MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER release video for Open Your Eyes starring Danny Trejo

MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER have released a new music video for ‘Open Your Eyes‘ starring the one and only Danny Trejo.

Maylene frontman Dallas Taylor says, “We’ve always been huge fans of Danny Trejo. We were on the same flight a few years ago but I didn’t get a chance to meet him. Ever since then, I’ve wanted him to be in one of our videos. Never in a million years did I think it would happen, so this is really special for us.”

As it turns out, video director Scott Hansen had worked with Trejo before and was able to make it happen. The video was shot in one day in Los Angeles, and stars Trejo as a sadistic mechanic.

The hard rock innovators are gearing up for a nationwide headlining tour in support of their new album, IV, out now via Ferret Music. The 4-week trek will kick off January 25th in New Orleans and take the band to both coasts, with support from LIONIZE.

Tour dates:
January
Feb 03 Soma San Diego, CA
Feb 04 Thee Parkside San Francisco, CA
Feb 06 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
Feb 07 El Corazon Seattle, WA
Feb 09 Mojo’s Ogden, UT
Feb 10 Marquis Theatre Denver, CO
Feb 11 Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 13 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
Feb 14 Firebird St Louis, MO
Feb 15 Beat Kitchen Chicago, IL
Feb 16 Pike Room @ The Crofoot Pontiac, MI
Feb 17 The Basement Columbus, OH
Feb 18 Broadway Joe’s Buffalo, NY
Feb 19 the crooked i Erie, PA
Feb 21 Upstairs @ The Palladium Worcester, MA
Feb 22 Knitting Factory Brooklyn, NY
Feb 23 MilkBoy Philly Philadelphia, PA
Feb 24 Webster Underground Hartford, CT
Feb 25 U Street Music Hall Washington, DC
Feb 26 The Soapbox Wilmington, NC
Feb 28 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Feb 29 State Theatre St Petersburg, FL
Mar 01 The Sports Page Live Satellite Beach, FL
Mar 02 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, FL
Mar 03 Ground Zero Spartanburg, SC









For more MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER click here.

THE CONTORTIONIST announce tour with ALL SHALL PERISH and CARNIFEX

Indiana progressive metal powerhouse THE CONTORTIONIST is pleased to announce their upcoming run with All Shall Perish, Carnifex, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Conducting From The Grave. The tour kicks off in Oakland, CA on March 29th and comes to a close in Sacramento, CA on April 28th.

We’re really thrilled to be heading out with All Shall Perish and all of the other bands on the tour this March and April,” states guitarist Robby Baca. “This is a great tour and we’re excited to be performing with these bands. We saw All Shall Perish play recently and those dudes SHRED.”

THE CONTORTIONIST recently announced that they will be recording their upcoming full-length release at Audio Hammer Studios in Orlando, Florida with Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi (August Burns Red, The Black Dahlia Murder) in February. The new album is tentatively set to be released with GOOD FIGHT MUSIC in late spring/early summer 2012. The band also recently announced their new endorsement deal with Ibanez.

THE CONTORTIONIST released a picture-disc LP version of their debut album Exoplanet in the fall. A download card of Exoplanet will be included with each copy. Fans can purchase the LP at iTunes and MerchNow. THE CONTORTIONIST released all other versions of Exoplanet with GOOD FIGHT MUSIC on August 31st, 2010. Purchase your copy of Exoplanet now at Amazon.com, or on iTunes!

THE CONTORTIONIST tour dates with All Shall Perish, Carnifex, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Conducting From The Grave:
3/29 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
3/30 – Simi Valley, CA @ 118 West
4/01 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Clubhouse
4/02 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad
4/03 – Odessa, TX @ Dos Amigos
4/04 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
4/05 – Houston, TX @ The Warehouse (Fleshgod Apocalypse joins on this date)
4/06 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
4/07 – Tulsa, OK @ Marquee
4/08 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
4/09 – Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
4/10 – Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
4/11 – Detroit, MI @ Harpos
4/12 – Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
4/13 – Nashville, TN @ The Muse
4/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/15 – Greensboro, NC @ Greene St.
4/17 – Springfield, VA @ Empire
4/18 – Stanhope, NJ @ Stanhope House
4/19 – New York City, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
4/20 – Worcester, MA @ NEW ENGLAND METAL FEST
4/21 – Syracuse, NY @ The Lost Horizon
4/22 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabodys
4/24 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
4/25 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
4/26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
4/27 – Sparks, NV @ The Alley
4/28 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

For more THE CONTORTIONIST click here.

MOTORHEAD announces limited edition Motor-Bag

It’s universally agreed amongst headbangers that Motörhead is responsible for some of the greatest all-time hard rock/heavy metal songs (“The Ace of Spades,” “Overkill,” etc.) and albums (‘Ace of Spades,’ ‘No Sleep ’til Hammersmith,‘ etc.) – not to mention featuring one of rock’s all-time great characters in their ranks, Lemmy Kilmister. As a result, Motörhead fans are always on the hunt for uncommon and rare items to complete their collection. And now, the group is offering a true treat for their fans, known as “The Motör-Bag.”

Available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead, The Motör-Bag is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and is packed with exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else. Housed in a Motörhead messenger bag, inside you will find two double vinyl LPs of stunning Motörhead performances (in their entirety), recorded in New York and Manchester – that can only be found in the Motör-Bag package. Additionally, a laminate pass is included, and a piece of ‘The Wörld Is Yours‘ 2010/2011 stage backdrop, mounted and numbered.

Once the 4,000 copies are sold out, this one-of-a-kind Motörhead set will be gone, so order the ultimate live Motör-experience package NOW!

The Wörld Is Ours…
Manchester Apollo, Manchester, UK, Nov. 16th, 2010
Side A
We Are Motörhead
Stay Clean
Be My Baby
Get Back In Line
Rock Out

Side B
Metropolis
Over the Top
One Night Stand
The Thousand Names of God
I Got Mine

Side C
I Know How to Die
The Chase Is Better Than the Catch
In the Name of Tragedy
Just ‘Cos You Got the Power

Side D
Going to Brazil
Killed by Death (with Nina C. Alice)
Ace of Spades
Born to Raise Hell (with Michael Monroe)
Overkill

The Wörld Is Ours…
Best Buy Theater, New York, USA, Feb. 28th, 2011
Side A
WE ARE MOTORHEAD
STAY CLEAN
GET BACK IN LINE
METROPOLIS
OVER THE TOP

Side B
ONE NIGHT STAND
ROCK OUT
THE THOUSAND NAMES OF GOD
I GOT MINE

Side C
I KNOW HOW TO DIE
THE CHASE IS BETTER THAN THE CATCH
IN THE NAME OF TRAGEDY
JUST COS YOU GOT THE POWER

Side D
GOING TO BRAZIL
KILLED BY DEATH (FEAT DORO & TODD YOUTH)
ACE OF SPADES
OVERKILL









For more MOTORHEAD click here.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD reveal tracklisting and artwork for Long Live Heavy Metal

Premiere metal act 3 INCHES OF BLOOD has revealed both the track listing and album artwork from their forthcoming effort, Long Live Heavy Metal due out on March 27, 2012 in North America and March 26th in Europe. Produced by Terry “Sho” Murray (City of Fire, Exhibitionists), the astounding twelve track achievement offers an explosion of sound, setting new standards for classic heavy metal.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD teamed up with Kim Thiessen to perfect their artistic vision for the album, which will be released as a digipack and when opened, lays out similar to that of a book. The track listing and album artwork can be seen below, and within the next week, fans should be on the lookout for news of a song premiere from the new album.

Long Live Heavy Metal Track Listing:
01. Metal Woman
02. My Sword Will Not Sleep
03. Leather Lord
04. Chief and the Blade
05. Dark Messenger
06. Look Out
07. 4000 Torches
08. Leave it on the Ice
09. Die for Gold (Upon the Boiling Sea IV)
10. Storming Juno
11. Men of Fortune
12. One for the Ditch



In support of the release, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will be heading out on the “Metal Alliance Tour 2012” with DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED.

Metal Alliance Tour 2012
3/15/2012 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
3/16/2012 – New Orleans, LA @ The Hangar
3/17/2012 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
3/18/2012 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos
3/20/2012 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
3/21/2012 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater
3/22/2012 – Danvers, MA @ Palace Ballroom
3/23/2012 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Le National
3/24/2012 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Opera House
3/25/2012 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa
3/26/2012 – Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s
3/27/2012 – St. Paul, MN @ Station-4
3/28/2012 – Winnipeg, MB, Canada @ Garrick Centre
3/29/2012 – Regina, SK, Canada @ Riddell Centre
3/30/2012 – Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Edmonton Events Centre
3/31/2012 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Rickshaw Theater
4/1/2012 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/2/2012 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
4/5/2012 – Oakland, CA @ The Pound
4/6/2012 – Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
4/7/2012 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theater
4/8/2012 – Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater
4/9/2012 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
4/10/2012 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
4/11/2012 – Des Moines, IA @ 7 Flags Event Center
4/13/2012 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theater
4/15/2012 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
4/16/2012 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
4/19/2012 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
4/20/2012 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
4/21/2012 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues









For more 3 INCHES OF BLOOD click here.

KREATOR reveal title of upcoming album and release date

German thrash titans KREATOR have revealed the title of the bands upcoming album: Phantom Antichrist. The album is currently being produced at the famous Fascination Street Studio with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH) in Örebro, Sweden.

Phantom Antichrist marks the band‘s debut for Nuclear Blast and is set to be released June 1, 2012 (Europe) and June 5, 2012 (North America)!

Furthermore, KREATOR will also release an exclusive 7“ single of the titlesong on April 20, 2012. The collector’s item will be available in coloured red vinyl (limited to 250 pieces) as well as in clear vinyl (limited to 250 pieces, exclusively available at the Nuclear Blast Mailorderwww.nuclearblast.de/shop).



KREATOR will exclusively perform a new song during their shows at this years METALFEST open air events!



For more KREATOR click here.

JEFF LOOMIS reveals touring band

JEFF LOOMIS, ex-Nevermore guitar prodigy, has been added to the 24-date, coast-to-coast US tour with PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, THE SAFETY FIRE and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE. JEFF LOOMIS reveals the quality players he’s brought in to accompany him on the stage:

Joe Nurre – guitar (Shaded Enmity)
Gregory Macklin – bass (System Divide, Ordinance)
Anup Sastry - drums (Intervals, Skyharbor)

My good friend, Joe Nurre from up here in Seattle, will be playing guitar with me out on this run with Protest the Hero and Periphery. Some of you might have seen him play with Nevermore on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise last year. I was lucky enough to find this killer drummer online. His name is Anup Sastry, I’ve seen him do these perfect drum covers on his Youtube page. I reached out and learned he plays in a few great bands as well. You should check out all the stuff he’s done. Anup is based out in the DC area and brought in a friend of his, Greg Macklin, to do bass. Those guys are going to be getting together out there to start practicing the set. Joe and I will do the same over here and then a couple weeks before the tour, Joe and I will fly over Maryland and we’ll all rehearse until we get things perfect. I can’t wait to get out there and start playing live again. See you soon.

The tour begins March 25th in Chicago, IL and will lead up the release of the new album, Plains Of Oblivion on April 10th, before wrapping up in Philadelphia, PA on April 22nd. Tickets for the tour go on sale in most cities this Friday, February 3rd.

Tour Dates with PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, THE SAFETY FIRE and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE:
Sun/Mar-25 – CHICAGO IL – Bottom Lounge
Mon/Mar-26 – LAWRENCE KS – Granada
Tue/Mar-27 – DALLAS TX – Trees
Wed/Mar-28 – HOUSTON TX – Warehouse Live
Fri/Mar-30 – ALBUQUERQUE NM – Sunshine
Sat/Mar-31 – PHOENIX AZ – Club Red
Sun/Apr-01 -LOS ANGELES CA – Key Club
Mon/Apr-02 – SAN FRANCISCO CA – Slim’s
Tue/Apr-03 – PORTLAND OR – The Branx
Wed/Apr-04 – SEATTLE WA – Studio Seven
Fri/Apr-06 – SALT LAKE CITY UT – In The Venue
Sat/Apr-07 – DENVER CO – Summit
Mon/Apr-09 – ST LOUIS MO – Pops
Tue/Apr-10 – MILWAUKEE WI – The Rave II
Wed/Apr-11 – DETROIT MI – Magic Stick
Thu/Apr-12 – COLUMBUS OH – The Outland Ballroom
Fri/Apr-13 – CLEVELAND OH – Grog Shop
Sat/Apr-14 – BALTIMORE MD – Sonar
Mon/Apr-16 – ATLANTA GA – Masquerade
Tue/Apr-17 – ORLANDO FL – The Social
Wed/Apr-18 – RALEIGH NC – Lincoln Theater
Fri/Apr-20 – NEW YORK NY – Gramercy
Sun/Apr-22 – PHILADELPHIA PA – Trocadero

For more JEFF LOOMIS click here.

LACUNA COIL to perform acoustic show in Chicago

In support of their new release, Dark Adrenaline, LACUNA COIL will perform an acoustic set and meet-and-greet with their fans at the Cobra Lounge in Chicago on February 10th! Presented by Metal Army America and Unholy Empire, this special night with the band is open to the public and will take place after their performance at Gigantour that night (tickets will be given on a first come, first serve basis; you must be 21+ to receive entry into the club). For more information, please visit the official event page here.

Fans both old and new can purchase Dark Adrenaline in a variety of formats, including standard edition CD and vinyl, Deluxe Edition digipak with a bonus DVD, sticker, poster and guitar pick and as an iTunes LP with expanded packaging, five bonus audio tracks and video. The Metal Club (www.mymetalclub.com) edition features exclusive artwork designed by the band and is limited to 3000 units. The Hastings edition features a bonus 10-track LACUNA COIL sampler, and the Amazon digital edition comes with a free five track sampler.

For true fans of the band, the Darkest Adrenaline box set is also available for purchase. It includes both the Digipak and vinyl versions of the album along with a hardcover photo book, a LACUNA COIL custom syringe pen and ink, a lyric pad, signed lithographs created by the band and more, all housed in a LACUNA COIL medical box. This box set is limited to 500 pieces and is available exclusively through CM Distro (www.cmdistro.com).

As previously announced, LACUNA COIL will support Megadeth on their critically-acclaimed Gigantour around the release of Dark Adrenaline . Gigantour was founded by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine in 2005; this run will also feature Motorhead and Volbeat. Please see below for tour dates, which also include a few LACUNA COIL headlining shows.

LACUNA COIL/Gigantour tour dates:
JANUARY
26 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
27 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
28 – New York, NY – Theater At Madison Square Garden
29 – Lowell, MA – Tsongas Arena
31 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Tavern*
FEBRUARY
1 – Glen Falls, NY – Glen Falls Civic Center
2 – Quebec City, QC – Colisee Pepsi Arena
3 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
5 – Kingston, ON – K-Rock Centre
7 – Oshawa, ON – General Motors Centre
8 – Hamilton, ON – Copps Coliseum
9 – Auburn Hills, MI – Palace At Auburn Hills
10 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
12 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
13 – Des Moines, IA – People’s Court*
14 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
16 – Saskatoon, SK – Prairieland
17 – Edmonton, AB – Shaw Conference Centre
18 – Calgary, AB – Big 4 Building
20 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre
21 – Kent, WA – Showare Center
23 – San Jose, CA – Events Center At San Jose
24 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheater At Universal City
25 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
26 – Albuquerque, NM – Tingley Coliseum
28 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore Auditorium
MARCH
1 – Dallas, TX – The Palladium Ballroom
2 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
3 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live At The Moody

*LACUNA COIL headline









For more Lacuna Coil click here.

3/4 of BLACK SABBATH respond to Bill Ward’s public statement

From BLACK SABBATH‘s Facebook page:

We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans…we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open… We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll… See you at Download!!!

- Tony, Ozzy and Geezer

If you missed it yesterday, Bill Ward, Drummer for BLACK SABBATH posted the following on his personal website:
Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’shappening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”

The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.
My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That’s the story so far.
Stay safe and stay strong.
I love every single one of you.
Bill Ward




DVD Review – STYX: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live


STYX

The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live

Blu Ray

Eagle Rock Entertainment

8 out of 10





STYX puts on one hell of a live show. They have more hits than you might think, and when they do a standard ‘greatest hits’ show, you are blown away not only by how many hits they’ve had, but by the sheer musicianship and epic songwriting skills the Chicago Prog Rock band has. Yes I said Prog Rock. They may not be as spacey as Pink Floyd or as intricate as Rush, but they were one of the greatest Prog Rock bands of the 70’s.

The Grand Illusion was released in 1977 and is still their best selling album (according to them). The songwriting on this opus ranges from grandiose and bombastic to sheer brilliance. The opening title track The Grand Illusion shows off their writing skills as much as it does their musicianship and it is one hell of a way to open an album let alone a live show. Flowing right into Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) the crowd is on their feet rocking out and transported back to a time where huge epic songs ruled the airwaves and the charts.

The show starts out with a video screen showing an homage to the Star Wars opening in space with the yellow letters taking us back to 1977. It then cuts to a young man’s bedroom where he is shuffling through his stack of LPs (you remember those right? Vinyl baby, old school!), until he finds The Grand Illusion. He puts it on the turn table, grabs his head phones, and the band kick into the intro to The Grand Illusion.

The hits just keep on coming with Come Sail Away and Miss America. With Castle Walls being an amazing stand out live, you tend to forget what an incredible album The Grand Illusion was from beginning to end until it is right there in your face.

After a short intermission, we go back to the video and the young man putting Pieces Of Eight on. The second half of the concert is really for the old school STYX fans. While Pieces Of Eight has its hits like Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) and the perennial Renegade, the rest of the album may not be as familiar to the radio fans of STYX.

STYX released Pieces Of Eight in 1978 marking a very prolific time in the history of STYX. Once The Grand Illusion took off, it rocketed the band from the clubs, to opening for KANSAS, to headlining Arenas before they took a short break to record and release Pieces Of Eight.

I’ve seen STYX live at least 5 times over as many years, though I missed this particular tour unfortunately. They are consummate musicians and throw a great party when they are on stage. And to take two albums, dust off songs that they have never played live before, and put them out there thirty some odd years later, and be as entertaining as they are is no mean feat.

The music comes across great in this Blu Ray release and the surround sound will give you goose bumps at times when they go into Castle Walls, Renegade, or Miss America. The camera work was a little annoying however, in that every third shot was out of focus! At first I thought I was imagining it, and then I thought maybe they were trying to be artsy with it. Then I realized, the camera men were simply shooting it out of focus most of the time. Other than the video editing and camera work, it is definitely a must have for the hard core STYX fans. And if you are only a radio fan of STYX, this is a great place to start to learn more about them, where their music came from, and why 30 plus years later they are STILL all over Classic Rock stations around the world.









You can purchase STYX: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live right here.

MASTODON and OPETH to Co-Headline Heritage Hunter Tour with guest GHOST

Grammy nominees MASTODON have announced that they will hit the road for a spring North American tour in support of their current album, The Hunter, which was released by Reprise Records in September. The tour kicks off on April 4th in Portland, ME, and visits more than 30 cities in the US and Canada before wrapping up with a hometown show at Atlanta’s Masquerade Music Park on May 12th.

These shows will feature an amazing night of powerful music featuring a dream bill with Swedish metal band OPETH as co-headliners, with special guest GHOST providing support on all dates.

Tour dates:
(M) Indicates Mastodon closes the show
(O) Indicates Opeth closes the show

April
4 – Portland, ME – State Theater (M)
5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theater (O)
6 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis (O)
7 – Toronto, ON – Sony Centre (O)
9 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory (M)
10 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome (M)
11 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom (M)
13 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre (M)
14 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection (M)
15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE (M)
16 – Knoxville, TN – TN Theater (O)
18 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom (M)
19 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom (O)
20 – San Antonio, TX – Back Stage Live (O)
21 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street (O)
23 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium (O)
25 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues (M)
26 – Los Angeles, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre (O)
27 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre (O)
28 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort (M)
30 – Seattle, WA – The Paramount (O)
May
1 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre (O)
3 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Events Center (O)
4 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall (M)
5 – Saskatoon, SK – The Odeon (O)
6 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre (O)
9 – Washington, DC – The Fillmore (O)
10 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore (M)
11 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues (M)
12 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Music Park (M)


















FEIST releases video for The Bad In Each Other and announces US dates

The Bad In Each Other” is the first track on Feist’s fourth studio album, Metals. The album was released in the fall, just in time to make the top of numerous “Best of 2011” lists. The New York Times even picked Metals, and its “songs of heartache, solitude and eventual solace,” as the No. 1 album of the year.

Upcoming FEIST US dates:
Apr 14 Coachella – SOLD OUT Indio, CA
Apr 21 Coachella – SOLD OUT Indio, CA
Apr 22 Orpheum Theatre Phoenix, AZ
Apr 26 Stubb’s Austin, TX
Apr 28 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans, LA
Apr 30 Egyptian Room at Old National Centre Indianapolis, IN
May 01 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
May 02 Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Asheville, NC
May 03 Memorial Auditorium @ Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts Raleigh, NC
May 05 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
May 07 House of Blues – Boston Boston, MA
May 08 Academy of Music Philadelphia, PA
May 09 Music Center at Strathmore Bethesda, MD
May 11 Flynn Theater Burlington, VT









For more FEIST click here.

ROCK ON THE RANGE announce 2012 lineup Featuring INCUBUS, ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON, & more

ROCK ON THE RANGE returns for its sixth year boasting a massive lineup covering the rock spectrum. America’s premier destination rock festival will be held May 18-20 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH featuring performances from Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon and many more.

Incubus is stoked to be joinin’ the killer lineup at Rock On The Range this year. We’ll see y’all in Columbus,” comments Brandon Boyd from festival co-headliner Incubus.

“If you thought last time was a blast, then this time we are gonna blow your fucking mind,” says co-headliner Rob Zombie.

To get the party started and based on the success of last year’s anniversary celebration, the weekend will kick off with the Friday Night 4Play, which is absolutely FREE with every ROCK ON THE RANGE weekend ticket purchase. The May 18 party will feature performances from Hairball, Foxy Shazam, Hells Bells and more.

The current lineup for ROCK ON THE RANGE 2012 is as follows: Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, Theory of a Deadman, Volbeat, Down, The Darkness, Halestorm, Escape The Fate, P.O.D., Lacuna Coil, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Cavo, Attack Attack!, Trivium, Bobaflex, Falling In Reverse, Redlight King, Aranda, Emphatic, Otherwise, James Durbin, Black Tide, Kyng, 12 Stones, SOiL, Rival Sons, Eve To Adam, and Ghosts of August.

Monster Energy returns as one of the driving partners behind the success of ROCK ON THE RANGE as more than fifteen acts perform on the mammoth Monster Main Stage. Jägermeister also celebrates its fifth year as a key partner while welcoming twelve of the hottest up-and-coming bands to the in-your-face, up close and personal Jägermeister Music Stage. In all, ROCK ON THE RANGE features three stages, 44 bands, and three days of non-stop rock.

Tickets for ROCK ON THE RANGE go on-sale Friday, February 10 at 10:00 AM EST at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster and the Crew Stadium Box Office. Two-day weekend stadium GA tickets once again start at just $99.50 (plus service and transaction fees). A limited number of ROTR pre-sale layaway tickets are also still available through February 29. Visit www.RockOnTheRange.com for full details and VIP package information.

PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS North American Tour announced

PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS, THE SAFETY FIRE, and I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE are teaming up for a North American Tour sponsored by Toontrack, MerchNow, and MetalSucks.net

3/25 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
3/26 Lawrence, KS @ Granada
3/27 Dallas, TX @ Trees
3/28 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
3/30 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine
3/31 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
4/1 Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
4/2 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
4/3 Portland, OR @ The Branx
4/4 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/6 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
4/7 Denver, CO @ Summit
4/9 St. Louis, MO @ Pops
4/10 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II
4/11 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
4/12 Columbus, OH @ The Outland Ballroom
4/13 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
4/14 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
4/16 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/17 Orlando, FL @ The Social
4/18 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
4/20 New York, NY @ Gramercy
4/21 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (New England Metal and Hardcore Fest)
4/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero


















ELUVEITIE release ‘making of’ video for A Rose For Epona

Swiss new wave of folk metal sensations ELUVEITIE have released a short documentary chronically the making of their official video clip for the song “A Rose For Epona”. The song was taken from the bands highly anticipated upcoming release Helvetios. The music video was produced by the Polish company Grupa13 who had worked with the band on the clip for “Thousandfold” from the last album Everything Remains… As It Never Was. The production company has also worked with such bands as BEHEMOTH and AMON AMARTH before.

Helvetios will be released on February 10 (Europe) and February 28 (North America) 2012 via Nuclear Blast.

Helvetios is a concept album about the gaulish war (58-50 B.C.), the story of the war being told in a chronological timeline. Check out Chrigel explaining the concept behind Helvetios below.

ELUVEITIE will unleash its fourth studio album in the midst of the North American portion of the band’s Helvetios World Tour. ELUVEITIE will take the stage in the US and Canada this winter as direct support to the mighty CHILDREN OF BODOM on their 15th Anniversary tour.

CHIDLREN OF BODOM, ELUVEITIE, REVOCATION, THREAT SIGNAL
Feb. 01 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Feb. 02 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL (NO CHILDREN OF BODOM)
Feb. 03 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
Feb. 04 – Pop’s – Sauget, IL
Feb. 06 – Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
Feb. 07 – Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO
Feb. 09 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 10 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Feb. 11 – The Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
Feb. 13 – Yost Theatre – Santa Ana, CA
Feb. 14 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
Feb. 15 – The Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
Feb. 16 – Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
Feb. 18 – Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
Feb. 19 – The Pavilion – Lubbock, TX
Feb. 21 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
Feb. 22 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
Feb. 24 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
Feb. 25 – Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
Feb. 26 – Sound Academy – Toronto, ON – CANADA
Feb. 27 – Metropolis – Montreal, QC – CANADA
Feb. 28 – Maverick’s – Ottawa, ON – CANADA (ELUVEITIE HEADLINING w/ LOCALS)
Feb. 29 – Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC – CANADA
Mar. 01 – Webster Theatre – Hartford, CT
Mar. 02 – Paramount Theater – Huntington, NY
Mar. 03 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
Mar. 04 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD



















For more ELUVEITIE click here.

PARADISE LOST reveal cover artwork for Tragic Idol

Gothic metallers PARADISE LOST have now revealed the cover artwork for their much anticipated new studio album, Tragic Idol, set to be released on April 23rd in Europe and April 24th in North America via Century Media Records. Named one of Decibel Magazine‘s “Top 25 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012“, Tragic Idol features artwork designed by Parisian artist Valnoir (www.metastazis.com), who has not only worked on this band’s release, but also with artists such as MORBID ANGEL, LAIBACH, ULVER, WATAIN, and more than 150 others.

Furthermore, the band will be touring the UK this April, performing tracks from their forthcoming album Tragic Idol. To celebrate the event, PARADISE LOST will have a very limited number of VIP tickets available (10 per show), which you can purchase online from the band’s official website! In regards to this tour, vocalist Nick Holmes comments: “This is a pretty extensive UK tour for us, I’m speechless and excited. It’s nice to know there’s a WH Smith in every town we play.”









For more PARADISE LOST click here.

BLACK SABBATH’s Bill Ward waiting for a ‘signable’ contract to continue with band

From BillWard.com:

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’shappening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”

The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.
My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That’s the story so far.
Stay safe and stay strong.
I love every single one of you.
Bill Ward









R.I.P. Don Cornelius Creator and Host of SOUL TRAIN

From the New York Times:

Don Cornelius, the smooth-voiced television host who brought black music and culture into America’s living rooms when he created the dance show “Soul Train,” was found dead at his home in Los Angeles early Wednesday in what appeared to be a suicide, the authorities said. He was 75.

Police officers responding to a report of a shooting found Mr. Cornelius’s body at 4 a.m. on the floor of his house on Mulholland Drive with a gunshot wound to the head. It appeared to have been self-inflicted, said Ed Winter, the Los Angeles County assistant chief coroner.

Soul Train,” one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history, played a critical role in spreading the music of black America to the world, offering wide exposure to musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson in the 1970s and ’80s.

“ ‘Soul Train’ created an outlet for black artists that never would have been if it hadn’t been for Cornelius,” said Kenny Gamble, who with his partner, Leon Huff, created the Philly soul sound and wrote the theme song for the show. “It was a tremendous export from America to the world, that showed African-American life and the joy of music and dance, and it brought people together.”

Mr. Cornelius, a former disc jockey, created “Soul Train” in 1970 for the Chicago television station WCIU and served as its writer, producer and host. When it became a local sensation, he moved the show to Los Angeles and began broadcasting nationally in 1971, beginning a 35-year run in syndication.

In its heyday, it was a formative experience every Saturday morning for young people of all backgrounds and afforded some of the most important soul and R&B acts their first national television exposure. It was also a platform for white rock musicians like Elton John and David Bowie to reach black audiences.

Beyond music, “Soul Train” showcased dances and clothing styles then popular among young blacks. It laid the groundwork for dance programs like Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.”

You can read more about Don Corneliuslife here.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

As a white kid growing up in the 70′s Saturday morning consisted of cartoons and huge bowls of cereal while my mom slept in. Around 11 am or noon the cartoons would end and I’d always end up watching American Bandstand, followed by Soul Train. I always dug Soul Train more even if I didn’t know who the artists were that were performing on it. It seemed, more real, more ‘live‘ than Bandstand. And who can forget the Soul Train Dance Line? It was your chance to see some of the freakiest styles and dances you’d ever laid eyes on. It was fascinating to me to watch the talent that was not only the bands that came on, but the people that danced on the show.

R.I.P. Don Cornelius. And thank you for 35 years of Peace, Love, and Soul.








Album Review: DARK NEW DAY-New Tradition

DARK NEW DAY- New Tradition

Goomba Music

Rating: 9 out of 10

Reviewed By: Jay Rybak

Take one cup Virgo’s Merlot, add one part Eye Empire, mix in two parts Evanescence, topped off with a pinch of Sevendust, and you have the mind-numbing rock recipe that is DARK NEW DAY.  The supergroup consisting of vocalist Brett Hestla (Virgo’s Merlot), drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence), guitarists Troy McLawhorn (Evanescence) and Clint Lowery (Sevendust), and Corey Lowery (Eye Empire/Stereomud) on bass, are about to release their highly anticipated sophomore release, New Tradition on Feb. 28th.  The album has been five years in the making, and believe me it was worth the wait.

The opening track, “Fist From The Sky”, rips into your ears with the finger-bleeding bass and gritty guitar reminiscent of early Down.  As we delve further into “New Tradition”, we find the killer up-tempo rocker that is “I Don’t Need You”, a masterful sonic blend of STP meets Default.  Other highlights along the way include the title track, and “Tremendous”, by now I’m rocking out so hard I’m fit to be tied.  What a coincidence, here comes the “Straightjacket”, a track that, if one didn’t know any better, could easily be mistaken for Whitfield Crane’s bridge from Ugly Kid Joe to Another Animal. 

Now on to the three way tie for my favorite songs on the album.  Is that a new Taproot song I hear?  No, it’s way better.  “Caught In The Light” has a “Hello Taproot, meet your far superior evil twin” feel to it that can’t be ignored.  Nor should it be.  Enter the next contender, “Fiend”, this is pure Sevendust meets Sixx A.M.  Enough said.  You want radio friendly?  You got it.  While the entire album is somewhat radio friendly, and moreso kick-ass, “Breakdown” screams rock radio staple.

This album comes very highly recommended.  Don’t be the inferior evil twin, get your ass to your local record store on Feb. 28th and pick up your copy.  Or if you’re too busy plotting and scheming you can pre-order it here.

Enter To Win A Trip To The NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARDCORE FEST- Get a Free CD Sampler of the Bands at F.Y.E.

It’s that time of year again when the metal community starts to gear up for the annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, taking place April 20th – 22nd in Worcester, MA.  This year f.y.e. & ‘stache media have teamed up with MassConcerts to create the 2012 New England Metal & Hardcore Festival CD sampler, featuring some of the bands playing this year’s festival + more!

There is a contest running where one winner and a guest will receive a three-day pass to the festival, roundtrip airfare, and hotel accommodations.  For details and official contest rules visit www.metalandhardcorefestival.com/Contest

The New England Metal & Hardcore Festival CD sampler is available at your local participating f.y.e. store (while supplies last).  Get the sampler for FREE when you purchase a $9.99 CD in stores from the featured bands below.

New England Metal & Hardcore Festival 2012 Sampler Tracklisting:

  1.  The Black Dahlia Murder“Moonlight Equilibrium”      (featured on Ritual)
  2. Skeletonwitch – “Reduced To The Failure Of Prayer”      (featured on Forever Abomination)
  3. For Today – “Devastator” (featured on Breaker)
  4. Vanna – “Black Bones” (featured on And They Came Baring Bones)
  5. Fit For An Autopsy – “The Juggernaut” (featured on The Process of Human Extermination)
  6. Chelsea Grin – “The Foolish One” (featured on My Damnation)
  7. Within The Ruins – “Versus” (featured on Invade)
  8. Attila – “Payback” (featured on Outlawed)
  9. Counterparts – “Jumping Ship” (featured on The Current Will Carry Us)
  10. Gideon – “Virtue” (featured on Costs)
  11. Christian Mistress – “Haunted Hunted” (featured on Possession)
  12. Dr. Acula – “Party 2.0″ (featured on Slander)
  13. Wretched – “My Carrion” (featured on Beyond The Gate)
  14. Emmure – “Solar Flare Homicide” (featured on Speaker Of the Dead)
  15. Carnifex – “Until I Feel Nothing” (featured on Until I Feel Nothing)
  16. Close Your Eyes – “Valleys” (featured on Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts)

* Bonus track included from Break Thru Artist: Imagine the Escape – “Reclamation” (featured on What Once Existed EP)

Show Review: RAIN 2012-01-26 Hershey, PA

RAIN: A Tribute To The Beatles
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hershey Theatre, Hershey, PA

Review by Marcy J Royce

As luck would have it, RAIN was making a stop in nearby Hershey,PA at the Hershey Theatre on Thursday, January 26. Being a Beatles fan I was eager to have the opportunity to see these guys perform as the fab four.  In years past having attended shows by 1964 The Tribute, another Beatles tribute band, I wanted to see what RAIN had to offer.

There is no question as to why RAIN has been a extremely success national tour for decades.

The cast of RAIN includes 13 people in all, according to the current website. Most of these members rotate in their portrayal of our beloved Liverpool mop tops. Close my eyes and I thought I was hearing the real, live, one and only Beatles. These guys are right on the mark with their look, vocals, and mannerisms. “George” even did his shuffle, much to my delight. “Paul” did his head bob and wrist swish. “George” did his usual smiles. And always my favorite Beatle, “John” did his bobbing up and down in front of the microphone. The entire live show is meant to recreate and transport the audience back in time through the career of these iconic men. Even the stage props, mood lighting, wardrobe, and videos assist in the real feel. A bonus for me was the trivia before the show and during the intermission and also the era commercials. A true delight to the audience this night. And ya know, I even got most of the trivia RIGHT! My husband was surprised I knew the working title to Yesterday was Scrambled Eggs. Ah ha! I one upped him. (giggle)

RAIN actually got its start in the 1970’s as REIGN in night clubs in California. This tribute band then became a descendant from the Broadway show, Beatlemania. In 1982 as the show waned to its end at that time and cast members started to filter into RAIN’s lineup. Many changes have happened to members since that time but founder Mark Lewis is still involved to this day. Most recently, from October 2010 to July 2011 “RAIN” was on Broadway and entailed 300 performances in New York City’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. But enough about the history, let’s get to this performance at the Hershey Theatre.

I was afforded the opportunity to photograph from the area of the soundboard. A good place for this short gal. And I wasn’t interfering with any patrons view. Very important. The night started as the crowd delighted in those first chords. RAIN encouraged crowd participation several times during the performance. The first full audience stand was for Twist and Shout. The energy was energizing. The first half of the performance included songs from Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, and Help. The second half of the performance included songs from Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, and Let It Be. It’s a hard task to do as many songs in a performance as there are so many hits and so many favorites. In my opinion I feel the setlist encompassed those songs well. The cast of RAIN was having a blast on stage. Bantering, joking, and laughing. But very serious when it came to presenting the songs to the audience. From start to finish, you couldn’t have asked for a better performance.

The setlist for the evening included such hits as: I Saw Her Standing There, All My Loving, A Hard Days Night, Twist & Shout, Yesterday, Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, With A Little Help from My Friends, When I’m 64, Eleanor Rigby, A Day In The Life, Strawberry Fields, Hello Goodbye, I Am the Walrus, Norwegian Wood, In My Life, Going Home, Come Together, Get Back, Revolution, Give Peace A Chance, Let It Be, Hey Jude. I know I’ve missed some however this is my best recollection as I was singing along and getting caught up in the performance.

For more info on RAIN including tour dates, tickets, media, merchandise, and bios, visit http://www.raintribute.com/the-band/

I want to give a big shout out to Melissa Hazek from Anita Dlonkiak and Associates, Jeff Albright from Albright Entertainment Group, and Melissa Stradnick from Hershey Entertainment for making this opportunity happen for me and the Away-Team. Thanks!

Photos: RAIN 2012-01-26 Hershey, PA

Thursday, January 26, 2012 – Hershey Theatre, Hershey, PA
Photos by Marcy J Royce

Jeff Loomis announces Plains of Oblivion as new album to be released April 10th

After releasing a handful of updates and teasers, JEFF LOOMIS fans have been dying to know when they can expect the ex-Nevermore guitar prodigy’s forthcoming album. It is with much excitement that JEFF LOOMIS finally reveals the details of his highly anticipated sophomore effort entitled Plains of Oblivion. The new album will be released on April 10th in North America and April 9th in Europe via Century Media Records.

The ten track effort will be produced by Aaron Smith (7 Horns 7 Eyes) and is some of JEFF LOOMIS‘ best work yet. The full track listing and artwork for Plains of Oblivion can be seen below.

JEFF LOOMIS teamed up with Colin Marks of Rain Song Design ( www.rain-song.co.uk) to create the intriguing artwork. Marks is most well known for his previous work with All Shall Perish, The End and Xerath.

Plains of Oblivion Track Listing:
01 Mercurial (featuring Marty Friedman)
02 The Ultimatum (featuring Tony MacAlpine)
03 Escape Velocity
04 Tragedy And Harmony (featuring Christine Rhoades)
05 Requiem For The Living (featuring Attila Voros)
06 Continuum Drift (featuring Chris Poland)
07 Surrender (featuring Ihsahn)
08 Chosen Time (featuring Christine Rhoades)
09 Rapture
10 Sibylline Origin









UNLEASHED declare title of new album to be Odalheim!

Legendary Swedish Viking death metal masters UNLEASHED have declared the title of their upcoming album to be Odalheim. Odalheim was recorded at the Chrome Studio in Sweden and produced by UNLEASHED guitarist Fredrik Folkare. The record will be released on April 20 (Europe) and April 24, 2012 (North America) via Nuclear Blast.

And Yggdrasil did tremble,” commented the band. “And during the three years of everlasting cold and darkness called the Fimbulwinter, Mother Nature took back what was rightfully hers and life as we knew it was never the same again. It was Ragnarök, liberator and death. From the ashes of the old world, a new one began to take form. Here is where the story of Odalheim begins…”









For more UNLEASHED click here.

LAMB OF GOD Guitarist Mark Morton offers autographed guitar and strings for auction to benefit DM Research

Heavy metal fans now have a chance to own a piece of musical history and help find a cure for Myotonic Dystrophy (DM). LAMB OF GOD lead guitarist Mark Morton has donated the custom-designed and autographed Jackson guitar from his personal collection, and the strings and LAMB OF GOD guitar picks he used to record four of the songs from the band’s album Wrath, to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF). All proceeds from the sale of the guitar will support research into treatments and a cure for this devastating disorder.

This auction will be run through eBay MissionFish. Bidding begins at 5:00 PM PST on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 and ends at 5:00 PM PST on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

Three-time Grammy-nominated LAMB OF GOD has been helping MDF raise funds for DM research since 2009, when Randy Blythe (lead vocals) donated his Grammy nomination medallion as an auction item. Randy and Mark support MDF in honor of their friend Todd Stone, an MDF board member who has two young sons who are living with the disorder. In the last decade, great success has been achieved in DM research and potential breakthroughs are on the horizon. Your successful bid for this one-of-a-kind guitar will help make those breakthroughs a reality. Bid now!

Click here for the eBay auction.




Untitled from Todd Stone on Vimeo.




Roger Hodgson, voice of SUPERTRAMP, set for Breakfast In America tour

Roger Hodgson, the legendary voice of Supertramp, will embark on his Breakfast in America Tour next month, kicking off with two sold out shows at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, CA.

Fans the world over have been thrilled with Hodgson‘s unforgettable songs such as “Breakfast in America,” “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “School.” Hodgson and his band will perform these timeless songs, as they take you on a magical musical journey.

Universally recognized as one of the most gifted composers and songwriters to have ever put pen to paper, Hodgson helped define a generation of progressive rock. Founding Supertramp in 1969, Hodgson‘s dulcet tones and beautifully crafted lyrics helped the band sell in excess of 60 million albums, transforming them into a worldwide phenomenon. Although he departed the band in 1983, he is still regarded as the spiritual and creative force behind Supertramp.

For a taste of the live Hodgson experience, Take the Long Way Home – Live in Montreal, is available on DVD from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Reflecting on his tour and DVD, Roger said “I love performing these songs, which continue to resound for me as a performer and for the fans. My songs come from a very personal place inside me and they carry my beliefs and my dreams and my philosophy of life. I understand the deep connection that fans have with my songs that have been a part of so many peoples’ lives around the world.”

Roger Hodgson will perform at the following venues:
February 24 and 25 Temecula, California, Pechanga Resort Casino
February 26 Chandler, AZ, Wild Horse Pass Casino
February 28 Tulsa, OK, Hard Rock Casino – The Joint
March 2 Hinckley, MN, Grand Casino Hinckley
March 3 and 4 Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino / Northern Lights Theater
March 7 Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live
March 8 Ft. Pierce, FL, Sunrise Theatre
August 17 Lincoln, RI, Twin River Casino Event Center

More dates to be announced in the coming weeks!









For more ROGER HODGSON click here.