Lead serial killer Chris Barnes adds, ” we are proud to announce Christmas In Hell..7 shows in 7 nights should bring Germany to their knees, we are planning a quick and painful death for you this december Germany.. be there or we will hunt you down!”
CHRISTMAS IN HELL TOUR 2012
Sa. 15.12. Bischofswerda (Ger) – East Club
Su. 16.12. Jena (Ger) – F Haus
Mo. 17.12. Aalen (Ger) – Rock it
Tu. 18.12. Darmstadt (Ger) – Steinbruch Theater
We. 19.12. Cham (Ger) – L.A.
Th. 20.12. Berlin (Ger) – K 17
Fr. 21.12. Essen (Ger) – Turock
If you haven’t yet added the latest SIX FEET UNDER album, Undead, to your Metal library, then I strongly advise that you do. Undead rules atop the very best of Death Metal albums released in 2012. Metal be thy name.
Stone’s review of Undead is a click away on that link below! Whoa!
Massachusetts face-melters ACARO have been added to the Killswitch Engage Tenth Anniversary “Alive or JustBreathing” Tour with Shadows Fall.
The band will fill the opening slot for one of 2012’s most anticipated tours that will see a Jesse Leach fronted Killswitch Engage performing their classic Alive or Just Breathing in its entirety. Few bands have what it takes to rise to such an occasion, but Acaro’s aggressive brand of melodic and modern thrash will undoubtedly fire up audiences as the band bulldozes a path across the nation.
ACARO is touring in support of their debut, The Disease of Fear, which was released on October 2nd through Goomba Music. A video for the track “Becoming the Process” can be seen and heard below!
The tour kicks off on November 24 at the California Metal Fest 6 and wraps up on December 29 in Clifton Park, NJ. See below for all of the tour dates:
11/24 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Event Center (California Metalfest VI)
11/25 San Francisco, CA – Slims
11/27 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
11/28 Portland, OR – Hawthorne
11/30 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater
12/01 Kansas City, KS – Beaumont Club
12/02 Dallas, TX – Trees
12/04 Tampa, FL – State Theater
12/05 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
12/07 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
12/08 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
12/10 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
12/11 Columbus, OH – Alrosa Villa
12/12 Toronto, ON – Opera House
12/14 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
12/16 Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
12/17 Brooklyn, NY – Willamsburg Music Hall
12/18 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
12/19 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street
12/20 Portland, ME – State Theater
12/27 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
12/28 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
12/29 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
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ABOUT ACARO:
They are ACARO and they are metal. They are 5 hard-working individuals, who bring 5 different backgrounds to create 1 unique musical experience. They always give their audience more than they expect, and they will never be satisfied with their abilities.
ACARO’s first show was in October 2008 at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester, MA. They have been honored to play the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest in 2009 and 2010, the NEMHCF’s SXSW stage in 2010, and have shared the stage with Unearth, In Flames, Gojira, As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Winds of Plague, Suffocation, Acacia Strain, and many other national and regional touring bands.
Their goals are simple, to continue writing, recording, and performing at the highest level of their abilities, in as many places around the world as possible. The release of their first album The Disease of Fear, and the completion of the video for, “Becoming the Process”, will help to achieve those goals.
By bringing the old into the 21st Century, and keeping the new grounded to its roots, ACARO achieves the Brutal/Melodic blend that can stir emotions and hit you over the head with a sledge-hammer at the same time. These individuals are brought together by the love of Metal, the drive to create, the desire to succeed, and the need to bring ACARO’s music and energy to as many people, in as many places as possible.
Nothing comes without hard work and no one will work harder. ACARO is not just a band, it is a way of life for all involved and all it touches. They are ACARO and they believe. Soon, so will you.
REGINALD “FIELDY” ARVIZU – On November 2nd, 1969, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu was born. Today is the birthday for the iconic KORN’s legendary bass player and Metal Odyssey says… without further ado…
Illinois-based Vikings Thrashers THE HORDE has officially added drummer Travis Scudder to their lineup. The 20-year-old skin-basher has stepped in to replace the recently departed James Whitehurst, who left the band for personal reasons. Scudder also plays with Rock Island, Illinois Black Metal outfit SEPT OF MEMNON.
THE HORDE are currently working furiously on material for their next epic slab of Viking Thrash to be released in CD and vinyl format in the fall of 2013 by Abyss Records.
THE HORDE was formed in 2006 and released their debut album From Empire to Ashes via Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. The band’s second album, Thy Blackened Reign,which was released in 2011, was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.
Earlier this year, THE HORDE released a video for the track “Odin’s Blood,” taken from Thy Blackened Reign. Check it out below!
MITCH LUCKER – It has been reported by Suicide Silence, on their facebook, that Mitch Lucker, lead vocalist for Suicide Silence, has passed away at the young age of 28, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. The motorcycle crash happened last night (October 31st) in/near Orange County, California.
As Reported By Suicide Silence On facebook:
There’s no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts.
R.I.P. Mitchell Adam Lucker – We Love You Brother
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Stone Says: Mitch Lucker and his band Suicide Silence have taken the torch of Extreme Metal and carried it proudly, as a fast rising and world popular Metal band. I am shocked and saddened at this tragic news. Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, friends, bandmates and fans of Mitch Lucker.
Good news from Germany. Massacre Records has confirmed that the contract with Nightqueen (is) extended.
The band is in writing modus and already with the first demo recordings. The attendees on Rebel Rock have already become acquainted with “Rain of Blood and Fear.” The successor of “For Queen and Metal” is approaching. It’s still just brainstorming to the title of the album but the music will (have) greatly evolved sound. Production is in the hands of Rex, Danny and Christian Moos.
Also as reported on the facebook of NIGHTQUEEN:
Nightqueen welcomes 2 new band members. More about this in a few days … stay tuned.
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Listen and watch below the recently released video for Diamonds & Rust, as performed by NIGHTQUEEN!
* This song is recorded as a tribute to its songwriter Joan Baez and also to Judas Priest. Diamonds & Rust will not appear on a NIGHTQUEEN album.
HELL ON WHEELS TOUR 1987 – That’s it at the top! That’s my Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 cassette! This (now historical) tour featured: Grim Reaper, Armored Saint and Helloween. Whoa! As you can see, this cassette was a free sampler!. I obtained this old school Metal cassette sometime last Winter, at a thrift store. I paid a ridiculous price of 50 cents (U.S.) for this very cool cassette too. Yes, it plays just fine!
This tour was sponsored by MTV Headbangers Ball; yet there is no print or logo stating this on the cassette. The inside of the cassette jacket is blank. Notice the crack on the cassette tape box? That’s old school man!
Back in 1987, the Hell On Wheels Tour did not pass through the state I was living in; that being the very expensive state of Connecticut. Can’t see ’em all, I guess. Still, it super sucks I never saw this tour.
Here is what the spine of this cassette looks like:
Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 – Track Listing:
Side One:
Hell On Wheels Medley – Rock You To Hell / Isolation / Halloween
Grim Reaper – Night Of The Vampire
Side Two:
Armored Saint – Raising Fear
Helloween – Future World
Here is what the backside of the cassette tape jacket looks like:
The 3 record label logos printed on this cassette tape jacket are: RCA, Concrete and Chrysalis.
Speaking of Power Metal pioneers HELLOWEEN… their 14th studio album, Straight Out Of Hell, will be released on January 18th, 2013! Whoa! Metal be thy name! Yes, I’m psyched-out about this! Are you?
Originally released to the underground in 2009, MAELSTROM’s It Was Predestined is now available in digital format via Los Angeles’ Itchy Metal Entertainment (IME).
Few self-released EPs have been met with the kind of critical acclaim and fan reception as It Was Predestined. Famed music journalist Martin Popoff called the release “A symphony of progressiveness the likes of which has pretty much never been articulated, invented, or heard, before now,” and world-renowned publications such as Terrorizer, Metal Hammer and MetalSucks.net all sang MAELSTROM’s praises upon the EP’s release.
When MAELSTROM signed with IME earlier this year, it seemed only natural for the EP to be offered once again to metal fans around the world. Visit http://www.itchymetal.com to order your copy today.
Check out the video below of MAELSTROM guitarist and Julliard guest lecturer Joey Lodes in the studio demoing solos for the EP.
International Critical Praise for It Was Predestined:
Named in the Top two Unsigned Bands Worldwide – Terrorizer
Demo of the Month, January 2009 – Rock Hard
“Fusing a dizzying array of styles – death, power, thrash and prog-metal – with cinematic elements, jaw-dropping musicality and Gary Vosganian’s eccentric, staccato vocals, cult New York band Maelstrom have ended a two-decade hiatus to present something thunderously unique.” – Metal Hammer
A symphony of progressiveness the likes of which has pretty much never been articulated, invented, or heard, before now.- Martin Popoff –Editor in Chief BWBK
“This band is on their way to becoming the next big thing.” – Metal Asylum
“Pagan/folk/viking/whatever metal has fallen out of favor since it momentarily exploded onto the scene in 2008-2009, but every so often a band in that micro-genre comes along that piques our interest. Long Island crew MaelstroM have some of the trademarks of that genre – vocals that occasionally soar, fantasy-themed artwork, keyboards – but theirs is a brand that’s distinctly thrashier and a whole lot less cheesy than most of what we hear. Great guitar work, too.” – Metal Sucks
“These tracks will leave you breathless…their power is undeniable” – The Gauntlet
“It Was Predestined is a flattering combination of old school and new school power, and it works surprisingly well.” – Metal Review
“Maelstrom is not your typical power metal act and It Was Predestined is going to strike a nerve with classic fans.” – Teeth of the Divine
“MaelstroM are not only back, they’re stronger than ever and dedicated to bringing their wildly inventive brand of metal to a new generation of listeners.” – Ultimate Guitar
“Maelstrom are a mean and snarly power metal band, and they aren’t afraid to keep things raw instead of sparkly.” – Unrestrained!
“If you love huge, massively melodic metal with an off the wall touch, ‘It Was Predestined’ is worth a listen.” – Chronicles of Chaos
HAPPY METAL HALLOWEEN! Today is October 31st and Halloween 2012 is finally here! As you’ll see below, I’ve selected some of my all-time favorite spooky albums and movies, especially for all you Metal ghouls, monsters, witches, zombies and goblins out there. Enjoy!
The scary album cover at the top of this post is Orange Goblin’s fourth studio album Coup De Grace. Released back in 2002 via Rise Above Records, I highly recommend Coup De Grace from the solid-as-steel discography of Orange Goblin. This isn’t a Horror Metal album, yet it is lyrically filled with plenty of strange stories. MonkeyPanic is a true Horror themed song, however. Coup De Grace contains a sensationally cool mix of Stoner Metal, Doom and a cover of the Misfits classicWe Bite, (a song which adds a potent moment of Horror Punk to this album).
As with many of you out there, my favorite King Diamond album is Abigail. One of the greatest Metal concept albums ever written, structured and performed, in my Metal opinion! Released back in 1987 via RoadrunnerRecords, Abigail also features current and longtime Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee. Abigail is the crème de la crème of the King Diamond discography, without any Metal doubt in my mind.
What would a Metal Halloween be without the super-duper legendary IRON MAIDEN? For that matter, what would Halloween be like without IRON MAIDEN’s iconic mascot Eddie? I cringe at the thoughts! IRON MAIDEN without question, has the greatest assemblage of album covers in Heavy Metal history. Thanks to artists DerekRiggs and Melvyn Grant, Eddie’s mascot celebrity within the world of Metal is second to none.
* Back on March 25th, 2010, I posted a feature titled: My Favorite Heavy Metal Album Cover Is… and you can read all about it by clicking the link below! Hint: It’s IRON MAIDEN.
Directed by the ultra-legendary John Carpenter, They Live was released back in 1988 and is distributed by Universal Studios. This is a Science Fiction-Horro Film that essentially shows what our world would be like if taken over by elitist aliens. Uh, huh. Filthy rich space aliens want to take over the world!
My favorite professional wrestler of all-time is the star of They Live: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. I feel his performance in They Live was stellar, just like his wrestling career. Rowdy Roddy Piper gives plenty of hurtin’ on these white-collar space aliens, before he, um… I won’t give the ending of this fabulous movie away.
Shout! Factory will be releasing, on November 6th, 2012, a “collector’s edition” of They Live, on both DVD and Blu-ray. Check out Shout! Factory here: http://www.shoutfactory.com
Another Science Fiction thriller directed by John Carpenter! This creepy Sci-Fi film takes place in 1997 and New York City is a maximum security prison! Once you’re put inside this NYC prison, you never come out… unless you’re Snake Plissken.
Legendary actor Kurt Russell is phenomenal in his role as Snake Plissken; his mission is to rescue The President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) from this horrible prison. It’s detailed as to how this all happened! Just get this movie at all Metal costs, if you already haven’t.
* Escape From New York was released back in 1981 and distributed by AVCO Embassy Pictures.
* Escape From New York also stars such other notable actors: Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Adrienne Barbeau and Isaac Hayes as The Duke of New York.
* I once met the producer for Escape From New York! Debra Hill was introduced to me at a wedding I attended (somewhere) in Long Island, (sometime) back in the ’90’s. A very quick “hello” and (I think) handshake and that’s about it. That’s my “brush with fame” when it comes to this unreal terrific movie!
STRYPER – Attention STRYPER fans in South America! Two new dates have been announced via http://www.stryper.com and they are listed below! Metal be thy name!
February 16, 2013 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro Flores
February 17, 2013 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club
Looking to get your Halloween treat a little early? If so, teleport over to the dungeons of Metal Underground where you unearth the startling truth that A BAND OF ORCS have returned, after 5 years, with their first full-length album, Adding Heads to the Pile, due out on Itchy Metal Entertainment on Halloween of 2012, following up their debut 2007 EP WarChiefs of the Apocalypse (Produced by Scott Lee Sargeant, engineered by Juan Urteaga).
The latest offering, Adding Heads to the Pile (Produced and Engineered by Juan Urteaga), a concept album, tells tales of A BAND OF ORCS’ mercenary employment for a human kingdom in the realm of Hirntodia. This craven kingdom of humans hires the Gore-Stained Axe Tribe to “settle their giant troubles” for them with axe and spear, but they get a lot more than they bargained for, once the orcs fulfill the terms of their geas by vanquishing the giants and return to pay the piper. Come listen to songs about war, gold, and betrayal; featuring monstrous foes the likes of dragons, giants, titans, elementals, volcanoes, humans, chaos gods and more.
March over to Metal Underground now, add your head to the pile, and hear the exclusive album stream ofAdding Heads to the Pile. The cover and liner notes for the album contain art by fantasy illustrators Chuck Lukacs and Lorraine Schleter, both of whom have done work for Wizards of the Coast, among other role-playing game companies.
You can assure yourself of being spared when the Domination comes by pre-ordering your copy of “Adding Heads to the Pile” at www.abandoforcs.storenvy.com now.
Saxon live plans – Saxon Facebook has cracked 70k followers!!!
We are still busy with the last final details for the new album! Major announcement re the new album will follow shortly!
In the meantime we want to thank you all for your support! That gives us the strength and the will to move on and to work as hard as we can! Your support is not only viewable in all the nice letters and emails and everything you are sending but also in the fantastic amount of Facebook followers! We have reached the unbelievable number of 70.273!!!
To give you a little bit back we confirmed to play the Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, Germany on the second July weekend. The great thing is that we don’t just play a “normal” headline gig. We are bringing the mighty “Heavy Metal Thunder” Production we already used on this years Wacken Festival! We will see where else we are able to take this production and keep you of course updated. Further live dates will be also announced soon.
Kolumbarium, the latest slab of old school darkness from masters of Swedish Death Metal MORDBRAND is now available on vinyl 7″ from Deathgasm Records.
MORDBRAND (Swedish for arson) offers two new deadly hymns to the rotten here and when that needle drops into the groove it’s the putrid and unsettling atmosphere you’ll recognize immediately as 100 percent genuine Swedish-made Death!
Stone Says: The Death Metal assault that MORDBRAND unleashes with their song Consume Them has branded my brains with this inscription: Thou Shall Uphold The Swedish Death Metal Of MORDBRAND. Death Metal fans worldwide absolutely must hear and breathe in the Death Metal of MORDBRAND. Metal be thy name.
ADORNED BROOD’s new album is going to be released on November 23, 2012 via Massacre Records!
“Kuningaz” was recorded at the Kohlekeller Studio in Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany, with producer Kai Stahlenberg and will also be available as limited digipak. It will include a new recording of ADORNED BROOD’s old song “Totenmarsch” as bonus track.
Deepsend Records will release Godless, the new album from Danish old school Death Metallers DEUS OTIOSUS on November 20th. The Danes’ sophomore effort (and first for Deepsend) is the follow-up to debut album Murderer, which was released by FDA Rekotz and American Line Productions.
Take a listen to album track Pest Grave below!
Visit the Deepsend Records Webstore for ordering information:
In a world where no god watches or guides, humankind is left to fend for itself like feral children. And in this world, horror and cruelty of every unspeakable kind lives and breathes amongst us. These horrors are echoed in Godless. This is old school death metal with nuances of black and thrash, creating a heavy, down-tuned force that will appease the servants of Hell while they slave for their sins.
As reported on the Official MANOWAR Website – The Kingdom Of Steel:
MANOWAR will return to Germany’s cult show ‘TV Total’ on October 30 and reunite with TV Total host and entertainer Stefan Raab.
2012 not only marks the 10 year anniversary of MANOWAR’s hit album ‘Warriors Of The World’, but also the band’s last visit on TV Total and Stefan’s memorable performance during the Warriors Of The World Tour.
MANOWAR will perform ‘Touch The Sky’ live, a track from the new album ‘The Lord Of Steel’ that is now available in stores and on iTunes worldwide.
“Stefan is a really cool guy and a true metal brother.” said Joey DeMaio. “We look forward to meeting him again and to shake the studio walls with the new sound of MANOWAR!”
The show will be aired on October 30, 2012 at 11:10PM CET on Pro7.
SUICIDE SILENCE fans can now win one of guitarist Mark Heylmun’s signature LTD MKH-7 guitars! Simply head over to Mark’s official Facebook, like the page, and then enter your details to be placed into the drawing to win one of these awesome guitars. This competition is open to anyone in any country. Contest ends November 15th.
SUICIDE SILENCE recently announced that they have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the new division of Nuclear Blast formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief, Monte Conner. As one of the leaders of the Extreme Modern Metal movement, it is only fitting that their new home be one of the biggest Metal labels on the planet. It’s a union that is sure to bring much success to both parties in the not so distant future.
SUICIDE SILENCE’s Nuclear Blast Entertainment debut is tentatively scheduled for a Summer 2013 release.
Go to Mark Heylmun’s facebook by clicking on link below!
THE WRETCHED END – The second studio album, Inroads, from Norway’s The Wretched End was released this past Summer, via Candlelight Records. The Metal muscular supergroup of Samoth (lead/rhythm guitars), Cosmo (lead/rhythm guitars, bass & vocals) and Nils Fjellström are so incredible together that it’s scary. These three musicians are at the very top of their Metal tier once again with Inroads.
Dark lyrically, Extreme with a blackened atmosphere and mood; I cannot get enough of this sophomore release from The Wretched End. The combination of Cosmo’s vocals and the Metal music are for all intents and purposes… Extreme perfection. If our Metal community needs an ambassador band to stand up to all the societal bullshit we must (all) endure, then I’m electing The Wretched End.
Samoth is a Metal legend. Period. His presence is heard and remarkably felt all over these songs on Inroads and it’s a grand experience to take in. Nils Fjellström on drums is so damn great to listen to. Honestly, this band was meant-to-be and they play like they’ve been together forever. This entire album is a favorite for me, with each song blazing into the next in all of its Extreme and Blackened Metal glory.
Inroads is easily one of the very best among Metal albums of 2012, in my personal Metal opinion. This is an album you must hear and spread the Metal word about. Fans of Emperor, Dark Funeral, Scum and Zyklon know these guys are unreal at mastering their Metal craft. What’s important to know is – The Wretched End bestows Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal and all grand attributes of Extreme Metal, all wrapped into one.
The Wretched End blew my Metal mind with their 2010 debut Ominous; this follow-up titled Inroads has had the same, if not more of an effect on me; in turn, solidifying my highest level of recommendation of their Metal to all my fellow Metal brethren. The Wretched End is what Metal is all about. Metal be thy name.
We’re thrilled to announce the signing of HATRIOT!
Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza (Exodus, Legacy (now Testament)) takes his musical roots back in time to the 1980’s when Metal was fast, furious and yet still melodic.
He writes all of his own twisted lyrics, and with the help of his young guitar wizard, Kosta “V”, the two of them collaborate to bring you the music of HATRIOT.
Backed by his two sons, bassist Cody Souza and drummer Nick Souza, plus second guitarist Miguel Esparza, Zetro is out to crush and destroy everything in his path.
Few bands can be fast, loud, powerful and ferocious, while staying musical, melodical and crushing. HATRIOT gives you that, along with the pure intensity of a hungry band that wants nothing more than to tour and play live music to fans.
HATRIOT have earned worldwide respect supporting Testament and Forbidden. You’ve wanted something new and you’ve wanted something heavy. Look out! HATRIOT will hit the road and destroy a city near you very soon!
HATRIOT’s debut album “Heroes Of Origin” is expected to be released on January 25, 2013!
If you’re living California, you can see them live here:
Queensland crushers LYNCHMADA are about to slay across Australia on the WHIPLASH tour in support of the mighty MNEMIC (Nuclear Blast Records) and will unleash a new single “Immerser” to coincide with the tour.
Commenting on the new single, label manager Greg Shaw states:“Immerser” is Lynchmada at the band’s very best, it demonstrates what this incredible band is truly capable of. The song is epic, anthemic and more aggressive than previous material, and also offers an appeal to a cross section of heavy music listeners. I really look forward to hearing what Lynchmada will offer next.”
LYNCHMADA and Truth Inc. Records are also very pleased to announce that the band are now officially endorsed by one of the world’s leading guitar companies – ESP guitars. Commenting on the endorsement, guitarist Simon Connor states “We are so incredibly pleased to be a part of the ESP shredding community, a community that features some of the world’s leading metal bands. Be sure that our new axes will be getting a work out on the upcoming national tour alongside Mnemic”
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Check out LYNCHMADA on the following WHIPLASH dates with MNEMIC:
25TH OCTOBER – GOSFORD SIDESHOW
Youth Arts Warehouse, Gosford NSW
26TH OCTOBER – NEWCASTLE^
Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle NSW
27TH OCTOBER – CANBERRA
ANU Bar, Canberra ACT
28TH OCTOBER – MELBOURNE
Hi Fi, Melbourne VIC
also performing at THE NEW DEAD METALFEST #3 – ADELAIDE
Fowlers Live, Adelaide SA
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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