Archive for Heavy Metal

BENEDICTUM & DESDEMON Spread their wings for select 2011 U.S. Dates!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Benedictum & DesDemon team up for Path of the Valkyries tour to promote their recent studio releases.

Benedictum reign from Arizona, fronted by the diabolical mistress “V” Veronica Freeman. The band is known more in European markets and will finally showcase their talent in the U.S. with their current release “Dominion” via Frontiers Records.  Previous releases include “Seasons of Tragedy” and “Uncreation”.

DesDemon hail from New York, fronted by new vixen Chelsea Knaack. Finally released their debut “Through the Gates” via Radtone Music Japan and will soon be available in all retail and on-line markets.   DesDemon have been described as a new force in female fronted Symphonic Metal!!!!

See Benedictum and DesDemon on their Path of the Valkyries in the following cities.

November 10th – The Haven – Orlando/Altamonte Springs , FL

November 11th – The Pathfinder Metalfest 3 – Marietta, GA

November 12th – Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC

November 17th – Metal Thursday @ Ralf’s Diner – Worcester, MA (with Joe Stump)

November 18th – Dublin Pub – New Hyde Park, NY (with HolyHell)

November 19th – Flight of the Valkyries Festival – Sonar – Baltimore, Maryland

BENEDICTUM – DOMINION (Frontiers Records)

Benedictum was recently selected as the pick of the week on VH1 Classics “That Metal Show. “Dominion” is an exciting musical episode building upon their great foundation by adding  Grammy Award winning producer Ryan Greene (Megadeth, F5, NOFX) and are firing on all cylinders. From the onslaught of the opening track Dominion to the epic Epsilon and the heartfelt acoustic track Sanctuary, this album has it all.  Adding to the already explosive sound of “Dominion” are guest appearances by Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner), Craig Goldy (Rough Cutt, Dio, Giuffria) and Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quite Riot, Whitesnake).

DesDemon “Through the Gates” transcends you through dark majestic symphonic metal passages with supreme musicianship.  “Through the Gates” has an impressive list of guests musicians from Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex- Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls of the Damned, Hell Yeah!), Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia, Somerville / Kiske, HDK, Epica), Sander Gommans (Trillium, After Forever, HDK) & Joe Stump (Holyhell, world-renowned guitar virtuoso).

DesDemon and Benedictum individually have shared the stage with the likes of many international artists like Doro, Primal Fear, Tyr, Korpiklaani, Rotting Christ, Epicurean, Mantic Ritual, Paul DiAnno, Icarus Witch, and have graced the stage of several festivals throughout Europe.

(Source: Frontiers Records)

* For more info, click on the links below:

BENEDICTUM – Official Website

BENEDICTUM – facebook

FRONTIERS RECORDS

DESDEMON – facebook

LONG LIVE BENEDICTUM.

LONG LIVE DESDEMON.

Stone.

LIZZY BORDEN – Announces “Death Takes A Holiday Tour” 2011

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

After blazing through the U.S. and Canada on the “Summer of Blood Tour”, LIZZY BORDEN have announced the “Death Takes a Holiday Tour” 2011.

LIZZY BORDEN will kick off the European part of the tour in the Netherlands (Eindhoven) on November 23rd, then on to Germany for the Christmas Metal Festival with Hammerfall, Lordi and Saxon in Lichtenfels, Germany on Nov 25th. A much anticipated performance at this year’s Hard Rock Hell festival in the UK will follow on December 2nd with Ace Frehley , Magnum and the Quireboys .

LIZZY BORDEN’s “Death takes a holiday tour” also includes headlining shows throughout Europe (all tour dates below).

Full tour dates are as follows:

November

19 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Hell And Heaven Festival (with Megadeth)

23 – Eindhoven, Holland – The Rambler

25 – Lichtenfels, Germany – Christmas Metal Festival (with Saxon, Lordi)

26 – Uster, Switzerland – Rock City

27 – Munich, Germany – Garage De Luxe

28 – Vienna, Austria – Escape

30 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Channel Zero

December:

1 – London, England – Camden Underworld

2 – Prestatyn, North Wales – Hard Rock Hell Festival (w/Ace Frehley, the Quireboys)

3 – York, UK – The Duchess

5 – Helsinki, Finland – DOM

9 – Sala, Sweden – Rockland

10 -Trollhattan, Sweden – Backstage

11 – Copenhagen, Danmark – The Rock

LIZZY BORDEN will be performing all of the classic songs like “Me against the World” “American Metal”, “Master of Disguise” as well as songs from the latest LIZZY BORDEN full length album “Appointment with Death”, along with some new surprises in the show just for this holiday tour.

(Source: Metal Blade Records News Update)

* For more info on LIZZY BORDEN, click on the links below:

LIZZY BORDEN – Official Website

LIZZY BORDEN – Official facebook

LONG LIVE LIZZY BORDEN.

Stone.

Jägermeister Presents 2011 Tour With Co-Headliners UNEARTH & CHIMAIRA

Posted in concerts, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Since the band’s genre defining release The Oncoming Storm, UNEARTH has continuously crisscrossed the globe, becoming one of the hardest – and most consistent – touring bands in all of Hard Rock. With Darkness in the Light, their fifth full-length, the quintet have delivered their most honest, powerful, and compelling statement to date, driving a fist into the collective gut of every image-obsessed Metal band currently cluttering up the landscape, and setting a new standard when it comes to marrying precision brute force and exhilarating melody.

Earning themselves Top 200 Billboard Chart entries for all four of the band’s Metal Blade releases (The Oncoming Storm, III: In the Eyes of Fire, The March, and Darkness in the Light), UNEARTH is once again prepared to take the world by storm when they hit the road this fall with Cleveland, Ohio’s Chimaira. The tour will be joined by Athens, Ohio’s Skeletonwitch and Las Vegas, Nevada’s Molotov Solution.

Jägermeister, the brand that’s synonymous with music, has a long history of supporting bands, both from a local and basement level to national amphitheater acts. The brand has spent almost two decades developing artists and has seen many go from obscurity to the top of their fields. “Both bands symbolize the attitude that Jägermeister shares with Hard Rock and Metal music,” says Bill Henderson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising at Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. “Chimaira and UNEARTH have both worked with our brand for several years and it’s great that we can continue the relationship with this tour.”

“We are incredibly pleased to announce this fall’s Jägermeister tour in North America,” says Trevor Phipps of UNEARTH.  “We will be supporting our new album Darkness In the Light and are anxious to play more tracks from that album. Hitting the road with us will be our old friends in Chimaira, Skeletonwitch and soon to be new friends in Molotov Solution.  We would like to thank Jägermeister for supporting this tour and we look forward to seeing you all on the road! Let’s make this a fall tour to remember!!! Cheers!!!”

Tickets will be on sale to the general public starting September 23 through each venue’s ticketing outlet.  Please check local listings or UNEARTH’s website HERE for more details.

Above: CHIMAIRA – The Age Of Hell

Jägermeister presents UNEARTH/CHIMAIRA tour  with Skeletonwitch & Molotov Solution:

11/16/2011 Webster Theatre – Hartford, CT

11/17/2011 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY

11/18/2011 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ

11/19/2011 Wally’s Pub – Hampton Beach, NH

11/20/2011 JAXX – Springfield, VA

11/21/2011 The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

11/22/2011 Lincoln Theater – Raleigh, NC

11/23/2011 House Of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC

11/25/2011 Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

11/26/2011 State Theatre – St. Petersburg, FL

11/27/2011 Freebird Live – Jacksonville, FL

11/29/2011 Emo’s – Austin, TX

11/30/2011 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK

12/01/2011 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM*

12/02/2011 Mesa Theater & Club – Grand Junction, CO

12/03/2011 The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO*

12/04/2011 Top Deck – Farmington, NM

12/05/2011 The Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ*

12/07/2011 Glass House – Pomona, CA*

12/08/2011 Knitting Factory – Reno, NV

12/09/2011 Knitting Factory – Boise, ID

12/10/2011 Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA*

12/16/2011 Wheelhouse – Cedar Falls, IA

12/17/2011 The Barrymore Theater – Madison, WI

12/18/2011 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI

* Skeletonwitch will  not be appearing on these dates

UPDATE: CANADA SHOWS ADDED!!

Not wanting to leave out their Canadian fans on the upcoming fall tour, UNEARTH and Chimaira have added five additional shows to the existing U.S. tour.  Check out the dates below:

11/13/2011 The Opera House – Toronto, ON

11/14/2011 Club Soda – Montreal, QC

12/11/2011 The Republik – Calgary, AB

12/12/2011 Starlite – Edmonton, AB

12/14/2011 Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB

Joining the package on all shows will be Skeletonwitch and Molotov Solution. Tickets are currently on sale to the general public through each venue’s ticketing outlet.  Please check local listings or UNEARTH‘s website HERE for more details.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE UNEARTH & CHIMAIRA.

LONG LIVE SKELETONWITCH.

LONG LIVE MOLOTOV SOLUTION.

Stone.

HULL – Record Release Party Announced: Here’s The Details…

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

In celebration of their upcoming Beyond The Lightless Sky full-length, set for North American release on October 11, 2011 via The End Records, Brooklyn Sludge Rock ensemble HULL will play a special record release party on October 10 at The Mercury Lounge in New York City. See info below:

What: HULL Beyond The Lightless Sky Record Release Party

When: October 10, 2011

Where: Mercury Lounge

Doors: 7:00pm

Further info at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, Metal Injection recently posted an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of HULL‘s “Beyond The Lightless Sky” video. If you missed it the first time, check out the “making of” video footage HERE.

Hailing from the streets of Brooklyn, New York, HULL has yet again emerged with a creation to outlive the ages with latest saga, Beyond The Lightless Sky. Digging further into the past, the Mayan epic takes the listener through a division of two brothers and the struggles that they are faced with. One finds salvation amongst the stars and the wisdom of a stranger, while the other is mesmerized with the bloodthirsty belief of sacrifice and self-mutilation. In silence lies a realm that exists outside the plane of fear.

Beyond The Lightless Sky features guest appearances by vocalist Jarboe, keys/ambiance by Fade Kainer (Batillus/Jarboe/Inswarm ) and cello by Joe Merolla with artwork by Tamara Waite-Santibanez (http://nogutsandnoglory.blogspot.com).

Pre-order Beyond The Lightless Sky HERE.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.facebook.com/hull666

http://www.hullorhighwater.com

http://www.myspace.com/hull

LONG LIVE HULL.

Stone.

KING KOBRA – Turn Up The Good Times: Official Music Video and Words To Live By

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, music videos, rock music, rock music news, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

KING KOBRA – We unfortunately live in a world that could use a ton more peace, love and Rock ‘N Roll. You don’t need to be a Deadhead and follow psychedelic bands to understand that. Being a Metalhead, I can relate quite well to peace, love and Rock ‘N Roll and why wouldn’t I? There already is enough hate, envy and mean people around us all, so why shouldn’t I spread the Hard Rockin’ and positive vibes of the legendary KING KOBRA today, with their music video: Turn Up The Good Times.

The self-titled comeback album (and fifth studio album overall) from KING KOBRA, has reminded me once again that there still are Hard Rock bands that want to write and record a feel-good album. KING KOBRA is led by founding member and ultra legendary drummer: Carmine Appice. Rounding out KING KOBRA is: Paul Shortino (vocals), David Michael-Philips (guitar), Mick Sweda (guitar) and Johnny Rod (bass).

* KING KOBRA was released on April 15th, 2011 in Europe and May 5th, 2011 in North America on Frontiers Records.

TURN UP THE VOLUME ON KING KOBRA’S TURN UP THE GOOD TIMES BELOW!

Directed by Mario Ruiz/Spain

* For more info on KING KOBRA, click on the links below:

KING KOBRA – Official facebook

www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords

FRONTIERS RECORDS


LONG LIVE KING KOBRA.

TURN UP THE GOOD TIMES EVERYONE.

Stone.

BENEDICTUM is Pick of the Week on 10/1 Episode of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

On Saturday night’s (Oct 1) episode of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show, co-host Don Jamieson will announce BENEDICTUM as his pick of the week! The hit Heavy Metal talk show airs at 11:00 p.m. Eastern / 8:00 p.m. Pacific. Be sure to tune in! Read more about That Metal Show at this location: http://www.vh1.com/shows/that_metal_show/series.jhtml

BENEDICTUM vocalist Veronica Freeman made this comment, “The band is extremely honored by this recognition and we would like to urge all of our fans to tune into That Metal Show this weekend and show your support.”

THAT METAL SHOW distills decades of your favorite Hard Rock and Heavy Metal into a solid sixty minutes. Hosted by Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson.

(Source: Benedictum newsletter)

Benedictum’s latest album “Dominion” is now in stores via Frontiers Records.

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

BENEDICTUM – Official Website

BENEDICTUM – facebook

LONG LIVE BENEDICTUM.

Stone.

Heavy Metal Thoughts To Ponder, As We Enter October Of 2011…

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 30, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Like most Metalheads, I think about and listen to Heavy Metal quite often. Many times my brain makes up these “thoughts to ponder”, only it is never any fun pondering them by myself. Therefore, today being the last day of September 2011, I am letting the world know what current Heavy Metal thoughts I am pondering! Take a look below, to see if maybe you would like to “ponder” them with me.

01The X Factor (USA) is on Fox! Who gives a crap about this show if your into Heavy Metal or Hard Rock? This is just another televised anti-Heavy Music talent show to find the next pre-teen and teen idol that can’t sing a damn lick of Pop manure. Hollywood doesn’t care if you can’t sing, as long as you have that “perfect face” and skinny body. As far as the “older dudes” that audition for this show, it’s the same thing: bubble gum.

02Nevermind by the legendary Nirvana has been reissued this past Tuesday, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its release. I bought the cassette of Nevermind when it was released back in 1991. I always felt Nirvana was a great band and Nevermind was a great album. That’s it, folks. That album is NOT the Holy Grail of Rock music history. ElvisThe BeatlesThe Who, Led ZeppelinBlack Sabbath, KISS, RUSH and The Ramones already came and conquered, way in advance of Nevermind, sorry to say. I never checked in my loyalty to Heavy Metal card at the door, just due to a band coming out of (Seattle) Aberdeen, Washington and decided to mix Punk, Hard Rock and Alternative Rock together.

03 – By the way, Grunge never killed Heavy Metal. Nope. Back in those early 1990’s, the press decided to not cover Heavy Metal while the record companies decided Seattle was the gateway to Rock and Roll’s Atlantis. Whose face has egg on it now?

04 – If I read one more article about how there will no longer be CD’s manufactured in “five years”, I think I’m gonna jump out of my skin. Regardless, there is a “genius” that pops up every week, somewhere, that decides they are gonna remind us all about how terrible the CD is and how this music medium will be wiped off the face of the planet.

That’s it. Those are my Heavy Metal thoughts to ponder. I wish I could list more, yet I won’t. Why not list more? Well, the two blogging books I’ve been reading recently state: keep your posts short, simple and to the point. Screw the blogging books. Here is one more Bonus Heavy Metal thought to ponder!

BONUS – Who are Rufus with Chaka Khan? It sounds like some high caloric dish you would order from a pricey restaurant in New York City. Despite my being confused, they were nominated for induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for 2012. I realize that KISS pisses off The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for some crazy reason, still, Carmine Appice, Cheap Trick, The Moody Blues, RUSHThe Doobie Brothers and many other qualifying and REAL legends of ROCK AND ROLL are not nominated and Rufus with Chaka Khan is? Metal be thy name.

LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL AND REAL ROCK & ROLL.

Rest In Peace, Kurt Cobain.

Stone.

SEVEN WITCHES Guitarist Jack Frost Featured In New Instructional Course, Band To Open For Armored Saint This Fall

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on September 30, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Epic Rhythm Guitar Power, the new instructional DVD course from Guitar Control features SEVEN WITCHES main man/guitar wizard Jack Frost giving in-depth lessons on “the four big secrets to epic rhythm guitar power.” The epic three-DVD/26-page tab package is broken down into four sections:

Big Rhythm Secret #1 – “Borrow From The Legends”

Big Rhythm Secret #2 – “Create An Epic Wall Of Sonic Power”

Big Rhythm Secret #3 – “Master The Right Hand”

Big Rhythm Secret #4 – “Bring On The ‘Frostitude'”

Check out a video sample HERE:

For more info and to order, go to THIS LOCATION.

SEVEN WITCHES will be supporting legendary Metallers ARMORED SAINT on three special East Coast dates later this fall.

Commented Frost: “I am stoked to do this run of dates with my brothers in Armored Saint. This is a killer paring for the East Coast, but for me it’s a dream come true. Not only am I a fan of Saint’s music, but there are so many family ties with those guys since Joey Vera for several years played bass — on albums and live — in SEVEN WITCHES and he has mastered, engineered, and/or mixed on all the WITCHES albums since Exiled To Infinity And One in 2002. It’s gonna be a fun night and WITCHES will try our best to warm you all up for the mighty Saint. This is also a very special for us because it will be a one-time run with this special lineup. We will be playing new music from our latest album Call Upon The Wicked, the classics we are known for, plus dusting off a few we haven’t played in a while.”

SEVEN WITCHES w/ Armored Saint:

11/30/2011 Ollie’s Point Bar – Amityville, NY

12/02/2011 Crocodile Rock – Allentown, PA

12/03/2011 The Studio at Webster Hall – New York, NY

SEVEN WITCHES Touring Lineup (for AS dates) 

Alan Tecchio (Hades , Non Fiction, Autumn Hour ) – Vocals

Paul Marciano (Die Hard Till Death, ex- Belladonna ) – Drums

Mike Lepond (Symphony X) – Bass

Jack Frost (Bronx Casket Company, ex – Savatage, Lizzy Borden, Belladonna) – Guitar

SEVEN WITCHES recently released their Call Upon the Wicked full-length in North America via FrostByte Records. Call Upon The Wicked was recorded at Lickman Studios by Frost with co-producers Mike LePond and Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning), who also mixed the record.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE JACK FROST & SEVEN WITCHES.

LONG LIVE ARMORED SAINT.

Stone.

SLIPKNOT – IOWA: 10th Anniversary Edition Releases November 1st, 2011

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on September 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

This advertisement for the 10th Anniversary Edition release for SLIPKNOT – IOWA crossed my Metal path today. I found it to be the best news I’ve heard all day, cause I’m currently living in Water World where it never stops raining. The release date for this SLIPKNOT gem is November 1st, 2011 on RoadRunner Records.

IOWA was the second studio album from SLIPKNOT, released on RoadRunner Records, back in August of 2001.

The anniversary edition will include plenty of extras for the maggots and beyond to feast upon. Disc One will comprise the original Iowa album along with a remix of “My Plague” as an added bonus track. Disc Two will include the full live audio from the legendary Disasterpieces DVD, where the band’s 2002 show at the London Arena was captured by 30 cameras and released as a concert film. The DVD will include Goat, a new film directed by M. Shawn Crahan featuring never-before-seen interviews and footage showing the madness that surrounded the Iowa era, plus four music videos.

Disc 1: Iowa

(515)

People = Shit

Disasterpiece

My Plague

Everything Ends

The Heretic Anthem

Gently

Left Behind

The Shape

I Am Hated

Skin Ticket

New Abortion

Metabolic

Iowa

My Plague (New Abuse Mix)

Disc 2: Disasterpieces  – Live In London 2002

(515)

People = Shit

Liberate

Left Behind

Eeyore

Disasterpiece

Purity

Gently

Eyeless

Drum Solo

My Plague

New Abortion

The Heretic Anthem

Spit It Out

Wait And Bleed

742617000027

(sic)

Surfacing

Disc 3: Goat (hour-long film capturing the insanity of Iowa, directed by M. Shawn Crahan)

Music Videos:

My Plague

Left Behind

The Heretic Anthem (Live)

People = Shit (Live)

In other Slipknot news, the band is bringing 4 tracks spanning their career to the Rock Bandvideo game. Fans can download and play along to “Wait and Bleed”, “Left Behind”, “Pulse of the Maggots” and “Snuff” in Rock Band 3, available  starting on September 27th, 2011.

(Source: RoadRunner Records)

For more info click here: ROADRUNNER RECORDS

For more info on SLIPKNOT, click here: SLIPKNOT – Official Website

LONG LIVE SLIPKNOT.

Rest In Peace, Paul Gray.

Stone.

SUPREME PAIN – Death Metal Band Searching For A New Drummer

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

As you may know, SUPREME PAIN’s current drummer Paul is injured and will probably no longer be able to play the drums for the band.

Because of that the band is now searching for a good Death Metal drummer! SUPREME PAIN play brutal Death Metal with an old-school touch. The future drummer should know how to play fast double bass drums and blast beats.

The rehearsals will take place in the Rotterdam area, Netherlands. Regular rehearsals as well as commitment to the band are really important for them. Rehearsals take place on Monday or Tuesday evening.

If you are interested, contact the band via supremepain@gmail.com

(Source: MASSACRE RECORDS)

* For more info on SUPREME PAIN, click on the links below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Supreme-Pain/213307185360423

http://www.myspace.com/supremepainofficial

LONG LIVE SUPREME PAIN.

Stone.

TWISTED TOWER DIRE: Virginia Power Metallers To Headline NC Metalfest, October 8th, 2011

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Virginia-based Power Metal heavyweights TWISTED TOWER DIRE perform as one of the main headliners of the NC Metalfest in Wilson, North Carolina. Scheduled to take place Saturday, October 8th, the full-day affair features three stages, with 30 bands from across the country performing, and showcasing TWISTED TOWER DIRE will headlining the festivities alongside Widow, Blatant Disarray and more.

TWISTED TOWER DIRE features guitarists Scott Waldrop (While Heaven Wept) and Dave Boyd (Volture), bassist Jim Hunter (Revelation, October 31, While Heaven Wept), drummer Mark Stauffer (Krass Judgement), and vocalist Johnny Aune (Viper) now replacing previous singer Tony Taylor, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in February 2010.

Released in May via Italy’s Cruz Del Sur Music, TWISTED TOWER DIRE‘s latest full-length Make It Dark showcases some of the most matured and well-honed material in the band’s sixteen year history, culminating their pillar elements of Rock/Metal above the general standards into a classy, high-energy, eight-song masterpiece.

Stay tuned for more news in the coming months as TWISTED TOWER DIRE schedule more live appearances and begin work on the follow-up to Make It Dark.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.twistedtowerdire.com

LONG LIVE TWISTED TOWER DIRE.

Stone.

George Lynch – Guitar Legend: Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, guitarists, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

GEORGE LYNCH – Influential and legendary guitarist and songwriter – George Lynch, aka “Mr. Scary” turns 57 years young today. George Lynch was born on September 28th, 1954. Happy Birthday George!

George Lynch has had an amazing career in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, with his notable tenure as Dokken’s lead guitarist being an important chapter in Heavy Metal and Hard Rock history. George’s post Dokken career is yet another standout chapter in Heavy Music history. George has enjoyed much admirable success with his Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band Lynch Mob along with his highly respected solo career.

Back on July 19th, 2011, the brand new George Lynch album Kill All Control was released. This blazingly Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Hittin’ album features the virtuosic guitar of George Lynch, while boasting the vocals of: Marc TorienWill Marten and Keith St. John.

I once had the pleasure to interview George Lynch back in 2010 for Rob Rockitt’s industry-wide respected Hard Rock Hideout. To say George was a genuine and nice guy while we conversed is an underestimation. George loves to play and listen to all kinds of music and you can read all about it for yourself, by clicking on the large header link below:

GEORGE LYNCH – THE HARD ROCK HIDEOUT INTERVIEW!

* For more info on GEORGE LYNCH, click on the link below:

George Lynch – The Official George Lynch Website

LONG LIVE GEORGE LYNCH.

Stone.

MEGADETH – TH1RT3EN: Releases November 1st, 2011 On RoadRunner Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , on September 27, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MEGADETH – Founding member, guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine is once again leading his legendary Thrash Metal juggernaut known by all as MEGADETH, with TH1RT3EN. Releasing on November 1st, 2011 on RoadRunner Records, this will be studio album #13 for this pioneering Thrash band. TH1RT3EN marks the return of bassist and founding member: Dave Ellefson. The last MEGADETH studio album Dave Ellefson played on was The World Needs A Hero (2001).

TH1RT3EN has 13 songs (see track listing below). As part of The Big 4, (along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax), MEGADETH has become synonymous with not only the history of Thrash and Heavy Metal, MEGADETH is also synonymous with quality, consistency and perseverance.

TH1RT3EN – Track Listing:

Sudden Death

Public Enemy No. 1

Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)

We The People

Guns, Drugs & Money

Never Dead

New World Order

Fast Lane

Black Swan

Wrecker

Millennium Of The Blind

Deadly Nightshade

13

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

MEGADETH

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE MEGADETH.

Stone.

9 CHAMBERS – In Stores Tomorrow, September 27th, 2011

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news, stoner rock with tags , , , , , , , on September 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

First Single –“Know Your Enemy”- Impacting at Active Rock Radio Now

U.S. & European Tour Dates Announced Soon

(Los Angeles, CA) 9 CHAMBERS is the collaboration between respected Hard Rock veterans: producer/singer/guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, Lita Ford, Tommy Bolin), former Monster Magnet guitarist Ed Mundell, Gov’t Mule virtuoso bassist Jorgen Carlsson and Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven & Hell drummer Vinny Appice.  The self-titled, debut album is set for release tomorrow, September 27th, via Samson Records/E1 Entertainment.

(Photo credit: Rockframe Photography)

Their first single, “Know Your Enemy” is impacting at Active Rock Radio now. The first 50 lucky fans who pre-order the album on Amazon.com will receive a FREE copy of “Stashed Gems” – an unreleased 9 CHAMPERS EP.

Fall/Winter U.S. and European touring dates for 9 CHAMBERS will be announced shortly.  European fans will have to wait until November 28th when the debut album is set to be released through Earmusic/Edel and will feature a special version of the album for that territory. More details to be announced shortly.

(Source: MAD Ink, PR)

* For more info on 9 CHAMBERS, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

https://twitter.com/#!/9chambersmusic

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER – Signs To Candlelight Records

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Candlelight Records today confirms the worldwide signing of Thrashers RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER. The Philadelphia-based band is already working on their new album, titled Ghostmaker, expected for release early Spring 2012. The four-piece tested some of their new material via a string of regional shows this past weekend and expect to tour in support of the album once released.

Guitarist Ryan Moll comments, “we are psyched to be on Candlelight.” Sharing details about the ongoing recording he notes, “Right now we are in the studio working on our third and most intense release to date. This album promises to be the fastest, darkest, most relentless and insane album yet. It will contain some of the most bone-crushing, graveyard stomping, Frankenstein/Dracula/Wolfman hate-fuck riffage written thus far.”

Guitarist Matt Moore adds, “Our wretched new masterpiece will be finished soon enough. Each song has its own distinct and strange aura of speed, darkness, brute strength, violence, cunning, and power. Like any respectable band, we have raised the bar and taken on musical and lyrical concepts that would drive commoners insane. Faster. Louder. Darker. Crazier.”

Formed in 2002, RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER dropped several underground releases, including a split 7″ inch and a live album, before signing with Relapse for their studio debut, Buried In the Front Yard, released October 2005. Blabbermouth called the record “a dynamic thrash album with roots in crossover, a musically talented cast, and loads of tongue-in-cheek cleverness.” The band would keep busy with additional split recordings, Speed N Spikes Vol. II (2008) and Urine Trouble / Nothing Defeats the Skull (2008) before getting back in to the studio for their second full length, Living for Death; Destroying the Rest also released by Relapse January 2009. The band supported Absu for a 22-date US/Canadian tour in April 2009, a tour with Deceased in 2010, and have been performing regionally since.

Living For Death, Destroying The Rest (2009)

RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER currently features guitarist/vocalist Matt Moore, bassist/vocalist Shawn Riley, drummer Pat Battaglia, and guitarist Ryan Moll.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER, click on the links below:

http://www.rumpelstiltskingrinder.com

http://www.facebook.com/RumpelstiltskinGrinder

http:/www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

LONG LIVE RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER.

Stone.

SKELETONWITCH – Forever Abomination: Releases In North America October 11th, 2011!

Posted in Black Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , on September 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SKELETONWITCH – The North American release date for the fourth studio album from SKELETONWITCH is October 11th, 2011. Forever Abomination will be released on Prosthetic Records. The Blackened Thrash Metal that SKELETONWITCH have created to date is nothing short of Earth shifting, hellfire burning and Extreme Metal excellence. Metal be thy name.

* Other release dates for FOREVER ABOMINATION:

EU – October 7 * UK – October 10 * Japan – October 19

FOREVER ABOMINATION – Track Listing:

This Horrifying Force (The Desire To Kill)

Reduced To The Failure Of Prayer

Of Ash And Torment

Choke Upon Betrayal

Erased And Forgotten

The Infernal Resurrection

Rejoice In Misery

Cleaver Of Souls

Shredding Sacred Flesh

Sink Beneath Insanity

My Skin Of Deceit

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

SKELETONWITCH – FOREVER ABOMINATION

LONG LIVE SKELETONWITCH.

Stone.

ARMORED SAINT – Returns To The East Coast For Three Shows This Fall Of 2011!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, traditional metal with tags , , , , , , , on September 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

LA’s Armored Saint has been listening to east coast fans clamber for a Saint show for years, and finally they are prepared to answer the call! The band will be returning to New York for the first time in twenty years along with two other shows in Amityville, NY and Allentown, PA. Armored Saint will be playing songs from their latest album, La Raza, as well as a set full of songs from throughout their deep and storied catalog. Support on these dates comes from fellow Metal veterans Seven Witches.

Joey Vera discusses the shows further: “In July, we held a poll asking fans to choose their favorite Saint songs and we compiled a list of the top 10. At recent gigs in Los Angeles and in Germany, we would allow fans to come up and choose one of the top 10 songs for us to play, right there on the spot. We did this 3 times during our set. It was such a good time that we’re going to do this again for our tri-state shows. John Bush will stop the show at 3 different times and choose someone from the crowd to come up and pick what song we play next. So come down and be a part of choosing our set list for the night!”

(Source: Metal Blade News Update)

STONE SAYS: Metal Mark over at Heavy Metal Time Machine alerted me to this ARMORED SAINT news first… and yes, I’m very psyched. I’m looking forward to catching ARMORED SAINT live in Allentown!

LONG LIVE ARMORED SAINT.

Stone.

TOXIC HOLOCAUST – 2011 European Winter Tour Dates Listed

Posted in Black Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on September 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

TOXIC HOLOCAUST heads to Europe for a five-week winter tour alongside Kvelertak, Trap Them and Wolves Like Us. A listing of confirmed tour dates can be found below.

TOXIC HOLOCAUST – w/ Kvelertak, Trap Them, Wolves Like Us:

11/08/2011 Ole Bull Scene – Bergen, Norway

11/09/2011 Stavanger – Folken, Norway

11/10/2011 Rockefeller – Oslo, Norway

11/11/2011 Samfundet – Trondheim, Norway

11/12/2011 Strand – Stockholm, Sweden

11/14/2011 Tavastia – Helsinki, Finland

11/15/2011 Pakkahuone – Tampere, Finland

11/17/2011 Sticky Fingers – Gothenburg, Sweden

11/18/2011 Logo – Hamburg, Germany

11/19/2011 Underground – Koln, Germany

11/20/2011 Doornroosje – Nijmegen, Holland

11/21/2011 02 Academy 2 – Oxford, UK

11/22/2011 02 Academy 3 – Birmingham, UK

11/23/2011 The Speakeasy at Queens – Belfast, Ireland

11/24/2011 ABC – Glasgow, UK

11/25/2011 Roadhouse – Manchester, UK

11/26/2011 Underworld – London, UK

11/27/2011 Muziekodroom – Hasselt, Belgium

11/28/2011 Le Ferraileur – Nantes, France

11/29/2011 Le Nouveau Casino – Paris, France

11/30/2011 Substage – Karlsruhe, Germany

12/01/2011 Abart – Zurich, Switzerland

12/02/2011 New Age Club – Roncade, Italy

12/03/2011 Szene – Wien, Austria

12/04/2011 Conne Island – Leipzig, Germany

12/05/2011 Exit Chmelnice – Prague, Czech Rep.

12/06/2011 Festsaal Xberg – Berlin, Germany

12/07/2011 Colos Saal – Aschaffenburg, Germany

12/08/2011 Backstage – Munchen, Germany

12/09/2011 Hirsch – Nurnberg, Germany

12/10/2011 Sputnikhalle – Munster, Germany

12/11/2011 Voxhall – Aarhus, Denmark

12/12/2011 Vega – Copenhagen, Denmark

12/13/2011 Kulturbolaget – Malmo, Sweden

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on TOXIC HOLOCAUST, click on the links below:

http://www.facebook.com/ToxicHolocaust

http://www.myspace.com/toxicholocaust

http://www.relapse.com

LONG LIVE TOXIC HOLOCAUST.

Stone.

PUDDLE OF MUDD – RE:(DISC)OVERED: A ROCKIN’ COOL TRIBUTE TO 11 TIMELESS SONGS

Posted in classic rock, cover songs, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

PUDDLE OF MUDD – Cover song albums have been and forever will be a debatable topic. Is it a “good move” on the part of a band or individual musician to cover a “particular” song or (gasp) record an entire album of them? As I see it, at the end of the day it’s all about the music and cover songs are (supposed) to celebrate the original song without destroying it’s structural foundation. That’s my Metal opinion on the Metal matter and it is an endless discussion for certain. Lead guitarist Paul Phillips states it perfectly within this album’s liner notes: “Our goal in interpreting these songs was to pay more tribute rather than reinvent”. With that gabby intro of mine out-of-the-way, Puddle Of Mudd released an 11 song album of covers back on August 29th, 2011 via MRI/Arms Division that’s called: Re:(disc)overed.

Actually, the title of this cover song album is quite fitting for me, for Puddle Of Mudd has made me rediscover these songs that are undisputeded Rock classics. Over time, as I’ve read and conducted many an interview with musicians, the undeniable truth is that they are fans of music too. Musicians are artists and they can unquely re-package an already established Rock song, which in turn (hopefully) brings new life to such established songs. Making younger generations of Rock fans aware of the classics is so important, the roots of Rock can never be forgotten. Puddle Of Mudd have not only paid tribute to songs that mean something to them here, they have also given these 11 songs a substantial relevant vibe that I cannot resist.

This cover song album has grown on me like there is no tomorrow and I’m very glad I decided to buy it. I bought Re:(disc)overed without hearing a single sample or track beforehand, knowing that Puddle Of Mudd has no choice other than to deliver the goods. Honestly, I never expected to like all 11 songs and deep down inside of me I feel relieved that Puddle Of Mudd pulled this one off! This is an album that makes me feel so damn proud to be infatuated with Rock and Roll. As I listen to T.N.T., I really do hear a sincere admiration that Wes Scantlin has for the late and legendary Bon Scott.

After hearing the recent Redlight King cover of Neil Young’s Old Man, albeit with a sample style, I was blown away to realize that Puddle Of Mudd has also rediscovered such a monumentally historic Rock song too. I don’t know how Puddle Of Mudd did it here, yet their cover of Old Man doesn’t seem to be as depressing as it was originally meant to be by Neil Young himself. Maybe Puddle Of Mudd made Old Man sound more reflective than just plain sad? My hands down favorite cover here is Shelter Me. The Rolling Stones should send Puddle Of Mudd a congratulations card in the mail for the way they present and play their iconic song. Just fabulous.

I feel Billy Squier has too often been overlooked for his legacy of Hard Rock. With Everybody Wants You, Puddle Of Mudd makes certain this Rocker gets his proper Hard Rockin’ due. It’s funny, how hearing this cover of Everybody Wants You, it all reminds me of when I used to jump around the house to the original song as a banana brained young teen. Rocket Man has Puddle Of Mudd stamped all over it and still this band did not insult one single note of Elton John’s creation. Just an extraordinary Rock classic among the 11 others I am continuing to enjoy on Re:(disc)overed. In my Metal opinion, you should discover Re:(disc)overed, especially if you love and cherish the roots of Rock like I do. Puddle Of Mudd has proven to me, with this album, their reverence for Rock’s classic songs and artists.

PUDDLE OF MUDD:

Wes Scantlin – vocals & guitar

Paul Phillips – lead guitar

Doug Ardito – bass guitar

RE:(DISC)OVERED – Track Listing:

Gimme Shelter

Old Man

T.N.T.

Stop Dragging My Heart Around

Joker

Everybody Wants You

Rocket Man

All Right Now

Shooting Star

D’yer Mak’er

Funk #49

* For more info on PUDDLE OF MUDD, click on the link below:

PUDDLE OF MUDD – Official Website

LONG LIVE PUDDLE OF MUDD.

LONG LIVE THE SONG.

Stone.

TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC Welcomes LYNCHMADA To The Family; Band Releases NEW Song “Relic”

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC is proud to welcome Gold Coast, Australian heavy hitters LYNCHMADA to the family. The band injects a dose of crushing Metal with a touch of Progressive Metal that very few bands these days can still accomplish. It’s real music for real people.

Gold Coast, Australian Metal crushers LYNCHMADA has unleashed a sample of its devastating new album online, on the 17th of September. The 7:33 opus “Relic” will be the first song to emerge from the bands second full length album To The Earth which will be released in Australia through Truth Inc Records on October 14th. The album was mixed and mastered by renowned U.S producer Zeuss ( CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED, THE ACACIA STRAIN ) and offers a crushing assault of hook laden grooves in the vein of MESHUGGAH and CHIMAIRA, with the melodic diversity of the DEFTONES and KARNIVOOL.

Having shared the stage with heavyweights such as LAMB OF GOD, THE HAUNTED, TESTAMENT, SUICIDE SILENCE, DEATH ANGEL, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, HELLYEAH, TRUTH CORRODED, HYPNO5E, and many more. The Queensland band is ready to drive its sound across Australia with a national tour from October to December in support of the album.  Stay tuned…

To The Earth is set to deliver a crushing blow to the ears of the Australian metal community and tear open opportunities abroad. “Relic” can be found from September 17th at the following locations:

www.reverbnation.com/lynchmada

www.myspace.com/lynchmadaband

LYNCHMADA – To The Earth is releasing on October 14th, via Truth Inc Records. Visit them at: www.truthincrecords.com

(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity)

LONG LIVE LYNCHMADA.

Stone.