"Shot In The Dark", the new official video from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION, will be made available next week. The song comes off the band's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", which sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48). The band asked comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men) to draw the characters and scenery of "The Unforgiving", which was made available via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia.
"The Unforgiving" track listing:
01. Why Not Me 02. Shot In The Dark 03. In The Middle Of The Night 04. Faster 05. Fire And Ice 06. Iron 07. Where Is The Edge 08. Sinéad 09. Lost 10. Murder 11. A Demon's Fate 12. Stairway To The Skies
WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt recently announced that he will step down from touring duties in order to focus on taking care of the three children he has with the band's lead singer, Sharon den Adel. His replacement on stage is Stefan Helleblad, who has been working with the band behind the scenes for a few years.
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DEVILDRIVER/COAL CHAMBER frontman Dez Fafara has recorded guest vocals for a new SOULFLY song, to be featured on the band's new studio album, due in early 2012 via Roadrunner Records.
Fafara posted the following message (along with a picture of him and SOULFLY frontman Max Cavalera) via Twitter: "I just co-wrote and sang with Max Cavalera on the heaviest track I've heard from SOULFLY ever. RESPECT."
SOULFLY's follow-up to 2010's "Omen" is currently being recorded at a Phoenix, Arizona studio with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE ACACIA STRAIN, BORN OF OSIRIS and SHADOWS FALL, among others. The band's new drummer, David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), described the group's new material on his Facebook page as "crushing, fast thrash, blasting, tribal and fueled by extreme burrito fury. . . The record is sounding fucking SICK. Thrashy as fuck... totally 'Arise' [referring to SEPULTURA's classic 1991 album] on crack and speed."
Kinkade joined SOULFLY a few weeks ago following the departure of the group's longtime skinsman Joe Nunez. Kinkade says, "Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY/ex-SEPULTURA frontman] and I get along great, [and] my [new] bandmates are great."
Max Cavalera's son Zyon sat behind the drum kit for the band's July 31 performance at the Lokerse festival in Lokeren, Belgium. The concert also marked the debut appearance with SOULFLY of the band's new bassist Tony Campos (STATIC-X, PRONG, ASESINO, MINISTRY, POSSESSED), who replaced Bobby Burns this past spring.
Zyon made many special appearances with Max's other band, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, on CC's recent European tour, performing "Attitude/Cockroaches" at Sonisphere, With Full Force, and Hellfest festivals, to name a few. According to Max's wife/manager (and Zyon's mom) Gloria Cavalera, Zyon learned to drum "sitting at the feet of some of the most gifted metal drummers of all time, including his uncle Igor Cavalera, Bill Ward and Roy Mayorga, to name a few." This was a special guest appearance only, since Zyon's full-time band is MOLD BREAKER, which he formed with his younger brother Igor.
Bassist Johny Chow, who has played with SOULFLY's Max Cavalera and Marc Rizzo (guitar) in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and is a member of FIREBALL MINISTRY, loaned his skills to SOULFLY for the band's recent touring activities.
"Omen" sold 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The third in a five-part series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the new ICED EARTH album, "Dystopia", can be seen below.
Although "Dystopia", ICED EARTH's 10th studio offering, is not a concept album, founder Jon Schaffer admits there are unifying themes to several of the songs — and even an appearance by band mascot "Set Abominae."
"I've always been fascinated by the darker side of life," Schaffer said during a break from master tracking ICED EARTH's forthcoming CD. "Movies like 'Metropolis', 'Brazil', and 'The Matrix' resonate with me. The same for albums like '2112', 'The Wall', and, of course, 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Their images of a soulless, repressive society stuck with me over the years. It must be the sci-fi fan in me."
In much the same way "Horror Show" (ICED EARTH's tribute to classic characters from literature and movies) was born, Schaffer said his interest in dystopian themes in music and movies led him to try his hand at that genre as well — even paying homage on the new album to the movies "Dark City", "V For Vendetta", and "Soylent Green". The end result is ICED EARTH meets the nightmarish offspring of "Brave New World" and "Blade Runner".
Of special interest to long-time fans are two songs on "Dystopia" (the title track and "Tragedy and Triumph") that feature the return of the "Something Wicked" storyline and Set Abominae — who, when last seen in "The Crucible of Man" (2008), had taken his position as ruler of the world.
"The opening song is a step back timeline-wise from the 'Come What May' track," said Schaffer. "'Come What May' [the last track on 'Crucible'] sets the scenario that it's up to us and the decisions we make that will determine the future of the human race. These two songs [on 'Dystopia'] take place at a time when people are in highly controlled prison-like city states, and their eventual emancipation in the closer, 'Tragedy and Triumph'."
In an uncanny case of art imitating life, Schaffer said Set Abominae fit perfectly with the general theme of "Dystopia".
"I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks in '97, the whole 'Something Wicked' story did," Schaffer said. "I thought, 'Man, this is going to be so cool.' Many years later, we were on tour for 'Crucible' and we were doing an interview over in Eastern Europe. A buddy of mine said, 'You know, Jon, this whole 'Something Wicked' thing could be true.' I thought about it a moment and said, 'Well, I don't know about that. But there are some creepy parallels in contemporary life.'"
"So as I was thinking about all of the great movies, albums, and books with dystopian themes, I remembered that conversation and it occurred to me that the 'Something Wicked' story could continue in a few tracks here very nicely," Schaffer said.
Schaffer admits the recording of "Dystopia" has been especially challenging because of the band's summer festival gigs requiring him to criss-cross the ocean numerous times.
Despite the challenges, Schaffer says working with new vocalist Stu Block is "a pleasure."
"You just can't ask for a better attitude," said Schaffer. "Stu is so excited to be here. He brings a youthful exuberance to the band, which is a lot of fun. And he's a real dude. He's down to earth, and willing to try anything that Jim [Morris, co-producer, engineer] or I throw at him. He's stepping into the shoes in a very natural way."
Schaffer continued: "We're opening up a part of his voice and a style of singing that he didn't even really know he had. We're exploring this whole new range. And we're just getting started. I believe Stu will continue to grow — and has the potential to grow — into one of the greats, one of the guys that will go down in metal history. If he stays on this course, with the attitude that he has, his willingness to learn, and his passion, he's destined for really great things. I firmly believe that."
Songtitles set to appear on "Dystopia":
* Dystopia * Anthem * Days of Rage * Soylent Green * V * Boiling Point * Anguish of Youth * Iron Will * Dark City * End of Innocence * Equilibrium * Tragedy and Triumph
"Dystopia" is scheduled for release in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks are also being recording for inclusion on special editions of the album.
The release of "Dystopia" will be followed by the most extensive world tour ICED EARTH has ever undertaken.
The European leg of the 2011-2012 "World Dystopia Tour" has been posted on the band's official web site, and all official social-media sites. The trek begins October 30 in Bochum, Germany.
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"No Halos", the new video from BLACK WATER RISING — the New York-based band featuring former members of BOILER ROOM and DUST TO DUST — can be seen below. The clip, which features Jose Hernandez Jr. (HBO's "Oz") in the starring role, was helmed by acclaimed director Noah Shulman (SOIL, HELLYEAH) and depicts religion as cult and uses media as a brainwashing tool. The viewer follows the preacher as he descends into madness caused by society's ills.
Commented BLACK WATER RISING drummer Mike Meselsohn: "We are so proud and psyched to show our new video to the world. We jumped at the opportunity to work with Noah again and he didn't disappoint. He came up with an awesome concept that really captures the vibe of the song and is visually captivating at the same time."
The self-titled debut from BLACK WATER RISING was released in Europe on April 22 via Metalville Records, the band and label pool launched by the Cologne, Germany-based company Flying Dolphin Entertainment Group UG.
Available in the U.S. on Giddy Up! Records, "Black Water Rising" is described as a collection of soul-baring, angst-ridden, riff-heavy material that is proudly anchored in the foundations of traditional hard rock songwriting. Its giant, guitar-driven monster riffs are served up on a bed of crushing grooves with soaring melodic vocals and big hooks. Lyrically, the message is socially and politically driven by the dark times we live in. With darkness seemingly growing by the day, BLACK WATER RISING is a name that fits this band like a glove.
After releasing two self-produced albums nationwide with a band called DUST TO DUST, singer songwriter Rob Traynor locked himself away for two years in his Brooklyn, New York recording studio, later emerging with a collection of songs that would become the seeds of BLACK WATER RISING.
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Reformed British melodic rockers STAMPEDE are giving away a free download of newly recorded studio track, "Shadows Of The Night", via their Facebook page.
STAMPEDE recently spent time in the studio recording a special remake of "Shadows Of The Night", a song which was an old favorite and always a mainstay of the band's live set.
Although originally recorded live, both for a BBC "In Concert" session and at Reading rock festival in 1982 for the live "Official Bootleg" album, up until now STAMPEDE had never recorded a studio version of the song.
"We wanted to do something to say a big thank you to our fans and to all the people that have supported us this year with the release of our new album 'A Sudden Impulse'," states vocalist Reuben Archer. "'Shadows Of The Night' has always been a real favorite of ours so we thought it would be great to do a studio version to give to our fans."
The band is about to kick off a series of live dates with U.S. rockers Y&T in support of STAMPEDE's new album, "A Sudden Impulse", released in May on Rock Candy Records.
One of the most respected hard rock acts during the early Eighties, STAMPEDE signed to Polydor Records and released two albums of impressive melodic rock to both critical and commercial acclaim, being compared to earthy British bands such as UFO and HUMBLE PIE.
Following regenerated interest brought about by Rock Candy Records' reissue of "Hurricane Town" in 2006, the songwriting partnership of Lead singer Reuben Archer and Laurence Archer decided to reform the band in 2009. Together with original bassist Colin Bond, new drummer Steve Graystone and the addition of a second guitarist in the form of Chris Clowsley, the band has crafted a worthy, if not superlative, long lost follow-up to their studio debut in the opinion of label manager Derek Oliver, who describes the new material as "lean, mean, tough-guy hard rock with all the soulful delivery of classic British steel led by Reuben's instantly identifiable vocal and Laurence's blistering plank spanking burnouts."
Norwegian "blackjazz" outfit SHINING (not to be confused with the Swedish extreme metal band of the same name) will release its first-ever live DVD and CD, "Live Blackjazz", on November 11 via Indie Recordings. The effort was produced by SHINING frontman Jørgen Munkeby and was mixed by Sean Beavan (MARILYN MANSON, NINE INCH NAILS, SLAYER). The mastering duties were handled by Tom Baker (MARILYN MANSON, NINE INCH NAILS)
For the first time ever, the raw energy of SHINING's legendary live performances has been captured on tape in a setting organized solely by the band itself. Produced by Munkeby and backed by the same mixing and mastering team as on their previous "Blackjazz" studio album, we could not get a truer version of what "Blackjazz" is meant to be. Straight from the horse's mouth, this is the new standard that bands will strive to match for the next 10 or 20 years to come.
"This is basically the 'Greatest Hits' album we have always dreamed of, now beautifully combined with breath-taking film footage vibrating with power. It feels good to know that people can now truly experience how much fire and effort we pour into our live shows. It could not have been better!" stated Jørgen Munkeby.
Over the course of its impressive 10-plus-year career, SHINING has created its own unique and bizarre hybrid of jazz and extreme metal, which is easily distinguishable from the musical world of their Swedish counterparts sharing the same band name.
The first in a three-part series of video clips in which vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH breaks down the band's new album, "Heritage", can be seen below.
Says Åkerfeldt: "It feels like I've been building up to write and participate on an album like this since I was 19.
"I think you'll need a slightly deeper understanding of our music as a whole to be able to appreciate this record. I've realized my influences for this album are so diverse that I can't really say what it sounds like.
"If I can compare it to any other band, it would have to be OPETH, but it's different from the stuff we've done before. I've listened a lot to ALICE COOPER for the last year, yet I can't say it sounds like 'No More Mr Nice Guy'. I hope you'll like it once you hear it."
OPETH's new album, "Heritage", sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart.
OPETH's previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23.
"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000.
OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", premiered with a little over 5,000 copies.
"Heritage" was produced by OPETH vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt. Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.
Audio samples from "A Decade Of Dusk", the forthcoming debut album from LUX INCERTA — the French gothic doom metal band featuring members of PENUMBRA and THE OLD DEAD TREE — are available for streaming on the group's official web site. The CD was recorded and mixed by JJ Moréac (MISANTHROPE) and features a guest appearance by Manuel Munoz (THE OLD DEAD TREE) in the song "Shelter".
Benjamin Belot (PENUMBRA, SYNOPTIA) - Bass, Vocals Gilles Moinet (THE OLD DEAD TREE) - Guitar
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Legendary British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar alongside ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale and drummer Dave "Grav" Cavill (ZODIAC MINDWARP) — have commenced work on the follow-up to last year's "War Machine" album for a spring 2012 release via Metal Mind Productions. According to a press release, the new material is "in a similar vein to 'War Machine', but with a heavier angle." Working songtitles so far include "One Thousand Deaths", "War Without End" and "Heavier Than Thou".
"War Machine" was released on October 25, 2010 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions (December 7, 2010 in the U.S. through MVD). The production was handled by Pedro Ferreira (THE DARKNESS, THERAPY?, MEAT LOAF) and the bulk of the recording was done at Pedrock Studios in London. Drums were laid down by Tony Newton at Steve Harris' (IRON MAIDEN) Barnyard Studios.
"War Machine" was made available in four different versions: as a jewel case CD, a limited-edition digipak CD including two bonus tracks and LP with one bonus track. The Japanese edition of the album includes two exclusive bonus tracks which aren't available elsewhere.
Photo credit: Tony Mottram
Tony Foresta and Dave Witte of the crossover thrash metal band MUNICIPAL WASTE dropped by the Nuclear Blast USA office on September 29, 2011 to check in and answer fan-submitted questions from Facebook. Check out video footage below.
MUNICIPAL WASTE will headline the first night of The Metal Suckfest. The festival will take place at New York City's Gramercy Theater and will feature 20 bands over the course of two days, November 4 and November 5.
MUNICIPAL WASTE will enter the studio later this summer to begin recording its fifth full-length album for a 2012 release via Nuclear Blast Records.
"Massive Aggressive", the latest album from MUNICIPAL WASTE, landed at No. 10 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Massive Aggressive" was released on August 25, 2009 via Earache Records.
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Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) spoke to members of SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX, along with Lady Starlight and "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk, for Revolver TV backstage at the "Metal Masters 2" clinic in New York City on September 12. The footage can now be seen below.
* In the first installment, Zakk asks "Who has the best beard, me or Scott Ian?"
* In the second installment, Zakk asks "Who would win a drinking contest, Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle?"
* In the third installment, Zakk asks "Who are the Big Four Yankees?"
* In the fourth installment, Zakk asks "What is your fondest ANTHRAX memory?"
Ohio-based metalcore quintet LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES has inked a European deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's full-length debut, "When We Don't Exist", is scheduled for a November 11 release.
Commented LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES singer/mainman Chris Roetter: "We are very excited to have our debut album, 'When We Don't Exist', released by Nuclear Blast in Europe. Their history of signing incredibly heavy bands combined with some of their more recent signings excites us greatly. We cannot wait to come over to Europe in support of the album, and are thankful to have a label there who will ensure our music is heard!"
Added the label in a statement: "We're proud to work with LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES from now on. Their EP already blew us away, but their debut album simply kicks even more ass. A lot more varied, a lot more matured and a real inferno of modern metalcore. Even if there's a lot of melody to LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES' sound, the band definitely focusses on heavy riffing and brutal breakdowns. Watch out!"
A new LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES song, "You Won't Be Missed" — taken from the forthcoming CD — can be heard in the YouTube clip below.
LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES is:
Chris Roetter - Vocals Aaron Evans - Bass Zach Huston - Guitar Eli Ford - Guiar Lance Greenfield - Drums
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Polish avantgarde metallers STROMMOUSSHELD have just finished the pre-production process for their long-awaited second full-length album, entitled "No Direction Home".
Commented the group: "We confirm the rumours about coming back to life as a real band. We ended up putting together all the riffs and soundscapes we managed to gather during all those fuckin' years. Now, when we have the vision of this yet unborn bastard we may say the new album is going to be something you would never expect from us!"
STROMMOUSSHELD is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording the new CD. The drum tracks will be laid down at the Huge Studio while the rest of the instruments and vocals will be tracked at SH Studio. The production will be handled by Maels Strommo, band's vocalist and guitarist.
STROMMOUSSHELD's full-length debut was released in 2003 by Avantgarde Music.
Legendary rocker Alice Cooper was interviewed by Eddie McGuire for the "The Hot Breakfast" show, which airs on Australia's Triple M radio station. You can now watch the 13-minute chat below.
Alice Cooper's new album, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare", sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart. Cooper's previous CD, 2008's "Along Came A Spider", opened with just under 10,000 copies to land at No. 53.
Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.
That original album is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special and cemented Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theater, television, film and much more.
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Dutch female-fronted rock/metal outfit NEMESEA will release their third album, "The Quiet Resistance", via Napalm Records on the following dates:
* Spain, Finland, Sweden: November 17 * Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy: November 18 * Rest Of Europe: November 21 * USA, Canada: November 22
"The Quiet Resistance" was produced and mixed by Joost van den Broek, who has previously played with AFTER FOREVER, AYREON, SUN CAGED and VANDENBERG.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Quiet Resistance 02. Caught In The Middle 03. Afterlife 04. Whenever 05. If You Could 06. High Enough 07. Say 08. It's Over 09. I Live 10. Stay With Me 11. Rush 12. Release Me 13. 2012 14. Allein (bonus track)
A video teaser for "The Quiet Resistance" can be seen below.
According to a press release, "The Quiet Resistance" "offers a more mature, modern, and contemporary approach than that found on NEMESEA's two previous efforts. Although the band continues to stay true to its characteristic style, they do not shy away from including new elements and details to refresh their sound. The guitars and Manda Ophuis' outstanding vocals continue to be the driving force behind NEMESEA. Manda perfectly understands which web of emotion to weave for each particular track and how to make use of her fantastic vocal lines to breathe life into the lyrics. With extremely appealing songs like 'Afterlife', 'Caught In The Middle', or the beautiful ballad 'If You Could', the alternative rock quintet have several surefire hits from the get-go. NEMESEA's 'The Quiet Resistance' offers intense and soulful alternative rock complete with a subtle breath of gothic and loudly demands the attention the band undoubtedly deserves."
NEMESEA recently parted ways with drummer Steven Bouma and replaced him with Frank Van Der Star.
NEMESEA recorded its July 2 and July 3, 2009 concerts at P3 in Purmerend, Holland for a live album, "Pure: Live @ P3", which was released in September 2009. The shows were unique in the sense that the audience was able to hear the band perform live in Surround Sound 7.0 as part of an innovative project that was conducted in co-operation with students from the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU).
NEMESEA's second album, "In Control", was produced by Tony Platt (AC/DC, BOB MARLEY) and Ronald Prent (RAMMSTEIN) and was released in June 2007.
NEMESEA is:
Manda Ophuis - Vocals Hendrik Jan de Jong - Guitar Sonny Onderwater - Bass Frank Van Der Star - Drums Lasse Dellbrügge - Keyboards
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