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THE NEW CZARS “DOOMSDAY REVOLUTION” – AN INDUSTRIOUS & CREATIVE APPROACH TO ROCK MUSIC DIVERSITY

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags Alice cooper, alternative metal music, doomsday revolution album, doomsday revolution album review, greg hampton musician, hard rock bands 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal music, industrial metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, modern metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, the new czars on September 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Releasing on September 14, 2010, on Samson Records, is Doomsday Revolution, the debut album from The New Czars, which electrifies with an approach to making diverse and Heavy Music coexist together. To say that Doomsday Revolution is a storm cloud of Modern Rock/Hard Rock can be another way to describe this album. When a new Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band dares to be original, it’s like an anomaly these days. Doomsday Revolution does mix it up well with moments of Hard, Heavy and Industrial Rock. The New Czars take their mixed bag of music experience and do deliver a debut album that steers away from any same old mentality.

The New Czars do dare and succeed to set themselves away from the rest of the pack and that alone deserves a hell raising horns to the air. Regardless if The New Czars are a new band unto the world of Heavy Music, these are seasoned and talented musicians all the same. Greg Hampton, is no stranger to the Rock Music industry. Greg is the lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, lyricist and producer for Doomsday Revolution and he comes packing with impressive Rock ‘N’ Roll credentials. With wearing so many “hats” in getting this album to it’s final pressing, I can only marvel at the true spirit of Rock ‘N’ Roll Greg Hampton possesses.

Greg Hampton was a lead guitarist and songwriter for Alice Cooper’s concept album Along Came A Spider, as well as playing bass and keyboards amongst a variety of other things, on this macabre masterpiece from 2008. Greg also co-produced, mixed and played various instruments on Lita Ford’s 2009 comeback album – Wicked Wonderland. Greg, as with his band mates Paul Ill (bass) and David “Chilli” Moreno (drums), sound as if they have been doing this gig together for quite some time… only this is their debut album and three is not a crowd.

Let’s throw in the fact that a Rock Music legend, the likes of Adrian Belew of King Crimson fame, lends contributions to Doomsday Revolution on guitar and the credibility factor and peer respect for The New Czars only becomes more admirably real. It’s the blue collar and do-it-yourself Rock musicians that give rise to and/or expand on a non-trendy sound and vision, in which they want to share with the rest of the Rock community. Greg and his band The New Czars are doing just that with Doomsday Revolution, without any flirtation with the flavor of the month society.

Doomsday Revolution unwraps it’s heavy side with the Industrial edginess from Keep On Goin’. The hardened vocals and guitar licks of Greg Hampton simultaneously keeps this song moving at an addicting tempo. If this opening track is any indication of the music prowess that The New Czars are intending on releasing unto thine ears… then one best get ready. There are so many more muscular riffs, leads and solos to follow from Greg’s guitar throughout this album. No song style on Doomsday Revolution is immune from the imagination of his guitar playing. Confessions takes right over where keep on goin’ left off, with an almost maddeningly loud vibe that rises from this song. I envision a full scale implosion of my decades old stereo speakers, at any moment, while this song is being cranked to high.

The New Czars are not all about full-throttle and face to the pavement heaviness on Doomsday Revolution. Why Do U Have 2 Lie exhibits Greg Hampton vocally toning things down, amidst a mid-tempo Hard Rock swirl of sound. The old adage of “less is more” holds true with the lyrics of Why Do U Have 2 Lie, showing lyrics can be emotional and smart by not saying too much. Time Stops is an unexpected surprise on this album. Another mid-tempo ballad, Greg Hampton proves he can croon with a David Coverdale like accessibility. Melodic and hooky, Time Stops also incorporates a sitar for some Eastern World ambiance. The guitar solo more than helps Time Stops to stray away from feeling like a ballad, which is just another amazing musical element to an already amazing song.

Don’t Watch Me showcases some exemplary drumming from David “Chilli” Moreno, with spastic drum fills that coincide perfectly to this song’s anxiety filled lyrics. Greg Hampton let’s it all loose vocally, making Don’t Watch Me sound as an angst filled memoir from a paranoid soul. What separates Greg Hampton from being just another Heavy Music vocalist is his ability to adapt to a song’s theme, turning on and off degrees of emotion in his voice, in such a fantastic way it’s borderline uncanny.

The title track, Doomsday Revolution takes no prisoners with it’s Hard and Heavy Industrial mayhem, which comes across as The New Czars answer to their version of an anthem. Trust me, the chorus on Doomsday Revolution alone is enough to get the adrenaline pumping up the psyche-out meter. Only Dreaming is another ballad stopover, this time around the tempo is slow and unsuspectingly alluring. Greg Hampton could very well shun off the Hard Rock & Metal Gods and make his fortune as an unplugged crooner… only this is a musician who seems to revel in his Rock ‘N’ Roll diversity more than anything else and revel he should.

With 16 songs to digest on Doomsday Revolution, there are no dull moments. How could there be with such a fortified stack of diverse songs such as this? Be it Industrial, Rock, Hard Rock or slivers of Traditional Metal, you will hear it on this album. Just don’t stray too far away… for the Alternative and Electronica bug will be poking you on the back from the likes of Funky Detour. Yes… there is a “Funky” vibe happening within this song that sneaks and swirls it’s way through with subtle ease.

Obviously, I walk away with the impression that Greg Hampton strategically sandwiched himself between two skillful and time tested players in bass guitarist Paul Ill and drummer David “Chilli” Moreno. As it is in the world of professional sports teams… your only as good as your players and The New Czars have come to play.

I can’t resist to mention, that to my Metal ears, I can hear somewhat of an Ian Gillian poise and swagger in the vocals of Greg Hampton. A personal interpretation to the fullest extent of course, so convict me for being a lifelong fan of quality Rock vocalists and hearing what I do. I conclude, that after several thorough listens to Doomsday Revolution, I feel compelled to put Greg Hampton on the list of today’s current quality vocalists. To overlook Greg’s guitar play would be a travesty… really, he is that good.

If ever there was a surefire flag bearer for Music Appreciation 101, then it is Greg Hampton and his band The New Czars. Don’t be afraid to take chances, is what we are all taught from an early age. Greg Hampton has taken many very cool chances with Doomsday Revolution and from the sounds of it, he has come away unscathed. The totality of musicianship from The New Czars Greg Hampton, David “Chilli” Moreno and Paul Ill have left an undeniable impression on my ears, an impression that won’t evaporate for me anytime soon.

Fans of Industrial Rock/Hard Rock, Progressive Rock genres and Modern Hard Rock/Metal should strongly consider picking up Doomsday Revolution. Guitar enthusiasts are urged to take an earful of what Greg Hampton is playing on this album. Old School Metalheads who are looking for an alternative to single-based genres should be forewarned: you might just get hooked on what this album is all about.

* For more info on The New Czars, just click on the link below:

From left to right: Paul Ill, Greg Hampton and David “Chilli” Moreno.

The New Czars:

Greg Hampton – vocals & guitar

Paul Ill – bass

David “Chilli” Moreno – drums

* Adrian Belew (King Crimson) – contributing guitarist & Rock legend

Track Listing For Doomsday Revolution:

keep on goin’

confessions

desperate

why do u have 2 lie

don’t watch Me

Time stops

brush with the devil

so sure

abstract prague

crashed

doomsday revolution

only dreaming

Tell Me

had 2 do it

funky detour

crotch critters

THE NEW CZARS… A WHOLE NEW BREED OF ROCK.

Stone.

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VANDENBERG “BURNING HEART” – THIS 1982 POWER BALLAD STILL GLISTENS

Posted in classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's power ballads, adrian vandenberg, burning heart song 1982, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, vandenberg 1982, vandenberg debut album on September 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VANDENBERG – Let’s go back to 1982. I was a sophomore in high school and very proud of my ability to draw the band logos for Styx, Michael Schenker Group and of course… KISS. (The Judas Priest band logo was and forever will be too difficult for me to draw freehand). Hirax, Hellhammer and Armored Saint were formed, just to name a few Metal bands. Alright, W.A.S.P. was formed in 1982 too. World famous pro basketball star, (UCONN & Pheonix Mercury) Diana Taurasi was born.

Ronald Reagan was the United States President and Bryant Gumbel began his 15 year career as NBC’s The Today Show co-host. The Weather Channel also launched into cable television back in 1982. Well, enough with the 1982 trivia… this post is about guitarist Adrian Vandenberg’s own Hard Rock band which debuted their self-titled album Vandenberg, this very same year on Atco Records.

This Vandenberg debut album was and always will be an excellent listen for me. My favorite song from this album is Burning Heart. That’s correct… a ballad. A Power Ballad too. Me, the dude who likes to tip-toe around ballads in almost any album review I do, really digs Burning Heart. Ever since I first heard this song on the FM dial back in 1982, I have been an admirer of it. Bert Heerink was the lead vocalist on this song and album. Could it be the strength in Bert’s vocals that I hear be the deciding factor for my liking Burning Heart so much? How about the guitar talent of Adrian Vandenberg himself? Adrian’s solo in Burning Heart is as articulately placed and played as any I’ve ever heard over all these years.

Adrian’s tone and feel that comes out at me from his guitar just always seemed to have that wallop. On Burning Heart, Adrian makes his guitar come across with such a free floating sound, making this Power Ballad come together perfectly… he dictated this song and commanded it with his guitar eloquence. Burning Heart from the very onset of my hearing it, never came across to me as being sappy. It is quite an emotional song for certain and radiates that essential vibe that seems to be lacking in so many Power Ballads over the decades.

Does Burning Heart remind me of a love I once had? Nope. Does it remind me of a love I could never have? Nope again. Despite this, this is a song that just reminds me of a time in my life when I was seeking out my place amongst my peers and just trying to get along. In actuality, that is really what I’m still doing, to this very day. Any song, from the vast and seemingly infinite world of music, will hold it’s own unique affect on an individual. Burning Heart stays in my music mind files as being… timeless.

* Besides being a legendary guitarist, find out more about Adrian Vandenberg and his other artistic talent… as a world renowned painter in the fine arts. Peruse Adrian’s brilliant artwork by clicking this link: ADRIAN VANDENBERG – ARTIST

Vandenberg, as they appeared on the debut/self titled album:

Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, keyboards and backing vocals

Bert Heerink – lead vocals

Dick Kemper – bass and backing vocals

Jos Zoomer – drums and backing vocals

LONG LIVE ADRIAN VANDENBERG & HIS MUSIC

Stone.

TEN VERY UNCOOL HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS PART II

Posted in classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags food network, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, helloween, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, uncool hard rock album covers, uncool heavy metal album covers on September 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?

I don’t advertise myself to be an “expert” in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album cover design. Nor am I a photography expert either. What I do know is this… a Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album cover should entice fans or potential fans to buy the album. Skulls, flames, guitars, dragons, sword & sorcery, space aliens, monsters, spooky landscapes, the paranormal and the macabre is right up my Metal alley when it comes to album covers. You won’t find this cool stuff on the album covers below. Marketing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal should be simple, right? Well, that is not always the Metal case, as you shall see from the following list of ten very uncool album covers that I have compiled… just for you… and it’s “Part II”!

Years ago, I did earn a degree in Graphic Communications, therefore I think I know what cool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album artwork is supposed to look like. Then again, what do I know? Some, if not many of the albums in this top ten list have probably sold millions of copies worldwide… so my opinion on these very uncool album covers is probably one big, nasty and smelly fart in the wind anyways.

* Just because an album cover is uncool, doesn’t necessarily mean that the music contained within is lousy. This list, as with the first list, only points out those Hard Rock & Heavy Metal album covers which Metal Odyssey finds so extremely boring and embarrassing that they are… well, uncool.

Here are Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers Part II, enjoy! Or, try to enjoy.

#10:

Hard Rock Essentials: 1980’s (1995)

Wow. Is that supposed to be a guitar in the center? Um, it’s missing some parts. Ahhh! Those two skulls are so NOT scary! These aren’t the skulls and guitar that I’m looking for on an album cover! This is what a record company gets, when they don’t want to pay the $$$ for decent Hard Rock artwork. Instead, it looks like some record company gave a kindergartner the “go” on this one. Or, it’s some overpaid record executive’s fourth grade kid that did it. Either way… this artwork stinks like rotten cabbage.

#9:

Metal Church – The Human Factor (1991)

Look, anyone who knows me, knows I revere Metal Church… every Metal Church lineup too. With that said, this album cover does this Metal Church lineup NO Metal justice whatsoever. It looks like these guys are laying down on a (gulp) Disco dance floor from Saturday Night Fever. The Metal Church “classic logo” is there, only it’s not enough.

#8:

Torben Enevoldsen – Heavy Persuasion (2007)

Alright, Torben, sit right there and hold up your guitar’s neck directly in front of your face… o.k., a little to the right, hold still now, why aren’t you smiling? Sit still… done! What a picture we got! That didn’t take too long now, did it? Man, Torben, this is gonna make an awesome album cover!

#7:

Lee Aaron – Metal Queen (1984)

Um, yup. Anyways, Lee Aaron really doesn’t look like a queen here at all. Instead, let’s be real, she looks more like a lady barbarian. Where’s the queen’s clothing? Hey… that’s a cardboard sword! Is that backdrop a soiled shower curtain? Regardless, this is not the sword & sorcery I’m talkin’ about. Where’s Doro Pesch when we really need her!?

#6:

Koushik – be with

Apparently, Koushik is a Canadian electronic musician. That’s what my Metal research has uncovered. Despite the lack of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal tags associated with Koushik, this album cover is just a MUST to make this list. I should have never thrown away my kids drawings from when they were one years old. Damn, I could be selling them right now… to record companies as album covers! I could have been rich! I could understand if this cover was for Kids Bop though.

#5:

Symphonity – Voice From The Silence (2008)

Trust me… these dudes called Symphonity ROCK. However, the Power Metal & Speed Metal that this cool band is great at just does NOT resonate on this album cover. Honestly, if I did not know about this Symphonity band, I would swear this was a Gospel album.

#4:

Helloween – Chameleon (1993)

As with Metal Church, Helloween is a band that I honestly revere. Helloween invented Power Metal for Metal sakes. Helloween F’n Rules. However, Chameleon is hands down, my least favorite Helloween album ever released… and it has the worst Helloween album cover ever created. Yes… Metal be thy name.

#3:

Heavy Metal: Head Bangin’ Hits (2003)

It’s some girl wearing a Dee Snider Halloween wig and Jerry Garcia glasses. Um… not my idea of a “Heavy Metal Chick”. It’s covers like this that makes me ask… WTF?

#2:

Heart Of Metal 2 – Various Artists (2001)

Yeah, o.k., like every Metalhead out there is gonna give their sweetheart a barbed wire heart, as a token of their Metal love. Here baby… I love you baby… uh, don’t get cut on this barbed wire heart. Over the years, it never ceases to amaze me, the over zealous stereotyping that we Metalheads receive. Like we are all a bunch of cash strapped barbarians, that rummage through landfills for anniversary gifts. If I gave my wife a barbed wire heart… she would then know that I totally lost my Metal mind, plus I’d get kicked out of the house as well. Hey, not even Hot Topic sells these barbed wire hearts. Not yet anyways.

#1:

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Road Songs That Rock – Hand Picked by Guy Fieri (Compilation) – (2008)

F’n Whoa. Hey, I don’t need that Food Network or Guy Fieri hand picking ANY Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal songs for me. Stick to eating your high cholesterol foods Guy. Plus, I don’t see the F’n connection between the Food Network and Rock ‘N’ Roll anyways. Furthermore, I NEVER connected Guy Fieri to Hard Rock, Heavy Metal or any Rock Music for that F’n matter. All of a sudden, Guy Fieri is the second coming of Wolfman Jack.

Do you think the Food Network would let me have a 30 minute show called… Cooking With Stone? Bet your Metal butt they wouldn’t. Yet it’s alright for the Food Network to set loose their “food experts” on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal world. Gee Metal whiz.

This is a perfect example of a corporate entity getting involved where they DON’T BELONG! It’s all about the quick $$$ isn’t it Food Network? By the way… the track listing is not too shabby on this CD. I don’t own it and would never buy it… due to the Metal fact it has a damn Food Network logo on it with Guy Fieri laughing all the way to the bank… or should I say refrigerator?

Stone.

BLACKIE LAWLESS OF W.A.S.P. – HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY!!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Blackie Lawless, celebrity birthdays, hard rock music, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, W.A.S.P. on September 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BLACKIE LAWLESS – On September 4, 1956, Blackie Lawless was born. On that day, the history of Heavy Metal was solidified and secured. Blackie Lawless turns a Metal cool 54 today! Happy Metal Birthday Blackie Lawless! You are a Metal Odyssey – Lifetime Metal Warrior. With 14 studio albums and 4 live albums as the founding Metal leader of W.A.S.P., I and Scott Coverdale give you a Metal salute and a rousing THANK YOU!

THANK YOU Blackie Lawless for also standing up against the PMRC back in 1985… our freedom to listen to the music that we love in America was on the brink due to this PMRC “group” and WE WON due to our Metal and Music community banding together as one. Scott Coverdale and I don’t forget what you stood up for back in those late 80’s. Stone and Scott Coverdale shall never forget their Metal roots, therefore, we shall never forget the history of Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P.!

THANK YOU for creating Babylon. This 2009 studio album of unreal & supercharged Metal was heralded as the #1 Heavy Metal album of 2009, right here, on Metal Odyssey! On December 28, 2009, Metal Odyssey posted their “Top 25 Heavy Metal Albums Of 2009”. Anyone who missed it can read all about it and check out W.A.S.P. Babylon being #1, just by clicking on the big and cool link below:

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP 25 HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

* After the release of Babylon, I was so psyched out of my Metal mind about this album, that praising one song at a time from it seemed like a logical Metal choice. Here is the post, from November 14, 2009, that gives Metal praise to the Chuck Berry classic Promised Land, that W.A.S.P. so admirably covered on Babylon:

W.A.S.P. COVERS CHUCK BERRY CLASSIC – “PROMISED LAND” ON “BABYLON” ALBUM

* On November 11, 2009, I gave a Metal thumbs up to the song Crazy from Babylon:

W.A.S.P. “CRAZY” FROM “BABYLON” ALBUM IS WOVEN WITH HEAVY METAL MATURITY

* And on November 10, 2009, I ranted and Metal raved about W.A.S.P. covering the Deep Purple classic Burn that is heard on Babylon:

W.A.S.P. COVERS THE DEEP PURPLE CLASSIC “BURN” WITH HEAVY METAL PRIDE ON BABYLON ALBUM!

* On March 10, 2010, Metal Odyssey posted about just how incredible W.A.S.P. Live… In The Raw truly is. You can check it out by clicking on the magic link below:

W.A.S.P. – “LIVE… IN THE RAW” RESONATES THE LIVE POWER AND SOUL OF HEAVY ROCK ‘N ROLL!!

* On January 14, 2010, Metal Odyssey featured a post about the collector side of Stone when it comes to W.A.S.P., the 12″ single of The Real Me is shown in all of it’s Metal glory! Click that jim dandy link below to check it out:

W.A.S.P. – “THE REAL ME” 12″ SINGLE FROM 1989 REVISITED!

* On December 30, 2009, Metal Odyssey got all Metal giddy about the 1989 picture disc of The Headless Children. Yes… that fine link below will take you right to this post:

W.A.S.P. “THE HEADLESS CHILDREN” 1989 PICTURE DISC IS FOR KEEPS!

* Going back to April April 24, 2009, Metal Odyssey wasn’t bashful about being Metal psyched about the 1985 studio album – The Last Command. Metal be thy name, this is a fabulous W.A.S.P. album! Read for yourself, if you so choose, by clicking the link below:

W.A.S.P. “The Last Command” is a Heavy Metal classic!

* Back on March 21, 2009, Metal Odyssey celebrated 26 years of W.A.S.P. Heavy Metal! A terrific post was written to celebrate this amazing and historic Heavy Metal event. The link below shall guide you to this Metal read:

Celebrating 26 years of W.A.S.P. Heavy Metal!

* For those who want to learn about more incredible W.A.S.P. albums from the past, all you need to do is click on the links below. These are all album reviews written by Stone!

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – DYING FOR THE WORLD

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – STILL NOT BLACK ENOUGH

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – HELLDORADO

* From March 14, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – THE CRIMSON IDOL

So, as anyone can see, Blackie Lawless and his amazingly important and Metal historic band W.A.S.P. are and forever will be embraced here on Metal Odyssey.

LONG LIVE BLACKIE LAWLESS!

BLACKIE LAWLESS = HEAVY METAL & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LEGEND

Stone.

1 Comment »

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH ANNOUNCE TWO SEPARATE TOURS WITH 36 CRAZYFISTS AND SOULFLY

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags e1 music, eone entertainment, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours 2010, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal albums, rock music news, straight line stitch, when skies wash ashore album on September 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) — STRAIGHT LINE STITCH have announced dates along side both 36 CRAZY FISTS & SOULFLY. Dates will run from mid September through the end of the year. “We are excited and honored to be supporting 36 CRAZY FISTS on their first national headlining run. When we’re out with those boys it feels like home because we know all of them so well and it just makes for a much more fun experience. It’s going to be a party for sure!” says front woman Alexis Brown.

The band is also set to do a short Canadian run with HATEBREED this month with a slew of off dates. Visit http://www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch for more info. When asked about having the chance to tour with SOULFLY, Alexis continues,“We get to tour with SOULFLY too? WOW! That about sums it up. We have been fans of SOULFLY since day one. They have been rockin’ out for a minute, and now that we get to support them just makes everything that much sweeter. We’re really looking forward to sharing the stage with them and hopefully learning a thing or two along the way.”

w/ Hatebreed

Sep. 06 – The Blind Dog – Windsor, Ont.

Sep. 07 – The Music Hall – London, Ont.

Sep. 08 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, Ont.

Sep. 09 – Club Soda – Montreal, Que.

Sep. 10 – The New Capital Music Hall – Ottawa, Ont.

Sep. 11 – Illot Fleurie Park – Quebec City, Que.

Sep. 13 – Oxygen Nightclub – Moncton, N.B.

Sep. 14 – The Cunard Centre – Halifax, N.S.

w/ 36 Crazyfists and Taking Dawn

September 16th Seattle, WA – El Corazon

September 17th Portland, OR – Peter’s Room

September 19th San Francisco, CA – Avalon Ballroom

September 20th Las Vegas, NV – The Farm

September 21st Los Angeles, CA – Whisky A Go-Go

September 24th Mesa, AZ – The Nile

September 25th Farmington, NM – Gator’s Bar And Grill

September 26th Lubbock, TX – Jake’s

September 28th San Antonio, TX – Scout Bar

September 29th Houston, TX – Scout Bar

September 30th Dallas, TX – Trees

October 02nd St. Petersburg, FL – State Theatre

October 03rd Jacksonville, FL – Brewsters

October 05th Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

October 06th Charleston, SC – The Oasis

October 07th Fayetteville, NC – Rock Shop

October 08th West Springfield, VA – Jaxx

October 09th Vineland, NJ – Hangar 84

October 10th Philadelphia, PA – Polaris

October 14th Flint, MI – Machine Shop

October 22nd Denver, CO – Marquis Theater

October 23rd Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep

w/ Soulfly and Incite

November 26th Los Angeles, CA – House Of Blues

November 27th San Diego, CA – House Of Blues

November 28th San Francisco, CA – Slim’s

November 30th Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre

December 02nd Chicago, IL – House Of Blues

December 04th Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues

December 08th New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre

December 09th Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts

December 12th Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live

December 15th Dallas, TX- House Of Blues

December 16th Houston, TX – House Of Blues

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, originally hailing from Knoxville, TN, features Alexis Brown on vocals, Seth Thacker and Pat Pattison on guitar, Jason White on bass, and Kanky Lora on drums.

* Their latest release on eONe/Raging Nation Records “When Skies Wash Ashore” is in stores now!

* For more info on Straight Line Stitch visit – Straight Line Stitch – MySpace.com

For more information on eOne Metal please visit http://www.e1metal.com/ or follow @E1MetalATTACK

(Source: eOne Music press release, September 1, 2010)

Stone.

MURDERDOLLS “WOMEN AND CHILDREN LAST” – MY FIRST METAL IMPRESSION

Posted in Album Review, extreme metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror metal, horror punk, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags Extreme Metal, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal reviews, horror metal, horror punk, joey jordison, metal music, metal odyssey, murderdolls, Music, rock music 2010, wednesday 13, women and children last album on August 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MURDERDOLLS – Yes, I made my Murderdolls CD purchase today, on it’s release date. The deluxe edition looked too fantastic to pass up, therefore I snagged this version of Women And Children Last and so far… it has served me right. The three bonus tracks on the deluxe edition are: Mother F**ker See, Mother F**ker Do, The Funeral Ball and A Moment Of Violence. The bonus DVD includes live songs recorded at The Key Club in W. Hollywood, CA on June 17, 2010.

So, what would my favorite track be thus far? Well, I have listened to Women And Children Last about five times today… and I am not remotely close to growing tired of one song yet. Actually, this new Murderdolls has been quite the escapism for me. The raucous, pissed off and nightmarish lyrics are a sheer delight to listen to… especially after I watched the news at noon today.

The lead single from Women And Children Last, My Dark Place Alone, still blasts out at me like a stick of Metal dynamite, leaving me thinking… this crazy shit is F’n fun! Blood Stained Valentine is one hell of groove infested number… it Rocks so hellishly fine this… Blood Stained Valentine! Summertime Suicide has some deep and depressing lyrics… only the melodic hardness of this song has taken me by surprise and makes it a damn cool song, worthy of hitting the repeat play button multiple times. Pieces Of You is another infectiously heavy and vibe ridden song that has me in Metal stitches.

Wednesday 13 has the vocals of a modern day Horror Punk meets Horror Metal superstar. Joey Jordison is Metal sound and Metal solid on guitar. If there is any question about Joey delivering the licks with a six string, then just one listen to Rock N Roll Is All I Got is the sure fire-slap to the forehead reminder that he is the real deal. Whoa… Rock ‘N’ Roll is (gasp) fun sometimes! Whatever You Got, I’m Against It electrifies with fun vibes throughout, with strong hints and deep shades of Punk Rock flavor… Old School style too.

Well, my first Metal impression of Women And Children Last, after nearly six thorough listens, is that this Murderdolls album is spontaneously contagious! I don’t predict that my Metal impression shall change anytime soon, unless… maybe I’ll like this new Murderdolls album even more with each listen. Murderdolls don’t disappoint on delivering the Heavy, nor do they disappoint on bringing some Horrific Fun back into the world of Rock ‘N’ Roll either. That’s my first Metal impression of Women And Children Last, so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done.

LONG LIVE MURDERDOLLS & THEIR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

RUDOLF SCHENKER – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags classic rock music, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music birthdays, rock music news, rudolf schenker, Scorpions, scorpions sting in the tail on August 30, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RUDOLF SCHENKER – Born on August 31, 1948, Rudolf Schenker turns a Rockin’ cool… 62! Tuesday, August 31, 2010, is Rudolf Schenker day at Metal Odyssey! Happy Birthday Rudolf! Metal Odyssey wishes you all the very best in your Metal endeavors on your birthday! May all the peace, love and good health be with you always!

Words cannot express, just how much your music with the Scorpions has meant to me, during my whole life.

* Pictured in above Scorpions photo, left to right: Pawel Maciwoda, Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs, James Kottak and the birthday dude… Rudolf Schenker!

* On June 27, 2010, I posted about my Rockin’ experience seeing the Scorpions live at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival. Click on the big ol’ link below to read about it if you like:

SCORPIONS AT M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 – THANK YOU SCORPS!!

LONG LIVE RUDOLF SCHENKER!

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

HIGH ON FIRE – myspace music page

HIGH ON FIRE “FROST HAMMER” – A METAL SONG FOR THE METAL AGES

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal music with tags frost hammer song, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal songs 2010, high on fire, matt pike, metal music, metal odyssey, metal song of the day, Music, rock music, rock music news, snakes for the divine album, stoner metal on August 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HIGH ON FIRE – Good health. Family. Cool Metal buddies. Sunny skies. Free stuff. Cold beer. Finding an independent record and CD store. Finding a quarter in the grocery store parking lot. Taking a relieving dump. Sure, these are all the big and some little things that can perk up the human spirit. However… it’s Metal that never fails to perk me up time and again, year after year, day after day.

Hearing that one Metal song that lifts me up is always a reminder as to why I am hooked on the greatest music in the history of mankind. What’s the greatest music in the history of mankind you query? Uh, it’s Metal. This is Metal Odyssey after all, that you are visiting. Sure, there are other Rock genres covered on Metal Odyssey… only Metal is the end all and be all. Metal be thy F’n name.

I’ll get to the Metal point here: Frost Hammer from the High On Fire album Snakes For The Divine – kicks some serious Metal ass. Frost Hammer is an instant adrenaline surge for me. Whoa… I’ve been Metal supercharged by High On Fire. A charging pissed off beast, out of the dark northern woods of no man’s land is Frost Hammer. Des Kensel on drums plays with enough fierce enthusiasm, with so many cool fills, that it’s mind numbing. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Pike leads the way with his nailed to the Metal riffs, leads and a solo so fast and tenaciously addicting that it smacks me senseless.

The triple Metal threat of Matt Pike, Des Kensel and Jeff Matz are as potent as any power trio I’ve ever listened to. For me to state otherwise, would be untruthful. On Frost Hammer these guys play tight, no, super tight, defining what “in-your-face” Metal is supposed to sound like. Frost Hammer is one of those great Metal songs, where I wish it would continue on for another five or ten minutes. Nonetheless, this song will always sound like an epic to me. High On Fire didn’t rewrite any sacred Metal rules with Frost Hammer… they just stayed true to ’em.

With speed and heavy coexisting so deliriously well on Frost Hammer, there is no moment to really catch your breath. This is not even a Thrash Metal song, yet it rivals the fierce and bombastic tempo of such. Just hearing Matt Pike bellow out – “Frost Hammer”! is enough to make me feel secure in my own little Metal world, which I love to get lost in continuously.

High On Fire doesn’t make Metal that’s fashionable, they make Metal that kicks ass… period.

* For more info on High On Fire, just click the link below:

* High On Fire – Snakes For The Divine was released on February 23, 2010, on E1 Music.

LONG LIVE HIGH ON FIRE!

Stone.

1 Comment »

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – THE DEFLORATE TOUR 2010… NORTH AMERICAN DATES LISTING!

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags arkaik, Death Metal, deathcore, extreme metal music, goatwhore, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours 2010, melodic death metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, north america metal tours, rock music news, the black dahlia murder, the deflorate tour on August 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Deflorate, the fourth studio album from The Black Dahlia Murder, was released on September 15, 2009, on Metal Blade Records. Deflorate reached #43 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and went to #5 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums Chart. With subsequent worldwide touring since, The Black Dahlia Murder are now setting their Extreme Metal sights on a North American tour… The Deflorate Tour. This blazingly Metal fierce band will be headlining, with opening bands – Goatwhore and ARKAIK.

The Black Dahlia Murder:

Trevor Strnad – vocals

Brian Eschbach – guitar

Ryan Knight – guitar

Ryan “Bart” Williams – bass

Shannon Lucas – drums

Check out the tour dates below… The Deflorate Tour just might be in your backyard.

* For more info on The Black Dahlia Murder, just click the link below:

The Black Dahlia Murder – myspace page

* For more info on Goatwhore, just click on the link below:

GOATWHORE – myspace page

Goatwhore are touring in support of their 2009 studio album release – Carving Out The Eyes Of God, released on Metal Blade Records, on June 23, 2009.

* For more info on ARKAIK, just click on the link below:

ARKAIK – myspace page

ARKAIK are touring in support of their new studio album – Reflections Within Dissonance, which was released on Unique Leader, on January 26, 2010.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – THE DEFLORATE TOUR WITH GOATWHORE AND ARKAIK/U.S. AND CANADIAN DATES:

09/28 – Columbus, OH @ Skully’s

09/29 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place

09/30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Europa

10/01 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground

10/02 – Bucksport, ME @ The Kave

10/03 – Quebec, QC @ Imperial de Quebec

10/04 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Cafe

10/05 – Ottawa, ON @ Ritual

10/06 – Toronto, ON @ The Wreck Room

10/07 – Lemoyne, PA @ Championship

10/08 – Richmond, VA @ Canal Club

10/09 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox Laundrolounge

10/10 – Charlotte, NC @ The Casbah

10/12 – East St. Louis, MO @ Pop’s

10/13 – Des Moines, IA @ The Vaudeville Mews

10/14 – DeKalb, IL @ House Cafe

10/15 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Mixtape Cafe

10/16 – Toledo, OH @ Headliners

(Source: Metal Blade News Update Newsletter, August 27, 2010)

EXTREME METAL RULES.

Stone.

MEGADETH “RUST IN PEACE LIVE” – RELEASES SEPTEMBER 7th, 2010! TRACK LISTING & ALBUM ARTWORK

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music with tags 1980's thrash metal, dave mustaine, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, live heavy metal albums, live thrash metal albums, megadeth, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, rust in peace live, thrash metal albums 2010, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music on August 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MEGADETH – Dave Mustaine and his Thrash Metal legacy continues, with his band MEGADETH. Rust In Peace Live will be Released on September 7th, 2010, on Shout Factory! The entire MEGADETH studio album Rust In Peace is a known Thrash Metal Classic and this gem is performed live in it’s entirety on Rust In Peace Live. Rust In Peace was the fourth studio album from MEGADETH, released back in 1990, on Capitol Records. There are several other MEGADETH songs on this forthcoming live album as well… classics all.

You bet your Metal ass I’m gonna be buying Rust In Peace Live! Once a MEGADETH fan… always a MEGADETH fan and there is no copping out. The front cover album artwork is vintage MEGADETH, with the unmistakable logo and the image of Vic Rattlehead in the foreground. MEGADETH can keep on releasing the Thrash Metal goods… and I’ll keep on buyin’ em up. Metal be thy name.

* Rust In Peace Live was recorded at The Hollywood Palladium, March 31, 2010.

* For more info on MEGADETH, just click here: MEGADETH – Official Website

MEGADETH:

Dave Mustaine – vocals, guitar

Chris Broderick – guitar

David Ellefson – bass

Shawn Drover – drums, percussion

Here is the front cover album artwork for the 1990 studio album – Rust In Peace:

Track Listing For – RUST IN PEACE *LIVE*:

Holy Wars… The Punishment Due

Hangar 18

Take No Prisoners

Five Magics

Poison Was The Cure

Lucretia

Tornado Of Souls

Dawn Patrol

Rust In Peace… Polaris

Holy Wars Reprise

Skin O’ My Teeth

In My Darkest Hour

She-Wolf

Trust

Symphony Of Destruction

Peace Sells

LONG LIVE MEGADETH!

Stone.

MURDERDOLLS – Official Website

Ten Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Songs That I Can Do Without

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, lousy hard rock songs, lousy heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music on August 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Here at Metal Odyssey, not every Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song ever created is going to be praised. There are those songs that give me an instant headache. Then, there are those songs that make me want to barf. Of course, there are songs that make me wonder… why? Here is a list of 10 songs that I honestly cannot listen to ever again. It’s all personal preference here and just because I may dislike the song listed does not mean I don’t like the band that recorded it.

There are bands and musicians on this list that are beyond legendary. Enjoy or become annoyed with this list, regardless, these songs are NOT going to ever “psyche out the party”. God forbid if these songs were to psyche out a party… then that party must be at the Lame-O Ranch At Rolling Hills.

01 – White Lion – When The Children Cry: Yeah, yeah, yeah… it’s a serious song about a sad and serious topic and I truly respect that aspect of this song. It’s just so damn sad that for years it made me want to scream every time I heard it. Now, one micro second of this song’s beginning is enough for me.

02 – Twisted Sister – Leader Of The Pack: Of course Twisted Sister is a legendary band. The only problem is this cover song they did way back in 1985 is not a crowning moment for this icon band. The silver lining about this cover song is it made me appreciate the albums Under The Blade and You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll all the more.

03 – Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford – Close My Eyes Forever: Just like When The Children Cry, I realize this is a serious song with a deep and somber meaning. However, this would be a much more tolerable song if the duet performing it was Celine Dion and Josh Groban… and then I still wouldn’t listen to it.

04 – Metallica – One: Back in 1989 I was the biggest Metallica fan on the Metal block. Upon my very first listen to One… I was clutching onto my Slayer, Overkill, Anthrax and Exodus albums and running for cover. My Mercyful Fate albums too. Oh, for the record, I was 0% impressed by the music video for One as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a Metallica fan. Just realize there is no law that requires me to love everything that Metallica ever did.

05 – Honeymoon Suite – New Girl Now: Um, again… not every Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song is gonna get Stone psyched out. Two words of note here – bubble gum.

06 – Ozzy Osbourne – So Tired: Look, I revere Ozzy, he’s the Godfather of Heavy Metal for Metal sakes. Regardless, I grew tired of So Tired the very day I bought Bark At The Moon back in 1983. If I whined just like Ozzy does on this song… my wife would slug me in the head and boot me in the butt.

07 – Ace Frehley/Frehley’s Comet – Dolls: C’mon. The lyrics are just plain weird. Space Ace is another musician I have revered since the late ’70’s and I’m a KISS fan for life. I love every song Ace Frehley has ever played guitar and/or sung on. The exception is this song.

08 – Metallica – Turn The Page: This is one instance where nothing beats the original. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band never created this Classic Rock masterpiece for Metallica to improve on it. Sure, it’s a multi-million dollar seller for Metallica… and multi-millions of turtleneck wearing Bananarama fans bought it too.

09 – Styx – Mr. Roboto – I can vividly remember, like it was yesterday. Either WHCN or WCCC FM, (which FM station is not vivid), out of Hartford, Connecticut was announcing the “new” Styx single… Mr. Roboto. I was ecstatic. Bring on the “new” Styx is all I was saying. Then… this song played. Ouch. At the end of Mr. Roboto, the DJ asked listeners to call in and give their opinion on the song. Back then, (1983), my family and everyone else I knew had the clunky… rotary phones. The phones in which you had to “dial” by finger, one number at a time. Anyways… I was in a state of despair… too upset to call any damn DJ at that moment anyhow. All I do remember is clutching onto The Grand Illusion album, slowly rocking back and forth as I sat there on the floor, half crying, muttering this one lone word over and over… why?, why?, WHY?!

10 – Queen – Radio Ga Ga – I also remember too vividly this song being released as well. Queen is so enormously legendary, it’s just a shame there is a Queen song out there that I cannot listen to. Radio Ga Ga is that song. Look, I already took a beating in 1983 with Mr. Roboto… now only a year later, it’s another revered band of mine taking a stylistic music detour as well. I don’t care if this song’s meaning is about radio playing lousy songs and programming back in the day. This song was not the Queen I fell head over heals with as a young lad. To this day, I cannot figure out what the “Ga Ga” was suppose to mean. Maybe Lady Ga Ga figured it out.

Stone.

13 Comments »

MURDERDOLLS – ONE WEEK UNTIL “WOMEN AND CHILDREN LAST” RELEASES!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror punk, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags hard rock music, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror metal, horror punk rock, joey jordison, metal music, metal odyssey, murderdolls, Music, Punk rock, rock music, rock music news, wednesday 13, women and children last album on August 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MURDERDOLLS – It’s Tuesday, August 24th, 2010. Next Tuesday, August 31st, the second studio album from MURDERDOLLS is released upon the world via RoadRunner Records. The buzz and excitement is building like an F’n tsunami with Women And Children Last due out one week from today. As I have been chatting with fans and several Metal buddies the past two weeks, the new MURDERDOLLS album seems to get brought up as if it was the beginning of a new chapter in Rock ‘N’ Roll history. Maybe this album will be just that, who knows?

So, what could all the excitement be about, when it comes to the new MURDERDOLLS album? For one, we are living in crappy economic times right now in America, so anything that can put our minds at ease about paying bills and making next month’s rent or mortgage payment is embraced by our sub-conscious and devoured like marble cake soaked in beer. I know for fact, that music is a driving force that steers my emotions and empowers me to live and love my life, regardless of how messed up the world news may be. (Yes, for the record, my wife and daughters are the #1 driving force that motivates me, only music helps to turn up my psyche-out dial until it smokes).

Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison are no strangers to the Metal and Extreme world of music. Hell, neither one of them are strangers to the Rock world period. Their talent as songwriters and musicians has been laid out before us fans and spread across albums that most of us consider damn right sacred. Slipknot is a band, whose lyrics and Metal reaches out and beats the piss out of my privately held emotions. Joey Jordison and Slipknot gave new meaning to captured aggressiveness through song. Wednesday 13 is a vocalist and musician who dared to be different a long time ago, hell, he obliterated the status quo while making stagnant Rock Music run for cover.

Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison are not your grab the money supergroup. They are the Saturday matinee, nightmare-double-feature that I crave to see and listen to. MURDERDOLLS are not a softened up act from the late ’70’s or ’80’s that is now preaching that their Metal has matured or progressed. No F’n way. These are two musicians that are NOT telling fans through interviews, that they should not be telling MURDERDOLLS what songs to play live. (Not from anything I’ve read or heard anyways).

The persona and image that MURDERDOLLS glistens with may not be brand new to Rock ‘N’ Roll, still it’s the uniqueness of these musicians themselves that adds to their overall mystique. Image aside, it’s the music of MURDERDOLLS that matters. I don’t envision anytime soon, MURDERDOLLS appearing onstage at the CMT Awards doing a country version of Dead In Hollywood. Sincerity and credibility sure does go a very long way with me… especially when it comes to music that’s fortified with 100% bad ass. The album title – Women And Children Last, advertises the sense of humor that MURDERDOLLS has, while sticking up a middle finger to the uptight world of political correctness. (Phew)… bad ass Rock ‘N’ Roll isn’t dead and buried after all!

After listening to My Dark Place Alone from the forthcoming Women And Children Last album for over a month now, I certainly hope that the entire album will be just as scorchingly powerful. The Punk subtleties that are aggressively fused with Metal, explode from My Dark Place Alone. Speed, Thrash and a sprinkle of Rob Zombie-ism in the vocals of Wednesday 13 seems to escalate with each passing second, as I listen to My Dark Place Alone. In the end, it’s the originality that means the most to my Metal ears. MURDERDOLLS do not have to make excuses to me if I hear any semblance of past Metal, Punk or Rock influences in their music.

Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison are going to throw hints around, through their songs, of their past musical background… it’s inevitable. The overall aggressive and horror based embellishment of their sound is what lures me the most, all the while knowing these two musicians are not just throwing a record together just because they can. I’m not expecting a carbon copy of their first album – Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls, the single My Dark Place Alone has changed all that thinking.

Horror Punk has always been the “evil kid on the block” within the Rock Music world that factually gets ignored by the mainstream, maybe that is why I fell head over Metal heels for Horror Punk so many full moons ago. Music evolves, so therefore bands evolve too. MURDERDOLLS are taking their music to the next level of Hard & Heavy and I am one fan who cannot wait to get my ears pummeled by Women And Children Last.

I can understand the excitement and the anticipation of this new MURDERDOLLS album, it’s an excitement that is flowing around my Rock ‘N’ Roll arteries and Metal veins as I am drafting this actual post. Bring it on MURDERDOLLS and stomp down upon the generic music vacuum!

MURDERDOLLS:

Wednesday 13 – vocals

Joey Jordison – guitar

Roman Surman – guitar

Racci Shay Hart – drums

Jack Tankersley – bass

* For more info on MURDERDOLLS, just click the links below:

MURDERDOLLS – myspace page

LONG LIVE MURDERDOLLS!

Stone.

http://www.thediseased.com/

WHITECHAPEL – “THE CORRUPTOUR” FALL 2010 SCHEDULE!

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal music, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags Death Metal, death metal music, deathcore, deathcore bands, extreme metal music, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music tours 2010, metal odyssey, Music, the corruptour 2010, whitechapel metal band, whitechapel tour 2010 on August 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

WHITECHAPEL – Now that Whitechapel are finished with being a potent part of the Vans Warped Tour Twenty Ten, they are set to headline their very own tour… The Corruptour. Whitechapel will be supported by Impending Doom, Miss May I, Oceano and I Declare War, beginning on October 1st, 2010, in Macon, Georgia and culminating on October 23rd, 2010, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Out supporting their third studio album – A New Era Of Corruption, released June 8th, 2010 on Metal Blade Records, Whitechapel is an all-out Extreme Metal Force of Deathcore Fury… and The Corruptour shall showcase this Metal fact.

* For more info on WHITECHAPEL, just click on the link below:

Whitechapel Are:

Phil Bozeman – vocals

Ben Savage – lead guitar

Alex Wade – guitar

Zach Householder – guitar

Gabe Crisp – bass

Kevin Lane – drums

Whitechapel – The Corruptour

With:Impending Doom, Miss May I, Oceano, I Declare War:

10/01 – Macon, GA @ The 567

10/02 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room

10/03 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre

10/04 – Jacksonville, FL @ Rain (Plush Complex)

10/05 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero

10/06 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall

10/07 – Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 Tavern

10/08 – Norfolk, VA @ Norva

10/09 – Jermyn, PA @ Eleanor Rigby’s

10/10 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre

10/12 – Boston, MA @ Harper’s Ferry

10/13 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theatre

10/14 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon

10/15 – Toledo, OH @ Headliner’s

10/16 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection

10/17 – Elgin, IL @ Mad Maggies

10/19 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

10/20 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s

10/21 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall

10/22 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco

10/23 – Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

MONSTER MOSH II

With: The Devil Wears Prada, Enter Shikari, Black Veil Brides:

10/31 – Frisco, TX @ Dr. Pepper Arena

(Source: Metal Blade News Update, August 20th, 2010)

KICK SOME EXTREME DEATH METAL & DEATHCORE ASS WHITECHAPEL!

Stone.

GLENN HUGHES – Official Website

MUSIC OUTLET – ENFIELD CONNECTICUT STORE HAS HEAVY METAL APLENTY!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, travel with tags death metal music, enfield connecticut, extreme metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal music, mail order record stores, metal music, metal music stores, metal odyssey, Music, music outlet, Power Metal, record and CD stores, rock music, rock music news, thrash metal music, travel destinations on August 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MUSIC OUTLET – I journeyed back to Connecticut last week, the state where I was born and lived forty years of my life. Usually, the words: very expensive are always used to describe Connecticut on Metal Odyssey. Connecticut is very expensive, I should know. However, there is one store up in very expensive Connecticut that isn’t expensive at all. IT’S AN INDEPENDENT RECORD AND CD STORE! Located in the very friendly and cool city of Enfield, this store is called – Music Outlet. (See store contact info at bottom of post).

Scott Coverdale, our Metal Odyssey correspondent and Heavy Metal think tank, took me to Music Outlet on Friday, August 13th. Always bragging about just how incredible the selection of Metal is at this Music Outlet, Scott couldn’t wait to get me there. It felt like 1988 all over again… two Metal buddies, taking a long cruise to buy some Metal. Scott is a loyal customer at Music Outlet and has longed for the day, when I could finally browse through the vast selection that this store carries for Hard and Heavy Music.

Gary, the owner of Music Outlet, is very knowledgeable about Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Rock ‘N’ Roll. That is exactly how a record and CD store owner should be… knowledgeable about the product, the bands, the musicians and their music. I have to admit, it is always an unreal thrill to find an independent record and CD store, especially when we live during a transitional period of how Rock ‘N’ Roll is being listened to, bought and sold. This is the age of the mp3 and itunes. We can buy mp3’s on Amazon, Best Buy and countless other websites 24/7. Despite this unbeatable technology of digital downloading… I’m steadfast Old School and damn proud of it.

After one visit to Music Outlet, I have come to the realization that Gary is Old School too. There is a market out there that wants their Rock ‘N’ Roll on vinyl and/or CD still. I’m a part of that Old School market. Gary’s store has the goods… and there is Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Punk Rock and Rock ‘N’ Roll aplenty to be found at this Music Outlet. From vinyl to CD’s, from the obscure to posters, with band t’s and music DVD’s in-between, Gary’s store is bolstered with every sub-genre of Metal Music that is known! As an added bonus… Gary has all upcoming Metal and Hard Rock album release dates posted up for all customers to see.

There are the “little things” that an Old School Metalhead may need to buy at Music Outlet as well… blank cassettes, vinyl album sleeves and CD jewel cases are also available to purchase. You read that correctly… blank cassette tapes! Now… that’s Old School! Plenty of promo posters from various record companies are hung about Music Outlet and the Metal is played loud throughout the store.

The prices are very competitive to any online record/CD store, with both used and new albums & CD’s being sold at Music Outlet. There are many great CD titles being sold new for around $10, with used CD’s being around $6. I found the selection of new CD’s to be the best I’ve come across in years, at an actual physical location and not online! Whoa. Easily, I could have spent well over my budgeted limit… it took some very strong Metal will power to not go overboard! Admittedly, I was semi-shaking at the overall selection of Metal CD’s that Music Outlet had for sale.

Gary told me I can call him anytime to order by phone, he said he has no problem in shipping out the Metal! Mail order Metal! I’m more than happy to pay for shipping, especially when a hard to find or highly sought after Metal CD can be found at Music Outlet. Meeting Gary, perusing his abundant supply of Metal CD’s and taking in the Old School, independent Record & CD store experience at Music Outlet, was a fabulous way to spend some of my time while back in Connecticut.

* Here are the 3 CD’s I bought at Music Outlet:

Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)

Primal Fear – Metal Is Forever

Bonded By Blood – Exiled To Earth

Scott Coverdale’s 3 CD’s purchased at Music Outlet:

Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier

Holy Mother – Toxic Rain

Michael Schenker Group – Built To Destroy

* I without hesitation, recommend any Metalhead or fan of any Rock genre to stop by Music Outlet in Enfield, CT… or give Gary and his Metal crew a call and order your Metal fix by phone! Patronize Music Outlet… it will serve you right. Tell ’em Stone and Scott Coverdale sent you.

Music Outlet Contact Info:

Owner: Gary

Store Location/Address: 151 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT, 06082

Phone: 1-860-749-2050

ROCK STEADY MUSIC OUTLET!

Thanks Scott Coverdale for hooking me up with Music Outlet!

Stone.

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GLENN HUGHES – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags 1970's classic rock, black country communion, Black Sabbath, celebrity birthdays, classic rock music, Deep Purple, glenn hughes vocalist, hard rock music, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music legends, rock music news, rock vocalists on August 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GLENN HUGHES – “The Voice of Rock”. Metal Odyssey extends a loud Happy Birthday to vocal and music legend Glenn Hughes! On August 21, 1952, Glenn Hughes was born. Glenn turns a Rockin’ 58 years old today! Glenn Hughes has been the lead vocalist for both Deep Purple and Black Sabbath during his unreal legendary music career. Those are two bands that paved the road for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal as we all know, listen to and love it today.

In 2010, Glenn is Rockin’ better than ever with his new band – Black Country Communion, which also features Jason Bonham on drums. Glenn Hughes can easily be considered as one of the all-time greatest singers in Rock history… in my Metal opinion, Metal be thy name.

The genres of music that Glenn Hughes has performed, as both a vocalist and musician, coupled with being a songwriter and producer, are many… Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Blues, Funk and Soul to name quite a few. To say Glenn Hughes is a diverse vocalist and musician is an understatement. Glenn Hughes belongs in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, his contributions and talent stand alone, as he has stood the test of time.

* For more info on Glenn Hughes, visit his “official website” by clicking the link below:

* For more info on Black Country Communion, just click the cool link below:

Black Country Communion – Official Website

Black Country Communion will be released on September 21, 2010, on J&R Adventures.

* Pictured at the top of this post, is the album cover for: Glenn Hughes – Feel, which was released in 1995 on SPV.

Here are just a few albums, where Glenn Hughes is featured on, that are lifetime favorites of mine:

Black Sabbath – Seventh Star (1986)

Glenn Hughes – lead vocalist

Deep Purple – Burn (1974)

Glenn Hughes – bass & vocals

IOMMI With Glenn Hughes – The 1996 Dep Sessions (2004)

Glenn Hughes – lead vocalist & bass

On October 20, 2009, I reviewed this IOMMI With Glenn Hughes album. You can read all about it by clicking the oversized link below:

TONY IOMMI & GLENN HUGHES – 1996 DEP SESSIONS ALBUM- OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL

LONG LIVE GLENN HUGHES!

Stone.

http://www.myspace.com/officialkittie

KITTIE ANNOUNCES FINAL TOUR DATES WITH DEVILDRIVER

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags death metal music, devildriver heavy metal band, extreme metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours 2010, kataklysm death metal band, kittie heavy metal band, kittie tour 2010, mercedes lander, metal odyssey, morgan lander, Music, rock music news on August 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) – KITTIE have announced their full itinerary of support dates alongside DEVILDRIVER. “We are extremely excited and honored to have been asked to participate in DEVILDRIVER’s upcoming headlining tour. We cannot wait to get out there and bring the insanity to both new and old fans alike. Add KATAKLYSM to the mix, and this is a definite must see!” says Front woman Morgan Lander. Confirmed dates are:

25 Aug – Jerymn, PA @ Elenor Rigby’s

26 Aug – London, ON @ London Music Hall

27 Aug – Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa Villa

28 Aug – Detroit, MI @ Harpos

29 Aug – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s

31 Aug – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar

01 Sep – San Antonio TX @ Scout Bar

02 Sep – Dallas, TX @ Trees

03 Sep – Corpus Christie, TX @ Pavillion @ Concrete Street

04 Sep – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s

05 Sep – Odessa, TX @ Dos Amigos

07 Sep – Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court

08 Sep – Mounds View, MN @ Roberts

10 Sep – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

11 Sep – Salt Lake City UT @ Complex

13 Sep – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

14 Sep – Portland, OR @ Berbatti’s Pan

15 Sep – Orangevale, CA @ Boardwalk

16 Sep – Los Angeles CA @ Key Club

17 Sep – Tuscon, AZ @ The Rock

18 Sep – Farmington, NM @ Gator’s

19 Sep – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

21 Sep – Salina, KS @ Blue Goat

22 Sep – Lincoln, NE @ Knickerbockers

23 Sep – Waterloo, IA @ Spicoli’s Rock Garden

24 Sep – Elgin, IL @ Roadhouse

25 Sep – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero

KITTIE just finished a successful run on the THRASH AND BURN TOUR in the US. Both of these tours are in part of their non-stop touring plan supporting their latest record IN THE BLACK, which was released last year via E1 Music.

Sisters Mercedes and Morgan Lander founded KITTIE in 1996. They were just 15 and 17 years of age when their first C.D., “Spit”, was released on NG/Artemis records. “Spit” was quickly certified gold and to date, they have sold well over 1,250,000 units worldwide with 4 Albums and 2 EP’s under their belts. (Source: entertainmentone press release, August 16, 2010)

For additional info, please visit:

Tweets by OFFICIALKITTIE

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Kittie-Page/17636243514?ref=s

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

For more information on E1 Metal please visit http://www.e1metal.com/ or follow @E1MetalATTACK

METAL IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

Stone.

HEAVY METAL FACTS TO NOURISH THE METAL MIND!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags Alice cooper, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal facts, heavy metal music, iron maiden live after death, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, vinnie moore on August 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEAVY METAL FACTS – Here are some cool and thought provoking Heavy Metal facts that you may find enlightening and/or life changing. Enjoy this list… enriching the Metal mind might just serve you right!

* Paul Mario Day was the original lead vocalist for Iron Maiden. Of course, Paul did not record an album with Iron Maiden, he was their lead vocalist from 1975-1976. Paul Mario Day later formed a NWOBHM band named More, which recorded two studio albums: Warhead (1981) and Blood & Thunder (1982).

* Lemmy Kilmister, vocalist, bass guitarist and founding member of the unreal legendary – Motorhead, celebrates his birthday on Christmas Eve… December 24th. Lemmy was born in 1945.

* The tombstone on the front cover of the live Iron Maiden double album – Live After Death, reads: “That is not dead which can eternal lie, yet with strange aeons even death may die”. This quote is taken from the iconic H.P. Lovecraft’s book – The Nameless City.

* Ralf Scheepers, lead vocalist for the German Power Metal Band – Primal Fear, was a finalist to replace Rob Halford as the new lead vocalist for Judas Priest. As the Metal story goes… Tim “Ripper” Owens became the “new” lead vocalist for Judas Priest, being hired by The Priest back in 1996. Rob Halford returned to Judas Priest in 2004… with Angel Of Retribution (released in 2005) being the “reunion” album for these Heavy Metal legends of all legends.

* Vinnie Moore – this guitar legend appeared on the Alice Cooper album Hey Stoopid, released back in 1991. Vinnie played guitar on two songs: Hurricane Years and Dirty Dreams. Vinnie Moore is the lead guitarist for the incredible… UFO, has been since 2004.

* Rob Zombie’s birthname is: Robert Bartleh Cummings. Rob Zombie was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on January 12, 1965.

LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL!

Stone.

DISTURBED – COVERS JUDAS PRIEST “LIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT” ON “ANOTHER WAY TO DIE” CD SINGLE!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags another way to die cd single, disturbed asylum album, disturbed heavy metal band, disturberd livin' after midnight cover song, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, Judas Priest, metal music 2010, metal odyssey, Music, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news, rock vocalists on August 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DISTURBED – On June 8, 2010, Disturbed released the Another Way To Die CD single, (on Reprise Records), as a heavy duty prelude to their forthcoming studio album – Asylum. The title song Another Way To Die is also on the Asylum album, while the “B side” to this CD single is a Judas Priest classic… Living After Midnight. The inclusion of this cover song onto this CD single, makes it a must own for fans… for Living After Midnight is not included on the track listing of Asylum! The price for this CD single is dirt cheap everywhere I’ve seen it… from 99 cents to the $1.88 price I paid at my local Super Walmart. (in U.S. funds).

Judas Priest will forever be Metal elite, pioneering a NWOBHM sound with such iconic albums as Stained Class, Hell Bent For Leather, British Steel, Point Of Entry and Screaming For Vengeance. There have been Judas Priest albums before and after these albums I’ve just mentioned… only these are the Judas Priest albums that I truly sank my Metal ears into a long time ago. These were the Judas Priest albums, that recruited me into being a fan of this amazing band for life.

It’s never a surprise to me whenever any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band covers a Judas Priest song/classic, how do you honestly measure the influence and importance of Judas Priest? I have to put Judas Priest into that “immeasurable worth and influence” class of bands. You know those bands… do I really need to list ’em?

Disturbed does a hell of job at covering Living After Midnight! Upon my first few listens to this cover song, It hit me immediately that Disturbed served Judas Priest and this iconic song Metal justice. Yes, it’s Disturbed at their Hardest Rockin’ finest… and still, this song can never shake away that Judas Priest aura, no matter how Hard or Heavy this band covers it. It’s Priest… and it’s Disturbed… and the combination of the two makes it a Metal winner for Stone’s ears.

David Draiman sounds like no other on lead vocals, in my opinion he gives Disturbed it’s unique identity. I’m in no way taking away any glory from the rest of this Disturbed band, it’s just that David’s vocal identity stands out so profoundly, within the overall landscape of their fabulous sound. David can make any cover song that Disturbed has done thus far sound so brazenly bad-ass… Land Of Confusion and Shout 2000 are past covers that just ignite the psyche-out meter in my Heavy Music soul.

The opening drum beat that Mike Wengren hammers down on Living After Midnight is new, then the vintage drum beat we all know so well kicks in. As for keeping the original structure of this song intact, Disturbed does just that, until the song begins to subside with a fade out that’s new. Disturbed keeps the original heaviness and Old School vibe alive, with their cover version. Dan Donegan may not be Glen Tipton or K.K. Downing… still he keeps the guitar blazing, adding his heavy signature throughout this song. Dan Donegan has formulated his style and tone over the years and he makes this Living After Midnight cover scorch.

Hey… ‘nuthin beats an original, only Disturbed jams the crap out of Living After Midnight. Classic Metal is to be celebrated and exposed for it’s greatness and that is exactly what Disturbed has done. ‘Nuff said.

Another Way To Die is an undisputed Hard & Heavy gem of a song from Disturbed. David Draiman and Co. tantalize with a toned down intro to this song, both vocally and musically. Then… brace yourself… for Disturbed let’s it all fire up and the grooves are aplenty. This song is where I really point the Metal finger at John Moyer… he adds the bass groovin’ thump that should make your car or house exterior rattle to submission when played very F’n LOUD.

* For more cool info on DISTURBED, just click on the link below:

DISTURBED1.COM

DISTURBED ARE:

David Draiman – vocalist

Dan Donegan – guitarist

John Moyer – bass guitarist

Mike Wengren – drummer, percussionist

* Living After Midnight is on the Judas Priest album – British Steel, released in 1980 on Columbia Records.

* Asylum will be released on August 31, 2010, on Reprise Records!

* Here is the DISTURBED – ASYLUM album cover artwork:

Here is the Track Listing for Asylum:

Remnants

Asylum

The Infection

Warrior

Another Way To Die

Never Again

The Animal

Crucified

Serpentine

My Child

Sacrifice

Innocence

LONG LIVE DISTURBED!

Stone.

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

AVENGED SEVENFOLD “NIGHTMARE” – SOME METAL THOUGHTS…

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags #1 heavy metal albums, a7x, avenged sevenfold, avenged sevenfold nightmare album, eski of morphine killer, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, rock music, rock music news on August 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – If a band is going to move forward, stay close, remain musically focused and courageously continue on after the tragic loss of a cherished family member, Avenged Sevenfold sure is trying and obviously succeeding. A7X drummer Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan passed away on December 28th, 2009. As defined, inventive and polished of a talented drummer as there could ever have been, “The Reverend” without question will forever be missed. Nightmare proves that life really does go on for Avenged Sevenfold in it’s sheer fantastical way… I’m certain “The Reverend” is beyond proud, as he looks down upon his band of brothers. – Stone

Recently, Eski (Metal extraordinaire and founding member of Morphine Killer and Igloo Warfare), gave Metal Odyssey his thoughts on Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare.

Eski’s take on the new A7X CD:

“I’ve been a huge fan of A7X since their very first CD, ‘Sounding The Seventh Trumpet’ – back then, they were a local band that was very impressive. It has been nothing short of amazing to see what kind of release that ‘Nightmare’ has received, whether people like them or not. The one thing that always gets me about their music, unlike so many other bands I’ve listened to, is the fact that I look forward to listening to every single song on the CD, not just the one or two “good ones”.

When the band goes all out on songs, like “God Hates Us” or the first single “Nightmare”, it really makes my skin tingle. But honestly, there’s two AMAZING stand out tracks, which are the Rev’s final contribution to the CD, the haunting piano driven track “Fiction” (especially the ending), and the incredibly epic “Save Me”, which by the end of the track will have you thinking of nothing but the love that they wanted to give a fallen brother.” – Eski

Eski & Belle/Morphine Killer

* You can find out more about Avenged Sevenfold and their new Nightmare album, by clicking this link: AVENGED SEVENFOLD – myspace music page

* Find out more about Eski, Morphine Killer and Igloo Warfare by clicking the links below:

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

IGLOO WARFARE – myspace music

LONG LIVE AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

REST IN PEACE, JIMMY “THE REV” SULLIVAN.

Stone.