MECCA – Joe Vana, vocalist and founding member of MECCA, has once again assembled a group of seasoned musicians to showcase their skills on Undeniable. This being the sophomore release from MECCA, it firmly establishes why Joe Vana has all the reason in the world to carry out his musical visions. Released back on November 29th in North America, on Frontiers Records, Undeniable is undeniably melodic and lyrically engaging.
Wether it’s the mid-paced ballad Did It For Love or the steadier rocker W2W, MECCA bestows the talent for creating a mood within the song that compliments its respective story. Undeniable isn’t going to Rock your face off, instead this album will entertain with its eleven songs of emotion filled vocals from Joe Vana and soothing melodies that do soar, with the title track being a fine example of this. Joe Vana’s vocals are so identifiable for Melodic Rock and he easily seizes these songs on this album.
Life’s Too Short and Perfect World are two songs where MECCA combines philosophical lyrics with AOR quality that too often is missing on current American FM playlists. MECCA presents their music with intelligent lyrics, still the sappy meter does explode on such tracks as Did It For Love and From The Start. It’s the quality of the song, courtesy of the musicianship of MECCA, that makes me overlook any sappy saturation that happens lyrically. If you’ve ever been, want to be or are in love, these songs are accurately relevant.
In a Melodic Rock nutshell, MECCA has proven they can make me fall for the mellow and semi-hard side of Rock once again, with their respect for quality at every turn being a cumulative highlight for my ears. Undeniable is an album that also captures the spirit of AOR with its inspired vibes ever-present and lifeless moments nowhere to be found. This is an album of songs that belongs on my top shelf, I won’t be storing it away anytime soon.
Fans of Survivor, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Bryan Adams, Mister Mister and Foreigner (to name a many few) should enjoy the Rockin’, soothing and melodic ride that MECCA takes on Undeniable. AOR and Melodic Rock fans across the board could justifiably find many, if not all of these songs on Undeniable difficult to forget.
Seattle’s barbaric wrecking crew BLACK BREATH have completed their second LP and are preparing to fire it point-blank into the public’s face this March. The forthcoming new platter, dubbed Sentencedto Life, is the highly anticipated follow-up to the band’s raging 2010 debut album, Heavy Breathing, which blew away fans of both hardcore-fueled Rock and Roll and crushing Swedish Death Metal internationally.
Now in 2012, BLACK BREATH‘s neck-snapping Sentenced To Life projects an even more vile, Metallic sonic attack than its predecessor, bearing is a bit less rock and roll swagger and a showcasing more full-on crushing rage. The album is a product of furious creativity jammed into a short span of time, written in the seemingly endless Winter after returning from their November 2010 European tour.
Bearing 10 thunderous tracks in under 33 minutes, Sentenced To Life features such smashing BLACK BREATH hits as “Feast of the Damned,” “Doomed,” “Forced Into Possession,” “Home of the Grave” and of course the title anthem “Sentenced to Life.” The band once again recorded at God City Studios with Kurt Ballou, and had the finished product mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side. Easily the band’s most thunderous recording to date, BLACK BREATH sentence every listener to a life of headbanging after spinning this motherfucker!
Sentenced To Life will burst into stores and distros for public armament in March 2012. A final release date, full track listing, cover art and preview of the new album will be announced in the weeks ahead.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on BLACK BREATH, click on the links below:
The Black Keys – Yes, I blindly purchased the new CD from The Black Keys (nonesuch) and it’s for some reason titled El Camino. I pay dearly sometimes for making a “blind purchase” when it comes to music. To sum it up, this El Camino CD is boring. It sounds as if DanAuerbach and Patrick Carney are not just huge fans of 70’s Rock… they obviously are both stuck in the “it’s been done already” school of Rock ‘N Roll and are a long way from graduating.
A fuzzy guitar sound with raw and unnecessary fuzzy production is pure nonsense when it comes to this genre of Rock in 2012. The Psychedelic, Stoner, Doom and Black Metal genres can utilize the “fuzz” in their respective sound brilliantly, only a Rock group like The Black Keys should stick to some clarity in their presentation of sound and maybe they won’t come across like a 1977 garage band playing to just their cousins.
Too numerous are the moments on El Camino where I recognize that IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Black Keys are not pushing the Rock ‘N Roll envelope here folks and that’s what makes this CD such a waste of time. Where’s the relevance? Listening to this band is like listening to a severely slow-paced Wolfmother with a hangover. The worst song on El Camino is hands down: Little BlackSubmarines. This song is so annoying, that upon my first listen I wanted to break down and cry, fearing that it made me constipated.
The one and only “bright spot” on El Camino is Sister. This song rocks like there is no tomorrow. MindEraser ends this CD on a cool note, still it’s too late. If only The Black Keys stuck to this Rockin’ blueprint of Sister and Mind Eraser throughout all 11 songs… and they didn’t. The digipak and liner notes are equally repetitive and humdrum as the music. Do we really need to waste paper like this? The liner notes are 16 pages which dedicate 15 of these pages to photos of what else? El Caminos. The digipak is a four-fold that features… 8 more photos of… El Caminos! Laugh out loud and Metal be thy name!
By now you realize I’m not a fan of what The Black Keys are trying to accomplish with their Rock sound. If you’re looking for a memorable and original sounding Rock CD you are better off picking up the newest CD from The Trews. Trust me, a thorough listen into Hope & Ruin from The Trews is a quantum leap forward compared to El Camino. The Black Keys surely won’t care about anyone who doesn’t dig their music. Why? They made the cover of Rolling Stone! Life goes on…
REZISTOR – I was recently contacted by a Metal/Thrash band from Romania (EU) known as: REZISTOR. This Thrash Metal Battalion wants YOU to hear their new album Beware The Silent and they are offering it for FREE! I you need to do is go here http://www.rezistor.go.ro and you will find the necessary info for downloading this kick-to-the-teeth Thrash assault from REZISTOR! (I am very impressed by this band’s website… it is extremely well done).
I really dig what I hear from the Thrash Metal noize of REZISTOR. These guys haven’t taken a page from Old School Thrash and Metal… they’ve studied the F’n text-book on it. While blending their own stylings to a raw and aggressive Thrash Metal approach that’s relevant, REZISTOR should not go unheard or unspoken! REZISTOR shouldn’t remain as an unsigned band for long. Any Metal record label, with an ear for raw Metal talent, should be checking out what REZISTOR has created here. Metal be thy name.
Here is some background information on Beware The Silent, as provided by REZISTOR:
“Beware the Silent” is Rezistor’s response to the society we live in: one governed by corrupted laws that chain the individual and alienate him from the fundamental human values. Its lifeforce is feeding on the dark energy boiling deep down inside each individual forced to obey unjust rules and punished for not blindly conforming to a shallow and artificial grey society.
The album features 8 songs: 7 with English lyrics and one in Romanian, with powerful and introspective lyrics. The cover artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu (Twilight13Media) and it represents a very personal and unique representation of the album’s lyrical content and atmosphere.
“Beware the Silent” is selfproduced, with a set intention of obtaining a raw old school sound, as close as possible to an actual live rehearsal performance, without losing sound clarity: no modern processing, no fillers, no artificial tricks to wow the listener while masking the lack of inspiration and musical content, just pure unfiltered Metal riffing and throat shouting. The band doesn’t care about musical trends and prefers to remain loyal to the roots of old school aggressive Metal, and that is the foundation “Beware the Silent” was built upon”.
Beware The Silent was recorded: May – October of 2010. All music and lyrics by REZISTOR.
Swedish Power Metal superstars SABATON just issued the following statement, revealing first details on the bands upcoming album:
“We can now confirm the rumors, the new SABATON album will be called Carolus Rexand in a few days we will start recording it. At the moment we cannot reveal any information about it, other than that it will be available at the end of May this year. We felt it was time for America to get something of a special show and this time the release party will be in Los Angeles, California. This show will be the only US West Coast show and it will be the world premiere of new songs.
-Happy new year, friends!“
(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on SABATON, click on the links below:
Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based Rock band, is set to release a new album and music video in 2012. It has been almost two years since the band has released new material. Fools For Rowan has written most of their record while on tour over the last year and recently started recording the new songs. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist in their efforts.
The powerhouse rock group, Fools For Rowan, is defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. The band has grown a large committed fan base partly due to the success of their first album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. The album’s first single, “Burnt Around the Edges” received acclaim from the college-age demographic in both the U.S. and Canada.
In addition, the second single, “Dead” received spins on Top 40, College and Modern Rock radio. In addition, the video for the song was featured on Fuse TV. Due to their zealous live performance, Fools For Rowan has recently had the privilege of sharing the stage with such artists as: Evanescence, Trapt, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies.
Kickstarter is an online pledge system that funds creative projects. The Kickstarter campaign, that will raise money for the band’s new album and a music video, has already been initiated online. Fools For Rowan offers a fantastic array of different prizes such as an autographed drumstick, a concert set list, band merchandise, arm wrestling contests, and even a dinner date with members of the band!
“It’s been two years since our last album, so we’re really anxious to get our new music into the hands of our fans,” says lead vocalist, Erin Mullins.Fans will have until January 2st to help the band meet its goal. As always, the group is looking ahead. Fools For Rowan will continue to tour the U.S. in hopes of spreading the power of rock ‘n’ roll!
To learn more about Fools for Rowan’s Kickstarter campaign visithere.
COPPERHEAD – It was sometime during the Spring of 2011 when I came across the Southern Rock band Copperhead, while perusing the internet for all things Rock ‘N Roll. After sampling a few songs from the 1992 S/T debut album from Copperhead, I eagerly purchased it off of iTunes. This is the one andonly studio album that Copperhead ever released too. Going back to 1992, I only remember Copperhead by band name only.
I guess that’s what makes being a lover of Rock ‘N Metal so damn fun, I’m always catching onto a new band from yesteryear! I steered best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, to this Copperhead album and he is as huge a believer in this band’s Southern Rock sound as I am. Copperhead may no longer be an active band, still they are a band well worth remembering and checking out. If Copperhead has reunited in any way, shape or form, please leave a comment!
Below are five cool reasons why you should buy this Copperhead S/T debut album. I’ve also included two fun facts about the album.
Reason #1: If you are a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Marshall Tucker Band, etc., then you shall have no problem at all diving ears first into Copperhead.
Reason #2: This Copperhead album in my most honest opinion… ROCKS from start to finish.
Reason #3:Neil Carswell (vocalist, guitarist & founding member) has that classic Southern Rock voice that’s just as contagious as his band’s music.
Reason #4: Copperhead could jam! From driving guitars to the keyboards, Copperhead just let it all loose on this album. In my opinion, this band kept it real with Southern fried and blue-collar enthusiasm through their songs.
Reason #5: This is straight-up Southern Rock here folks and nothing is watered down. So, crank up some Copperhead, grab your six-pack then kick back, while those good times and Southern Rock vibes take control.
Oh… by the way, my favorite song on this Copperhead album is: Highway. Whoa and Metal be thy name.
Two Fun Facts About This Copperhead Album:
Fun Fact #1: The song Long Way From Home became the title song for the motion picture: Harley Davidson And TheMarlboro Man. Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson starred in this movie too.
Fun Fact #2: The song Busted was included on the 1992 movie soundtrack: Dr. Giggles.
This is the cover for the Dr. Giggles movie soundtrack CD. Dr. Giggles is a Slasher film, can you tell?
COPPERHEAD – Track Listing:
Busted
Whiskey
The Scar
Brown’s Gold
Where Will I Be?
Keepin’ On
Highway
Hard Livin’
Lazy Days
Not My Tear
Born Loser
Long Way From Home
* Copperhead is available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records. I’ve also seen it for sale on Amazon.
* Live & Lost (released in 2002), is a compilation of Copperhead studio and live tracks. It is also available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records.
* For more info on NEIL CARSWELL and COPPERHEAD, click on the link below:
SEVEN ENDS from Limburg, Netherlands, was formed in the darker months of 2007 by guitarist Ricardo, vocalist Jan and drummer Cor. Soon Noud joined the band, bringing thunder with his bass, together with Tim on guitar completing the band. Tim’s presence was not very long, after about a year he was replaced by Leon.
SEVEN ENDS’ musical style can be described as furious Thrash/Death Metal. Speed and aggressiveness are the main ingredients, all flavored with a hint of melody and a grooving touch to it.
Their first EP was recorded in 2008 and it was time to hit the stage. Reactions to EP and live performance were overwhelming from the start. SEVEN ENDS played live with bands such Legion of the Damned and Torture Squad, and in summer 2010 they got their chance at the legendary Wacken open air festival in Germany after winning the Dutch Wacken Metal Battle, among the greatest names around in metal and rock.
In 2011 SEVEN ENDS finished recording their first full length album, mixed and mastered by no other than Andy Classen (Legion of the Damned, Belphegor, Tankard).
“To The Worms” is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records.
SEVEN ENDS:
Jan Bieseman – Vocals
Ricardo Carta – Guitars
Leon Vinders – Guitars
Noud van Erp – Bass guitar
Cor Niessen – Drums
(Source: Massacre Records)
* For more info on SEVEN ENDS, click on the links below:
Retox, the SoCal Punk quartet who released their debut album in late 2011 (Ugly Animals, Ipecac Recordings), return to the road this February with five California dates kicking off Feb. 16 in singer Justin Person’s San Diego hometown and venturing north to San Francisco with additional stops in Palm Springs, Long Beach and the band’s hometown of Los Angeles.
February 16 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
February 17 – Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
February 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell
February 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
February 21 – Palm Springs, CA @ The Dillon Roadhouse
On Ugly Animals…
“Retox owes its real allegiance to classic L.A. punk – imagine the Circle Jerks forced into San Diego’s noise-rock woodchipper.” – Revolver
“Animals crams 11 slamming defibrillations into a mere 13 minutes, bolting through its furious post-hardcore convulsions so quickly that your brain barely has time to register each song before the band moves on to its next speedy freakout.” – SF Weekly
“The cumulative effect of Ugly Animals feels like you’ve fallen off a skyscraper, stopping in intervals to smash through 37 sheets of plate glass. But you’ll want to get back on the elevator to the top floor to take the trip again.” – Alternative Press
(Source: Speakeasy PR)
* For more info on RETOX, click on the links below:
IRON SAVIOR – If there is one grand lesson learned after listening to Iron Savior’s new studio album TheLanding, it is proclaimed quite clearly on track #5: Heavy Metal Never Dies. This juggernaut of a German Power Metal band have once again provided as potent a punch of exhilarating Heavy Metal as ever, with The Landing. This new Iron Savior palette of Power Metal bliss will be released in North America on January 17, 2012, on AFM Records. Trust me, this album is a gemstone to seek out. So damn fine is The Landing that it’s brought tears of Heavy Metal joy to my eyes.
My Metal advice for when you are ready to sink your ears and senses into The Landing, is best summed up from these lyrics of Heavy Metal Never Dies: “Turn on the music, let it purify your mind”. In a vast world of Power Metal bands, Iron Savior has reinstated they are to be reckoned with whether you like it or not and The Landing is their Heavy Metal arsenal of 2012… one that cannot be contained nor denied.
Iron Savior fans may have waited four years for this new powerful offering of Heavy Metal thunder, only it was well worth the wait. This is a band that sounds pumped-up and ready for Power Metal battle, from start to finish on TheLanding. This album is a total package of Power Metal on high, which features more impressive guitar leads, riffs and solos than I can count. Piet Sielck without any doubt in myMetal mind, belongs with the very best of Power/Heavy Metal vocalists, at commanding a song and bringing it to greater heights.
If there ever was to be a song from 2012 that I will turn to consistently for immediate psyche-you-out Metal gratification, then that song is Hall Of The Heroes. Metal be thy name. Hall Of The Heroes can now enjoy its deserved place on my list of All-Time Favorite Metal Songs. Ring that Metal bell and declare all posers to hell, cause Iron Savior has cast one unbelievable Metal spell with Hall Of The Heroes. Oh, the vocals of Piet Sielck, oh, that guitar solo… oh, that riveting rhythm section, oh, that chorus… simply an amazing song. Simply an amazing album.
If you consider yourself a Metal martyr and Defender Of The Faith… buy The Landing and play IRON SAVIOR very, very, LOUD… while your uncontrollable Heavy Metal pride explodes from your Metal soul, spilling upon all those around you. Metal be thy name… forever.
“In crimson sand, the heroes still stand” – IRON SAVIOR
IRON SAVIOR:
Piet Sielck – lead vocals, guitar
Yenz Leonhardt – backing vocals, bass
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner – backing vocals, guitar
Thomas Nack – drums and miscellaneous percussion
THE LANDING – Track Listing:
Descending
The Savior
Starlight
March Of Doom
Heavy Metal Never Dies
Moment In Time
Hall Of The Heroes
R.U. Ready
Faster Than All
Before The Pain
No Guts No Glory
IRON SAVIOR – THE LANDING Receives 5 out of 5 METAL FISTS.
* For more info on IRON SAVIOR, click on the links below:
Following a short batch of dates with Clutch in December, Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY are pleased to announce a U.S. headlining tour this March. Set to commence on March 1 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City, the trek will hit 15 cities including two performances at this year’s SXSW Music Conference in Austin. The band will be joined by Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light.
Commented vocalist/bassist Mike Dean of the upcoming shows: “We think the lineup of music on this tour is really compatible without every band doing the same thing. We’re really proud to be on this bill and touring on a new album.”
As a precursor to the tour, the band will play one-off show with Hail!Hornet at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina on January 22. The special performance will coincide with a screening of Slow Southern Steel,the long-anticipated Southern Metal documentary produced by Rwake vocalist, CT.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY w/ Hail!Hornet:
1/22/2012 The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY w/ Torche, Valient Thorr, A Storm Of Light:
03/01/2012 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
03/02/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD
03/03/2012 Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
03/05/2012 Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
03/06/2012 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
03/07/2012 Double Door – Chicago, IL
03/08/2012 Triple Rock – Minneapolis, MN
03/09/2012 Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
03/10/2012 Downtown Music Hall – Little Rock, AR
03/11/2012 Hi-Tone Café – Memphis, TN
03/12/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX
03/14/2012 SXSW – Austin, TX ! #
03/15/2012 SXSW – Austin, TX ! #
03/17/2012 One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA #
03/18/2012 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL #
! = No Torche
# = No Valient Thorr
The U.S. run of dates will coincide with CORROSION OF CONFORMITY‘s self-titled full-length, set for North American release on February 28, 2012 via Candlelight Records. Recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, the 11-track offering was produced by the band in cooperation with long-time collaborator John Custer, mixed by John Lousteau (Foo Fighters) and sports artwork by Seldon Hunt (Melvins, High On Fire).
Featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist WoodyWeatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, the album’s release closes a six-year recording gap and completes over a year of concentrated writing and recording for the band.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, click the links below:
Wake up North America… after three decades of waiting, British Thrash Masters ONSLAUGHT will cross the Atlantic for their first ever tour of the continent in March and April!
The 20-date trek gets underway in Seattle on March 19th and tramples its way across the continent ending in Brooklyn on April 7th. The band’s exclusive set for the tour spans their full back catalog, including Power from Hell, The Force, In Search of Sanity, Killing Peace and their lauded 2011 release Sounds of Violence.ONSLAUGHT will have direct support from all ex-Venom supergroup M-pire Of Evil for the entire tour, as well as Evil Dead on a slew of the West Coast dates.
Stated founding ONSLAUGHT guitarist Nige Rockett on the upcoming invasion: “Good Morning America… Here we are at very long last! ONSLAUGHT are super fucking stoked to announce our début tour of the mighty USofA and Canada. It’s been one hell of a long time coming, but we are now finally bringing the Scream For Violence tour to North America for 20 shows in March and April 2012.Just as we did in Europe, the UK and South America, we’ll be thrashing it up with a brutal 90-minute set featuring tracks off all five ONSLAUGHT studio albums. We can’t fucking wait…”
ONSLAUGHT – Scream For Violence North American Tour 2012:
3/19/2012 Studio 7 – Seattle, WA
3/20/2012 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
3/21/2012 The Pound – Oakland, CA
3/22/2012 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2012 Jumping Turtle – San Diego, CA
3/24/2012 910 Live – Tempe, AZ
3/26/2012 The Korova – San Antonio, TX
3/27/2012 *TBA – Laredo, TX
3/29/2012 Fubar – St. Louis, MO
3/30/2012 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
3/31/2012 House of Rock – Dayton, OH
4/01/2012 Blondies – Detroit, MI
4/03/2012 Wreck Room – Toronto, ON
4/04/2012 The Katacombs – Montreal, QC
4/06/2012 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY
4/07/2012 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
ONSLAUGHT‘s critically acclaimed fifth studio album Sounds Of Violence was released in North America in February 2011 via AFM Records. Recorded and produced in the renowned Hansen-Studios (Destruction, Heathen, Mercenary), the blazing record boasts ten brand new original tracks, as well as a cover of Motörhead’s classic “Bomber,” featuring guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead) and Tom Angelripper (Sodom).
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on ONSLAUGHT, click on the links below:
L to R: Jack Syperek, John-Angus MacDonald, Sean Dalton, Colin MacDonald
THE TREWS – Back on August 5th, 2011, I posted an album review for THE TREWS newly released studio album Hope & Ruin. The 4th full-length from this Canadian Rock band impressed me so much that I listened to it constantly since early Summer. Now that Winter has settled in, Hope & Ruin has never lost its edgy Rock luster with me. I have listened to many other Rock albums during 2011 and none seemed to enthuse me as the way this new album from THE TREWS has done.
THE TREWS seemed to have captured an old spirit of Rock that I once heard from early R.E.M. and U2, back when these two iconic bands really did care about their songs and fans. A flirtation of retro college radio meets modern Rock vibe overflows with Hope & Ruin. I simply love that. Back on August 18th, I did not fully realize, that this album would eventually stand out amongst the rest of its 2011 Rock album peers in such a special way for me.
It was also back on August 18th, when I had the golden opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for THE TREWS. As my sincere appreciation for Hope & Ruin grew stronger by the week, I eventually decided to savor the moment, an eventual moment when I would launch this exclusive interview with Colin MacDonald simultaneously with naming Hope & Ruin by THE TREWS… as Metal Odyssey’s 2011 Rock Album Of The Year.
If the late and legendary Ed Sullivan were to come back to life for just one day, I’d love to hear him say: Ladies and Gentlemen… THE TREWS! Instead, I’m announcing this band at this moment and I’m veryproud to have had the opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald. From album reviews to opening for Robert Plant, here is what Colin had to say:
Stone: In the July (2011) issue of Classic Rock AOR Magazine, Hope & Ruin received a nine out of ten review. Taking a quote from this review: “Man, there isn’t a flawed track. Indeed, it’s one of those rare albums where every song could easily become a hit single. It’s rare feat for an album to be so consistently powerful.” How does this type of praise make you feel?
Colin: Awesome. It feels amazing. It’s like Sting had put it: “If you believe the good stuff, it doesn’t make you want to work as hard and if you believe the bad stuff, it only makes you work harder. It’s always great to be recognized for the work we do, especially by a big magazine like that.
Stone: On a personal level, which song on Hope & Ruin means the most to you?
Colin: I really like Hope & Ruin. This song really seems to take on a life of its own live.
Stone: In your music video for Hope & Ruin, there are many scenic backdrops. Where in the world was this footage shot?
Colin: It was shot in Toronto for the city. It was done on the coldest day on record too and I was really freezing out there while I was singing! We also went to the East Coast and Nova Scotia. We created a contrast of city, coast and countryside and it made for an amazing result with this video.
Watch and listen below to THE TREWS – Hope & Ruin, it is an incredible song!
Stone: With The Trews, which is written first, the music or the lyrics?
Colin: Always the music. We’ll come up with a riff, a melody, a little idea and work on it until it becomes a big idea. We take a melody idea and then a line comes with it. You then work your way back from there. I never try to over think the lyrics. I try to balance things out and let the lyrics compliment the song.
Stone: With The Trews being for all intents and purposes, family, what is it like for you guys to sit down, write and record music?
Colin: It’s the only way of life we’ve known for such a long time. I really don’t have anything else to compare it to. We are a tight group of guys. Sure, we have heated arguments, although they can simmer very quick. That’s what has kept us together for so long.
Stone: How important is it for a Rock band today, compared to a decade ago, in adapting to changes in how they promote themselves?
Colin: It’s really important. A band has to always garner new fans. It’s hands on now. There’s not a lot of mystique or mystery to promotion anymore. Our main priority is to always make good music. You must never lose sight in making music that the fans like. You must keep up the musical content. There’s twitter and facebook to reach out to the fans with. Those bands that keep all of this in mind will do well with the new model.
Stone: Is the record industry today more hope or more ruin?
Colin: It depends on who you ask. There are lots of bands getting through today that probably wouldn’t have decades ago, like, Mumford & Sons. Bands are selling out big venues, so that’s hope for sure. The days of signing big money record deals and getting big contracts up front are no more. So that’s ruin.
Stone: Which country has the toughest music market for The Trews to tap into and do you want to conquer that market?
Colin: Right now, we’re doing great in Australia and the UK. We’d like to get bigger in America because it’s close and easy to tour, so obviously we want to break into that market. Any band that are making good music and stays true to themselves will do well and that’s what we try to do.
Stone: What band or which musician would The Trews be honored to share the stage with, where you haven’t shared the stage with before?
Colin: We’d love to play with Neil Young. That would be awesome! We’d love to open for AC/DC.TomPetty and the Heartbreakers. We’ve opened for The Stones. We’ve also opened for Robert Plant across Canada.
Stone: Where did you open for The Rolling Stones?
Colin: We opened for them in Toronto and Phoenix back in 2005. They were secret club gigs.
Stone: Where did you play with Robert Plant?
Colin: It was all across Canada for his entire tour here.
Stone: Is Robert Plant a nice guy?
Colin: Robert Plant is a super cool guy! He’s always interested in new music and never rests on his laurels. I find inspiration in that and it sticks with us. As a lead singer, Robert Plant is always moving forward and that’s a quality about him I admire most.
Stone: As a band, do you guys want to continue experimenting and maturing musically or have you reached a level of self-contentment of where you are now?
Colin: Never man. We keep pushing forward. We have more in us. There’s so much more music in us still and so much more to come. I still feel we have not made our best record yet.
Stone: Is there anything you’d like to tell your fans?
Colin: Thank you for supporting us and for so long! When the fans come out to see us live, it really means a lot to us.
* For more info on THE TREWS, click on the links below:
Having won over audiences across Europe via major Metal/Hardcore tours and massive festival appearances since their 1993 inception, German Metalcore heavyweights HATE SQUAD will drop their newest full-length, Katharsis, onto North American audiences via Massacre Records this January 17th.
The Hannover-based quartet will kick off the new year with their sixth LP to date, surging with nearly an hour of the band’s pummeling blend of death metal and hardcore. Recorded and mixed by Ralf Müller at Rape of Harmonies Studios, produced by Müller and HATE SQUAD, and mastered by Olman Viper at Hertzwerk (Hamburg), the album clearly makes the listener aware that they are a force to be reckoned with in the new year, and once again prove why HATE SQUAD remain one of Germany’s leading Metalcore exports.
Check out the title track to the album and more at this location.
Katharsis Track Listing:
Deep Scars
Katharsis
Your Rotten Life
The One
Hatebomb
A.P.A.B.
Misanthropic Soul
Vicious Assault
Old Times…Good Times!
Kill
R3volut1on15t
Face Your Demon
Live And Learn
HATE SQUAD:
Burkhard Schmitt – vocals
Mark Künnemann – guitars
Bauke De Groot – bass
Helge Dolgener – drums
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on HATE SQUAD, click on the links below:
ANA KEFR – The California based Extreme Metal band ANA KEFR have a featured interview in the latest issue (#8) of ATMOSFEAR Extreme Music Magazine. What sets ANA KEFR apart from their Extreme Metal peers, is their progressive leanings musically and philosophical lyrics. Make no Metal mistake, ANA KEFR is an Extreme Metal band, 100% from top to bottom and side to side. ANA KEFR is an Extreme Metal band that is on the rise and a must to check out and hear, if you haven’t already.
* ANA KEFR was voted #9 in Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums of 2011, with their critically applauded album: The Burial Tree (II). (Posted on Metal Odyssey December 17th, 2011).
(Source: Sundisc PR)
* For more info on ANA KEFR, click on the link below:
Recent News About Germany’s Brutal Thrash Metal Band: THE PROPHECY²³
THE PROPHECY²³ – After the overwhelming reviews of their first record “…To The Pit” and many crazy live-shows (i.a. WACKEN OPEN AIR 2011) THE PROPHECY²³ announce their second record GREEN MACHINE LASER BEAM.
It will be produced by Kristian “Kohle” Kohlmannslehner in the Kohlekeller Studios in January and February 2012. He already worked on chart-breaker like Crematory and Powerwolf. The second record of THE PROPHECY²³ will be released by MASSACRE RECORDS in spring/summer 2012. The cover artwork was again drawn by Marvin Clifford (MAD Magazine, etc.).
ANTHRAX – As I was looking & reading through some of my back issues of Metal Hammer over the weekend, I came across a “list” in the August 2011 issue. This list I’ve found especially valuable for myMetal knowledge. Maybe this list will be just as valuable for yours? The list is a timeline of all the lead vocalists for the ultra legendary Thrash Metal pioneers: ANTHRAX.
This timeline goes (gulp) all the way back to 1981 with John Connelly. Check this ANTHRAX timeline of lead vocalists out and memorize it. You never know when you’re gonna need this Metal knowledge!
ANTHRAX – Lead Vocalists Timeline:
1981 – John Connelly
1981 – Dirk Kennedy
1981 – 1982 – Jason Rosenfield
1982 – 1984 – Neil Turbin
1984 – Matt Fallon
1984 – 1992 – Joey Belladonna
1992 – 2005 – John Bush
2005 – 2007 – Joey Belladonna
2007 – 2009 – Dan Nelson
2009 – 2010 – John Bush
2010 – present – Joey Belladonna
(Source: Metal Hammer – August 2011, #220)
* Worship Music is the tenth studio album from ANTHRAX, released back on September 13th, 2011, on MEGAFORCE RECORDS.
* For more info on ANTHRAX, click on this link: ANTHRAX
DERAILED announces new bass player and details to their forthcoming sophomore studio album Underground!
Calgary Alberta Canada’s very own Metal Warriors, DERAILED, have issued the following exciting updates from their Metal camp:
Derailed are proud to introduce Greg Kristianson as the new bass player for the group. Greg’s musical background includes current Metallica & Iron Maiden tribute bands, ‘Disposable Heroes’ & ‘Edward the Great’ in the local Alberta Metal scene. Greg’s enthusiasm & dedication to perfection are a welcome addition to the band!
On the recording front, drums & bass tracks are now finished for the upcoming conceptual CD, Underground, to be released sometime in April/May of 2012. Guitars & vocals are next! The boys are extremely excited on the progress thus far, much more heavier & aggressive!
Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.
Happy New Year to all!
* Underground will be the follow-up to Derailed’s critically acclaimed 2010 debut album: Judgement Day.
* For more info on DERAILED, click on the links below:
IMORA – Check out below the new single If The Shoe Fits from IMORA, a Metalcore / Post Hardcore band from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. This song is from the forthcoming EP from IMORA: Happily Neverafter via Ship Out Recordings.
The balance of both vocals that rage and croon are done with impressiveness on this song. Combining the heavy and melodic comes across very credible with IMORA on If The Shoe Fits. IMORA already has shared the stage with: Chiodos, Evergreen Terrace, Stick To Your Guns and Asking Alexandria, to name a few. This band sounds like a toughened and talented unit ready for the next big step and might very well have to be reckoned with in 2012 and beyond.
If you dig If The Shoe Fits after listening to it a few times, then my Metal advice is buy this new EP from IMORA – Happily Neverafter. This EP will be available on iTunes starting January 10th, 2012.
IMORA:
Jeff Leuschen – vocals
Dave Daniel – drums/vocals
Ryan Brosius – guitar
Mac – bass
Topher – keys/samples
* For more info on IMORA, click on the links below:
Metal Odyssey would like to THANK ALL OF YOU who come to visit all year, sharing the same passion for Rock, Hard Rock and… METAL! Throughout the past year, Metal Odyssey receives support in ways too numerous to mention. However, there are those “thank yous” that I need to mention, If I leave anyone out, believe me, you are included.
THANK YOU to all the super cool PR people and record companies that have made it possible for Metal Odyssey to deliver the METAL news and album reviews! Each and every one of you ROCK beyond belief! Without them, I am in the dark.
THANK YOU to all the bands and musicians that have been mentioned, featured and/or interviewed here on Metal Odyssey this past year. Without them, life would suck big time. Really.
THANK YOU to all my Metal Buddies around the world! You know who you are and I don’t take any of you for granted.
THANK YOU to Best Metal Buddy/Metal Researcher Scott Coverdale & staff photographer Tom Coderre.
A very, very, very specialTHANK YOU to Metal Chick.
Now, here are some Metal thoughts, um, ramblings from Stone:
The world will NOT end in 2012. Sorry. If I’m wrong and the dreaded doomsday does come to pass this year, I will hopefully be with my family while anyORANGE GOBLIN album is blasting LOUD around me.
2012 IS GONNA ROCK! WHY?
Cause… Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill are… BACK!
Cause… KISS is releasing a new studio album titled: MONSTER.
Cause… KING DIAMOND is better and… back in action! Just ask Metallica.
Cause… VAN HALEN IS BACK!
BOLD SPORTS PREDICTION:
The New York Yankees will win the 2012 World Series.
STONE’S 2012 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS:
There are so many that are too boring to list. Okay, here’s two:
I shall eat less potato chips and listen to MORE METAL \m/
STONE’S WISHES FOR 2012:
I wish for an end to world hunger and human suffering of any kind. May there be world peace? On a smaller scale, I wish that Motörhead would receive a deserved “Lifetime Achievement Award” from The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
I wish CHEAP TRICK would follow Metal Odyssey on twitter. If this happens, I will write, without hesitation, a positive article on ABBA and feature it right here on Metal Odyssey for the world to read and see. I’m honestly not kidding. CHEAP TRICK F’n RULES.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF ON METAL ODYSSEY?
Would you like more album reviews? Short or long album reviews? More/less Metal news? Classic Rock news? Are you demanding more band interviews? Are “lists” good or bad? More or less of Stone’s ramblings? Let your thoughts and feelings be heard by leaving a comment! Man, it would be greatly appreciated!
METAL BE THY NAME.
Thank you to my Metal Buddy down South, for that thoughtful package of CD’s and videos after the hurricane struck. You know who you are.
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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