Tag: metal
0 New Video – Broken & Burnt – Tell Me No Lies
Brazilian metal band BROKEN & BURNT released a video for “Tell Me No Lies”, track from “Let The Burning Begin”, the band’s debut album released in 2012.
The video was recorded by Thais Carletti and Marcelo Abelha, director who worked with the group before on “The New Me” video. About the partnership the members commented: “Again we had the opportunity to work with Marcelo Abelha, a great friend who is extremely professional and knows how to capture our feeling on stage and shows perfectly our ‘keep breaking and burning’ attitude. We loved the result and we hope you guys enjoy it too.”
Check out the clip below!
0 New Video – A Life Divided – The Last Dance
We are not sure what to make of the band A Life Divided. The band describes themselves as metal/gothic/electro. We wouldn’t call this hard rock, and it definitely is not metal, and yet, we like this song.
Check out the song “The Last Dance” and let us know what you think.
A Life Divided’s new album will be released January 18th.
0 In This Moment – Blood (2012)
In this Moment is a band that I believe has potential to be a major force in the heavy metal world. The band has been on the cusp of being the next big metal band. The band has a very strong fan base, and I have always felt that they need one more successful album to push them up the METAL ladder. If their latest album Blood doesn’t get them there, it is going to take them a little bit closer.
Maria Brink is a super talented vocalist, and on Blood, her vocals takes the music of In this Moment to new heights. Blood is easily the band’s most creative output to date. The band is stretching its wings past its metalcore roots. I hear a lot of different musical elements and influences in the music, including Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, and maybe even a little bit of Nine Inch Nails. Many of the songs sound very mainstream radio ready, but this isn’t paint-by-numbers metal.
There are songs on Blood where Maria Brink’s voice seem to come from the depths of hell, and on others, she delights the auditory senses with her uncanny vocal ability. This is the first album without In the Moment founders Jeff Fabb and Blake Bunzel. I thought In This Moment’s sound might suffer from a shift in the lineup, but quite frankly the addition of Randy Weitzel, Travis Johnson, and Tom Hane have been an upgrade to In This Moment’s sound. Chris Howarth’s blazing guitars are still very present in Blood, but don’t expect a face melting solo in every song.
It took me a few spins to truly get into Blood, but I seem to like this album more with every listen. Some of the stand out tracks include “Adrenalize”, “You’re Gonna Listen”, the hit worthy “From the Ashes” and “The Blood Legion”. I am not a fan of the effects packed into the first single and title track “Blood”. I think this is a much better song live than the version that is on the album.
Overall, Blood is a very interesting and creative album from In This Moment. It isn’t a perfect album by any means, but it is entertaining, and that is why I listen to music.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track listing:
1. Rise with Me
2. Blood
3. Adrenalize
4. Whore
5. You’re Gonna’ Listen
6. It Is Written
7. Burn
8. Scarlet
9. Aries
10. From The Ashes
11. Beast Within
12. Comanche
13. The Blood Legion
14. 11:11
In This Moment is:
Maria Brink – Vocals
Chris Howorth – Lead Guitar
Travis Johnson – Bass
Randy Weitzel – Guitar
Tom Hane – Drums
0 New Hard Rock and Metal Releases For 6/5/2012
There are a ton of cool hard rock and metal releases hitting stores tomorrow (6/5/2012)! Check below for the full list!
L.A. Guns – Hollywood Forever
The Hives – Lex Hives
JORN – Bring Heavy Rock to the Land
Fear Factory – Industrialist
Kreator – Phantom Antichrist
Circus Maximus – Nine
Grand Magus – The Hunt
Fates Warning – Inside Out
Tank – War Nation
Hexen – Being & Nothingness
Sabaton – Carolus Rex
Spider Rockets – Bitten
XFactor1 – Famous Last Words
0 Stone’s Top Ten Metal Albums of 2011
Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011 – Oh the Metal albums I listened to during 2011! Metal be thy name, there were a Metal many. Metal many again. Regardless of how many Metal albums that did rip my eardrums apart and psyched me out during the process, I couldn’t possibly listen to every Metal album released this past year. It’s not humanly possible. I’ve compiled below, a list of ten Metal albums that for all Metal intents and purposes… kicked my Metal lovin’ ass during 2011.
Yes, you will see a couple of albums tied in this top ten list and it was an unavoidable and welcomed outcome. Choosing my top ten Metal albums for any given year is not easy! However, choosing my number one Metal album for 2011 was easy and Hemoptysis is without a doubt in my Metal mind, one of the best Metal bands to come forth in the past ten and possibly twenty years. You can call Hemoptysis Thrash, Death Thrash, Extreme and Metal. I call this band exceptional and their Misanthropic Slaughter album is number F’n ONE!
Hopefully you may agree with a few of these albums I’ve chosen for my top ten. A personal list of Metal taste it is. Each Metal album here for me bestows quality musicianship and songs, from beginning to end. The common thread each band below shares with one another, that can never be denied: They are all Defenders Of The Metal Faith and I salute each and every one!
Stone’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011:
#10
HUNTED – WELCOME THE DEAD
(MASSACRE RECORDS)
#9
ANA KEFR – THE BURIAL TREE (II)
(Muse Sick)
#8
SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – The Corruption Of Mercy
(Listenable Records)
#7
MORBID ANGEL – Illud Divinum Insanus
(Season of Mist)
#6 (Tie)
SPEED\KILL/HATE – OUT FOR BLOOD
(HAMMERFIST RECORDS)
#6 (Tie)
EASTERN FRONT – BLOOD ON SNOW
* (Was released in North America on January 25th, 2011)
(Candlelight Records)
#5 (Tie)
ANTHRAX – WORSHIP MUSIC
(MEGAFORCE RECORDS)
#5 (Tie)
MASTODON – THE HUNTER
(Reprise)
#4
ARCH / MATHEOS – SYMPATHETIC RESONANCE
(Metal Blade Records)
#3
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
THE PARALLAX: HYPERSLEEP DIALOGUES
(Metal Blade Records)
#2
AMON AMARTH – SURTUR RISING
(Metal Blade Records)
#1
HEMOPTYSIS – Misanthropic Slaughter
(Rock It Up Records)
* To read the complete album review I wrote for Misanthropic Slaughter posted on January 22nd, 2011, click on the large header link below!
HEMOPTYSIS “Misanthropic Slaughter” – Debut Album Is CAN’T MISS Thrash Metal For 2011 and Beyond!
Congratulations and THANK YOU to all the METAL bands above!
LONG LIVE METAL.
Stone.
1 Sweden Metal – Four Bands That Released Music in 2011 That You Should Not Miss!
Sweden has been a major hot bed for hard rock and metal bands for several years now. While we have heard a lot of bands with a sleaze and glam sound, there is much more to the metal scene than just that style of rock. Here are four clips from some Swedish hard rock & metal acts who released great new music in 2011.
Fullforce released a video clip “Open Your Eyes” in support of their new album One that was released via SPV earlier this year. Check out the clip below!
Gothenberg’s Sweden’s Evergrey released one impressive album, with Glorious Collision. It is dark, moody, and some spectacular listening. Check out their clip “Wrong” below.
Nuclear Blast’s PAIN released their new album, “You Only Live Twice” in July. Check out their awesome clip “Dirty Woman” below.
Coldspell released their sophomore effort Out From The Cold in 2011. I have loved these guys since hearing demos of the debut album, Infinite Stargaze. Out From the Cold should not be missed! Check out their clip “Time” below!
0 New Video – Epysode – Obsessions
Some killer METAL for your Monday……
EPYSODE, the new melodic progressive metal band project of Samuel Arkan (Virus IV), has released a new video “Obsessions” in support of their album of the same name, Obsessions. Check it out!
1 Hawaii – The Natives Are Restless (1985)
Long before Marty Friedman made his name in Cacophany, and later Megadeth, he was in a metal band called Hawaii. The one thing I love about heavy metal music is discovering rare releases like The Natives Are Restless. I had zero expectations when I purchased this CD. I have always been a fan of Marty Friedman, and he was the reason that I tracked this disc down.
What I was surprised to find is a band that has a sound closer to Judas Priest than Megadeth. It may not be fair to compare the band to Judas Priest, as they are no where near as good, however if you like Judas Priest, you may like this. Even in 1985 when this originally released, Friedman had plenty of guitar chops, and his guitar work stands out on
The Natives Are Restless. Edward Paul Day has a coarse vocal style that sounds like a blend of Stephen Pearcy & Rob Halford.
The songs on The Natives Are Restless are definitely catchy, but I can see how the band never became any bigger than they did. The music is good, but only slightly above average for the time. For me, this CD is a guilty pleasure. I love 80’s metal, and there tunes are just catchy enough to keep me entertained.
How can you go wrong with a song called “Vicious Power Hungry Bitch” (V.P.H.B.)?
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Call Of The Wild
2. Turn It Louder
3. V.P.H.B.
4. Beg For Mercy
5. Unfinished Business
6. Proud To Be Loud
7. Lies
8. Omichan No Uta
9. Dynamite
Hawaii is:
Edward Paul Day – Vocals
Marty Friedman – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Tom Azevedo – Rhythm guitar
Joe Galisha – Bass, vocals
Jeff Graves – Drums
1 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Grammy Nominations Announced!
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be televised February 13, at 8 P.M. on CBS. The following Hard Rock & Metal bands were nominated tonight:
Best Hard Rock Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Alice In Chains – A Looking In View
Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
Soundgarden – Black Rain
Stone Temple Pilots – Between the Lines
Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang
Best Metal Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Iron Maiden – El Dorado
Korn – Remember Who You Are
Lamb of God – In Your Words
Megadeth – Sudden Death
Slayer – World Painted Blood
HRH Comment: The picks year were not as bad as they have been in the past, but still could use an expert on the music genres of Hard Rock & Metal. Out of the entries listed above, I only see three or four that really make sense. Is Them Crooked Vultures this year’s Jethro Tull? Does the Grammy’s use the same folks that elect the bands for the Rock and Roll Halll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio? One of the biggest metal albums of 2010 is clearly not present here. Where is Accept’s Blood of Nations? What about the best hard rock performances? Why wasn’t RATT’s “Best of Me”, or Avenged Sevenfold’s “Nightmare” nominated? Every year, I see these nominations, and I am left scratching my head, wondering who is doing the selections. If they want experts, why not let the writers at the big rock magazines vote on their favorites. Hard Rock Hideout would gladly offer our assistance on the Hard Rock nominees.
0 Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare (2010)
AVENGED SEVENFOLD “Nightmare” – The Crown Jewel Of A7X
It has been a little over two months since the July 27th, 2010 release of “Nightmare” from Avenged Sevenfold. This has been more than enough time for me to listen to their fifth studio album and come to this realization… “Nightmare” is profoundly bigger and more badass than any critics out there ever expected. To listen to this new A7X album and walk away unimpressed tells me only one thing… your oozing with quality Metal envy. The #1 album chart status and sales figures alone for “Nightmare” are telling of the popularity and quality that A7X carries with their brand of Heavy Rock.
The lead single of “Nightmare” alone is as fine an example of the musical maturation that A7X has reached, in factually just a decade. With shades of Metallica influence combined within their own Metal prowess, A7X can very well know they have made the song of their lives. Just when you think “Nightmare” is going to subside, it doesn’t. This song is uncannily relentless with its psyche-you-out continuity. I can’t help but think to myself… this “Nightmare” song will make Metallica wish it was theirs. I state this as a compliment to both bands, I’m opposed to stirring up controversy. Sometimes.
Anyone still unfamiliar with this “Nightmare” album should consider themselves either a rain forest hermit or walking in their sleep while still having functioning body parts. To pick apart this album would be rather easy… if you never listened to it. That sadly, has been the morbid case in situations that are few and far between. “Nightmare” is so much more than the lead single. As is always the case with A7X, this is a total album of songs. As diverse as it is dynamic, “Nightmare” flourishes with its originality from song to song, with not a micro hint of cut and paste with this extraordinary group of musicians.
If “Danger Line” doesn’t bring your eyes to some semblance of tears, then obviously the lyrics go right over your head. “Danger Line” incorporates whistling and a piano for extra emotional affect, evaporating the immature mentality out there that A7X is NOT a screaming Metalcore band for teenage boys only. Take that, all of you liberal and over compensated mainstream Rock Music critics. “Buried Alive” relies on its melodic heaviness to carry out it’s more than memorable song structure. This is a song that plays out in two parts, one part heavy ballad and second part melt your eardrums into Heavy Metal delirium.
“So Far Away” further removes the unsubstantiated stereotype and misgivings that A7X at times have to duck away from. This song is remarkable in both its musicianship and lyrics. “So Far Away” is the bridge between A7X the Metal Band and A7X the diverse and skillful musicians that they glowingly are. “Tonight The World Dies” tantalizes with a Classic Rock sensibility that marries into the emotionally driven darkness that is this “Nightmare” album. M. Shadows vocally switches from crooning to power bellows with flawless and inherent confidence.
“God Hates Us” is undisputedly the heaviest track on “Nightmare”, exposing the full throttle and extreme side that A7X can credibly unleash through song. If “Nightmare” was built around the sound and fury of “God Hates Us”, A7X would be just another Metal Band that made a “decent” album. This song is grand and mighty in every musical aspect, only A7X doesn’t need to rely on this high level of heaviness to be as great as they are. It is songs like “Victim” that enriches this “Nightmare” album into its “necessity to own” status. A heavy ballad is “Victim” and it does not resemble anything you have ever heard in a “heavy ballad” before. This is as modernistic and emblematic of what a heavy ballad should sound like… and A7X created it.
M. Shadows sings his heart out on this entire album, with the purest and most legitimate emotion spilling over each and every syllable. Yes, hearing Dream Theater founder and former drummer Mike Portnoy on drums is evident and incredible all the same. Mike Portnoy only escalates the totality of power and drive with his rhythmic essence and elegance within these songs heard on “Nightmare”. Synyster Gates on lead guitar and Zacky Vengeance on rhythm guitar compliment one another to the point where they are a guitar brotherhood. Listening to both play together on “Nightmare” is seamless in their unison. Johnny Christ on bass is heard very clearly, playing alongside Mike Portnoy with rhythmic precision, to my ears anyways.
“Save Me” is the epic song on “Nightmare”, coming in a few seconds short of eleven minutes. If Synyster Gates intentionally wanted his guitar to sound as if it were singing, he succeeded here. This song is not going to be a dreaded epic listen, for those of you who have not heard it just yet. A7X took great care into considering song structure for “Save Me”, it plays out as a short story with ample guitar parts that focus on melody and harmony, rather than raw power leads. With a ballad formula that compensates by its overall hardness, “Save Me” never loses my attention for a second. The speed kicks in at the midway point, with multiple guitar solo’s that brandish speed, while never compromising this song’s melodic intent.
Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan sings on “Fiction” and is credited with the drum arrangements as well. Hearing “The Rev” sing these lyrics on “Fiction” is chilling and leaves an emotional impression on me. Not to sound cliche, yet, “The Rev” was a one of a kind drummer. A7X will never be the same band without “The Rev”, his untimely and tragic passing only reminds me to never take for granted great musicians who have brought joy to my Metal loving life… and to not take life for granted either.
“Lost It All” is the non-album track that is available on itunes as a deluxe version bonus track. This song’s dark theme and heaviness fits right into the “Nightmare” scheme of things, showcasing just how brilliant sounding A7X is, when they combine present day “hardness” with their already patented “heaviness”.
I liken “Nightmare” to be Avenged Sevenfold’s “Back In Black” album, possibly their “Black Album” of their career. It surely comes across this way to my ears and senses. A7X took a dark approach lyrically and delicately weaved some heavy emotion into an album of songs that is fittingly titled “Nightmare”. Not one song sounds forced or contrived “at the last minute” of recording. This is an album to embrace for not just its skillful musicians, this album must be embraced for its end product being the totality of “real” songs. There is nothing pre-packaged here, this is “Nightmare” and A7X can stand tall and proud in “my” Metal world.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Nightmare
- Welcome To The Family
- Danger Line
- Buried Alive
- Natural Born Killer
- So Far Away
- God Hates Us
- Victim
- Tonight The World Dies
- Fiction
- Save Me
Avenged Sevenfold is:
M. Shadows – vocals
Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals
Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Johnny Christ – bass
The Rev – Drum arrangements, Lead Vocals on Fiction, Drums on Nightmare’s demo
Additonal Musicians:
Mike Portnoy – drums, percussions
Brian Haner, Sr. – guitars on “So Far Away”
Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
Jessi Collins – backing vocals
David Palmer – piano, keyboards
Stevie Blacke – Strings, string arrangement
Stewart Cole – trumpet
Mike Elizondo – keyboards
The Whistler – Whistling
1 Free MP3 Download of “For We Are Many” From All That Remains
Very few bands surprise me in 2010, but metalcore act All That Remains have done just that. With the band’s new song, “For We Are Many”, it seems like the band is leaning more towards modern metal, than metalcore, and as it turns out, I like this song a lot.
Check out the video, “For We Are Many” below. If you like what you hear, you can download the song for free below!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
0 ALBANY BASED BAND ‘ADDICTED TO PAIN’ OFFER UP A HELLACIOUS DEBUT SELF-TITLED RELEASE ON SEPTEMBER 14TH 2010
Managing to combine the sounds of ‘80s era first-wave thrash and ‘90s era power metal, Albany, New York’s Addicted to Pain will appeal to a wide
variety of heavy metal connoisseurs. Comprised of Leo Curley (vocals, guitar), Bob Horvath (bass), and Gregory Nash (drums), it all started when
Bob and Leo met in a band called Eyesore (which included a pre-Shadows Fall Jason Bittner in its ranks), before finding the missing piece to the
puzzle with Gregory. But come 2010, the trio has unleashed their first-ever release – a self-titled four-song EP – which is available for
purchase via iTunes, as well the group’s official site and myspace page.
And to get that extra added crunch to their sound, the boys enlisted the aid of a gentleman that was there at the dawn of the thrash metal
movement, Alex Perialas. “Most amazing/draining recording experience ever,” recalls Curley. “We worked with Alex Perialas (Anthrax, S.O.D.,
Testament, Pro-Pain, etc.). He really pulled it out of us. It was like working in a piece of metal history – living in the band house and studio
where all that happened was humbling. We had a lot to live up to.”
And it turns out that the Perialas/Addicted to Pain union has certainly reaped metallic dividends, as evidenced from all four of the EP’s tracks.
But the group has specific favorites in mind. Curley – “For me it’s ‘Trust Me.’ This song was a skeleton when we brought it to Alex. He really had a
lot to do with the formation of this sweet little ditty. Many vocal rewrites. All the hard work gives me a real sense of pride on this one.”
Nash – “‘Here and Now,’ ‘cause it’s in 7.” Horvath – “‘Trust Me’ is brutal and ‘Abigail’ for its sound and its lyrical content.”
Addicted to Pain is also gearing up to tour the US in the fall. It won’t be long until headbangers coast to coast will get to experience this
fearsome threesome head-on. Or as Curley explains the group’s live show, “Blood, sweat, and tears all over the stage!”
1 Sister Sin – Switchblade Serenades (Release Year – 2008)
Sister Sins’s new CD, “Switchblade Serenades” came with a huge sticker on the cover that said “Heavy Metal Album of the Year”. That is a pretty strong statement for a new band to make. They better have the tunes to back it up, in order to put something like that on their cover.
Typically I have a tendency to shy away from bands with a female lead singer. Once again another band quickly proves that I need to throw away all of my old notions against female singers.
Sister Sin’s singer Liv has a voice that falls somewhere in between Doro Pesch, Lita Ford and Brett Anderson from The Donnas. I like all of these singers, so I was quickly able to get into Sister Sin’s music.
Sister Sin’s style of sleaze metal sounds like a mixture of old Motley Crue, W.A.S.P., and maybe a dash of 80’s Ozzy Osbourne. What is most important to me is that the music rocks, and “Switchblade Serenades” does just that.
There are a bunch of good heavy rockers on this disc, with “One Out of Ten”, “On Parole” and “Beat the Street” being my current favorites. Sister Sin even pulls off a really cool cover of the Motorhead classic “Make My Day”.
“Switchblade Serenades” didn’t crack my top 15 in 2008, but if I heard this sooner, it probably would have. They are a definitely a band you should look into!
Check out Sister Sin on myspace here. You can purchase a copy of “Switchblade Serenades” here.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Beat the Street
2. Death Will Greet Us
3. One out of Ten
4. Breaking New Ground
5. On Parole
6. Make My Day
7. Hostile Violent
8. Switchblade Serenade
9. Love/Hate
10. All Systems Go!
11. Eye to Eye
Sister Sin is:
Liv – Vocals
Jimmy – Guitar
Dave – Drums
Chris – Bass
0 Snake Eyes Seven To Return in 2009!
Canadian metallers Snake Eyes Seven disappeared from the scene as quickly as they appeared. Snake Eyes Seven released their debut on Chavis Records in 2007 and began playing U.S. shows only to return back to Canada abruptly due to tension within the band. Founder and chief songwriter Cole Stevens put the band on hiatus while sorting out the issues and decompressing from the turmoil created.
Cole Stevens…
“It took a long time to get things up and running and in a blink of an eye it was over. Once we returned from the U.S. things deteriorated quickly. Members left and I wasn’t sure myself if I wanted to continue what I had started. It definitely took its toll on me mentally, physically and financially. As time went on I realized that I wasn’t going to let the negative influences in the old band keep me from moving ahead with my music. My batteries were recharged and it was time to start all over again. I made a call to Chavis and asked Bill if he was still in my corner. Knowing that he is, made me more determined to prove that this is for real. Then I set out to find the best musicians I could which took time, but I got them.”
The new SES line up is: Ken Stone (vx), Moscow (b), Johnny Bland (d), and Cole Steven (g).
Snake Eyes Seven hit the studio earlier this year with 13 brand new songs and Cam McLeod (White Wolf) producing. “This project is light years ahead of the debut. People are not going to believe it is the same band. Everyone in the camp is excited about the new material. All I can say is WOW! You just won’t believe it.” adds Bill Chavis
The band is currently finishing up recording and then it will be mixed before heading to L.A. for mastering. Stay tuned…
For more information visit www.chavisrecords.net, www.myspace.com/chavisrecords, and www.myspace.com/snakeeyes7.
1 New German Music Festival – Rock Over Munich
ROCK OVER MUNICH is a brand new Hard Rock Festival in Germany! The first edition will be held on January 31st, 2009 at the Metropolis club in Munich.
Performing on the show day will be the following five bands:
TREAT
Swedish band TREAT was founded in 1984 and belongs to the Melodic Rock genre’s most loved bands. Their records are highly respected and the releases “Scratch And Bite”, “The Pleasure Principle” and “Dreamhunter” as well are all-time faves by many. In 2008, TREAT are still going strong and currently recording a new studio album which will see the light of day in early 2009.
*****
STAGE DOLLS
STAGE DOLLS from Norway belong into the same category as TREAT: outstanding Scandinavian Melodic Rock! This outfit has been around since 1983 and also released some true Melodic Rock gem’s such as the records “Stage Dolls” and “Commandos”. Stage Dolls also are recording a new album right now, permanently are touring Norway and their appearance at Rock Over Munich will mark their first ever concert in Germany since 20 years!
*****
DOMINOE
These days, a nostalgic trip back to the 80s isn’t that unusual, especially when it comes to music. In 1988, the debut single of a then-unknown band became an overnight success. R5 was the name of the car. ‘Here I Am’ was the name of the song. DOMINOE was the name of the band! 2008 shows the Rock band from Munich very strong with the release of their new album “The Story Is Far From Told…”.
*****
M.ILL.ION
M.ILL.ION from Gothenburg, Sweden, was formed in 1989 by bass player and song-writer B.J Laneby. Influences in the music include everything from KISS, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, DIO, Accept to Queen, the blues and The Beatles – all combined with the more heavy approach of the 2000’s. May 2008 saw the release of their current album “Chase Of The Thrill”.
*****
DARK SKY
DARK SKY had been founded as a school band in the very early 80’s in the South German city of Rottweil. In between, the band has released four highly recommended German Hard Rock albums and been permanently performing live. Their latest record was released in June 2008 on AOR Heaven and is called “Empty Faces”.
For more information, check out the Rock Over Munich Website.
0 IVORY NIGHT Releases New Maxi “GO BRAVES “ !
The German Metal Band IVORY NIGHT will release their new Maxi-Single “Go Braves” at October 03, 2008.
The Braves are a professional basketball team from Kaiserslautern/Germany – the home of IVORY NIGHT. With the great support of the team, IVORY NIGHT decided to write a Hymn for this Pro A Basketball-Team.
Maxi Single “Go Braves”:
1. Go Braves
2. Go Braves ( Hip Hop version )
3. Video “Making of Go Braves “
In Stores : October 03, 2008
To watch the commercial video for the release, please see below.
This maxi single is the follow up of IVORY NIGHT’s latest full length “MACHINE”, which was received with great reviews and fan – reactions. After this, Patrick Fuchs (vocals) and Carsten Kettering (bass) concentrated on recording the debut CD of Ross The Boss. Now it’s time to focus on both bands and IVORY NIGHT will start recording their new CD very soon with an expected release in the first quarter of 2009.
For more information, please visit : www.ivorynight.de / www.myspace.com/ivorynight
1 New Video and iTunes Single from Metallica
Metallica have just premiered the video for their single “The Day That Never Comes” on their MySpace page. The epic clip was directed by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg and filmed this past July in southern California. On working with the acclaimed filmmaker, Hetfield explained to MTV.com, “That’s the beauty, I think, of writing vague but powerful lyrics — that someone like a movie director can interpret it in his own way and obviously, someone creative is able to take the metaphors and apply them to whatever he needs in his own life.”
The band have also just unveiled another song from their upcoming album Death Magnetic. The hard-charging track, “Cyanide” is now available for sale on iTunes.
13 Slipknot – All Hope is Gone (Release Year – 2008)
It has been 4 long years since Slipknot’s last studio album. “All Hope is Gone” is rumored to be (say it isn’t so!) their last album. Slipknot’s fan base has swelled to massive proportions over the years, and judging from the live show that I saw by them recently, this is a band that needs to continue.
“All Hope is Gone” pushes Slipknot further away from the Nu metal genre, and more towards the heavy and thrash metal side. This album is extremely heavy. With that being said, most hard rock fans may dislike this, but metal heads will rejoice when they play this.
There are moments where this album is heavy as hell, and there are a couple of songs that seem to fall closer to Corey Taylor’s other band Stone Sour. In fact, the song “Snuff” is an acoustic based song, that is probably the least heavy song Slipknot has ever done. This tune seems to fall much closer to Stone Sour than anything Slipknot has done. I like this tune a lot, but the maggots (Slipknot fans) are going to flip out when they hear this.
One listen to “Sulfer” and I thought wow to myself. What an incredible feast of metal this is. “Psychosocial” might be one of the coolest Slipknot tunes ever. The awesome groove on this tune had me hooked immediately.
Is it just me or do I hear “Metallica’s Enter Sandman” creeping its way into “Dead Memories”? This song sounds like a blend of Metallica and Tool. This song is more of a mainstream metal tune. Some songs on this disc such as “Gehenna”, “Dead Memories”, “Snuff” and “All Hope Is Gone” will get a ton of radio air play. The rest may be far too heavy for terrestrial radio formats.
Is “All Hope is Gone” Slipknot’s best work? While it has some great moments, I don’t think this disc stands up to their album Iowa. While Iowa is still my favorite, I think Slipknot fans will like this. The band hasn’t put out an album this brutal since their 1999 debut.
The sound on All Hope is Gone falls some where in between Iowa and Vol. 3. There are things missing on All Hope is Gone that disappoints me. The cool percussion and drums of Chris Fehn and Shawn Crahan are back on the song “Psychosocial”, but seem to be missing elsewhere. I didn’t hear a lot of samples or use of the turntables on this record either. There are a lot more guitar solos on this record than on past releases which is a nice addition. As a whole, this is Slipknot’s sound moving in a slightly new direction. “All Hope is Gone” is another solid effort and is worth picking up.
For more information on Slipknot, check out their myspace page.
Rating:
Out of 10
Psychosocial
Track Listing:
- .execute.
- Gematria
- Sulfur
- Psychosocial
- Dead Memories
- Vendetta
- Butcher’s Hook
- Gehenna
- This Cold Black
- Wherein Lies Continue
- Snuff
- All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot is:
Sid Wilson – Turntables
Joey Jordison – Drums
Paul Gray – Bass
Chris Fehn – Percussion
Jim Root – Guitars
Craig “133” Jones – Keyboards/samples
Shawn “Clown” Crahan – Percussion
Mick Thomson – Guitars
Corey Taylor – Vocals
3 Sink or Swim Video – Grip Inc. – The Answer
When drummer Dave Lombardo left Slayer in the mid 90’s, he started up a new band, Grip Inc.
This metal act sounds nothing like Slayer, but is definitely heavy metal.
Check out the 2004 Video by Grip Inc, and let us know what you think of the Answer?
Should Grip Inc. Sink or Swim?
If the video isn’t showing here, you can view it at this link.
6 Metallica Wants You To Bury Death Magnetic?!
Metallica is offering hardcore fans a “coffin box” edition of its upcoming album, “Death Magnetic,” due in September via Warner Bros.
In addition to the album, the package will include a disc of demos, a behind-the-scenes DVD chronicling the making of “Death Magnetic,” a T-shirt, a flag, guitar picks and a poster.
Also featured is a Metallica credit card with a code redeemable for a download of a “special European show happening in September.” This edition is only available from the band’s Web site.
As previously reported, Metallica is offering a variety of insider perks to fans who join its Mission: Metallica club, including “fly on the wall” studio footage, contests, merchandise and downloads.
Source – Billboard.com
0 Warrant – Ultraphobic (Release Year – 1995)
Warrant has reunited with their original lineup intact in 2008, and will
be one of the headlining acts at Rocklahoma on Saturday, July 12th.
As much as I like the initial releases with the original lineup, I decided to dust off one of Warrant’s later discs, Ultraphobic, which featured Kingdom Come’s Rick Steir on guitar and James Kottak on drums.
I remember when I first heard that a couple of former Kingdom Come guys were joining the band, I was hoping that Warrant might try to approach a classic rock/ Zepplinesque update to their music. That was not the case at all with Ultraphobic.
In 1995, Hair metal was about as popular as diarrhea, but Warrant tried to forge ahead with a darker, grungier sound in an effort to stay relevant in
the music scene. The sound of Ultraphobic seemed to follow the heavier sound of the 1992 Warrant record, Dog Eat Dog.
The guitars are are tuned down, and a little grungier on Ultraphobic. For me, this style of guitar playing does not suit Jani Lane’s voice well, and this album suffers as a result.
There are a couple of highlights on this disc. Undertow, isn’t too bad, and Crawl Space is pretty cool. I kind of like the title track, Ultraphobic as well.
Chameleon is a song that would have sounded better if Warrant just stuck to their tried and true sound. The deeper guitar sounds mess up, what could have been one of the better Warrant tracks. There are some cool guitar parts, but this song scream redo.
I have to applaud Warrant for trying to stay relevant in the music scene (although some might argue that they never were relevant). Ultraphobic isn’t a total departure from their signature glam metal sound, but I didn’t care for the varied guitar sounds on this disc. (What was the purpose of that drill sound on Ride #2)
With the classic lineup of Warrant back together, they could rearrange some of the songs on Ultraphobic, and quite possibly turn them into new hits. This isn’t Warrant’s best work, but it isn’t their worst either. This is a middle of the road album, that isn’t as good as the first three discs the band released. Warrant fans will still want to pick this up. All others may want to preview this album on Amazon.com, before buying.
Rating:Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Undertow
2. Followed
3. Family Picnic
4. Sum Of One
5. Chameleon
6. Crawl Space
7. Live Inside Of You
8. High
9. Ride #2
10. Ultraphobic
11. Stronger Now
Warrant is:
Jani Lane – Lead Vocals
Rick Steier – Guitar
Erik Turner – Guitar
Dave White – Keyboards
Jerry Dixon – Bass
James Kottak – Drums
0 Video – Disturbed – Land of Confusion
DISTURBED: TEN THOUSAND FISTS ALBUM COVER ART AND “LAND OF CONFUSION” MUSIC VIDEO
It is no secret that Todd McFarlane has been working closely ith the band Disturbed since he was approached in 2005 to design the cover art for the band’s latest album, Ten Thousand Fists. Designed and drawn by Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo, the cover artwork features the sinister smile of Disturbed’s character, “The Guy,” surrounded by a massive throng of people with their fists thrust in the air.
David Draiman, lead singer of Disturbed, said of the album art: “We wanted to bring our old icon, the Disturbed smiley face, whom we call “The Guy,” to life. I came up with a concept that embodied what the record was about, “The Guy” leading an army of people from all walks of life and all colors of skin, with their fists raised in unison, as a symbol of unity, strength and defiance with an azure sky in the background. Being a fan of the Spawn comic book series and the artwork that Todd and his company have done in the past, we could think of no better team to bring this idea to life. We are incredibly pleased with the piece, and think it is the most striking and certainly our favorite of the three covers.”
The success of Todd’s involvement with the cover art of the album later led the band to request that Todd invest his artistic vision in the direction of a music video. Todd accepted the offer, and all four members of Disturbed visited the McFarlane Companies in Tempe, AZ to discuss various ideas for the video. Wanting to reference the album cover art, it was decided that the music video would be animated, starring “The Guy” and featuring many characters seen on the album cover.
Production began in February 2006, and now almost four months later, the video based on the song “Land of Confusion” is on the brink of its public debut. Todd and producer Terry Fitzgerald, has well as the entire animation studio in Korea, have spent countless hours designing the characters, perfecting the backgrounds, and editing the clips together to create a striking video with a powerful message. Disturbed’s “Land of Confusion” is a rerecording of the Genesis song, and like the original video, Disturbed’s own version is highly political. The 3 and a half minute video not only features characters recognizable from the band’s album cover, but also it features characters recognizable from the real world.
Source: Spawn.com
If you haven’t seen the original Genesis video, check it out below:
0 Video – Megadeth – Anarchy in the U.K.
Check out Megadeth’s classic cover/video of the Sex Pistols tune, Anarchy in the U.K.
6 The Showdown – Temptation Come My Way (2007)
The Showdown is a five piece metal band from the small town of Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Temptation Come My Way completely overhauls the sound from the debut, A Chorus of Obliteration. The metalcore screams are 99% gone, and this release solidifies a sound for that band that is in the same vein as the later Metallica albums. It is a more mainstream approach that should bring mass appeal to this amazing quintet.
The first song that I heard off of this disc was the band’s cover of the Kansas song, Carry On Wayward Son. Once I heard that track, I knew I had to hear more from this group.
Fanatics And Whores is a very heavy head banging tune that put a big smile on my face. This is obviously not a band that is afraid to rock!
Head Down is a song that deserves to be heard on rock radio everywhere. This track is so damn cool, words can not do it justice.
The guitar work of Travis Bailey and Josh Childers is very cool on the song Six Feet Under. This is a heavy rocker with plenty of crunching guitars. David Bunton’s vocals are clean and very enjoyable.
After listening to We Die Young a couple of times, I came to the realization that band is putting a lot more guitar solos into their songs. I am not used to hearing that from a lot of newer bands these days. This is the way it used to be done in the late 80’s, when the guitar solos reigned supreme. We Die Young is another solid offering from The Showdown.
Breath of the Swamp is the heaviest of the songs so far. This song nearly ventures into Pantera like territory. David Bunton nearly sounds like Phil Anselmo on this song.
It Drinks From Me smartly slows the pace back down again. This song reminds me of a Saliva tune. Very Cool!
The title track, Temptation Come My Way, starts with a heavy bass groove that nearly has a Black Sabbath like feel to it. David Bunton breaks out his Anselmo like vocals once again for this heavy groove laden track.
Forget My Name is another instant classic. This is an up tempo rocker that is going to firmly implant itself in my regular play list.
Spitting In The Wind is another good rocker. It isn’t the best song on this disc, but it is another solid slab of rock.
I, Victim (Here’s To The Year) starts to venture a little towards the Nu-Metal side of the fence, and I didn’t really care for this song too much.
I am sure you have heard, Carry on Wayward Son hundreds of times over the years. The Showdown puts a nice metal touch on the song, while staying fairly true to the original. I like the original song, and this cover is pretty cool too. If it wasn’t for this song, I may not have found this band, so I am glad the recorded it.
Death Finds Us Breathing is a very bass heavy mainstream sounding rock song, with a few of those Metalcore screams that I don’t really care for. It is however, a decent track to close out this disc with.
The Showdown shows a lot of maturity on this release, and will be a band worth keeping an eye on for years to come. I enjoyed this disc very much, and will be playing this one quite a bit in the upcoming weeks. To preview some of the tracks below, visit the band’s myspace page here.
If you like it, go buy it. This band deserves your support!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Fanatics And Whores
2. Head Down
3. Six Feet Under
4. We Die Young
5. Breath Of The Swamp
6. It Drinks From Me
7. Temptation Come My Way
8. Forget My Name
9. Spitting In The Wind
10. I, Victim (Here’s To The Year)
11. Carry On Wayward Son
12. Death Finds Us Breathing
The Showdown is:
David Bunton – Vocals
Josh Childers – Guitar, Vocals
AJ Barrette – Drums
Eric Koruschak – Bass
2 Ruffians – Desert of Tears (Release Year – 2006)
If you are looking for a good metal CD in the vein of Iron Maiden, you ought to give the Ruffians new disc, Desert of Tears a listen.
I stumbled on this disc by listening to the Boneyard’s(XM 41) Breaking Bone show. This is a radio show where they introduce new hard rock and metal music to the Boneyard listeners.
Desert of Tears is a very heavy disc. Judging from the quality of the tunes here, I am surprised that I haven’t heard of these guys before.
I Believe is an explosive metal anthem to start this disc off with. Running Blind is a heavy Iron Maiden style track. Day of Champion is another powerful track that has guitar harmonics that sound very close to George Lynch.
I Will Fly reminds me of some older Leatherwolf tunes. Rich Wilde really howls on the vocals, on this cool track.
The lyrics on Desert of Tears sounds like something Bruce Dickenson would write. This is another excellent Maiden style track.
It Ain’t Over is one the only track I didn’t like on this disc. It breaks up the pace on the album as this is a low tempo number, but I didn’t care for it.
Live By the Sword, Soldier’s Fate, Chosen One are all very good heavy tracks.
Freedom starts with a very cool acoustic guitar and builds into a beast of a metal anthem. This is a very cool track to end this disc with.
The guitar tandem of Chris Atchison, and Craig Behrhorst, absolutely smoke on this disc, and vocalist Rich Wilde sings like he is out to put the Ruffians on the Heavy Metal map. Judging from the Desert of Tears CD, this band will be one to watch in 2007.
Metal fans need to check out this killer disc!
You can also hear more tunes from the band at the Ruffians my space at Ruffian’s metal .
Rating:
Out of 10
Ruffians – Do or Die Video
Track Listing:
- I Believe
- Running Blind
- Day of the Champion
- I Will Fly
- Desert of Tears
- Darkest of Light
- It Ain’t Over
- Live By the Sword
- Chosen One
- Soldier’s Fate
- Freedom
- Do or Die (Bonus Video Track)
The Ruffians are:
Chris Atchison – Guitar
Craig Behrhorst – Guitar
Luke Bowman – Drums
Rich Wilde – Vocals
Eric Wong – Bass
4 Harlow – S/T (Release Year – 1990)
Back in 1989, When Black ‘N Blue broke up, current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer was looking for a new band/project to join. His associate producer from the Black ‘N Blue Album, In Heat, Pat Regan had recently signed singer/songwriter Teresa Straley.
Thayer agreed to play the guitar on this new group which would become Harlow. Most of the songs were already written by the time Thayer came in, but his guitar work certainly helped to improve the songs on this disc.
Harlow recently announced that they were reuniting and will be playing at Rocklahoma. I had to scramble to find a copy of this record. I originally owned this on cassette back in the 90’s but did not replace it until now. I recalled liking this band, but couldn’t remember much about the songs or the music.
What is even funny, is that I found out after the fact that this is NOT the Harlow that will be playing on the Retrospect Records stage at Rocklahoma. There was a second band with the same name from Kansas City, that will be reuniting for this gig (and I thought this band was obscure).
Much to my surprise, the most powerful instrument in Harlow is not Thayer’s guitar, but is the voice of Teresa Straley. Her style reminds me of a cross between Lita Ford and Heart’s Nancy Wilson. She has the ability to let loose with a powerful metal screams, and then sing with a very clean sounding voice. Thayer’s guitar work shines on this record, but he definitely takes a back seat to Straley on this disc.
The music on this disc fluctuates between early 90’s hair metal and AOR, but it is highly listenable. Some of the best songs on this disc are Chain Reaction, Empty, Cry Murder, Beyond Control (which was dedicated the family and friends of Pan Am Flight 103) and Pictures.
This disc can be found for very little cash at Amazon.com, and is worth grabbing if you are a fan of early 90’s rock.
Rating:Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Chain Reaction
2. Silence
3. Don’t Say We’re Over
4. Empty
5. When You Love Someone
6. Cry Murder
7. No Escape
8. Beyond Control
9. Pictures
10. Edge of Love
Harlow is:
Teresa Straley – vocals
Tommy Thayer – guitars
Pat Regan – keyboards
Todd Jensen – bass
Steven Klong – drums
0 New Video – Vendetta – I Executioner
Venedetta has a new video, I Executioner. This tune is definitely in the vein of 80’s metal. Check it out!
0 Free Download by Fight
Rob Halford is offering a free download of the Fight Song, Never Again.
Get Your free mp3 download from Halford Music.com
4 Spread Eagle – S/T (Release Year – 1990)
Sometimes it is a mystery to me how some talented bands remain obscure, while bands of lesser talent went on to be the next big thing.
In the case of New York City’s Spread Eagle, they were not short on talent, but seemed doomed to fail the day they signed with MCA. I wonder if things would have been different if this band received a little more support. Their debut came out a little late in the game. Had this record hit two years earlier, Spread Eagle would surely be a household name amongst hard rock fans.
Spread Eagle is an excellent sleaze metal band that has a sound that I
would call a cross between Skid Row and Guns ‘N Roses. The music may be a little derivative of those two bands, but it still kicks ass. Their debut album is filled with killer tunes like Broken City, Switchblade Serenade, Dead of Winter, and Scratch Like a Cat. Ray West has a gritty, abrasive voice that works perfectly for this type of metal. Paul Dibartolo plays his ass of on this disc.
Spread Eagle is highly under rated, and this CD is still worth seeking out. This CD was out of print for a while, but it was reissued by Lovember Records in late 2006. Grab a copy of this disc if you can find it!
For more information on Spread Eagle, check out their myspace page.
In 2008, Rob DeLuca carries on in a new band called Of Earth, while Ray West continues on in Hostel Inc. Who knows…..we may not have seen the last of Spread Eagle yet!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Broken City
2. Back On The Bitch
3. Switchblade Serenade
4. Hot Sex
5. Suzy Suicide
6. Dead Of Winter
7. Scratch Like A Cat
8. Thru These Eyes
9. Spread Eagle
10. 42nd Street
11. Shotgun Kisses
Spread Eagle is:
Ray West – Vocals
Paul Dibartolo – Guitars
Rob DeLuca – Bass
Tommi Gallo – Drums
3 Video – Killswitch Engage – Holy Diver
Have you seen Killswitch Engage’s cover of the Dio classic, Holy Diver? Watch the video below, and let us know what you think!
Killswitch Engage will be taking the stage at the Rock On the Range Music Festival on Saturday May 18th, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.
Hard Rock Hideout 