stone.

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MARDUK & DEATH WOLF: New Track Streams Available!

Posted in Black Metal, black metal albums, Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

“Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon,” a brand new song from Swedish Black Metallers MARDUK, is currently available for your listening pleasure HERE. The track comes off the band’s upcoming new EP, Iron Dawn, set for release in North America on May 27, the day the band will make their long-anticipated appearance at this year’s Maryland Deathfest.

The EP will also be available at the six additional North American shows to follow (The  Seven Bowls Of Wrath North American Tour with Aura Noir, Black Anvil, Panzerfaust and HOD; tour dates below). It should be noted that the tracks included on the Iron Dawn EP are conceptually different from what is being crafted for the band’s next full length.

MARDUK Seven Bowls Of Wrath North American Tour 2011 w/ Aura Noir, Black Anvil, Panzerfaust, HOD:

5/27/2011 – Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD (MARDUK, Aura Noir only)

5/29/2011 – Cafe Campus – Montreal, QC

5/30/2011 – Wreck Room – Toronto, ON

5/31/2011 – Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL

6/01/2011 – I-Rock Nightclub – Detroit, MI

6/02/2011 – Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH

6/03/2011 – Williamsburg Music Hall – Brooklyn, NY

In related news, DEATH WOLF, the horror/death rock project formerly known as Devils Whorehouse and spearheaded by MARDUK guitarist Morgan Håkansson, recently unleashed another new track from their upcoming full length.  Check out “The Other Hell,” HERE. Simply titled Death Wolf, the record features 12 new tunes and is slated for release  on May 27 via Regain/Blooddawn Productions.  The band is currently putting the finishing touches on a video for the song “Ironwood.” Further details to be announced shortly. To check out stills from the shoot, head over to THIS LOCATION.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on MARDUK & DEATH WOLF:

http://www.marduk.nu 

http://www.deathwolf.net

http://www.greifkommando.se

http://www.regainrecords.com

LONG LIVE MARDUK & DEATH WOLF.

Stone.

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UNEARTH – Darkness In The Light: Album Art and Track Listing Revealed! New Song Stream Available!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

UNEARTH – Pit-churning, Melodic Metal pioneers, UNEARTH, are currently readying to unveil Darkness In The Light, their fifth full-length in a discography that’s placed the band among the most prolific and plainly ravaging modern metal acts to come out of the U.S. Set for North American release on July 5 via Metal Blade Records, the 11-track long player — their most conceptually personal offering to date — was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and Killswitch Engage guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz and mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida by Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Trivium, et al). Sitting in on drums during the recording was Justin Foley of Killswitch Engage/Blood Has Been Shed.

Commented UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps of the band’s latest output: “Darkness In The Light is without a doubt some of the heaviest, most dynamic and memorable tunes we’ve ever written. The disc is littered with the shred ‘n’ stomp-filled songs our fans would expect from us, as well as some added vocal hooks, guitar melodies, guitar solos and some different paths taken in style and structure. We knew we had to continue to separate ourselves from the pack and to cement our place in the Heavy Metal world as one of the leaders and not as one of the many followers that seem to hop on the trend wagon and give up so easily when the going gets hard. We are here to stay and collectively we couldn’t be any more fired up to play these songs around the world for our fans new and old.”

Darkness In The Light Track Listing:

01. Watch It Burn

02. Ruination Of The Lost

03. Shadows In The Light

04. Eyes Of Black

05. Last Wish

06. Arise The War Cry

07. Equinox

08. Coming Of The Dark

09. The Fallen

10. Overcome

11. Disillusion

UNEARTH:

Trevor Phipps – Vocals

Buz McGrath – Guitar

Ken Susi – Guitar

John “Slo” Maggard – Bass

Justin Foley – Studio Drummer

The first single, the instantly pummeling “Eyes Of Black,” is currently streaming on the band’s official album landing page, which includes updated tour info, pre-order options and more. Said Phipps of the track: “We chose ‘Eyes Of Black’ to be the first song heard out of the gate as we feel it represents the ‘UNEARTH sound’ and style perfectly and it’s simply a hard-hitting, catchy-as-hell song. The lyrics are also in line with many of the albums darker lyrical themes. I’m not speaking for all of the band, but this is my personal favorite on the album and I can’t wait to get out there and play it live!” To check out the tune, point your browser to THIS LOCATION.

* Several pre-order deals for Darkness In The Light are available. Packages include:

CD: $9.99

CD + T-Shirt: $19.99

CD + Unearth Beer Bong: $20.99

CD + T-Shirt + Unearth Beer Bong: $29.99

For further info, visit: http://www.darknessinthelightalbum.com

Coinciding with the release of Darkness In The Light, UNEARTH will bring their ruckus to the live arena on a host of dates that include headlining shows and a spot on this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeth, Machine Head, In Flames, All Shall Perish, Kingdom Of Sorrow and more! Confirmed dates below.

UNEARTH:

05/20/2011 Egan Civic & Convention Center – Anchorage, AK w/ As I Lay Dying, Turbid North

05/21/2011 Blue Loon – Fairbanks, AK  w/ Turbid North

07/05/2011 Jakes – Lubbock, TX  w/ Turbid North

07/06/2011 Club 101 – El Paso, TX w/ Turbid North

07/08/2011 Hard Rock Café – Las Vegas, NV w/ Turbid North

UNEARTH on 2011’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival w/ Distrubed, Godsmack, Megadeth, Machine Head, In Flames, Trivium, Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish, Straight Line Stitch, Kingdom Of Sorrow, Red Fang:

07/09/2011 San Manuel Amphitheatre – San Bernardino, CA

07/10/2011 Shoreline Amphitheatre – San Francisco, CA

07/11/2011 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

07/12/2011 White River Amphitheater – Seattle, WA

07/13/2011 Idaho Center Amphitheatre – Boise, ID

07/15/2011 Cricket Wireless Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ

07/16/2011 Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion – Albuquerque, NM

07/17/2011 Comfort Dental Amphitheatre – Denver, CO

07/18/2011 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish , Red Fang

07/19/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – St. Louis, MO

07/20/2011 Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

07/22/2011 Comcast Center – Boston, MA

07/23/2011 Parc Jean Drapeau – Montreal, QC

07/24/2011 The Comcast Theatre – Hartford, CT

07/25/2011 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY *Off Date w/ All Shall Parish

07/26/2011 Club Texas – Auburn, ME *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

07/27/2011 P.N.C. Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ

07/29/2011 First Niagara Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA

07/30/2011 Jiffy Lube Live – Washington, DC

07/31/2011 Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ

08/02/2011 Verizon Wireless V. Beach Amphitheater – Virginia Beach, VA

08/03/2011 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC

08/04/2011 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

08/05/2011 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL

08/06/2011 DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI

08/07/2011 Verizon Wireless Music Center – Indianapolis, IN

08/09/2011 Zoo Amphitheatre – Oklahoma City, OK

08/10/2011 Superpages.com Center – Dallas, TX

08/11/2011 New Daisy Theatre – Memphis, TN *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish , Red Fang

08/12/2011 Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA

08/13/2011 1-800-Ask-Gary-Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL

08/14/2011 Cruzan Amphitheater – West Palm Beach, FL

Worldwide Release Dates:

Darkness In The Light will be released in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway July 1, the rest of  Europe on July 4, North America, Spain and Italy on July 5, Finland and Hungary on July 6, and Japan on July 27.

(Sources: Earsplit PR, Metal Blade News Update)

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

http://www.darknessinthelightalbum.com

http://www.unearth.tv

http://www.facebook.com/unearthofficial

http://www.twitter.com/unearthofficial

http://www.myspace.com/unearth

LONG LIVE UNEARTH.

Stone.

2 Comments »

MARDUK – IRON DAWN EP: Black Metal Legends Unleash 3 Songs of Hell Summoned, Raging Impact

Posted in Black Metal, black metal albums, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MARDUK – Releasing on May 31st, 2011, via Regain Records, is a three song EP from Black Metal Legends Marduk titled: Iron Dawn. Black Metal this prolific doesn’t take any prisoners… it simply recruits by example. Not many bands, from any music genre, can release a three song EP and have as strong and convincing of an impact as Marduk has accomplished on Iron Dawn.

The Blackened rage seems to flow almost effortlessly from Marduk, as each song carries it’s sonic fury into the next, like a Hell’s soldier passing a baton onto it’s equally accepted brother from the underworld. With sonic elements that can be construed as progressive, one characteristic remains constant with Marduk, which is their overlay of abrupt explosiveness of Metal that is deeply rooted Black.

The Black Metal battalion needs Marduk at the forefront and Iron Dawn is a master strike reminder that they still command and refuse to follow. Chaos can be captured and revived through song, Marduk can make chaos become a desired theatre of thorns that beckons me to enter and turn my senses on overdrive. Often times the message is sent very clearly, in small packages, that the messenger is never to be underestimated. Marduk has instilled this message very clearly with their three song EP of Iron Dawn.

* IRON DAWN is a 6-panel Digipak CD and limited to 666 vinyl copies, (200 in yellow).

IRON DAWN – Track Listing:

Warschau 2 – Headhunter Halfmoon

Wacht Am Rhein Drumbeats Of Death

Prochorovka – Blood And Sunflowers

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

MARDUK – Official Website

LONG LIVE MARDUK.

Stone.

1 Comment »

SPEED\KILL/HATE – Out for Blood: Brutally Intense Thrash Metal… A MUST HAVE Album For 2011!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SPEED\KILL/HATE – Stop right there. Before you read on any further, please understand that this album review is about an East Coast Thrash band that plays REAL Thrash Metal… bludgeoning bass and deathly fast on all points with pissed off vocals… just like Thrash was meant to sound like. Death Thrash. Hardcore Thrash. Thrash. Thrash up your ass. Whatever you want to call it… this is the stuff your momma cursed about and warned you not to go near.

Alas, your safe here at Metal Odyssey… so sit back, put on your Metal seat belts and read on about one of this years most amazing, brutalizing and spine snapping Thrash Metal albums: Out for Blood created by SPEED\KILL/HATE. This band is a force, founded by guitarist Dave Linsk of Thrash Metal Legends: OVERKILL. Not to be confused as a “side project”, Dave Linsk and his band of Thrash brothers are playing for keeps… and Out for Blood is audio proof. This new album is the follow up to their 2006 debut: Acts of Insanity.

Metal be thy name does this Thrash band devastate with their crushingly heavy and mind blasting speed. I put this CD of SPEED\KILL/HATE atop a stack of other CD’s and the entire stack below Out for Blood disintegrated into dust. Seriously, Out for Blood is a Thrash Metal album that you MUST BUY, whether your a casual fan or the most Hardcore follower of Thrash and Extreme Metal. The Thrash hurtin’ is for F’n certain throughout this entire album of 10 songs. After my very first listen, I was wishing this band was around for the last 25+ years with a vast catalog of albums.

Dave Linsk’s violent guitar riffs, leads and solos are unmistakably dominant, his Overkill signature and tone inevitably will follow him wherever he goes… and that’s something he should be proud of. With that said, SPEED\KILL/HATE is no carbon copy of the iconic Overkill machine. This is a Thrash Metal band that carries their uniqueness to the highest of Thrash Extreme.

Bob Barnak is an Extreme Thrash force to reckon with. Bob’s vocals are a lethal weapon and can easily tear your Metal soul apart. Evil Thrash. Darkened Thrash. Metal be thy name, I’m using every Thrash Metal adjective that can possibly exist about SPEED\KILL/HATE. This band kick’s undisputed Thrash Metal ass.

Album opener No Remorse is the knockout Thrashing punch… and if you think this song is heavy and fast, Written in Blood and Behind the Mask are superiorly intense, superiorly Hardcore Thrash, overloaded with maniacally fast double bass and searing guitar. Mark of Judas is the face melter on this album, undeniably a Thrash Metal song that thrives on it’s all encompassing Extreme force and total domination of all that exists around it. Brotherhood of Arms is yet another blistering Thrash attack of profound strength, a strength in this band’s jaw dropping Extreme musicianship.

The consistence of Thrash brutality that SPEED\KILL/HATE dish out on Out for Blood is incredibly impressive and bizarrely astounding to my ears. Once the album closer of The Cleansing finishes, I’m realizing I’ve been Metal schooled again. Bob Barnak has ripped apart my eardrums with his unearthly vocals and I’ve fallen down to one knee… with my hands raised in the air begging for Metal mercy… I cry out to you all: SPEED\KILL/HATE has kicked my Metal ass into oblivion! Please, pl, pl, please… can I have more sirs?

* SPEED\KILL/HATE – Out for Blood was released worldwide on January 25th, 2011 on  Dave Linsk’s very own: HAMMERFIST RECORDS.

* Out for Blood was recorded and mixed by Dave Linsk at his very own: SKH Recording and Rehearsal Studios in Stuart, Florida.

SPEED\KILL/HATE:

Dave Linsk – guitar

Bob Barnak – vocals

Dave Bizzigotti – bass

Tony Ochoa – drums

Out for Blood Track Listing: 

No Remorse

Breeding Hate

Written in Blood

Behind the Mask

Deceiver

Slain

Mark of Judas

Brotherhood of Arms

Stains of Callous

The Cleansing

* For more info on SPEED\KILL/HATE, click on the links below:

SPEED\KILL/HATE – facebook

http://www.speedkillhate.com/

http://www.myspace.com/officialspeedkillhate

http://www.hammerfistrecords.com/

http://www.davelinsk.com/

LONG LIVE SPEED\KILL/HATE.

Stone.

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JASTA – Premieres A Brand New Song: “Mourn The Illusion” From Forthcoming Debut Record

Posted in Extreme Metal, hardcore metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

New York, NY) — JASTA has released a brand new song called “Mourn The Illusion” that can be heard exclusively online at Artist Direct today. After debuting the song over the weekend on SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO, JASTA is pleased to bring the song to fans online

HEAR THE TRACK HERE

BUY THE TRACK (iTunes) HERE

NOISECREEP recently followed around JASTA while doing press in Los Angeles and is featuring him in their “Day in the Life” feature, view that here.

JASTA will be releasing a solo record simply titled “JASTA” this summer on July 26th, 2011 via eOne Music. A record many years in the making, this is a very different project for Jasta. He explains in his own words in the video below.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: http://bit.ly/huOelR

A diverse variety of guest appearances can be found on this record. Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING), pro skater Mike Vallely, Philip Labonte (ALL THAT REMAINS), Randy Blythe and Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD) and guitar god ZAKK WYLDE just to name a few.

Jamey will be touring with KINGDOM OF SORROW this summer on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Visit http://rockstarmayhemfest.com for more information and breaking news.

(Source: eOne Music)

LONG LIVE JAMEY JASTA.

Stone.

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NECROPHAGIA – DEATHTRIP 69 Releases In U.S. On May 17th, 2011: Death & Gore Metal Legends Return!

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, gore metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NECROPHAGIA – From the storied history of Death, Gore and all Extreme Metal, returns the band that helped pioneer it all: Necrophagia. Be prepared for their fifth full-length to be released on May 17th, 2011, via Season of Mist, titled: Deathtrip 69. With the legendary Killjoy on vocals and at the deadly forefront of Necrophagia, perseverance is this iconic band’s middle name. Don’t miss out on Extreme Metal’s history being made once again… get your insane ears and senses into Deathtrip 69 and be thankful you were told to do so.

* I recently corresponded with Necrophagia’s guitarist Boris Randall, in regards to Deathtrip 69. Here is how Boris broke it down, in what to expect from this new Necrophagia album:

“Deathtrip 69 is Necrophagia getting back to it’s roots. Back to what put us on the map for horror and gore mixed with Extreme Metal. At the same time, this album features some new elements that Necrophagia is experimenting with such as more use of acoustic guitars, less synths, different styles of writing, as well as bringing back guitar solos”.

* When I asked about the featured guests on Deathtrip 69, being Casey Chaos and Maniac, Boris added:

“Casey Chaos shares lead vocals with Killjoy on the song Kyra, a tribute to Kyra Shon of the original Night Of The Living Dead. Maniac has a spoken word section in the title track Deathtrip 69″.

NECROPHAGIA:

Killjoy – vocals

Boris Randall – guitar

Damien Matthews – bass

Shawn Slusarek – drums

DEATHTRIP 69 – Track Listing:

Naturan Demonto

Beast with Feral Claws

Tomb with a View

Suffering Comes in Sixes

A Funeral for Solange

Kyra

Bleeding Eyes of the Eternally Damned

Trick R’ Treat (The Last Halloween)

Deathtrip 69

Death Valley 69

* Check out below, some very cool live tour photos of Necrophagia! These photos were taken at the Neurotic Deathfest – Tilburg, Netherlands, April 30th, 2011.

* All live photos are courtesy of and by permission from Boris Randall.

(Killjoy – vocals)

(Boris Randall – guitar)

(Damien Matthews – bass)

(Shawn Slusarek – drums)

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

NECROPHAGIA – myspace

Season of Mist – Independent Rock Metal Label

www.facebook.com/boris.randall

NEUROTIC DEATHFEST 2011

LONG LIVE NECROPHAGIA.

Stone.

2 Comments »

WARRANT – ROCKAHOLIC: Hard Rock Glory Has Risen Again!

Posted in classic rock, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WARRANT –  With a new vocalist in place to front the multi-million selling Hard Rock band we all know and embrace as Warrant, Rockaholic (Frontiers Records) comes at me with a new-found attitude and revved up Hard Rock sound that crunches. Robert Mason (Lynch Mob, Cry Of Love) is now the voice behind Warrant and it’s a return to Hard Rock glory for this group. The stereotypical Hair Metal posturing of years gone by is not the sheen of elegance anymore with Warrant, instead Rockaholic comes at me with more Hard Rock relevance than I ever could have expected.

With original members Jerry Dixon (bass), Erik Turner (rhythm guitar), Joey Allen (lead guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums), the backing vocals they all provide on Rockaholic lends a cool-fueled, feel-good atmosphere and tribute to their legendary Hair Metal roots. The ballad Home reminds me that Warrant still has the fever for making a memorable tear jerker. An inspirational ballad it is, the lyrics aren’t sappy… they just hit home. A well written ballad that has substance… and ballads don’t usually impress me. This one does.

Candy Man is a groovy Rocker that hits on all melodic cylinders. A song that is heavy and filled with gimme more hooks, I can understand if Candy Man becomes a strip club favorite. Sunshine has the up-tempo and sing-a-long savvy to be a live favorite. Something about Sunshine makes it a cool candidate for a beer drinking song for some reason. Sunshine is yet another song on Rockaholic that proves these Warrant dudes know a thing or two about playing some good time Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Life’s A Song has Robert Mason giving Jon Bon Jovi a run for his Hard Rock money. This song should hopefully be on Warrant’s live set list for their 2011 Summer gigs. Cocaine Freight Train embodies the heavier personality of Warrant, with a pedal to the Metal tempo and guitar licks that resonate Classic Rock Americana. What Love Can Do is all about the good-time vibes. Crank this song up, roll down the windows and let the breeze hit you in the face while Warrant makes your lazy day cruise Rock! Metal be thy name, this Warrant album is Hard Rock goodness.

Rockaholic is 14 songs, which have the Rockin’ bookends of Sex Ain’t Love opening and The Last Straw closing out. Both of these songs are critical for Sex Ain’t Love sets the Hard Rockin’ tone of Rockaholic from the onset, while The Last Straw makes me wish this album would go on for another six songs or more. Metal be thy name once again. Ring that Hard Rock bell of glory and tell ’em Stone told you to do so.

Dusty’s Revenge resonates with it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll outlaw sound, courtesy of Joey and Erik’s guitars and Robert’s vocals. This is perhaps my favorite song on Rockaholic, being carried by Robert’s vocals that embody the essence and mystique of a Classic Hard Rock performance. If there is to be more praise handed out here, it’s that Warrant is one band from the late 80’s era that knew how to evolve as a band. Did someone say bubble gum? I respond by saying kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Warrant Rocks.

The hardened sound of Warrant today coupled with Robert Mason’s vocals, makes this entire album scream: It’s a new beginning! Warrant has surprised me with Rockaholic, fans of Warrant should surely be psyched-out of their minds by this new album. Even those few who may have shunned Warrant over the decades, just might realize, Rockaholic is a Hard Rock powerhouse of an album after just one listen. This is a band that never buckled under to nuthin’ and their fired-up and rejuvenated brand of Hard Rock is in the here and now. Warrant is back… and that is a Hard Rockin’ matter of fact!

* Rockaholic releases on May 13th in Europe and May 17th in the U.S., on Frontiers Records.

* Rockaholic was produced by Keith Olsen and mixed by Pat Regan.

Rockaholic Track Listing: 

Sex Ain’t Love

Innocence Gone

Sanke

Dusty’s Revenge

Home

What Love Can Do

Life’s A Song

Show Must Go On

Cocaine Freight Train

Found Forever

Candy Man

Sunshine

Tears In The City

The Last Straw

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

WARRANT ROCKS

LONG LIVE WARRANT.

Stone.

6 Comments »

BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Split: An Ultra-Tumultuous Grindcore and Hardcore Collision!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme music, grindcore, hardcore music, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Releasing on May 17th, 2011, is Backslider / Nimbus Terrifix (Split) via Give Praise. Backslider is a two-man Grindcore/Hardcore force originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nimbus Terrifix is a Technical Hardcore outfit that calls Scranton, Pennsylvania: home base. In Metal preface, Backslider are representative of the future for Blastcore, while Nimbus Terrifix can set their sights on Hardcore notoriety, just as long as they remain so damn pissed off.

Both of these bands accentuate the raging noize and all things extreme about Metal. Listening to the split album from these two up and coming Hardcore bands is not something you want to do on the way to a “check-up” at the doctor’s office… both your blood pressure and heart rate will be increased while you are trying to feel if the skin has been ripped off your face. (I’m just kidding about the facial skin, then again, you never know).

No epics are in this genre of Metal. Nope. Just quick and obliterating Hardcore uppercuts to the chin that grind out frenzied drums, old school riffs and blunt force jabs of traumatizing vocals. You shall find no sanity in the punishing sounds that Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix dish out. In this world of Extreme Metal, song structures are obliterated into furious spasms of kick-to-the-teeth strikes and counter strikes that carry out one unified message: piss off mainstream.

Give yourself the gift of Hardcore this Spring and try out Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix… you might just find that the extreme punishment these two bands dish will have you asking for more. It’s just like putting your tongue on the terminals of a 9 volt battery, it shocks, it’s unpleasant and you still want more.

While I listen to both bands, I don’t know whether I want to break out or break in. Regardless, I realize that it was my own doing in opening up this can of extreme whoop-ass and I’ll open it again. In under twelve minutes, both bands combined to brutalize my senses and I’m alive to talk about it. It’s the unreal that I hear from both of these bands, that for all intents and purposes, makes it real to me. Metal be thy name.

Tracklisting:

BACKSLIDER:

Steady Diet of Vitriol

Sadistic Sack of Shit

Marrow Turns to Dust

Shallow Victory

Jerusalem Syndrome

NIMBUS TERRIFIX

Deadbeat

Roaches

Scranton Trinity

Broadcast Booth

* For more info on BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX:

http://www.myspace.com/bsfastcore

http://www.myspace.com/nimbusterrifix

http://www.givepraiserecords.com

LONG LIVE BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX.

Stone.

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Phil Campbell of Motörhead – Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll birthdays, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Overnight Sensation/1996 – L to R: Phil, Lemmy & Mikkey)

PHIL CAMPBELL – Happy Birthday Phil Campbell! On May 7th, 2011, legendary guitarist Phil Campbell turns a stellar 50! Since 1984, Phil Campbell has been the guitarist for the world’s greatest, fastest and most persevering Rock ‘n’ Roll band known as: Motörhead. Thank you Phil for all the enormous Rock ‘n’ Roll you’ve created!

Phil was hired by Motörhead founder and ultra-legendary Lemmy Kilmister back in 1984. Former Motörhead guitarist Würzel was also hired at the same time. With the trio of Lemmy (bass & vocals), Mikkey Dee (drums) and Phil, Motörhead continue to be the lean, mean, Rock ‘n’ Roll machine in 2011 with NO end in sight!

Phil Campbell Rock ‘n’ Roll Facts:

* Phil Campbell formed the Heavy Metal band Persian Risk back in 1979, in Cardiff, Wales.

* Phil Campbell first appeared on the Motörhead compilation album No Remorse, which was released back in 1984 on Bronze Records. The songs on No Remorse (vinyl/LP version) which Phil Campbell played guitar on: Killed By Death, Snaggletooth, Steal Your Face and Locomotive.  Phil Campbell played guitar for two versions of Under The Knife, found on the No Remorse double CD as bonus tracks.

* Phil Campbell has played guitar on 14 Motörhead studio albums, the first being Orgasmatron from 1986 and the most recent being The Wörld Is Yours released in December of 2010.

* For more info on Motörhead, click here: Motörhead

Long Live Phil Campbell.

Long Live Motörhead.

Stone.

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FAITHSEDGE – Debut Album Is Now On iTunes!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

FAITHSEDGE – As has been shouted out today by Giancarlo Floridia, (vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and founder of Faithsedge), the debut Faithsedge album is NOW on iTunes! Just click on the link below to get there… then make your purchase of one of the BEST Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Hittin’ albums of 2011!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/faithsedge/id435187614

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

FAITHSEDGE – facebook

FAITHSEDGE – Official Website

To read the complete Metal Odyssey album review for FAITHSEDGE, (posted on April 15, 2011), just click on the big header link below:

FAITHSEDGE – Debut Album Is One Of The Year’s Best In Both Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

LONG LIVE FAITHSEDGE.

Stone.

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TWISTED TOWER DIRE – Make It Dark: Classic Metal Triumphs Once Again

Posted in classic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, traditional metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

TWISTED TOWER DIRE – The fifth full-length studio album from Virginia’s Twisted Tower Dire has been released on May 3rd, 2011, via Cruz Del Sur Music and it’s worth more than it’s weight in Metal gold. As the classically inspired album cover from famed UK artist Martin Hanford and the type fonts suggests, Twisted Tower Dire is a Classic Metal band and Make It Dark is an eight song Traditional Metal triumph.

This is a band that has had to overcome prolific tragedy in the past year. Vocalist Tony Taylor was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident back on February 6th, 2010, being replaced by Johnny Aune (Viper). The triumph of human spirit that this band has bestowed in regrouping, coupled by the fearless drive that Make It Dark reverberates with it’s Classic Metal, is nothing short of admirable.

Throughout Make It Dark, the songs come across as not just well written, they are all extremely well executed. Metal resolve is a very good thing and Twisted Tower Dire bring it on their new album. This album reminds me of days long ago, hanging out in the moonlit field with my Metal brethren, while the sweet smell of ganga filled the air and the beers were in no short supply. Um, uh, back to the album review and 2011…

Johnny Aune is a bona-fide Classic Metal vocalist. In my Metal opinion, Johnny is a vocalist that guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen would dig… and maybe he does? The Classic Metal echo fills this entire album, while leaving signatures of welcomed semi-raw and non-plasticized production every step of the way. The bass of Jim Hunter coupled with Mark Stauffer’s drumming is a rhythmic feast built on that Classic Metal speed. We’re in the midst of an age that’s called a Classic Metal revival and that school of thought is fine with me, only I and obviously countless others have never turned away from Classic Metal.

This old school Metal sound will never die due to bands such as Twisted Tower Dire. With the likes of their peers Enforcer, White Wizzard, Ravage, 3 Inches Of Blood, Derailed and Darkblack making their presence heard, the flame of this Metal genre has never burned brighter. Old school fans of Grim Reaper, Obsession and Paul Dianno fronted Iron Maiden should take a keen Metal liking to the dual guitars of Scott Waldrop and Dave Boyd. These two axe slingers exchange some very melodic and speedy guitar licks that are like the Metal icing on the Metal cake.

Yes, Speed Metal too can once again reign Metal supreme while Make It Dark is played at maximum volume. The old school vibes never subside while I listen to Make It Dark and I like it that way. Mystera, White Shadow, Torture Torture and Beyond The Gate are Classic Metal gems. Beyond The Gate is remarkable in it’s ability to suck my senses right into it’s Classic Metal richness, therefore, this is my favorite song on Make It Dark.

With there being so many Metal choices out there for new album purchases in 2011, Make It Dark is as upstanding as I can declare. Make It Dark is a reminder to us all, that Metal truly does sound real again. Make the credible Metal choice and buy Make It Dark for yourself… it will serve you Metal right.

TWISTED TOWER DIRE:

Johnny Aune  – vocals

Jim Hunter – bass

Scott Waldrop – guitar

Dave Boyd – guitar

Mark Stauffer – drums

Make It Dark Track Listing:

Mystera

Snow Leopard

The Stone

Make It Dark

White Shadow

The Only Way

Torture Torture

Beyond the Gate

* For more info on TWISTED TOWER DIRE, click the links below:

http://www.twistedtowerdire.com

http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

LONG LIVE TWISTED TOWER DIRE.

Rest In Peace Tony Taylor.

Stone.

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INSIDE HOLLOW – Featuring Dan Nelson (ex-Anthrax) Release Live Performance Footage

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

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)

INSIDE HOLLOW:

Dan Nelson – vocals

Roy Nelson – guitar

Matt Borowka – bass

Frankie Apicelli – drums

* For more info on INSIDE HOLLOW, click on the links below:

INSIDE HOLLOW – myspace music

INSIDE HOLLOW – twitter

LONG LIVE INSIDE HOLLOW.

Stone.

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BLACKGATES – Featuring Dan Nelson and Paul Bostaph Release 2nd Demo Track

Posted in Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Heavy Metal outfit BLACKGATES featuring Dan Nelson (ex-Anthrax) have just released their second demo song entitled “Break” which can be heard here: http://www.reverbnation.com/blackgates.

BlackGates is a powerful new addition to the Heavy Metal community. This four-piece band consists of veteran Metal drummer Paul Bostaph (Testament/ex-Slayer, Exodus, Forbidden), bassist Uriah Duffy (ex-Whitesnake), guitarist Jeremy Von Epp (The Venting Machine) and vocalist Dan Nelson (ex-Anthrax).

These four musicians came together as BlackGates in late 2009 and began to jam and write original music. The band’s vision from day one was to be an honest band, to re-explore classic elements in Metal that they all felt had been missing for a long time, and to remain as heavy and catchy as humanly possible. BlackGates wrote their first five songs during 2009 and with much enthusiasm, they entered the studio to record a three-song demo in late 2010. Now in 2011, the band is working on a body of music with the goal of signing a record deal with a good label and releasing their debut album by 2012. Let the Metal begin!

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)

LONG LIVE BLACKGATES.

Stone.

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STRAIGHT LINE STITCH – Shoot New Music Video, Behind The Scenes Footage Available!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Alexis Brown – Vocals)

(New York, NY) — STRAIGHT LINE STITCH have shot a brand new music video for their next single “One Reason” off their latest record The Fight Of Our Lives which came out earlier this year. Veteran director and band manager Dale ‘Rage’ Resteghini took on the directing duties.

Watch a sneak peak behind the scenes video here.

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 recently completed 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 here.

The band’s latest record The Fight Of Our LIves came out on March 22, 2011 to much critical praise. “‘The Fight of Our Lives’ is a good example of what happens when modern American metal-core is performed with passion and intensity,” says OUTBURN MAGAZINE. The band released their first single “Conversion” soon after with a video to follow, also directed by Resteghini.

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 – facebook

Straight Line Stitch – myspace music

LONG LIVE STRAIGHT LINE STITCH.

Stone.

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SHINEDOWN – Somewhere in the Stratosphere: Madness LIVE from Washington State (Electric)… Electrifies!

Posted in alternative metal, alternative rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SHINEDOWN – After listening to the 17 live songs on Somewhere in the Stratosphere: Madness LIVE from Washington State (Electric), my conclusion is Shinedown electrifies with their live performance. The quality of sound and all encompassing production of this live album is astounding. The sounds of the audience are captured perfectly, with plenty of exaltation and sing-along moments, making this a true live listen into this Shinedown concert.

Before I listened to this live Shinedown album, I did not hear one song prior. I was hoping for high energy from this live concert album, coupled with the commanding spirit of musicianship that Shinedown so dramatically exemplifies. Well… Shinedown sounds electrifying on this live album and I wish I was there to experience this live concert.

Shinedown have released three studio albums with immense commercial success. Leave A Whisper (2003) has gone Platinum, Us and Them (2005) has gone Gold and The Sound of Madness (2008) has reached Platinum status. All three of these studio albums from Shinedown I admire greatly, from the lyrics to the music and all vibes in-between. Shinedown has sold millions of albums for good reason. Albums just don’t sell that easy these days. It’s my guess that the song writing and lyrical themes of Shinedown’s songs obviously touches the human spirit and relates, plus this band really can play lights out.

I’ve always considered Brent Smith to be a premier vocalist in the world of Heavy Music and all of Rock for that matter. Brent has that gift of spilling out real emotion into the lyrics that he sings, nothing has ever come across as fabricated to my ears. To hear these 17 Shinedown songs live, with Brent’s vocals being as inspirational as ever, is riveting. Hearing live versions of Brent singing I Dare You, Heroes, The Crow & The Butterfly and Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom) is proof positive that he was meant for the live stage.

Throughout this live album, the entire band plays tighter than the knots in my daughter’s sneaker laces. All the while, I can feel the enthusiasm of Shinedown through these live songs, it just comes through to me this way and I’m not complaining. The pumped-up and heavy grooves that erupt from Sound Of Madness are so lively it’s downright wild. Fly From The Inside is brought to the live stage brilliantly. The cover song of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic Simple Man is played in acoustic Southern Rock glory. The last verse of Simple Man has Brent Smith inviting the audience to sing-along and it’s simply put… cool and fun stuff.

Second Chance ends this live album of 17 songs by scarring my arms and face with ostrich bumps of emotion. A perfect song to cap off this concert and album. Thank you, Shinedown. Metal be thy name. This new live album from Shinedown should recruit even more new fans into their Rockin’ stable. Longtime fans of Shinedown should presumably be thrilled to hear and own this album. It is my Metal opinion, this is one of those live albums that will be looked upon as being one of the best of it’s generation.

SHINEDOWN:

Brent Smith – vocals

Zach Myers – guitar

Eric Bass – bass

Barry Kerch – drums

Track Listing:

Intro (Scary Fairy)

Sound Of Madness

Devour

I Dare You

Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide

If You Only Knew

Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)

.45

Burning Bright

Heroes

The Crow & The Butterfly

Her Name Is Alice

Save Me

Left Out

Simple Man

Fly From The Inside

Second Chance

* This live album was released on May 3rd, 2011, on Atlantic Records.

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

SHINEDOWN – Official Website

SHINEDOWN – facebook

SHINEDOWN – twitter

LONG LIVE SHINEDOWN.

Stone.

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ANA KEFR – “THE BURIAL TREE (II)” ALBUM OFFICIALLY RELEASED!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Today, May 3, 2011, California-based Extreme Progressive Metal outfit ANA KEFR have released their second full-length effort, titled “The Burial Tree (II)”. Hailed by critics as “an instant classic,” “a landmark LP in the Metal community” months before its official release, this album has the Metal community buzzing. “The Burial Tree (II)” was recorded at Lunch-Box Studios in Perris, California, engineered by David Franklin and produced by Ana Kefr and David Franklin. The cover art (“The Watcher”) was created by Dutch artist Bianca van der Werf (www.biancavanderwerf.com).

“The Burial Tree (II)” – Track Listing:

Ash-Shahid

Emago

Monody

In the House of Distorted Mirrors

Thaumatrope

Bathos and the Iconoclast

The Zephirus Circus

Jeremiad

Apoptosis

Parasites

Paedophilanthrope

Fragment

The Blackening

The Collector

Runtime: An hour and two minutes

Line-up:

Rhiis D. Lopez (founding member): lead vocals, keys, clarinet, rattlesnake rattle

Kyle Coughran (founding member): rhythm guitar & vocals

Brendan Moore: lead guitar, saxophone & vocals

Alphonso Jimenez: bass guitar

Shane Dawson: drums & djembe

* For more info on ANA KEFR & where to purchase “The Burial Tree (II)”:

ANA KEFR official website:–
www.anakefr.com

“THE BURIAL TREE (II)” on CD Baby–
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anakefr2

“THE BURIAL TREE (II)” on iTunes–
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-burial-tree-ii/id433807490

* To read the Metal Odyssey album review for The Burial Tree (II), (posted on February 9, 2011), click the link below:

ANA KEFR – “The Burial Tree (II)” Progressively Extreme and Resists Metal Boundaries

* To read the Metal Odyssey interview with ANA KEFR, (posted on February 18, 2011), click on the link below:

ANA KEFR – A Metal Odyssey Interview!

LONG LIVE ANA KEFR.

Stone.

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SLEEP – Confirm Support For New York City Show On June 22, 2011

Posted in concerts, doom metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

West Coast Stoner Metal Legends SLEEP recently confirmed support for their special New York City show at Terminal 5 on June 22 . The bill will now include two New York based acts: Space rock duo White Hills and recently reunited Death/Doom trio Winter. Both bands were featured on this year’s illustrious Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland.

SLEEP 2011 Tour Dates:

6/22/2011 Terminal 5 – New York, NY w/ Winter, White Hills

6/24/2011 Sled Island Festival – Calgary, AB

6/26/2011 The Wiltern –  Los Angeles, CA

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* Album cover at top: SLEEP – Holy Mountain (1992/Earache Records)

* For more info on SLEEP, click here: SLEEP – facebook

* For other recent press release info on SLEEP, click the link below:

SLEEP – Stoner Metal Legends Announce 2011 Live Dates!

LONG LIVE SLEEP.

Stone.

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Fair To Midland – To Shoot A New Music Video, More New Album Details Revealed!

Posted in alternative metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

New York, NY) — FAIR TO MIDLAND will be shooting a video for their newest single “Musical Chairs” in the coming weeks. Director Kevin Custer (Flogging Molly, Gaslight Anthem) has signed on to handle directing duties. 

FAIR TO MIDLAND will release their brand new full length entitled “Arrows and Anchors” on July 12th, 2011. This is the band’s follow-up to the highly acclaimed record “Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True” released in 2007. The first single off the new record can be heard here and purchased here. The band recently released a behind the scenes clip of how the song came to be, watch it here. 



FAIR TO MIDLAND is Darroh Sudderth (vocals), Cliff Campbell (guitar), Brett Stowers (drums), Matt Langley (keyboards) and Jon Dicken (Bass).

Arrows & Anchors Track List:

Heavens to Murgatroyd

Whiskey & Ritalin

Musical Chairs

Uh-Oh

Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow

A Loophole in Limbo

Typhoid Mary Sends Her Best

Short-Haired Tornado

The Upset at Bailey Bridge

Rikki Tikki Tavi

Golden Parachutes

Bright Bulbs & Sharp Tools

Coppertank Island

Three Foolproof Ways to Buy the Farm

The Greener Grass

(Source: eOne Music)

* For more info on Fair To Midland, click the link below:

Fair To Midland – myspace music

LONG LIVE FAIR TO MIDLAND.

Stone.

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Between The Buried And Me – The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues is Divergent and Exceptional

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME: Released on April 12th, 2011, via Metal Blade Records, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues is the seventh studio album released by BTBAM and first on the legendary Metal Blade Records. This new album from BTBAM may contain just three songs, only each song is a Progressive Metal epic to behold. The total playing time for all three songs is just around thirty minutes. This is thirty minutes of listening to a Metal band that takes song structure, lyrics and musicianship very, very, seriously.

While listening to the tempered down guitar and vocals on Lunar Wilderness, along with it’s rhythmic deceleration, I admittedly hear a progressiveness from the Classic Rock era of YES and very early RUSH. It’s the resonance of that classic tone that spills out from the vocals of Tommy Rogers, with Dustie Waring and Paul Waggoner giving that feel of a long ago Progressive Rock era that they have brought to relevance in this song. Lunar Wilderness can certainly be pointed out as having it’s Extreme vocal and Metal moments, qualities that BTBAM manifest brilliantly.

Specular Reflection clocks in at 11:21 and is progressively enriched with all things great about BTBAM. The piano key intro accompanied with orchestration and chorus, only leads me into the mind blowing, Extreme Metal journey that this ultra-talented band is so vastly known for creating. BTBAM fans won’t be disappointed while new fans shall be mesmerized and pulled into the Progressive and Extreme circle of sound that they’ll hear from Specular Reflection.

Augment Of Rebirth from the onset is a furious Metal assault onto the senses. Easily the heaviest song of the three. With unyielding Extreme vocals, the raging tempo subsides with soothing vocals for a few intervals, beginning at the three quarter mark. Is Augment Of Rebirth a dream? A Nightmare? A daydream? Lyrically, this song casts a melancholy image of battling oneself within the framework of one’s own mind. Be it sub-conscious or conscious, BTBAM sets the mood musically around the lyrics of Tommy Rogers which culminates in a surreal and yet still, Extreme way.

When I listen to an uncommon Progressive Metal band such as BTBAM, I come to the realization that barriers are meant to be torn down within the framework of any Rock genre. Any BTBAM album needs to be absorbed for hours in order to hear almost everything that is happening within the layers of it’s music. This is what thrills me about remarkable Progressive Metal, when I have to dive into an album such as The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues and actually discover sounds and/or parts of songs that I’ve missed after the first ten listens.

Being one who grew up with the profoundness of Pink Floyd and their Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall masterpieces of Progressive Rock art, I tend to chuckle to myself as I think of BTBAM as a Metal metamorphosis of this iconic band. Seriously, BTBAM are as unique as The Periodic Table Of The Elements itself. Just like this same Periodic Table, BTBAM encompasses a level of discipline and conclusiveness that is Metal meritorious. BTBAM takes this discipline and arranges their songs with an uncanny and explicit manner, to take you on their Progressive Metal exploration. BTBAM may very well be unparalleled, within this exceptional genre known as Progressive Metal.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME:

Dan Briggs – bass

Blake Richardson – drums & percussion

Tommy Rogers – vocals, keyboards & lyrics

Paul Waggoner – guitar

Dustie Waring – guitar

Track Listing For The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues:

Specular Reflection

Augment Of Rebirth

Lunar Wilderness

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

Between The Buried And Me – facebook

Between The Buried And Me – myspace music

METAL BLADE RECORDS

LONG LIVE BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

Stone.

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