We’re happy to announce the signing of LED ASTRAY from Bautzen, Germany!
The band’s sound is a deadly blend of various Metal styles and other kinds of extreme music. Melodies, blast beats, mosh and groove – no limits, no boundaries just straight ahead energetic power!
LED ASTRAY released their debut album “One Million Bullets” in 2008. They already shared the stage with bands such as All Shall Perish, Maroon, Hatesphere, Born From Pain or Final Prayer. The band’s second album Decades Of Addiction will be released in early December 2012 via Massacre Records.
You can enjoy LED ASTRAY live at the following upcoming dates:
From their start in 1983 in Hollywood CA at the world-famous troubadour, Lizzy Borden has been recording and touring for Thirty years.
The recordings: “Love You to Pieces” and “Menace to Society” to the break through Billboard charting “Visual Lies” and “Master of Disguise”, Lizzy Borden released the albums that built the Show, including the latest and best reviewed production “Appointment with Death”.
The show:
Spectacular stage shows performed in 20 plus countries from North America, Japan and Europe all to rave reviews.
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The Lizzy Borden brand of theatrical rock shows blood soaked the (Main) stages at festivals such as:
• Wacken Festival Germany
• Gods of Metal-Italy
• Hellfest-France
• The Reading Festival-UK
• Kobetasonik Festival-Spain
• Sweden Rock-Sweden
• Bang your head-Germany
• Hardrock Hell UK
• Rocklahoma-USA
• Rock in America-USA
Lizzy Borden’s 30 Years Of American Metal tour is a brand new show, created from the ground up just for this monumental 30 year anniversary. The new show will encompass songs from each and every Lizzy Borden record to date, including classic songs like “Me against the World”, “American Metal”, “Master of Disguise” Plus songs the band has never performed live.
On November 9th, the new live documents of German’s Metal icon#1, Udo Dirkschneider and his band will be released. Live In Sofia also marks the end of an era somehow, as the stable U.D.O. lineup that performed together for many years will be shown for a last time. As it became public that guitarist Stefan Kaufmann will be no longer available for the band due to health reasons, “Live In Sofia” will be the last U.D.O. DVD with Stefan.
AEROSMITH – Call it nostalgia. Call it an impulse purchase. Call it being a big softy for Classic Rock. Call it appreciating Aerosmith’s perseverance and the majority of their albums; especially their catalog from the 70’s decade. Regardless of all the reasons, I bought Aerosmith’s 15th studio (album) CD, Music From Another Dimension!(Columbia), on November 6th at my local Super Walmart.
I’ve listened to this new Aerosmith CD several times now and I dig most of it. Music From Another Dimension! doesn’t Rock like 70’s Aerosmith, then again this CD doesn’t Rock like 80’s or 90’s Aerosmith either. This new Aerosmith offering does Rock, let there be no mistake. Lot’s of (radio friendly) Rock/Hard Rock relevance, mixed together with funky and bluesy vibes and a solid nod to good ol’ American Rock ‘N’ Roll. Aerosmith has a whiz-bang album here; trying to top any of their early classics or 80’s chart-toppers isn’t what I was looking for anyways.
Steven Tyler’s vocals are so trademarked that it’s astonishing. Really, who else has ever or currently sounds like Steven Tyler? Steven Tyler, Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) all sound groovy, like a well oiled Aerosmith machine. Good and well written songs coupled with legendary musicians sure do go a very long way. Aerosmith certainly surprised me here, I was afraid this new album was going to be overly sticky bubble-gum. Instead it’s a good time on the mainstream Rock ‘N’ Roll highway.
Carrie Underwood sings a duet with Steven Tyler on Can’t Stop Lovin’ You. I wish Joan Jett, BonnieRaitt, Melissa Etheridge, Stevie Nicks or Ann Wilson sang a duet with Steven Tyler on this album instead. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You is a fine song, I just would have appreciated a legendary Classic Rock gal instead. Then again, that’s just me.
Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp sings backing vocals on Freedom Fighter. Who cares. I really don’t. Apparently I never answered the phone quick enough to get that backing vocal gig with Aerosmith. Next time I’ll hustle to my cell phone or at least listen to my messages quicker. Um… yeah.
I recommend this CD to my fellow Rockaholics, it’s all good and understood that this album was intended for widespread appeal. That’s a given. A new generation of Aerosmith fans will certainly be sowed, courtesy of this band’s always current world-wide popularity and new album. Here’s some last second Rockin’ advice: while you listen to MusicFrom Another Dimension!, just pretend that American Idol doesn’t exist and everything will be okay.
So that’s about it. I’m not gonna blab anything more about Music From Another Dimension! other than:
1. I really, really, really dig the album cover artwork. Retro rules.
2. Another Last Goodbye is a (gulp) ballad. Ugh.
2. The Walmart version of this CD has the exclusive bonus track: Shakey Ground. It’s a Rockin’ cool song for a bonus track, making for a terrific way to close out this new Aerosmith album.
MUTINY WITHIN – Many people have a countdown until December 21, 2012. The time has come for a new countdown: January 12, 2013. Modern Metal juggernauts MUTINY WITHIN have announced the official release date of their long-awaited sophomore album, Synchronicity, for January 12, 2013.
MUTINY WITHIN made waves in the Metal community early in their career by joining the Roadrunner Records roster and touring endlessly on the heels of their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Having half the lineup live across the great Atlantic pond and having serious financial difficulties due to the rampant piracy in the music industry, MUTINY WITHIN was forced to go on hiatus in 2011. That was the end of the touring band, but not the end of their music.
Epic Metal music can not be contained – not even by the one-eyed pirates of the tumultuous thief infested world we call the “music industry”. MUTINY WITHIN had so many good ideas and music ready to go, founding member/songwriter AJ and singer Chris Clancy decided to finish what they started and put out the next evolutionary sound of MUTINY WITHIN in the form of the self-produced Synchronicity.
The road is far from over for MUTINY WITHIN and fans can look forward to many surprises leading up to the highly anticipated release of Synchronicity.
Today, the second in a series of studio clips from AEON’s blazing Aeons Blackrecording session has been posted to the band’s Official Landing Page. Sneak a peek at drummer Arttu Mallki punishing his kit for what would become the gargantuan Aeons Black full-length.
Already called “one of the best death metal albums of 2012” in a 4/5 review from Revolver Magazine, Aeons Black is set for release inNorth America on November 20, 2012 through Metal Blade Records. Aeons Black was recorded at Empire Studio in Östersund, Sweden, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström at Garageland Studios and features striking cover art by Kristian “Necrolord” Wåhlin (Bathory, At The Gates, Dissection, Emperor, et al).
In related news, Metal Hammer Germany recently premiered the record’sopening track Still They Pray. If you missed it, feel the wrath HERE. Additionally, you can check out the title track and pre-order info HERE.
Aeons Black is the follow-up to 2010’s Path of Fire, which About.com called “a juicy slab of prime-cut blasphemous death metal,” that, according to Ultimate-Guitar.com, ”doesn’t let up in terms of insanely fast tempos, chugging guitars, and demonic vocals,” landing the album an 8 out of 10 score. AEON is already confirmed for a UK tour which will take place in January 2013 with more dates for Europe and North America in the works. Prepare yourselves….
Legendary cult Canadian Metallers Overlord will be included in an upcoming Metallica tribute album titled, Puppet Masters – A Millennium Tribute to Metallica– 1983-2013, scheduled to be released on Versailles Records and is slated for later this year.
The selected song, King Nothing, was recorded at Vyner Road Studio and engineered, mixed and produced by Elliott Sairan who has worked with Rush, Triumph, Jeff Beck and Alice Cooper among others.
Currently Overlord are working on new material and are up to see a new release soon to follow the 2010 release Back into the Dragon’s Lairput out by Heaven and Hell Records.
GEOFF TATE – The Voice Of Queensrÿche. For over three decades running, Geoff Tate is a top-tier vocalist who spans Rock, Hard Rock and of course… Metal. Geoff Tate is a name that comes up when other well-known musicians talk to me about influences. The only vocalist that I identify with Queensrÿche is Geoff Tate.
I’ve been fortunate to hear the vocals of/and witness Geoff Tate in a live setting, on multiple occasions while he was fronting Queensrÿche. Wether it was an arena or club, I’ve observed Geoff Tate commanding both stage and crowd.
Today, Geoff Tate’s sophomore solo album, Kings And Thieves, will be released via InsideOut Music. Whoa! If you are a fan of Geoff Tate and/or Classic Heavy Rock, like myself, the celebration of this vocal and songwriting legend never ceases! Legendary vocalists are born and not made and give their songs profound emotion. Geoff Tate is living proof of this. Metal be thy name.
Take a listen (and read) below to the lyric video for Dark Money… this song ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!
Nov. 5, 2012, LOS ANGELES – Between The Buried And Me embark on their first North American tour since the release of The Parallax II: Future Sequence this February, joining Coheed and Cambria for a six-week tour that kicks off Feb. 4 in Washington, D.C.
The North Carolina band released the enveloping concept album on Oct. 9 via Metal Blade records with the 12-song release becoming the band’s highest-charting album (#22 on the Billboard Top 200) and also marking Between The Buried And Me’s biggest one week sales in their near decade-long history.
A slew of positive reviews heralded the arrival of the album with Alternative Press saying Between The Buried And Me expanded “on every already-top-notch aspect of its conceptual predecessor,” Decibel Magazine declaring the band “one of progressive metal’s most singular, unique and genuinely progressive bands” MetalSucks calling The Parallax II a “masterpiece” and Loudwire awarding the album a perfect score and saying it is “quintessentially brilliant” and “a contender for the best metal album of 2012.”
North American tour dates with Coheed and Cambria (Russian Circles open):
The band, who performed a set at this weekend’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, recently wrapped up an extensive European tour and head out this week for a trek across Japan, Australia and New Zealand. All dates below w/Animal as Leaders opening:
Tickets for all North American dates are on-sale Friday, Nov. 9 at noon local time with the exception of the Mar. 16 date at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, which will go on-sale the following Friday, Nov. 16.
KAOTIK – On Saturday, September 24th, 2011, Canada’s very own KAOTIK took the stage at the Quebec Metal Fest 10. Take a listen and look below as KAOTIK tears it up live with Starving Death! Not only will the potent live Death Metal from KAOTIK get your Monday started on an extreme note; this video is also Stone’sMETAL Pick Of The Day!
KAOTIK’s debut album,STARVING DEATH, was released on October 26th, 2012, via Massacre Records. If you’re looking for a newly released Death Metal album that will kick your ass and scald your eardrums, Starving Death from KAOTIK will serve it up! Metal be thy name.
Legendary Death Metal masters INCANTATION and LISTENABLE RECORDS have made the title track from the bands upcoming masterpiece, Vanquish in Vengeance available on YouTube.
Without a doubt one of the most important bands ever to emerge in the world of extreme music, INCANTATION has set the standard for USDM and is often credited as a pioneer in the genre.
INCANTATION’s long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s Primordial Domination features over 50 minutes of the band’s trademark dark and unholy Death Metal. Recorded at the infamous Mars Recording Compound with Engineer Bill Korecky and mixed and mastered by the legendary Dan Swano at Unisound studios, Vanquish in Vengeance deals with the numerous counts of genocide in the name of religion our society has witnessed over a millennia.
Get this Death-Metal-machinery in your face below!
Critical Praise:
“Death Metal excellence.” – Ghost Cult
“After two decades’ worth of albums and a positively legendary number of lineup changes, [INCANTATION] are still as vital as ever.” – Metal Sucks
“Vanquish in Vengeance sounds like it could have come out in 1991 and calls bullshit on the legions of poseurs who disguise a paucity of ideas under a blizzard of fret-wankery and offal. This is Death Metal for the ages, and the masters have once again returned to view their unholy kingdom.” This Is Not A Scene
Ill Nino recently released their new album, Epidemia, via Victory Recordson October 22nd. Check out the latest release from the new album — the lyric video for “The Depression” — below. Head over to REVOLVER Magazine Facebook page to answer a question about the video, then enter to win a massive Ill Nino prize pack!
The Grand Prize includes:
◆ PDP Concept Series Maple Drums (two 18×24” bass drums; 8×10”, 9×12”, 12×14”, and 14×16” toms; and a 6.5×14” Black Nickel over Brass “Ace” snare drum)
◆ DW 9000 Series Hardware (five 9700 straight/boom cymbal stands, 9300 snare stand, 9500TB 2-leg hi-hat stand, 9100 throne, 9141x hi-hat clamp, and two 9000 single pedals)
Five Runners Up Will Receive A Prize Pack Including:
Who We Are, the sophomore effort from Rockford, Illinois’ Beyond Threshold is out now via the combined efforts of Goomba Music and Turkey Vulture Records.
Expect nothing less than the finest in modern metal/hardcore. Who We Are can be found in stores and online retailers everywhere.
Selections from the album have been posted at this location: Beyond Threshold
BEYOND THRESHOLD Live:
11/17 – St. Louis, MO
11/23 – Urbana, IL w/ VENTANA
11/29 – Janesville, WI w/ DOPE
11/30 – Battle Creek, MI w/ NONPOINT
12/16 – Rockford, IL w/ FLAW
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With the release of their 2010 debut, Revolution, Beyond Threshold established themselves as one of the fastest rising and most impressive new acts in the active rock/metal scene. Over the past two years, the band has shared stages with some of the biggest names in metal and gained a reputation as road-worthy workhorses. With Who We Are, Beyond Threshold takes their uncompromising blend of modern thrash, heavy rock and hardcore to the next level. Heads will bang, faces will melt and Beyond Threshold will emerge as the future of heavy music.
About Beyond Threshold:
Beyond Threshold is a heavy rock band that has dominated the greater Midwest. Coming from different influences and genres has allowed them to develop into a truly unique, professional, and powerful heavy rock act. Conceived in 2006, this talented young band comprises of former members of several Rockford metal outfits, and together are rapidly becoming one of the standouts of the Midwest music scene.
Veteran performers from many groups have come together to ignite an inferno constructed to consume. New school antics with old school roots give the band an unexampled edge in today’s music market.
Since the release of their debut album “Revolution” in 2010, Beyond Threshold has been touring the Midwest supporting acts, such as; Five Finger Death Punch, Hatebreed, Sevendust, Drowning Pool, Chevelle, All That Remains, Powerman 5000, Pop Evil, Filter, Nonpoint, Flava Flav, Hed P.E, Fear Factory, Godforbid, Mushroomhead, Sid Wilson of Slipknot, Skindred, Soil, Primer 55, Taproot, Smile Empty Soul, Flaw, Everclear, Art of Dying, Filter, Walls of Jericho, Fuel, Saliva, Adema, 36 Crazy Fists, Dope, Ankla, Kittie, It Dies Today, Burn Halo, Motograter, The Autumn Offering, Mephis May Fire, Bobaflex, Los Lonely Boys, The Last Vegas, Oblige, Anew Revolution, Tonic, and many more.
Lead serial killer Chris Barnes adds, ” we are proud to announce Christmas In Hell..7 shows in 7 nights should bring Germany to their knees, we are planning a quick and painful death for you this december Germany.. be there or we will hunt you down!”
CHRISTMAS IN HELL TOUR 2012
Sa. 15.12. Bischofswerda (Ger) – East Club
Su. 16.12. Jena (Ger) – F Haus
Mo. 17.12. Aalen (Ger) – Rock it
Tu. 18.12. Darmstadt (Ger) – Steinbruch Theater
We. 19.12. Cham (Ger) – L.A.
Th. 20.12. Berlin (Ger) – K 17
Fr. 21.12. Essen (Ger) – Turock
If you haven’t yet added the latest SIX FEET UNDER album, Undead, to your Metal library, then I strongly advise that you do. Undead rules atop the very best of Death Metal albums released in 2012. Metal be thy name.
Stone’s review of Undead is a click away on that link below! Whoa!
Massachusetts face-melters ACARO have been added to the Killswitch Engage Tenth Anniversary “Alive or JustBreathing” Tour with Shadows Fall.
The band will fill the opening slot for one of 2012’s most anticipated tours that will see a Jesse Leach fronted Killswitch Engage performing their classic Alive or Just Breathing in its entirety. Few bands have what it takes to rise to such an occasion, but Acaro’s aggressive brand of melodic and modern thrash will undoubtedly fire up audiences as the band bulldozes a path across the nation.
ACARO is touring in support of their debut, The Disease of Fear, which was released on October 2nd through Goomba Music. A video for the track “Becoming the Process” can be seen and heard below!
The tour kicks off on November 24 at the California Metal Fest 6 and wraps up on December 29 in Clifton Park, NJ. See below for all of the tour dates:
11/24 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Event Center (California Metalfest VI)
11/25 San Francisco, CA – Slims
11/27 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
11/28 Portland, OR – Hawthorne
11/30 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater
12/01 Kansas City, KS – Beaumont Club
12/02 Dallas, TX – Trees
12/04 Tampa, FL – State Theater
12/05 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
12/07 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
12/08 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
12/10 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
12/11 Columbus, OH – Alrosa Villa
12/12 Toronto, ON – Opera House
12/14 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
12/16 Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
12/17 Brooklyn, NY – Willamsburg Music Hall
12/18 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
12/19 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street
12/20 Portland, ME – State Theater
12/27 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
12/28 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
12/29 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
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ABOUT ACARO:
They are ACARO and they are metal. They are 5 hard-working individuals, who bring 5 different backgrounds to create 1 unique musical experience. They always give their audience more than they expect, and they will never be satisfied with their abilities.
ACARO’s first show was in October 2008 at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester, MA. They have been honored to play the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest in 2009 and 2010, the NEMHCF’s SXSW stage in 2010, and have shared the stage with Unearth, In Flames, Gojira, As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Winds of Plague, Suffocation, Acacia Strain, and many other national and regional touring bands.
Their goals are simple, to continue writing, recording, and performing at the highest level of their abilities, in as many places around the world as possible. The release of their first album The Disease of Fear, and the completion of the video for, “Becoming the Process”, will help to achieve those goals.
By bringing the old into the 21st Century, and keeping the new grounded to its roots, ACARO achieves the Brutal/Melodic blend that can stir emotions and hit you over the head with a sledge-hammer at the same time. These individuals are brought together by the love of Metal, the drive to create, the desire to succeed, and the need to bring ACARO’s music and energy to as many people, in as many places as possible.
Nothing comes without hard work and no one will work harder. ACARO is not just a band, it is a way of life for all involved and all it touches. They are ACARO and they believe. Soon, so will you.
REGINALD “FIELDY” ARVIZU – On November 2nd, 1969, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu was born. Today is the birthday for the iconic KORN’s legendary bass player and Metal Odyssey says… without further ado…
Illinois-based Vikings Thrashers THE HORDE has officially added drummer Travis Scudder to their lineup. The 20-year-old skin-basher has stepped in to replace the recently departed James Whitehurst, who left the band for personal reasons. Scudder also plays with Rock Island, Illinois Black Metal outfit SEPT OF MEMNON.
THE HORDE are currently working furiously on material for their next epic slab of Viking Thrash to be released in CD and vinyl format in the fall of 2013 by Abyss Records.
THE HORDE was formed in 2006 and released their debut album From Empire to Ashes via Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. The band’s second album, Thy Blackened Reign,which was released in 2011, was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.
Earlier this year, THE HORDE released a video for the track “Odin’s Blood,” taken from Thy Blackened Reign. Check it out below!
MITCH LUCKER – It has been reported by Suicide Silence, on their facebook, that Mitch Lucker, lead vocalist for Suicide Silence, has passed away at the young age of 28, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. The motorcycle crash happened last night (October 31st) in/near Orange County, California.
As Reported By Suicide Silence On facebook:
There’s no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts.
R.I.P. Mitchell Adam Lucker – We Love You Brother
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Stone Says: Mitch Lucker and his band Suicide Silence have taken the torch of Extreme Metal and carried it proudly, as a fast rising and world popular Metal band. I am shocked and saddened at this tragic news. Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, friends, bandmates and fans of Mitch Lucker.
Good news from Germany. Massacre Records has confirmed that the contract with Nightqueen (is) extended.
The band is in writing modus and already with the first demo recordings. The attendees on Rebel Rock have already become acquainted with “Rain of Blood and Fear.” The successor of “For Queen and Metal” is approaching. It’s still just brainstorming to the title of the album but the music will (have) greatly evolved sound. Production is in the hands of Rex, Danny and Christian Moos.
Also as reported on the facebook of NIGHTQUEEN:
Nightqueen welcomes 2 new band members. More about this in a few days … stay tuned.
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Listen and watch below the recently released video for Diamonds & Rust, as performed by NIGHTQUEEN!
* This song is recorded as a tribute to its songwriter Joan Baez and also to Judas Priest. Diamonds & Rust will not appear on a NIGHTQUEEN album.
HELL ON WHEELS TOUR 1987 – That’s it at the top! That’s my Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 cassette! This (now historical) tour featured: Grim Reaper, Armored Saint and Helloween. Whoa! As you can see, this cassette was a free sampler!. I obtained this old school Metal cassette sometime last Winter, at a thrift store. I paid a ridiculous price of 50 cents (U.S.) for this very cool cassette too. Yes, it plays just fine!
This tour was sponsored by MTV Headbangers Ball; yet there is no print or logo stating this on the cassette. The inside of the cassette jacket is blank. Notice the crack on the cassette tape box? That’s old school man!
Back in 1987, the Hell On Wheels Tour did not pass through the state I was living in; that being the very expensive state of Connecticut. Can’t see ’em all, I guess. Still, it super sucks I never saw this tour.
Here is what the spine of this cassette looks like:
Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 – Track Listing:
Side One:
Hell On Wheels Medley – Rock You To Hell / Isolation / Halloween
Grim Reaper – Night Of The Vampire
Side Two:
Armored Saint – Raising Fear
Helloween – Future World
Here is what the backside of the cassette tape jacket looks like:
The 3 record label logos printed on this cassette tape jacket are: RCA, Concrete and Chrysalis.
Speaking of Power Metal pioneers HELLOWEEN… their 14th studio album, Straight Out Of Hell, will be released on January 18th, 2013! Whoa! Metal be thy name! Yes, I’m psyched-out about this! Are you?
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog
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