EnChanTya’s debut album Dark Rising is going to be released on September 28th! The album was mixed and mastered by Fernando Matias at The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers. Dark Rising, which will be available for a special newcomer price, will feature the following songs:
GRAVE DIGGER – The 16th studio album, Clash Of The Gods, from Germany’s Metal Legends Grave Digger, will be released in the U.S. on September 11th, via Napalm Records. The reviews for Clash Of The Gods have been very positive, across the Metal media landscape. The album cover artwork is, as always with Grave Digger, incredible stuff! Metal be thy name.
Germanys Metal-Outfit Six Reasons To Kill prepare for their next record. At the moment the band is working hard on the songs for their upcoming record. The five-piece will hit the studio in October and November to record the new stuff. Once again the Koblenz-based band choose the Kohlekeller Studios in Seeheim-Jugenheim for the recording duties. The upcoming album will be Six Reasons To Kills fifth full-length album.
Despite of the intensive preparation for their next album you can catch the band live in September and October on a few dates in germany:
16.09.2012 GER-Saarbrücken @ Garage Hell on Earth Tour w/ Walls Of Jericho
22.09.2012 GER-Köln @ Essigfabrik Hell on Earth Tour w/ Walls Of Jericho
PANTERA – What more can be said or written about the legendary PANTERA and their seminal catalog of albums, which hasn’t already been communicated? Metal excellence. Groove Metal pioneers. Total Metal domination during the 90’s. The reverence that PANTERA receives from their fans only grows stronger by the second and there shall never be another band like them. Metal be thy name.
PANTERA – Original Album Series Box Set is a 2011 UK import from Rhino Entertainment and is currently selling for $19.99 (U.S.) on Amazon.com. For those new fans or fans that need to upgrade their collection, this PANTERA box set is an unbelievable bargain!
WEDNESDAY 13 – Horror Punk, Metal and Hard Rock fans rejoice! The NEW Wednesday 13 EP, Spook AndDestroy, will be released on October 9th! Take a horrifying look below at the 8-song track listing! While you’re at it, take a terrifying look at the dates listed below for the Spook And Destroy World Tour…Metal be thy name!
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SPOOK AND DESTROY – Track Listing:
M.F.T.W.
Halloween 13-13
Bad Things (2012)
Rambo (2012)
Mr. Motherfucker (2012)
Curse Of Me (acoustic)
Bad Things (Suffocation Celebration Remix)
Rambo (Bullets and Bloodshed Remix)
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SPOOK AND DESTROY WORLD TOUR:
Oct 25, 2012 Brisbane, AUS The Zoo BUY TICKETS
Oct 26, 2012 Sydney, AUS Manning Bar BUY TICKETS
Oct 27, 2012 Melbourne, AUS The Espy BUY TICKETS
Oct 31, 2012 London, UK Club Koko
Nov 01, 2012 Utrechtm Holland Tivoli de Helling
Nov 02, 2012 Bochum, Germany Matrix
Nov 03, 2012 Hamburg, Germany Logo
Nov 04, 2012 Prague, Czech Rep. Hoodoo
Nov 06, 2012 Bratislava, Slovakia Randal
Nov 07, 2012 Vienna, Austria Szene
Nov 08, 2012 Munich, Germany Backstage Halle
Nov 09, 2012 Roncade, Italy New Age Club
Nov 10, 2012 Romagnano Sesia, Italy R’N’R Arena
Nov 11, 2012 Stuttgart, Germany Universum
Nov 13, 2012 Wiesbaden, Germany Schlechthof
Nov 14, 2012 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Kulturfabrik
Killswitch Engage will be headlining the upcoming California Metalfest. It’s a special gig for the Grammy-nominated, Massachusetts Metal band, long considered one of the forebears of the Metal resurgence of the ’00s, as they will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their landmark release, 2002’s genre-defining Alive or JustBreathing. To commemorate the album, KSE will play the album in its entirety, from start to finish, as well as other more recent hits.
The much-anticipated sixth annual California Metalfest will be held at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, November 24th. Ash Avildsen, founder of California Metalfest had this to say:
“Alive or Just Breathing is one of the most important and timeless albums for this era of heavy music. KsE’s special headlining set combined with the rest of the line-up is going to make for an incredible day of metal and memories. Having all these bands in the same place on one day is really exciting both as a fan and as a festival producer.”
Killswitch Engage
WWE Superstar “Mankind” Mick Foley will be hosting the festival along with several other stars TBA who will be doing signings and appearances. There will also be many carnival style prize games where fans can win special, limited edition band merch and memorabilia instead of stuffed animals. California Metalfest VI promises to be much more of an experience than just a day filled with great music.
Special pre-sale ticketing packages will be available exclusively through www.soundcheckhollywood.com starting Sept. 8th with general on-sale ticketing being available starting Sept. 13th. This is easily the most exciting and talent rich line-up to come together in years and it’s going to be a night that will go down in history. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this.
The stellar line-up also features Asking Alexandria, As I Lay Dying, Black Veil Brides, Pierce The Veil, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Chiodos w/Craig Owens, For Today, Suicide Silence, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, Unearth, Bleeding Through, The Faceless, Born Of Osiris, Winds Of Plague, Shadows Fall, Veil of Maya, Acacia Strain, Attila, Sleeping Giant, Upon A Burning Body among a slew of others. The complete line-up can be located at www.cametalfest.com
DESTRUCTION – Mike, Schmier & Vaaver of German Thrash Metal legends DESTRUCTION are currently in Gernhart Studios in Troisdorf, with engineer Martin Buchwalter to record their new Thrash hammer, SPIRITUAL GENOCIDE. The 30th band-anniversary album will be mixed by Andy Classen. Additionally, the band was visited by Mr. Tom Angelripper – who contributes vocals to one new song – and TANKARD’s front man Gerre! Watch the 1st studio trailer HERE. Stay tuned for more videos to come!
Bay Area Thrash veterans, TESTAMENT, have announced to tour Europe in support of their most recent release, Dark Roots Of Earth, in November.
Commented guitarist Alex Skolnick: “Our last run in Europe was a blast, with people responding to the new songs as though they’re classics. It will be great to return and play a few places we haven’t been in a while, such as Austria, Poland and the UK.”
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TESTAMENT Over Europe:
14.11. – NL Eindhoven – Dynamo
16.11. – PL Krakow – Studio Club
17.11. – CZ Pilsen – Serikovkia
18.11. – A Wels – Schlachthof
19.11. – CZ Prague – Meet Factory
20.11. – D Munich – Backstage
21.11. – I Gualtieri Reggio Emilia – TBA
22.11. – A Graz – Orpheum
23.11. – SK Bratislava – Majestic Music Club
24.11. – D Nurnberg – Rockfabrik
25.11. – D Matrix – Bochum
27.11. – UK Glasgow – Garage
28.11. – UK Wolverhampton – Wulfrun
29.11. – UK Manchester – HMV Ritz
30.11. – UK London – KOKO
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* For more recent TESTAMENT news, click on the links below!
Home to the finest in classic and Traditional Metal, Shadow Kingdom Records has posted several titles from its extensive catalog on Bandcamp.com. Many items offered in the label’s webstore is now available for streaming and download at the recently launched site. Check out reissues and new material from the likes of MANILLAROAD, PAGAN ALTAR, ALTAR OF OBLIVION and more at Shadow Kingdom Records – Bandcamp.com
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Upcoming Shadow Kingdom Records titles:
09/02 – MANILLA ROAD – Invasion
09/11 – PAGAN ALTAR – The Time Lord EP
09/11 – ALTAR OF OBLIVION – Grand Gesture of Defiance
Big Dad Ritch is the lead singer and founding member of Texas Hippie Coalition, aka THC. Red Dirt Metal is what THC plays, with a reverent nod of influence to Country Music’s most famous outlaws to the late Dimebag, with Black Label Society and Lynyrd Skynyrd in between. Texas Hippie Coalition’s Southern Hard Rock ‘N Metal is as American as corn dogs washed down with (plenty of) Shiner Bock beer.
This badass band from Texas aren’t about kowtowing to the mainstream or the man sitting high-up inside some ivory tower. Hell no. This is Texas Hippie Coalition and they aren’t about being a band for the ages, they’re a band for the people, in my forthright opinion. With 2010’s Rollin’, their newly released Peacemaker (Carved Records), coupled with a notable live presence from clubs to festivals, Texas Hippie Coalition have earned a continuously growing fan base that knows real when they hear and see it.
They’re skilled musicians that are loud, proud, hard and heavy as hell with contagious American Southern pride. Texas Hippie Coalition are: bassist John Exall, guitarist Wes Wallace, drummer Timmy Braun and of course, Big Dad Ritch and his earth splitting vocals. Big Dad Ritch took the time recently to answer more than several questions that I tossed his way. As this being my second (appreciative) encounter with Big Dad Ritch, I can honestly say he is as genuine, kind, professional and badass as they come. Metal be thy name. There is and forever will be only one Big Dad Ritch. Here is what he had to say:
Stone: I know I absolutely love your new album Peacemaker. The fans and critics have spoken and this album is a winner! Can you put into words just how rewarding all of this widespread acceptance feels to you?
Big Dad Ritch: Feels like a backyard friends n family Bar-BQ, with all the fixuns n pecan pie.
Stone: What is the secret behind the muscularity that Peacemaker represents musically and lyrically?
Big Dad Ritch: Just being proud of being BADASS. If u were a rodeo stock bull would you want to be the ol’ piece of beef every sod buster rode for a short 8 seconds or the Horned Monster Bull that punished every belt buckle chasing cowboy for a long 2 second ride. Dare to be BADASS.
Stone: Your vocals are so powerful! Are there any steps you swear by in keeping your voice so healthy and strong?
Big Dad Ritch: Never drink or smoke… I’m lyin!
Stone: Yes, Big Dad Ritch, you’ve proven that you can sing a ballad! What’s the story behind the creation of “Think Of Me”?
Big Dad Ritch: I wrote that song on Valentines Day, like most Valentines Days I spent it with the love of my life – music. I think people will say a song like this is dated or that it shows a softer side. Yet, in my opinion, I believe to write a song like this in this day and age only shows that this band has balls, BIG BALLS.
Stone: What came easy and what was difficult about recording Peacemaker?
Big Dad Ritch: Music and words flow thru those that participated on this album, the task seemed so easy at times. Difficult part was deciding what 11 songs of the 14 to put on the album. My stance was like that of Sweden. I held the money while they argued.
Stone: THC will be opening for the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd on select dates this September. Describe the thrill you are feeling about this and don’t hold back!
Big Dad Ritch: WhooHooo, yipp, yip, yippy, yeehaw!!! Hyeah! Raise Hell! Sorry, got a lil carried away there. See, couple years back I started tellin people THC would open for BLS (Black Label Society) very soon. At the time an untruth. People on fb started connecting dots comments like “I would pay to see that show”. Next thing I know, were on half a dozen BLS shows. So I started fibbin, again fibbin is almost a lie. Tellin everyone we were gonna open for Lynyrd Skynyrd, at the time not true. Yet here we are today talkin about the Skynyrd n THC show. So what I’m trying to tellya is I never lie, and soon we will be touring with Willie Nelson n Judas Priest… I’m lyin. This show with Shooter Jennings on the line up as well is proof there is a Southern Uprising!
Take a look and listen below to the Official Video for Turn It Up!
Stone: I look at the band photos, listen to the songs and watch the video footage of THC and the feeling of brotherhood hits me like a ton of beer kegs! How important is this brotherhood toward your band’s success?
Big Dad Ritch: Texas Hippie Coalition. Texas = Proud of where we come from, which everyone should be. Hippie = that’s the way my mom n dad raised me, TRIBAL. Coalition = Because we are more than just 4 men, we are many, we are chapters nationwide, we are chapters world-wide, we are fans around the globe, we are men that would be kings, we are twisted hippie chicks, we are FAMILY MEMBERS, we are all together under one flag that we wave HIGH n MIGHTY, we are COALITION.
Stone: Many bands pigeonhole themselves into one “select” genre. With THC, you guys can reach out to many Rock genres with your sound and style. Would I be wrong to call THC “the band for the people”?
Big Dad Ritch: The PEOPLE’S CHAMP, love it. Red Dirt Metal, Southern Fried Rock. It’s all good.
Stone: As THC creates their own hard-earned success, do you ever have time to take it all in?
Big Dad Ritch: Yes I do inhale. What was the question?
Stone: You tour the country and witness many things on the road. Is American pride still alive and well or is there a sense of division among us as a nation?
Big Dad Ritch: There is an immense amount of pride nation wide, but I do believe people are starting to place more faith in their neighbor than in their government. US definitely still applies in my eyes.
Stone: If Big Dad Ritch could sit by the river with a legend of Rock, either past or present, to share some booze, stories and barbecue with, who would it be and why?
Big Dad Ritch: Tuff one, I always aspire to be what I have grown to refer to as “1 man empire”. The likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon or Willie, or modern-day Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, or Vinnie Paul. To achieve things in and out of the world of music. Hoping in someway one day to grow up and be an OZZY. Sorry mom. So to pick from all of these would be hard. So I would say this I would pick “Dime Bag” just so I could tell him what he has meant to generations of fans and how much he has influenced me and many others. I would even drink one of those horrible black tooths.
THANK YOU, Big Dad Ritch for this interview! Thank you for creating such memorable Red Dirt Metal with your band! I am so happy for you and the band and wish only the very best for Texas Hippie Coalition both off and on stage.
Until the next time, your brother in Rock ‘N Metal –
Stone \m/\m/
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PEACEMAKER Available NOW! Get it at iTunes (with exclusive track WHISKEY): http://bit.ly/OYvn5O
ION VEIN will be direct support for SYMPHONY X at Mojoe’s Music Venue in Joliet, IL on Thursday, September 13th ; also appearing will be DISSONA and MOMENTS OF SANITY. Commented the band; “We’re stoked to be sharing the stage once again with the amazing SYMPHONY X and also to get a chance to play some of the tracks from our upcoming DR (digital release) in a live setting.”
The band is currently preparing to get back in the studio this month with producer Neil Kernon (NILE, NEVERMORE, QUEENSRYCHE) to mix the next batch of songs for their upcoming DR slated to be released early this fall. “We’ll be mixing five songs during these next sessions and will meet with the crew at Mortal Music upon completion to finalize the game plan for this upcoming release, including the number of songs, artwork, etc. so stay tuned,” stated guitarist, Chris Lotesto.
The song “Enough” from ION VEIN can be heard below!
Scorned, the searing second studio full-length from Polish Death Metal assassins MASACHIST, is out now worldwide via Selfmadegod Records.
A collective featuring the warmongering talents of Thrufel (ex-Azarath, ex-Yattering), Daray (Dimmu Borgir, ex-Vader, Vesania), Heinrich (Vesania, ex-Decapitated, ex-UnSun), Aro (Shadows Land, Torquemada) and Pig (Anal Stench, ex-Decapitated), MASACHIST will infiltrate the diehards of the Extreme Metal world with this new album.
Recorded at Monroe Sound Studio (Vesania, Disloyal, Shadows Land, Manslaughter) and mixed by guitarist Aro, Scorned torches anything in earshot with forty minutes of crushing, mangled Death Metal over nine anthems of revulsion.
Stream Scorned in its bloody entirety via Stereokiller RIGHT HERE.
WITCH CROSS can now confirm these gigs for October:
Oct 23 Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark supporting Gotthard
Oct 24 Helsingborg Tivoli, Sweden, supporting Gotthard
Oct 25 Kahytten, Fredericia, Denmark, with Mercyful Diamond* as support
Oct 26 TBA
Oct 27 – Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival at Manifesto, Hoorn, Holland
* Mercyful Diamond are a tribute to Mercyful Fate and King Diamond.
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Also released in October is the CD/DVD Special edition of All That’s Fit For Fighting, which includes newlymastered and never before seen promo videos of the band from the 80’s, via Hell’s Headbangers Records.
HEMOPTYSIS – We have been working on the new songs for the next release, and it’s coming out great! It will be heavier, faster and meaner than before! We are planning on to record these songs early next year. Purchasing our CDs and merch at our official store and helping us funding the budget to record them will be greatly appreciated!
We will be on the road for the weekend in two weeks! We can’t wait to come back to these towns and we’re looking forward to see you there all! See the dates listed below!
Also, less than a month until the Kreator, Accept, Swallow the Sun, & Hemoptysis show at Joe’s Grotto in Phoenix, AZ on Friday, September 28th! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE IT’S GONE! Buy from Hemoptysis online at www.hemoptysismetal.com/tickets.html
Upcoming Live Dates:
Sat, Sep 8 @ Tempe Tavern, Tempe, AZ
Fri, Sep 14 @ Scottie’s, Prescott, AZ
Sat, Sep 15 @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Albuquerque, NM
Sun, Sep 16 @ SlapShot Billiards, Gallup, NM
Fri, Sep 28 @ Joe’s Grotto, Phoenix, AZ (Kreator Accept, Swallow The Sun)
SAMOTHRACE – Reverence To Stone may only feature two songs, however, it’s the length and overall magnitude of Doom Metal that is of Metal importance here. We’re talking about a massive atmosphere of Doom Metal I feel and hear from Reverence To Stone. Released back on July 31st, via 20 Buck Spin, Reverence To Stone has my nomination for epic Metal album of the year.
When We Emergedclocks in at 14:20 and A Horse Of Our Own plays at a mega memorable 20:29. Nearly 35 minutes of 100% Doom saturation. A massive, massive wall of Doom imbued sound. Both guitar and percussive driven, coupled with the unforgiving exclusion to multiple tracks here, are what encourages Samothrace to delve deep into the cavernous depths of Doom awareness.
Doom Metal fans from coast-to-coast and across continents should take note: Samothrace = A DOOM listening experience. You can’t possibly listen to Reverence To Stone two or three times and draw a conclusion. You must listen to these two epic songs several times before realizing that Samothrace cares that their music (and growls) are telling a story; and most importantly, Samothrace brilliantly piece together the parts of music that are essential to the essence (of the totality) of Doom sound. I’m overjoyed by this Samothrace album. Metal be thy name.
BEAK – On September 12th, at The Beat Kitchen in Chicago, Post-Metal goliaths BEAK will be performing live! Also on the bill are: Portland Oregon’s Doom Metal troupe YOB and Metal pack NORSKA. Showtime is 8PM and is 17+. If you live in the Chicago area, you won’t want to miss this evening of pure underground… METAL!
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Wanna know more about BEAK, YOB and NORSKA? It’s all here below, my Metal brethren:
WITCH CROSS have been confirmed as support for GOTTHARD at Amager Bio in Copenhagen on October 23rd – WITCH CROSS will also be appearing at the Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival in Holland, on October 27th
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This year The Swiss Hard Rock band Gotthard celebrate their 20 year anniversary, only with a great tragedy still fresh in their minds. In the autumn of 2010 the Group’s charismatic lead singer Steve Lee died in a motorcycle accident, leaving the four surviving members at a crossroads in their career. Gotthard decided however to continue and after having auditioned more than 400 singers the job went to Nic Maeder, who was announced as the new front man in November.
The 4th June saw the five Swiss release a new album, entitled Firebirth.
According to bassist Marc Lynn it has been unreal how easy and painless Maeders incorporation into the band has been – “as if everyone in the band has known him always” – and said Firebirth was infused by a newfound spark and a furious energy.
In other words, something to look forward to when Nic Maeders is exposed to the Danes in Amager Bio.
Sharing the stage that night will be Witch Cross. The Danish Heavy Metal band performs for only the second time in 27 years on stage in Denmark.
Earlier this year, the band played their first show together since 1986. The concert, at the German Metal festival Keep It True, was chosen as the site for the reunification of the band after nearly three decades of separation. In July they took to the stage at the Metal Magic Festival in Fredericia and now they can be experienced once again in Amager Bio on October 23rd.
KORN– Releasing on September 4th, is the live CD/DVD from KORN – The Path Of Totality: Live At TheHollywood Palladium, via Shout! Factory. Joining Korn for this performance are the many DJs who collaborated on The Path Of Totality; they are: Skrillex, 12th Planet, Flinch, Downlink, Excision, Datsik and Kill The Noise.
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Take a look and listen to KORN Live At The Hollywood Palladium –Falling Away FromMe below! WHOA! This stuff is F’n cool. Metal be thy name.
CD and DVD Disc- Track List:
01. Get Up!
02. Kill Mercy Within
03. Illuminati
04. Chaos Lives In Everything
05. My Wall
06. Way Too Far
07. Narcissistic Cannibal
08. Here To Stay
09. Freak On A Leash
10. Falling Away From Me
11. Predictable
12. Another Brick In The Wall
13. Shoots And Ladders
14. One
15. Got The Life
16. Blind
Bonus Features:
* Interviews with: Jonathan Davis, James “Munky” Shaffer, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, Ray Luzier, Zachary Baird and cover artist ROBOTO.
KISS – The newly remastered KISS Destroyer album became { Resurrected } by original and legendary producer Bob Ezrin. Along with Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo) as a new Bonus Track, sung by Gene Simmons, this is a KISS masterpiece to own! KISS Destroyer – Resurrected has debuted on the Billboard 200 at #58. What once was old… is new again! The Classic Rock ‘N Roll of KISS is timeless. Metal be thy name.
TWELVE-SONG RELEASE FEATURES ONE NEW SONG, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED AND ALTERNATE VERSIONS OF SONGS FROM BAND’S CATALOGUE
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Kylesa is set to release From The Vaults, Vol. 1, a twelve-song collection featuring unreleased, new and alternate versions of songs spanning their catalogue including one entirely new song (“End Truth”) as well as the band’s legendary cover of Pink Floyd’s “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” on Nov. 20 (Nov. 16 in Europe).
“This project has been a labor of love,” explained guitarist/singer/producer Phillip Cope. “We have spent over a year going through old songs, covers, etc. and collected those we felt went well together; remixing and finishing them up. We didn’t want to release something just thrown together so we put a lot of thought and time into it. I am really happy about how this came together. I think it is a good representation of Kylesa’s different styles from early on to present day.
The Savannah-based band recently wrapped up an European tour, which included stops at the Wacken Open Air and Area 4 Festivals, and will enter the studio to begin work on a new album for 2013. Kylesa’s most recent release, 2010’s Spiral Shadow, was revered by fans and critics alike as a “record that trashes everything you might expect from the genre” (Pitchfork) and is “as sweaty as a south Georgia summer” (Spin). Singer/guitarist Laura Pleasants was recently featured on the cover of Decibel Magazine’s inaugural Women in Metal issue.
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"
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