Portland punk metal hellions, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, are pleased to unleash their most volatile offering to date. Titled Chemistry ofConsciousness, the devious new full-length spews forth eleven tracks of revved up, road-raging bestial devastation. Chemistry Of Consciousness was recorded by the band, mixed with Kurt Ballou (Converge) at his own GodCity Studio and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, From Ashes Rise, Nails) at Audiosiege Engineering.
Chemistry of Consciousness is the sound of Discharge on speed, Slayer with a punk rock chip on its shoulder, The Exploited on a Metallica overdose. It is the perfect marriage of punk angst and metal guitar hooks. If there’s one thing the punks and the heshers will agree on in 2013, it’s that TOXIC HOLOCAUST’sChemistry of Consciousness is a rager of a record destined to top any worthwhile best of 2013 list. Recommended for devout followers of Municipal Waste, DRI, Sodom, Midnight, GBH etc.
Chemistry Of Consciousness will detonate in North America on October 29 (October 25 in Benelux/DE/Finland and October 28 in UK/World).
Further TOXIC happenings, including preorder packages and live takeovers, to be announced in the coming weeks.
ANTHRAX – Any red-blooded Metalhead knows that the (unreal) legendary ANTHRAX likes to have some extra fun with their Metal; and this goes back to those golden years of the 80’s. With Anthems, ANTHRAX definitely exhibits their appetite for Classic Rock with contagious and Heavy Rockin’ fun once again! With 6 cover songs, along with their original studio version of Crawl and a Crawl Remix, ANTHRAX have delivered a doozie of an EP to their fans (like myself).
ANTHRAXdoesn’t cover these Rock classics with a Thrash Metal attack, as I had expected they would; instead ANTHRAX stays quite true to the original’s structures and gives these songs a much more harder, heavier and energetic push. Joey Balladonna just has an incredible knack for sounding like he should have been a huge Classic Rock star back in the glorious ’70’s. Joey Belladonna sounds grand on every song, from top-to-bottom.
Above: Digipak Cover Art
The entire band grabs ahold of Anthem, TNT, Smokin’, Keep On Runnin’, Big Eyes and Jailbreak as if they truly thought this entire project over for years. There’s never a point where I wince or question as to why ANTHRAX have chosen to play these classics in such a classic way. Crawl (from 2011’s Worship Music) fits right into the mix of these Classic Rock gems. I guess I never listened upon Crawl as being such a genuine Classic Rock song, up until now. The CrawlRemix is given much higher vibes, courtesy of the orchestration from Michael Lord.
ANTHRAX have proven to my ears their sincere appreciation for the Classic Rock era with Anthems. If you’re as loyal to the classics and ANTHRAX as I am, then this EP is an absolute, 100% must! ANTHRAX is a band that should be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… NOW! Metal be thy name.
ANTHEMS – Track Listing & Info:
Anthem (Rush)
TNT (AC/DC)
Smokin’ (Boston)
Keep On Runnin’ (Journey)
Big Eyes (Cheap Trick)
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy)
Crawl
Crawl Remix
* Special guest keyboard performance on Smokin’ by Fred Mandel.
* Special guest guitar solo on Jailbreak by Phil Campbell.
Scott Ian – guitars
Charlie Benante – drums and guitars
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Frank Bello – bass
Rob Caggiano – lead guitar
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* ANTHRAX Anthems was released on March 19th, 2013, in North America, via Megaforce Records.
In support of their forthcoming new full-length, Serpents Unleashed, Ohio blackened Metal quintet SKELETONWITCH will join The Black DahliaMurder on a North American trek this Fall. The journey will commence in late October following a short run of dates alongside Ghost B.C. Additional support will be provided by Fallujah as well as Noisem and Wolvhammer on select dates.
Comments vocalist Chance Garnette: “We can’t think of a better way to release the venom that is Serpents Unleashedthan by getting back on the road with our buds in The Black Dahlia Murder. It’s going to be a killer tour that you won’t want to miss! Don’t sleep on this one — come out and get your face melted!”
Scheduled for release in North America on October 29 (October 28 EU/UK, October 25 G/A/S) via Prosthetic Records, SKELETONWITCH’s Serpents Unleashed was recorded earlier this year with Kurt Ballou at GodCity Studio (Converge, Trap Them, Kvelertak) and features eleven tracks of abominable, frosty fire. New tune, “Burned From Bone,” premiered yesterday on SiriusXM’s “Liquid Metal with Jose” and is now available as a free download by texting SERPENTS to 24587 (standard data and message rates may apply). Behind-the-scenes footage of the band tracking the song in the studio can be seen below:
Heaven and Hell Records is now taking pre-orders for Prey For The Future, the debut from Raleigh, NC technical power thrashers DARK DESIGN. The album will be out worldwide on September 10th, with all pre-orders shipping at the end of August. The digital version is available now. To order, visit this location:
Since early 2010, DARK DESIGN, comprised of members Ray Lewis (guitar), Mike Joyner (guitar), Andrew Bertrand (vocals), and rhythm section Matt (bass) and Robbie Mercer (drums), have built a strong fan base in their local Metal scene. Their technical prowess and progressive song structuring have often been compared to that of Death, Toxik, and Anacrusis. As buzz of the band began to grow they were requested to play the 2012 Warriors of Metal Festival in Ohio. Meanwhile, the band remained focused on material for their debut album. Prey For The Future was recorded earlier this year by John EWooten (Widow U.S) and mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios.
Heaven and Hell Records is pleased to offer their newest digital sampler, Over the Top, as a FREE download. The comp features 21 tracks from DARK DESIGN, WITCHES MARK, TWISTED TOWER DIRE and more. Download Over the TopFREE of charge at: http://www.heavenandhellrecords.com/blog/?page_id=95.
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For a related article on DARK DESIGN, featured on Metal Odyssey:
The eighth studio album by Norwegian Black Metal band SATYRICON will be released in North America on September 17th via Nuclear BlastEntertainment.
SATYRICON:
“We are back. Sorry it took so long, but we needed the time to be able to pull off a record like this,” states band frontman Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven. “Comparing this one to previous records is time wasted, it is SATYRICON; constantly on the move. Naming this record Satyricon was the most obvious thing in the world. We have never done a record which captures the spirit of this band in such a way. Ever. It will demand a lot from you as a listener, but I know you will love it. It will grow on you and that is why it will stay with you forever. We won’t tour as much in the future as we used to, and that will just make every tour more special. This album is for you and ourselves. It is our moment!”
Satyricon was recorded in Norway, produced by Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven, and mixed by Adam Kasper. The album features a guest vocal appearance by fellow Norwegian Sivert Høyem of the Rock group MADRUGADA. In-studio photos can be viewed on the band’s official Facebook page: Satyricon Norway
Satyricon will be released in North America as the following formats:
• deluxe jewel case with three bonus tracks
• vinyl LP in assorted colors (release date TBA)
A pre-order bundle with an exclusive t-shirt + the deluxe CD is available on the Nuclear Blast USA Webshop at: http://store.nuclearblastusa.com/
Track listing for Satyricon Is:
01 – Voice Of Shadows
02 – Tro Og Kraft
03 – Our World, It Rumbles Tonight
04 – Nocturnal Flare
05 – Phoenix
06 – Walker Upon The Wind
07 – Nekrohaven
08 – Ageless Northern Spirit
09 – The Infinity Of Time And Space
10 – Natt
Bonus Tracks:
11 – Phoenix (Recording Session Mix)
12 – Our World, It Rumbles Tonight (Deeper Low Mix)
13 – Natt (Wet Mix)
Next month on September 8th, SATYRICON will be participating in the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival and will perform with Norway’sNational Opera Chorus at an exclusive show at the NorwegianNational Opera House in Oslo.
KATAKLYSM – The 11th studio album, Waiting For The End To Come, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada’s KATKALYSM, will be released in North America, on October 29th, via NuclearBlast. The ever legendary Death Metal pack of KATAKLYSM have historically been known for their incredible album cover artwork; Waiting For The End To Come is no different!
There will be 2 album cover versions for Waiting For The End To Come. Read below about both album covers and what they truly depict, as spoken from KATAKLYSM vocalist Maurizio Iacono. Metal be thy name!
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As reported on the Facebook page of KATAKLYSM:
Set your eyes on the CD and Limited Cassette main artwork for WAITING FORTHE END TO COME from Peter Sallai!
“The album art depicts a child which represents innocence in humanity, covered in dirt and blood from life’s experiences. In front of him, his death represented by a reaper who comes to claim his soul for the afterlife, or the abyss. It’s open to the fans to decide with their own beliefs. In the end this is the transition between life & death.” – Maurizio Iacono (vocalist – KATAKLYSM)
…And below is the alternate album cover art! Read all about this cover image (below), via Nuclear Blast! Whoa!
KATAKLYSM have revealed the alternate cover art for their highly anticipated upcoming release Waiting for the End to Come. The artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED) will be featured on the deluxe digipak and LP versions of their new album, which will be released on October 29th (North America) via Nuclear Blast.
The previously released cover by Peter Sallai (SABATON), will be featured on the standard jewel case and limited edition cassette tape versions.
“This other version of the new art made by Eliran Kantor represents a more iconic and epic approach,” commented vocalist Maurizio Iacono. “A man representing all of humanity, shaking the foundation of existence and ultimately beginning the process of destruction. The main foundation is depicted here as the famous KATAKLYSM ‘tribal sun’ logo. It does not represent the end of KATAKLYSM by any means; more the beginning of a new era after the end of a certain existence.”
DEATH ANGEL are pleased to announce their North American headlining tour in support of their upcoming thrashsterpiece, “The Dream Calls For Blood”. Joining them on a savage aural assault across two nations are: 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, BATTLECROSS, REVOCATION, and DIAMOND PLATE.
“We are so excited to announce this upcoming tour,” commented vocalist Mark Osegueda. “We worked so hard writing, and recording this record! Especially writing this while on the road for the last 3 years of touring. And it reflects the triumphs, and mainly hardships of all we went through while touring. The anger, perseverance, and energy was captured on the recording of The Dream Calls for Blood. This tour is the PERFECT spring-board to launch off of and back on the road; hungrier and more focused than ever! With a lineup of bands handpicked by us, you’re basically sonically ravaged from the moment the lights dim at the beginning of the night, until the lights turn back on at the end! I’m confident every band on this bill plan on sending you home feeling like you’ve survived a massacre that you can’t help but brag about. Look forward to feeding off each other’s energy! Stay hungry! Stay thrash! See you on the road, in the pit, and at the bar!!!”
The San Francisco, Hollywood and Ramona gigs are considered CD release shows and everyone that purchases a ticket will also receive a copy of the new DEATH ANGEL album at the show! Tickets are on sale now. VIP package will be on sale at http://deathangel.soundrink.com and include the following:
– One (1) General Admission Ticket
– Copy of the New Album: The Dream Calls For Blood
– Exclusive DEATH ANGEL T-Shirt
– 11 x 17 Poster
– DEATH ANGEL Drink Koozie
– VIP Laminate w/ Lanyard
Mark Osegueda – vocals
Rob Cavestany – guitar
Ted Aguilar – guitar
Will Carroll – drums
Damien Sisson – bass
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2013:
DEATH ANGEL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, BATTLECROSS, REVOCATION, DIAMOND PLATE
18.10. USA San Francisco, CA – Slim’s (no DIAMOND PLATE)
19.10. USA Hollywood, CA – The Whisky
20.10. USA Ramona, CA – Ramona Mainstage
21.10. USA Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
23.10. USA Austin, TX – Dirty Dog
24.10. USA Houston, TX – Scout Bar
25.10. USA Dallas, TX – South By So What
26.10. USA Oklahoma City, OK – Chameleon Room
27.10. USA St. Louis, MO – FuBar
29.10. USA New York, NY – Webster Hall (Marlin Room)
30.10. USA Springfield, VA – Empire
31.10. USA Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
01.11. USA Wilmington, DE – Mojo 13
02.11. USA Boston, MA – Middle East
03.11. CND Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques
04.11. CND Toronto, ON – Opera House
05.11. USA Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
07.11. USA Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
08.11. USA Alburquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
09.11. USA Tempe, AZ – Rocky Point
10.11. USA Santan Ana, CA – Observatory
Free Download Of New Track Available Now; Behind-The-Scenes Studio Footage Posted
Currently celebrating ten years of blackened Metal,SKELETONWITCH are proud to unveil details about their most venomous release yet — Serpents Unleashed. Set for release in North America on October 29 (October 28 EU/UK, October 25 Germany), the highly anticipated follow-up to 2011’s critical-lauded, Billboard-charting Forever Abomination was recorded earlier this year at GodCity Studio with Kurt Ballou (Converge, Trap Them, High on Fire), who expertly channeled the band’s colossal live sound into eleven blasts of abominable, frosty fire. Serpents Unleashed features cover artwork by John Baizley (Baroness, Kylesa, Kvelertak), who returns to the ‘WITCH fold for the first time since 2007’s Beyond The Permafrost.
Today, new track “Burned From Bone” — which the band debuted earlier this year during a headlining set at Pitchfork’s “Show No Mercy” showcase at South By Southwest — premiered on SiriusXM’s “Liquid Metal with Jose.” The song is available now as a free* download by texting SERPENTS to 24587. Behind-the-scenes studio footage of the band recording the track at GodCity can be view at:
1. Serpents Unleashed
2. Beneath Dead Leaves
3. I Am Of Death (Hell Has Arrived)
4. From a Cloudless Sky
5. Burned From Bone
6. Unending, Everliving
7. Blade On The Flesh, Blood On My Hands
8. This Evil Embrace
9. Unwept
10. Born of the Light That Does Not Shine
11. More Cruel Than Weak
…or physically on CD, audio cassette, three different 180-gram LP variants (black, clear or red) and a limited-edition 7-inch collector’s box via http://www.skeletonwitch.com.
Also available for pre-order now is a new vinyl pressing of Beyond ThePermafrost,which is back in print on 180-gram black vinyl as well as a new 180-gram clear vinyl variant. Purchase it here:
Over the past decade, SKELETONWITCH has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with a who’s who of modern heavy metal in addition to leveling some of the genre’s largest festivals (Wacken, Graspop, Summer Breeze, Ozzfest, Tuska, Bloodstock), in the process gaining a dedicated legion of fans on both sides of the stage. The band recently completed a successful run of high-profile dates opening for Sweden’s Ghost B.C., a group they will again perform alongside this fall. Additional fall tour dates will be announced later this week.
ENABLER – The great Midwest cities of Milwaukee (WI), Dayton (OH) and Minneapolis (MN) are home to the unbelievably savage: ENABLER. Ever since I (finally) started to listen to their new EP, Shift Of Redemption, this band has made my Metal week! ENABLER fuses Metal, Hardcore and Punk into their own seamless form. If you’re into this scene of Hardcore Metal, get ready, cause ENABLER will smash you senseless!
Founding member, guitarist and vocalist Jeff Lohrber exhibits a top-tier Hardcore performance on this EP; as does this entire band and they have a raging chemistry that boils over through each song. If ENABLER’s musical hostility can’t get your ass moving, then, you’re already six feet beneath the ground. ENABLER has proven to me they are a fiery force to reckon with within this genre and Shift Of Redemption only magnifies my said belief. Metal be thy name.
Shift Of Redemption was released via Think Fast! Records worldwide on April 9th as a digital download and 7”; the first pressing was limited to 1,000 copies, with 350 copies pressed on gold wax and 650 on clear.
In the beginning of 2009, TOXIC WALTZ were founded by lead guitarist Jimi and ex-drummer Tim.
Bass guitar player Rahman, vocalist Angelo and rhythm guitarist Alex joined the band soon to form a THRASH METAL ensemble that is clearly affected by the US BAY AREA style (e.g. EXODUS, HEATHEN, DARK ANGEL), neither leaving out influences from other genres nor lacking recognition value.
TOXIC WALTZ are delivering aggressive, but artistically demanding THRASH, characterized by diversified songwriting.
The band’s unique style and live experience, originated with many smaller gigs, earned them bigger venues soon.
TOXIC WALTZ has shared the stage with well-known bands like SIX FEETUNDER, ALPHA TIGER and DEBAUCHERY.
In the near future, the debut full-length record “tba” is ready to be released through a record company. The band is fully ambitious to reach the maximum success for them and the label!
The Witchhunt, the forthcoming 12th studio album from Death Metal pioneers MASTER, is now available for pre-order.
Set for a September 27th worldwide release on Germany’s FDA Rekotz, The Witchhunt will be available on digital, CD and white, black or blue vinyl formats. Several pre-order CD/LP + t-shirt packages are being offered. FDA Rekotz and MASTER are also offering an ‘Ultimate Fan Package’ that includes the album on CD and vinyl, a MASTER t-shirt, patch and sticker and a copy of “SPECKMANN – Underground Survivor – The Pictoral,” a limited edition, 196-page book featuring pictures and stories from MASTER founder and Death Metal pioneer Paul Speckmann.
The Witchhunt features 11 brand new tracks of classic and catchy Death Metal played with the intensity and attitude that MASTER fans have come to rely upon over the years. The album’s thick, massive production demonstrates the band’s superb musicianship and songwriting skills. This is an album that sees MASTER at the top of their 20+ year career. Artwork for The Witchhunt comes courtesy of ArtWars Media Design.
Additional Live Dates With Ghost B.C. Announced; New Album Coming Soon
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Ohio Metal savages SKELETONWITCH will premiere a new song from their upcoming release, Serpents Unleashed, on Liquid Metal with Jose tomorrow (Tuesday, August 13) at 6:00pm EST on SiriusXM channel 40. The highly anticipated new album, which will be unleashed this Fall, was recorded earlier this year at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with Kurt Ballou (Converge, Trap Them, High on Fire). Stay tuned for additional details about the recording in the days ahead.
Additionally, SKELETONWITCH is pleased to announce three more shows with Ghost B.C. — a group with whom they recently toured — on off-dates of the Swedish occult rock group’s upcoming tour with Avenged Sevenfold and Deftones. Dates are as follows:
SKELETONWITCH – w/ Ghost B.C.
10/04/2013 Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI
10/07/2013 Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
10/14/2013 Bijou Theatre – Knoxville, TN
Over the last decade, SKELETONWITCH has toured with practically every major name in heavy metal in support of their four full-lengths released to date, the last two of which both cracked the Billboard Top 200. The band’s vigorous live performances, blue-collar work ethic and frosty/fiery/abominable Blackened Thrash have earned them legions of fans around the globe.
TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – Red Dirt Metal. THC. Straight from the grand state of Texas, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION are here to stay and this badass band brings it! I’ve been spreading the Metal word about THC for quite some time now and I’ll NEVER stop. Below is the heavy hittin’ and tree splittin’ lyric video for, Hands Up; a hit from THC’s 2012 studio album Peacemaker. This lyric video for Hands Up is also:
Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!
Play it LOUD and be glad I told you so. Metal be thy name.
Big Dad Ritch – Vocals
John Exall – Bass Guitar
Cord Pool – Guitar
Gunnar Molton – Drums
TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – PEACEMAKER
Released on August 12th, 2012, via Carved Records.
AMON AMARTH – The ninth studio album, Deceiver Of The Gods, from Sweden’s Melodic Death Metal Kings, AMON AMARTH, was released on June 25th of this year, via Metal Blade Records. Metal victory has once again been achieved for AMON AMARTH! Solid songs, musicianship, vocals and lyrics are only just the beginning, with Deceiver Of The Gods. AMONAMARTH have quite possibly released one of their finest Metal works of their storied career.
AMON AMARTH have a catalog of stellar albums that are (rather) difficult to leap-frog, when I think of making comparisons within their discography. AMONAMARTH are undisputed Metal legends, therefore Deceiver Of The Gods (just) has to be grand. Right? It is! This new AMON AMARTH album, Deceiver Of The Gods, rages along with Melodic Death Metal majesty and is a sonic blast of what this band is so legendary for!
Photo Credit: John McMurtrie
My favorite song on this album is Hel. Glory be to the Metal Gods, this song is impeccable! Hel has now become (quite honestly) my favorite AMON AMARTH song of all-time! Vocalist Johan Hegg and (former Candlemass) guest vocalist Messiah Marcolin compliment each other in eye-popping fashion; it’s Johan’s muscular growl meets Messiah’s falsetto.
The title track (and album opener) plus the closer Warriors Of The North are fist-pumping, headbanging and raise the horns to the sky epics! A well thought-out way of bookending the prime-rib delicacy of Metal that is Deceiver OfThe Gods. Northern Mythology is once again embraced within the themes of this new AMON AMARTH album; with the Norse God, Loke, being the current example; however, this album is not devoted entirely on this legendary figure.
AMON AMARTH continuously raises their own bar of excellence and I couldn’t be more sincere and psyched about that. I highly recommend Deceiver Of The Gods to ALL my fellow Metal brethren and consider it as a bona-fide Top Ten contender for Metal Odyssey’s year-end Best Of 2013 list.
As reported on the Black Star Riders Facebook page:
We are very pleased to announce that Black Star Riders ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ has been nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 Classic Rock Awards – PLEASE VOTE FOR US!!!!
With accolades from media outlets and fans alike still surging in on their sophomore LP, Sky Burial, following its release via Relapse in March, Richmond’s genre-destroying INTER ARMA is already back to work in the studio. For the next ten days, the band will be bunkered down in Madison, Tennessee-based Dark Art Studios with producer Mikey Allred — the same surroundings and setup that captured the monolithic Sky Burial LP — once again unifying their talents on a massive track, to also see release via Relapse.
“There’s no title yet, but it’s a forty-plus minute piece that was originally written during the summer of 2009 and only played out a few times” stated guitarist Trey Dalton on the track. “We’ll have some different people doing guest appearances (noise, synth, strings, vox, and more) as well. We’re trying to make the most completely off the wall shit yet.”
Further details on the recording will be released in the coming weeks upon completion. In the meantime, INTER ARMA has been confirmed to perform at a pair of late Summer stateside music festivals, including a set alongside Pig Destroyer, ASG, Sleep, Kurt Vile and more at this year’s massive Hopscotch Fest in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 5th, followed by a spot on Boomslang Festival in Lexington, Kentucky the weekend of September 20th with Blonde Redhead, Marnie Stern, Locrian, Grails, Chelsea Wolfe and a ton of others. They’ve also been confirmed to storm Holland in 2014 as part of the annual Roadburn Festival. Expect further tour actions to be announced shortly.
New live album coming in October…stay tuned for more infos!
And… as stated by Lita Ford, recently on her Facebook page:
“The new LITA FORD LIVE Is high energy! I rocked the mastered copy on my new Dr. Dre’s while stuck in Friday afternoon rush hour! Due out in the world the week of September 22nd through the 28th! It’s called THE BITCH IS BACK …..LIVE! Look for it.”
Hod – In just under 12 minutes, the crushing, diabolical and Blackened Death Metal of Hod’s (self-released) The Uncreated Demo is an intense auditory experience! My fellow Metal brethren, Hod’s underground Metal is a necessity for your Metal stash. All three songs rage with riffs aplenty, with a rhythm section ablaze! The vocals of Vladibeer Reebs are a weapon of mass destruction! Death, Black and Extreme Metal is woven into an out-of-control firestorm on The UncreatedDemo! Metal be thy name.
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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