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2 Slash In the Studio – Episode 2 – Now Online!
Slash has released the second clip in his weekly behind-the-scenes video series. Check it out!
2 Blessed By A Broken Heart – Feel the Power (2012)
Hair Metal Core...that is how I have heard the band Blessed By A Broken Heart described, and that pretty much fits them perfectly. On the band’s third album, they have relaxed the metal core vocals, and that is a good thing. I have never been a fan of the hardcore/metalcore style of vocals. To me, that style of vocals sounds like Cookie Monster vomiting his cookies, while he tries to spit out a sentence. I prefer clean vocals, and Feel the Power has more clean vocals than either of Blessed By A Broken Heart’s previous two albums.
From a music perspective, this album is rifftastic! Blessed By a Broken Heart has crammed as many riff’s as possible on this album. Shred Sean & Sam Ryder have impressed the heck out of me with their guitar playing on this CD. Most of the songs on Feel the Power are up tempo, and give off a positive vibe. The sound varies from the retro 80’s hard rock style, to the more modern guitar offerings of bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Black Tide.
“Shut Up and Rock” features the vocals of Dallas Taylor from Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. This song is easily one of my favorites on the album.
“I’ve Got You” reinvents the 80’s power ballad, while “Scream It Like You Mean It” and “Forever” (See video below) might be the most melodic tunes on the album. All of these songs will likely have appeal to melodic rock fans.
Overall, I enjoyed this album, but I wish the band would lose the metal core vocals. That is the only thing that held this album back from being a great one. If you enjoy the clips below, you should give this one a chance.
You can purchase Feel the Power at this link.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Deathwish
2. Shut Up and Rock
3. Love Nightmare
4. Forever
5. Thunder Dome
6. Holdin’ Back for Nothin’
7. I’ve Got You
8. Rockin’ All Night
9. Scream It Like You Mean It
10. Skate or Die
11. Innocent Blood
12. Sleepless Nights
Blessed By a Broken Heart is:
Tony Gambino (lead vocals)
Shred Sean (lead guitar)
Tyler Hoare (bass guitar, backing vocals)
Slater (drums, backing vocals)
Sam Ryder (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)
Guest Singer:
Dallas Taylor (Maylene and the Sons of Disaster) (vocals on “Shut Up and Rock”)
12 What is Rockin’ Your Friday?
This week, with no shock and awe, I have been listening to the new Van Halen CD, A Different Kind of Truth. I have probably played this one twenty times over the last week. The sound of this record to me is pre-1984 Van Halen. I miss Michael Anthony’s vocals, but for the most part, even though this is old material for Van Halen, I love this CD. It is far heavier than I expected.
I have also been spinning the new CD, Feel The Power, from Blessed By A Broken Heart (review coming soon), and Foxy Shazam’s The Church of Rock and Roll.. Some other things that keep finding their way into my play list is Chickenfoot III, and Ace Frehley’s Anomally.
What is rockin’ your Friday, and your play lists this week?
0 Carolina Rebellion lineup announced: Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash & more May 5 at Rockingham Speedway
LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR SECOND ANNUAL
CAROLINA REBELLION
SATURDAY, MAY 5 AT ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY
EXPANDED DESTINATION ROCK FESTIVAL FEATURES
SHINEDOWN, KORN, EVANESCENCE, STAIND,
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, SLASH, CHEVELLE AND MORE
Carolina Rebellion returns Saturday, May 5 bigger and better than ever and boasting a solid rock lineup for the multi-stage festival, including Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch and Slash (see below for full lineup).
2012 marks the debut of Carolina Rebellion at its new home at the legendary Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, NC, conveniently situated between Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Columbia and Greensboro. Also new in 2012: weekend RV and Tent Camping and the Friday Night Campground Party presented by Jägermeister, featuring performances from Foxy Shazam, Lez Zeppelin, One…The Only Tribute to Metallica. Full details are available at www.CarolinaRebellion.com.
The current lineup for Carolina Rebellion is as follows: Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Chevelle, Volbeat, Halestorm, P.O.D., Adelitas Way, Paper Tongues, Weaving The Fate, Redlight King, Red, New Medicine and Ghosts Of August. The festival will once again feature the two Monster Energy main stages and the Jägermeister third stage.
Jonathan Davis of Korn says: “We’re excited to bring Korn‘s new show to North Carolina and we fully intend on blasting out the loudest set of new dope sh#t ever at the Carolina Rebellion!!!”
“It is an absolute honor to be the headliner at such an amazing festival. It’s been a minute North Carolina…It’s good to be back. We can’t wait to see the masses at the Rebellion!” comments Brent Smith of Shinedown.
“Along with AEG Live, Right Arm is beyond excited to unleash the Carolina Rebellion lineup,” says Gary Spivack, co-executive producerof the festival for Right Arm Entertainment. “Like last year, it was our goal to make sure the 2012 lineup was stacked from top to bottom. Three stages of non-stop rock ‘n roll and a Friday night party to kick it all off…The ultimate rock festival in the Carolinas. Let the Rebellion begin!”
General Admission tickets for Carolina Rebellion go on sale to the public on Friday, February 17 at 10am EST at www.carolinarebellion.com and www.ticketmaster.com. To get access to the internet pre-sale, which will be held from Wednesday, February 15 at 10am EST through Thursday, February 16 at 10pm EST, go to the festival’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CRebellion) or www.carolinarebellion.com and sign up to receive the Rebellion newsletter. A limited number of early bird tickets will be available for only $59.50 plus fees.
This year, Carolina Rebellion–which was called “this generation’s Woodstock” by Examiner.com–will also feature an extensive selection of Camping Packages, as well as a VIP Lounge ticket option to invite the ‘Rebels’ to spend the weekend on-site in Rockingham and create an unforgettable party. The packages will be available via the internet pre-sale as well as the public on-sale. With every purchase of a Camping Package comes FREE TICKETS to the inaugural Friday Night Campground Party! Details for all Camping Packages and VIP Lounge tickets can be found at www.CarolinaRebellion.com.
Based on 2011 attendee feedback, Carolina Rebellion organizers have implemented various upgrades and vast venue improvements to provide a premier concert experience at the multi-stage rock festival. The new centrally-located site provides plenty of space to expand, including more food and beverage stands, merchandise stands, restrooms and parking, and also offers more traffic routes to and from the event.
“When our fans speak, we listen,” commented Joe Litvag, co-executive producer of the festival for AEG Live. “We personally responded to every person who sent us comments, and because of that important feedback, our motto this year is ‘Let’s double it!’ Double the number of entrance points into the festival, double the number of concession stands, double the number of merchandise stands, and double the number of locations for free water…We’re taking the steps to make Carolina Rebellion an upgraded experience for everyone.”
In addition, all ticket prices will include parking to ensure quicker access to the parking areas, and earlier entry into the parking areas and will be allowed, along with earlier door times, to better alleviate the traffic and lines. The inclusion of the new Camping Packages will encourage fans to arrive on Friday starting at 10am and stay until Noon on Sunday, thereby relieving traffic congestion on Saturday.
Further improvements to amenities include: a larger box office area for will call pickup, shade locations in public areas and the Hangover Recovery VIP Lounge area inside the festival grounds to allow those with VIP Lounge tickets to have a special place to enjoy the event.
“Our sponsors mean as much to us as our fans do,” added Litvag. “And without the support of music-centric companies like Monster Energy, who present our two main stages at Rebellion, we couldn’t put a festival of this size and scope on for the people.”
Carolina Rebellion is also proud to be sponsored by Jägermeister, Hangover Recovery, and f.y.e. – for your entertainment (which will be on site selling CDs and DVDs and will host band autograph signings throughout the festival day). Carolina Rebellion is produced by Right Arm Entertainment and AEG Live, the same team that produces the highly successful Rock On The Range in Columbus, OH. Tickets for the 2011 inaugural Carolina Rebellion sold out more than one month in advance and attendance exceeded 30,000.
Rockingham Speedway is located at 2152 N US HWY 1, Rockingham, NC, less than two hours from Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Columbia and Greensboro.
For more information, go to:
0 Shred Like Eddie Van Halen on “Tattoo”, and Win a Custom Guitar!
Want to win a custom guitar from Van Halen? Hard Rock Hideout has your chance to do so right here!
To celebrate the release of Van Halen’s new album, A Different Kind of Truth, we are giving fans the chance to shred like Eddie Van Halen on the band’s new single, “Tattoo.”
0 VENGEANCE New Song Streaming; New Album Crystal Eye Out February 28th On SPV/Steamhammer
Dutch rock legend VENGEANCE is back with a musical bang: almost three years after their most recent studio album “Soul Collector”, their latest recording Crystal Eye is ready for release and is set to delight all fans of the band’s straightforward, timeless hard rock. Vocalist Leon Goewie promises eleven haunting new songs which forge an arch between the group’s glorious past – documented by the return of the legendary band logo from the cult recordings “We Have Ways To Make You Rock” and “Take It Or Leave It” – and their future-oriented present.
Today Noisecreep is hosting an exclusive stream of a new track from Crystal Eye. The song entitled “Barbeque” can be heard HERE. Crystal Eye is available for pre-order on AMAZON.
The album’s sensational all-star cast is just as spectacular as the new material: alongside original vocalist Leon Goewie, Crystal Eye features drummer Chris Slade (ex- AC/DC), guitarist Keri Kelli (ex- Alice Cooper), bassist Chris Glen (ex- Michael Schenker Group), and guest guitarist Timo Somers (son of VENGEANCE guitarist Jan Somers, who sadly passed away in January 2011). “More than ever before, this is a band which consists of friends,” comments Goewie, whose excellent reputation as an exceptional vocalist made this impressive line-up possible: Goewie, Slade, Glen and Kelli also form the nucleus of AC/DC cover band Chris Slade`s Steel Circle who rock the popular clubs whenever their time allows it.
Crystal Eye was produced by Michael Voss, who composed most of the songs in collaboration with Goewie. The title track was penned by former Vengeance guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One), and Tony Martin (ex- Black Sabbath) contributed ‘Whole Lotta Metal’ tailor-made for Goewie and Vengeance. The album closes with the instrumental ‘Jan`s End Piece’ which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his unexpected death.
For More Information Please Visit:
0 PRONG Unveils Album Art and Track Listing For “Carved Into Stone”
PRONG have confirmed the release date for their new album Carved Into Stone. The album will be released April 24th in North America on Long Branch Records. The band has also unveiled the album artwork and tracklisting for the album. The artwork was created by Vance Kelly (Down, The Sword)
PRONG will be touring throughout 2012 supporting their forthcoming release Carved Into Stone. The initial dates have been confirmed, including two shows supporting Bay Area Thrashers Testament in February, followed by a string of headlining gigs in March. More dates will be announced shortly.
PRONG has completed work on their Long Branch Records debut with producer Steve Evetts. PRONG (whose lineup includes bassist Tony Campos and drummer Alexei Rodriguez) has taken a major step forward in their constantly evolving brand of sonic schematics.
Carved Into Stone is quintessentially PRONG. It stretches into the band’s earliest and dirtiest foundations on which the band was founded on New York’s Lower East Side to the present as a staple of today’s post-metal and rock scenes.
Carved Into Stone Tracklisting
1) Eternal Heat
2) Keep on Living in Pain
3) Ammunition
4) Revenge … Best Served Cold
5) State of Rebellion
6) Put Myself to Sleep
7) List of Grievances
8) Carved Into Stone
9) Subtract
10) Path of Least Resistance
11) Reinvestigate
See PRONG Live:
2/16: Santa Clara, CA @ The Avalon
2/17: Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades*
2/18: Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory *
3/21: San Diego (Hillcrest) @ Ruby Room
3/22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Viper Room
3/23: Las Vegas, NV @ LVCS
3/24: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
3/25: Fresno, CA @ Starline
3/26: Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
*with Testament
For more info visit:
8 Vie’s Verses – Van Halen Is Coming … Apparently You Care
Note: This edition of Vie’s Verses was written before the release of A Different Kind Of Truth
Originally I was going to title this edition of Vie’s Verses “Van Halen Is Coming…Do You Care?” I was planning to refer to the high ticket prices, the new single that fans seem to dislike (or, in some cases, hate), and the fact that Michael Anthony is still not in the band leaving the brothers Van Halen to call all the shots. I was going to go on a tirade about how this tour would flop, how David Lee Roth and the Van Halens would clash, and how this would be the last time that we saw any incarnation of Van Halen.
Then I did some research on the concerts. I was really surprised to find out that most of the concerts have sold out, including the Madison Square Garden dates where tickets were $160 each. I guess the economy is doing better than the media portrays. Either that, or fans are willing to pony up the big bucks to see the legendary Van Halen. Which led to the changing of the title for this post—apparently you do care. It appears that Van Halen is in high demand and a new tour with a new album and new songs to perform has everyone excited.
And I guess when I get past my bitterness over ticket prices and the fact that Michael Anthony got screwed by his longtime band mates, it makes sense. Van Halen isn’t getting any younger, and this could be their last hoorah. Yes, there are several bands that play well into their 60s recording new music that is grand, but look how many years it took Van Halen to come up with new music. And reports are that a lot of the “new” music is just rehashed outtakes from the 70s.
So, yes, this could be the end. This could be the last chance to see Van Halen live with David Lee Roth. And while adding Mr. Anthony back into the mix would be a reward to the fans, that isn’t going to happen. First, Van Halen doesn’t seem to care about their fans, and second, I don’t think Michael Anthony would come back even if he was asked to. There is just too much bad blood.
I happen to be a fan of the new single, “Tattoo,” and while, lyrically, it’s not very advanced, it is Van Halen with David Lee Roth. I don’t find it as great as “Me Wise Magic,” or “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” (from the 1997 Greatest Hits album), but it does offer hope for the new record, which I think is going to be solid. Sure, it may not be their best record ever, it may not even be in the same league as their early material, but I’m sure it will be good. Most of what David Lee Roth does is enjoyable. Almost everything that Eddie Van Halen does is enjoyable (yes, I was a fan of VH3), so I have hope. As for the concerts, well, I’m on the fence. They’ve survived one tour, but can they do it again, especially with new songs to remember? I guess only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain, Van Halen is back and the fans do care.
Post Script: I have now had a chance to listen to the new Van Halen disc, and I must say that it is amazing. I still think that “Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” are better than most of the songs on A Different Kind Of Truth, but that doesn’t mean this album is bad. It is an exceptional record and one of the best Van Halen recordings to come out in decades. This could be their best record since Women And Children First. Add me to the list of fans that care.
Follow RyoVie on Twitter at Twitter.com/RyoVie
2 “MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY”
“MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY”
THE WORLD’S MOST NOTORIOUS BAND LAUNCHES
LAS VEGAS’ FIRST-EVER HARD ROCK RESIDENCY
AT THE JOINT AT
HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
WITH TWO SPECTACULAR SOLD-OUT SHOWS
JOINED BY SPECIAL GUEST
JACOBY SHADDIX OF PAPA ROACH
BAND FEATURED IN KIA SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL
Rolling into this past weekend’s Super Bowl festivities where they were featured in the KIA Optima commercial, the world’s most notorious band has taken the world’s most notorious city by storm. Mötley Crüe–vocalist VINCE NEIL, guitarist MICK MARS, bassist NIKKI SIXX and drummer TOMMY LEE—launched Las Vegas’ first-ever hard rock residency with MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with two rapturously received sold-out shows.
The MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY experience got underway this past weekend on Friday, February 3–also declared MÖTLEY CRÜE Day by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman–as The Joint transformed into a ro Of Los Angeles,” “Looks That Kill” and “Girls, Girls, Girls,” the band also dedicated a portion of the show to an acoustic performance.
High above the audience on a floating circular platform, they performed stunning renditions of “Without You,” “On With the Show,” “Bastard” and “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away).” Other songs in the set included rare live gems “Piece Of Your Action” and “Afraid,” which haven’t been performed live in over 10 years. VINCE NEIL sailed over the crowd on a giant cross, while singing the grand finale of “Home Sweet Home.”
On Saturday night (February 4), MÖTLEY was joined by their friend Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach who jumped on stage for “Smokin’ In the Boys Room.” Rumor has it there will be more guests jamming with MÖTLEY CRÜE throughout their residency.
“The MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY residency transformed the town, not only the Hard Rock Hotel,” states Paul Davis, Vice President of Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “It’s never been done like this before.” Billboards on the world-famous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and the 15 Interstate upon entering Vegas beckoned fans to the Hard Rock. Upon entering the casino lobby, VINCE NEIL’s custom 1932 Ford Coupe hot rod was displayed and poker players found themselves gaming on MÖTLEY CRÜE branded tables. Even maid service signs for hotel guest rooms indicated clean up for “Home Sweet Home.”
“For the first time, fans have a chance to be part of a limited engagement of the most notorious band in rock and roll in the greatest rock and roll club in the world: The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas,” said John Meglen President/Co-CEO of Concerts West/AEG Live. “And the Hard Rock has been transformed to a Motley shrine…wait until you see this spectacle!”
On Sunday, February 5, the quartet returned for the third night of the run which lasts through February 19. Leading up to it, fans experienced their current KIA automotive TV commercial during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. The 60-second spot, titled “Drive The Dream,” stars VINCE, MICK, NIKKI and TOMMY in a race car dream sequence performing their 1989 smash hit “Kickstart My Heart.” Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima, mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell and champion bull rider Judd Leffew are also featured in the commercial. A 90-second version of the spot can now be viewed online.
After starting out with two spectacular sold out shows, you can catch a behind the scenes look at opening weekend here:
Don’t miss “MÖTLEY CRÜE IN SIN CITY” at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas now through February 19:
Wednesday, February 8
Friday, February 10
Saturday, February 11
Sunday, February 12
Tuesday, February 14
Wednesday, February 15
Friday, February 17
Saturday, February 18
Sunday, February 19
Tickets, starting at $45 (plus applicable service fees) are available at the Hard Rock Box Office: www.motley.com, www.thejointlasvegas.com, or www.ticketmaster.com. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is also offering ticket and room bundles via http://www.hardrockhotel.com/. The shows are produced by AEG Live.
For more information, please visit: mailto:www.motley.com
Follow the band:
@thevinceneil
@MrMickMars
@nikkisixx
@MrTommyLand
2 Queen – Days of Our Lives – DVD Review (2012)
It seems as of late there has been a lot of news by Queen influenced bands, The Darkness & Foxy Shazam as of late. While it is great to see the influence of Queen in these newer acts, I think it is important to remember one of the most important and successful bands of all time.
On January 31st, 2012, Queen via Eagle Rock Entertainment, have released a powerful new documentary titled Days of Our Lives. This moving film documents the band from the beginning as their previous incarnation, Smile, up to their final moments of life with Freddie Mercury.
I have always thought of Queen as a tremendously talented band. I was too young to have seen them live with Freddie Mercury, but I have always enjoyed their music.
Freddie Mercury was such an amazing singer. He is the type of talent that comes around once in a lifetime. After watching Days of Lives, you will quickly realize that Queen, and its four members Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Freddie Mercury, were an unstoppable creative force. Their music and successes has been surpassed by very few bands. This documentary shows a great insight into their process of creating music, and the lows and highs of Queen’s career.
Even if you are a casual fan of Queen, I believe you will find Days of Our Lives, interesting and entertaining. The documentary is nearly two hours long, and is one of the better documentary’s that I have seen.
In addition to the documentary, the DVD & Blu-ray includes seven Queen videos, “Seven Seas of Rhye”, “Killer Queen”, “Somebody to Love”, “We Are The Champions”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Under Pressure and “Radio Ga Ga”. I loved getting to see these videos again. Their inclusion on this DVD adds a lot of value to Days of Our Lives. The bonus video content also has three features “From Magic to Miracle 1986-89”, “Going Slightly Mad: Making of Innuendo 1990-91”, and “Made In Heaven 1995” all of these are nicely done.
Days of Our Lives is an excellent Queen experience that I will never forget. This DVD turned me into a Queen fan all over again. I can recommend this DVD enough!
You can pick up Days of Our Lives at this link!
Rating: 
Out of 10
4 Metallica – Beyond Magnetic (2012)
In 2011, Metallica did the unthinkable. They released music that nobody on earth (in their right mind) would want to download legally or illegally. That CD was called Lulu, and it is considered by many (self included) one of the worst releases of 2011. So how does Metallica cleanse the palate of their long time listeners? They release four left over tracks from the 2008 Death Magnetic sessions in the form of their new EP, Beyond Magnetic. This EP has been available to folks for download on iTunes for a few weeks, but it received its official release on CD on 1/31/2012.
So how is Beyond Magnetic? The four songs on this EP equates to twenty nine minutes of music. The four songs are heavy, yet very long compositions. The songs are good, but they were probably too long to fit on Death Magnetic or to get radio play. I have listened to this EP several times, and would say that the EP is a bit of a grower. The songs wouldn’t stack up against any of the bands hits, but they are not throw away songs either. It gets better after a few plays. The songs are so long that takes a few extra listens to fully absorb what you are listening to.
My favorite of the four songs is “Hell and Back”. This song has a heavy but infectious riff, which to my ears, is easily as good as anything on Death Magnetic.
I am glad Metallica gave these songs an official release for fans to enjoy. If you are looking for some songs to hold you over until the next Metallica CD, you could do a lot worse than Beyond Magnetic.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Hate Train
02. Just a Bullet Away
03. Hell and Back
04. Rebel of Babylon
Metallica is:
James Hetfield – vocals and guitar
Lars Ulrich – drums
Kirk Hammett – guitars
Robert Trujillo – bass
0 New Video – Surrender the Fall – Love Hate Masquerade
Check out the new video clip “Love Hate Masquerade” from Memphis rockers Surrender the Fall.
0 MANRAZE PREMIERES BRAND NEW SINGLE/VIDEO TITLED “TAKE ON THE WORLD”
Manraze, that powerful trio consisting of Def Leppard’s lead guitarist Phil Collen who also stands front & center on MR lead vocals, the Sex Pistol’s iconic drummer Paul Cook, and Collen’s former Girl band bassist Simon Laffy brings in 2012 with a fast paced tribute for one of Britain’s best and brightest in the world of BSB.
Tommy Hill secured the MCE Insurance British Super Bike Championship title after an epic climax during the 2011 season celebrating an emotional maiden crown at Brands Hatch back in October 2011. His pivotal journey to winning the championship is chronicled in two documentaries created by avid motorbike rider & veteran film maker Mark Sloper. In 2011 Manraze debuted their kinetic single ‘I, Superbiker’, aptly titled after the film, as the theme song for the first half of this electric series of motorbike racing and personal, introspective looks into the lives of the die-hard contenders. Director Mark Sloper continued his emotional chronicle in part 2 of the series “The Showdown: I, Super Biker II” due to be released in 135 theatres across the UK February 21st, 2012. This time around Sloper places an even greater focus on Tommy Hill who lost the 2010 BSB race due to injuries sustained during a crash but manages to triumphantly emerge in the film’s sequel as the 2011 British Super Bike champion winning by 0.006th of a second. Once again Mark approached Manraze about delivering a game-changing anthem that would embody the spirit of the British super bike racers.
Manraze’s new energetic rock/dance track ‘Take On The World’ featuring newcomer Debbi Blackwell-Cook, is a tribute written for the strength & unmoving dedication Tommy Hill put forth to win the 2011 BSB championship. Phil Collen states, “Tommy’s been through the ringer. I love stories about people overcoming such adversity. Writing this song for him was a no-brainer. Check out his history. We really admire him.” The song & video due for release and distribution by Primary Wave Music will be available worldwide for download via I-tunes starting February 7th, 2012.
iTunes Link: “Take On The World”
itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=497404681
Check out the “Take On the World” video clip below!
0 OTHERWISE Announces US Tour With Pop Evil and Appearance On Rock on The Range Festival
OTHERWISE Announces US Tour with Pop Evil;
Appearance on Rock On The Range Festival;
“Soldiers” Goes for Terrestrial Radio Adds on February 14th
Appearance on Rock On The Range Festival;
“Soldiers” Goes for Terrestrial Radio Adds on February 14th
Las Vegas breakout act OTHERWISE have announced that they will be hitting the road with POP EVIL for a US tour. The month-long run will kick off Feb 17th in Muncie, IN, taking the group throughout the Midwest and wrapping up in Hagerstown, MD, March 17th.In addition to the POP EVIL dates, OTHERWISE has been added to the impressive lineup at this year’s Rock On The Range Festival. The three-day fest takes place in Columbus, OH, and will host key performances by INCUBUS, ROB ZOMBIE and SHINEDOWN, among others. OTHERWISE will be playing day three of the festival, May 20th. For more details on Rock On The Range, visit: www.rockontherange.com
“Soldiers,” the band’s lead single, continues its growing radio success and shows no signs of slowing down. It became the first song by an unsigned artist to ever occupy the No. 1 spot on the Sirius Radio’s Octane channel, and will be going for terrestrial radio adds Feb 14th. The track has already sold more than 13,000 singles and is now featured on this month’s iTunes .69 Wemix Sale Compilation, available today through March 5th. “Soldiers” will be sale priced at .69 cents in the promotion, and can also be purchased as part of a 23-track package for only $15.87. The compilation includes songs from DISTURBED, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, NICKELBACK, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and others, and is available for purchase here.
On Feb 4th, OTHERWISE were the featured performer at the inaugural Nevadan by Choice Awards, held at The Venetian Las Vegas Casino, Hotel & Resort. They performed “Soldiers” at the event and donated $5,000 of the single’s proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.
OTHERWISE is currently recording their debut album with Jay Baumgardner [Bush, Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Incubus] at NRG Studios in Los Angeles, CA. The album will be released this Spring via Century Media Records.
For more information on OTHERWISE, please visit:
www.facebook.com/otherwiseofficial
www.twitter.com/weareotherwise
www.centurymedia.com
0 Two For Tuesday Videos – Foxy Shazam – I Like It & Holy Touch
What do you get when you mix The Darkness with Queen? I am not really sure, but I best it sounds a lot like Foxy Shazam. Foxy Shazam has just released a new video “I Like It” in support of their new album, The Church of Rock and Roll. Check out Foxy Shazam’s clips “I Like It”, and “Holy Touch” below!
Foxy Shazam’s new CD, The Church of Rock and Roll, is available for purchase now!
0 VAN HALEN LAUNCH ESPN.COM TAKEOVER
VAN HALEN LAUNCH ESPN.COM TAKEOVER
FANS CAN STREAM 6 NEW SONGS / ENTER DAVID LEE ROTH “TATTOO” CONTEST
A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRUTH AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE FEBRUARY 7TH
To celebrate the release of A Different Kind of Truth on February 7th, Van Halen has teamed up with ESPN.com for some very special promotions. As part of the takeover fans can now stream 6 new tracks off the album, enter a sports “Tattoo” contest conceived by David Lee Roth himself, and rank the best David Lee Roth Van Halen albums. Check out the takeover here: http://es.pn/AvG1PQ.
Earlier this month Van Halen announced their return to the live stage with an extraordinary 2012 North American tour. The announcement was made during a once-in-a-lifetime performance at the intimate Café Wha? in New York City. Known around the world for some of the most iconic live performances in music history, the legendary rock band will begin their tour on February 18. Kool & The Gang will join Van Halen for select tour dates.
A Different Kind of Truth is Van Halen’s first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the band’s classic multi-platinum album 1984. The band recently released a video for lead single “Tattoo” which can be seen here: http://youtu.be/3WfQ-hV3WtA.
Pre-order the deluxe edition of A Different Kind of Truth on iTunes.
ESPN Takeover: http://es.pn/AvG1PQ
A Different Kind of Truth deluxe pre-order: http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/a-different-kind-truth-deluxe/id493652877
0 Rock N’ Rolf Gives Update On New RUNNING WILD Album
Finally… it`s done. Shadowmaker the new studio album from German metal legends RUNNING WILD is ready to hit the shops. Recorded at the PJ Music Studios in Hannover (Germany) by Peter Jordan, Niki Nowy and bandleader Rock N´Rolf, the album contains 10 brand new tracks.
Rock N´Rolf talks about the recordings and future plans in a video message:
Shadowmaker will be released in the US/Canada on April 24th through SPV / Steamhammer in the following configurations:
=> First edition in complete black jewel case with silver printing and bonus DVD
=> Double Gatefold LP with printed inner sleeves and clear vinyl
=> Limited box set incl. 2LP, jewel case, DVD, poster, sticker, postcard and 30 page book in LP size
=> download
For more information on Running Wild, check out the websites below.
0 OVERKILL RELEASE BEHIND THE SCENES STUDIO FOOTAGE
OVERKILL have revealed a behind the scenes video that outlines the recording process they used for their upcoming new record “The Electric Age.”
Recorded at GEAR Studios, owned and operated by bassist D.D. Verni, the video outlines specific gear and techniques used and how it had shaped the bands raw unfiltered sound over the last few releases. View the video HERE.
OVERKILL will release “The Electric Age” due out on eOne Music March 27, 2012.
The record will be released in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records on March 30, 2012.
The band will tour the US this spring on their very own KILLFEST 2 this spring in support.
OVERKILL is also featured in the latest issue of Decibel Magazine, the band’s legendary record “Years Of Decay” has been inducted into the Decibel Magazine Hall Of Fame.
OVERKILL is Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (Bass, Backing vocals), Derek “The Skull” Tailer (Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals), Dave Linsk (Lead guitar, Backing vocals) and Ron Lipnicki (Drums).
0 DAILY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR PAUL GILBERT’S GREAT GUITAR ESCAPE
DAILY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR
PAUL GILBERT’S GREAT GUITAR ESCAPE
JULY 9-13, 2012 AT FULL MOON RESORT IN BIG INDIAN, NY
FEATURING GUEST INSTRUCTORS INCLUDING
Guthrie Govan, Tony MacAlpine, Chris “Kid” Andersen, Scotty Johnson and Sam Coulson
The daily schedule for Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape is now available. Full details are listed below and can be viewed at: http://www.greatguitarescape.com/schedule.html.
The first annual Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape–featuring acclaimed guitarist Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X)–will take place July 9-13 at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY. Guitar players of all ages, levels and styles are invited to join Paul Gilbert and other expert musicians for this experience focused on the techniques, styles, and life of the modern working musician.
Paul’s musicianship was praised in the January 2012 issue of Guitar Player magazine. Writer Matt Blackett noted, “His sense of melody, composition, and humor in his solos is world class, and his chops and execution—which have always been off the freaking hook—just keep getting better.”
Here are comments from some of the instructors for Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape:
Paul Gilbert:
“When I was in high school, I would look ahead to every summer vacation and think, ‘This summer, I’m really going to get better.’ Those summer days were a chance to take my extra time and focus it all on the guitar. The result was noticeable bursts of improvement in my technique, my ability to improvise, and my ability to write songs. These musical leaps always seemed to happen when I could remove the distractions of daily life and spend hours getting deeper into the instrument. With the help of the teachers at The Great Guitar Escape, and the stunning location of the Full Moon Resort, I know that you will take similar leaps yourself…from “instant gratification” techniques and phrases, to musical ideas and philosophy to last you into the future… Let’s make this summer the one where you take your guitar playing and musicianship to a new level. I’ll be practicing my guitar until I see you there!”
Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats, Dizzee Rascal, Asia, The Fellowship, The Young Punx):
“I’m flattered and honoured that Paul Gilbert invited me to be involved with his Great Guitar Escape – and I must say I’m looking forward to it immensely. There’s something very cool about the idea of guitar players getting together in a pleasantly tranquil location to celebrate their chosen instrument…and Paul‘s roster of tutors encompasses an impressively diverse range of playing styles, so this promises to be a musically mind-expanding experience for everyone who attends. Most pleasing!”
Tony MacAlpine (CAB, Planet X):
“The Great Guitar Escape is an excellent way to learn and interact with professional guitar players and an even better way to have a super time in a great environment where improvement is the goal!”
Chris “Kid” Andersen (Rick Estrin and The Nightcats, The Terry Hanck Band, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop):
“I am very proud to be part of Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape. If there are any guitarists out there who couldn’t pick up a thing or two from the incredibly diverse lineup of instructors who will be at their beck and call during this week, I can only assume that they are busy doing some incredibly well-paying gig, or that they are contractually obligated to do something to pay off their debt to Satan that week. Regardless of whether you are a shredder, jazzer, rock god in training, funkazoid, bluesman or a chicken-picker, you are going to have a great time and get a chance to meet up, learn from and jam with some people that’ll fit your taste and make your every day of this experience. Personally, I am eagerly anticipating seeing Guthrie Govan doing an impression of me! ”
Scotty Johnson (Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Paul Gilbert, Robben Ford’s Fords and Friends, The Ford Blues Band, The Blindside Blues Band):
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this landmark event. Clinics by day, jamming every night, throw in the beautiful scenery and this is as close to heaven as a guitar player can get!”
Sam Coulson (UK guitar virtuoso):
“I am looking forward to this July’s Great Guitar Escape with even greater anticipation! It makes me extremely proud to be teaching and playing alongside my fellow contributors. It is my belief that everyone attending will find themselves in a magnificent environment to soak up all the musical ideas they possibly can. And furthermore, what a great location to do so in. The amazing beauty of upstate New York will be the perfect place to stand up next to a mountain and chop it down with the edge of your hand! Needless to say I am thoroughly excited to perform and teach at Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape!”
Kelly Lemieux (bassist for Goldfinger, Electric Love Hogs, 22 Jacks, MD.45, King of Clubs, Fear):
“What an amazing thing to be a part of. I’m sure this will be a great learning experience for everyone involved. I can’t wait for this summer! I’m shopping for bug repellent right now!”
The daily schedule for Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape is as follows:
Monday, July 9
3:00 PM
Sign In
4:30-5:15 PM
Meet and Greet with Instructors
5:30-6:30 PM
Paul Gilbert – Introduction Seminar
6:45-8:00 PM
Dinner
8:30 PM
Concert with Paul Gilbert Band
Tuesday, July 10
8:00-10:00 AM
Breakfast
10:15-11:15 AM
Scotty Johnson – Crash Course in Music Theory: The Language of Musicians
11:30-12:45 PM
Paul Gilbert – 5 Steps to Alternate Picking
1:00-2:00 PM
Lunch
2:15-3:30 PM
Kid Anderson – Rock ‘n’ Blues Vocabulary I
Paul Gilbert – Hands-On Beginners Course I
3:45-5:00 PM
Tony MacAlpine – Advanced Heavy Rock I
5:15-6:30 PM
Guthrie Govan – Choose Your Notes Wisely: Note Choice and Improvisation
6:45-8:00 PM
Dinner
8:30 PM
Concert/Jam with Paul Gilbert and all instructors
Wednesday, July 11
8:00-10:00 AM
Breakfast
10:15-11:15 AM
Sam Coulson – Vibrato, Sustain, and Ripping Tone I
11:30-12:45 PM
Paul Gilbert – Stuck Technique – Unstuck!: Break Through Your Technique Barriers
Bring your guitar!
1:00-2:00 PM
Lunch
2:15-3:30 PM
Rodney Holmes – Groove Inventions I
Mike Arellano – Guitar Tech 101
Paul Gilbert – Hands-On Beginner’s Course II
3:45-5:00 PM
Scotty Johnson – Essential Skills for the Working Guitarist I
Tom Size – Crash Course in Modern Mixing
5:15-6:30 PM
Kid Andersen – Rock ‘n’ Blues Vocabulary II
Kelly LeMieux – Bass Guitar On Tour I
6:45-8:00 PM
Dinner
8:30 PM
Concert/Jam with Paul Gilbert and all instructors
Thursday, July 12
8:00-10:00 AM
Breakfast
10:15-11:15 AM
Sam Coulson – Vibrato, Sustain, and Ripping Tone II
Scotty Johnson – Essential Skills for the Working Guitarist II
11:30-12:45 PM
Paul Gilbert – Melodic Phrasing with Arpeggios and ‘Arscalios’
1:00-2:00 PM
Lunch
2:15-3:30 PM
Tony MacAlpine – Advanced Heavy Rock II
Rodney Holmes – Groove Inventions II
Paul Gilbert – Beginner’s Course III
3:45-5:00 PM
Guthrie Govan – It’s All in the Details: A Guide to Articulation and Control
Kelly LeMieux – Bass Guitar On Tour II
6:45-8:00 PM
Dinner
8:30 PM
Concert/Jam with Paul Gilbert and all instructors
Friday, July 13
8:00-10:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00-11:00 AM
Paul Gilbert Speech/Meet and Greet with Photo
11:00 AM
Check Out
For full details about Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape, visit:
1 SLASH TO RELEASE SECOND STUDIO SOLO ALBUM MAY 22
SLASH–the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter–is currently in a Los Angeles studio putting the finishing touches on his second solo album. The as-yet-untitled disc is due out May 22 on SLASH’s own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI and will follow his 2010 debut album Slash and his November 2011 first-ever live solo album, the two-CD/DVD set Made In Stoke 24/7/11. Notably, the Slash album debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #3 (#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard Music chart). Digitally, the album also became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. Internationally, the disc achieved Top 5 chart positions in over a dozen major territories, hitting #1 in both Japan and New Zealand.
For the new album, SLASH—along with and his bandmates Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass)–have teamed with producer Eric Valentine, who also produced the Slash disc. All the songs were written together by SLASH and Kennedy, and cameras have been rolling throughout the entire making of the album. Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes footage airing weekly beginning today at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIYbyb8xXTQ. SLASH also talks about the album and forthcoming tour (dates TBA) this Q&A:
Looking at all your Twitter updates, you sound really pumped about the new disc. This time around, you and Myles wrote all the songs and he sings lead on all the tracks. What inspired this scenario since your debut solo album featured multiple vocalists (including Myles on two songs)?
Well having Myles sing on the first record inspired me to take him on the road, then taking him on the road inspired me to have him sing on the whole record. So yeah the tour last year definitely inspired the decision for him to sing on the new record. He has a really broad range. He is just very musical as far as his melodic style is concerned and he’s also very lyrical and just a really powerful singer. There’s a lot of positives about the way he sings.
Perhaps you want to talk a bit here about your other bandmates and what they each bring to the sound?
There’s Brent who is probably one of the best drummers I’ve ever played with–he has a great way of playing very powerful rock n roll while still being able to keep it behind the beat and sexy. And then Todd has got to be one of the most overall talented musicians I’ve worked with, just a really great bass player. Todd’s very quick in the studio, a quick learner and creative as a writer; on top of that, he’s also a great singer.
Beyond you and Myles writing all the songs and Myles singing all the leads, in what other ways is the new album perhaps different from your debut solo album?
Myles and I basically collaborated on the new material. The main thing is we wrote these songs together which is a big difference from the last album where I wrote each song with all of the different collaborators. The whole creative nucleus is between Myles and me. On top of this, the whole rhythm section of Brent and Todd brings something to the table and changes the dynamic completely from the last record–it’s much more cohesive.
With your record company Dik Hayd Records, you remain an independent artist and work with major companies for distribution. Can you talk about how you as an artist benefit by this scenario in these interesting times for the music industry?
It puts me more in the driver’s seat of how I want to market the record, but even more importantly than that, I’m not giving half of everything that comes in on the album to the record company.
Eric Valentine returns as producer for the new disc. What do you feel he brings as a producer to these songs and the overall approach?
The first thing we always talk about with Eric is he’s an extremely gifted musician, but he is basically as talented an engineer, so it makes for a great combination as a producer. As a person he’s easy to work with–he’s very patient and he lives and breathes what he does. That’s a lot like how I am, we’re similar; I can call him at any moment and ask him a question or share an idea I have with him. He’s always in his element and it’s something that I can appreciate.
You toured the world seven times with the last album. What are your tour plans for the new album?
Right now we’re starting off with radio shows in the states and then we’ll do as much of Europe as possible. We’ll also tour in Asia and Australia, and try to hit South Africa this year as well as India and a couple other spots. Trying to just broaden our horizons a bit.
About SLASH:
Slash is widely considered one of the greatest rock guitar players of all time. He has received countless accolades and awards including his forthcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame set for April 2012. In 2007, Slash was inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk (located in front of Guitar Center in Hollywood) alongside his idols Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. An original member of iconic rock band Guns N’ Roses, the Grammy-winning Slash helped the band create signature sounds like the guitar riff of #1 hit “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome To The Jungle.” The band dominated the 1980’s and 90’s music scene selling more than 100 million albums worldwide and ushered in a decade of hard-charging rock music. After leaving the band, Slash went on to critical acclaim in his personal project Slash’s Snakepit, and global success with the supergroup Velvet Revolver. He has been widely sought after by the biggest musicians of all time, performing with everyone from Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder to Ray Charles. Slash recently landed on the top of the charts with his first true solo album, Slash. In addition, Slash was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce who named him as an official selection for 2011 to receive a star on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame. In February 2011, he performed at the Super Bowl XLV half time show, seen by more than 106 million people, becoming the most-watched program in U.S. television history (Nielsen Co.).
1 Check Out the New Doogie White & La Paz Song “Just For Today”
“Granite”, the first album by Doogie White & La Paz will be released on February 13th (in US on March, 6th).
You can listen to the track “Just For Today” below!
Doogie White: “’Just for Today’ was the first of three brand new songs and the first one we wrote together after a number of years for the album. The chorus wrote itself really. I wanted to keep the lyrics and melody in the style I did with La Paz. I think we captured it very well.
I thought back to how my world was back then… It was surprisingly easy. It’s just about bumping into an old girlfriend and saying sorry while still trying it on. Love the arrangement and the Hammond on the chorus really gives it a lift. A simple but heartfelt wee song.”
I thought back to how my world was back then… It was surprisingly easy. It’s just about bumping into an old girlfriend and saying sorry while still trying it on. Love the arrangement and the Hammond on the chorus really gives it a lift. A simple but heartfelt wee song.”
La Paz were formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland in the summer of 1984 by Chic McSherry (guitars), Doogie White (vocals) and Alex Carmichael (bass). At the first rehearsal together they hit it off immediately on a personal level – they also liked the same music and they had the same influences and heroes (Purple, Rainbow, Journey, Gary Moore) so they started to recruit other members to try to form a band and go do some gigs. Andy Mason (keyboards) joined the trio and he fitted in from the start, even though he was still at school when he joined. Drummers were always a problem and, over the life of the band, La Paz went through almost as many as Spinal Tap. Unquestionably the loudest and the most accomplished was/is their current drummer, Paul McManus. La Paz played live regularly, sometimes playing up to a hundred gigs in a year. They played the world-famous Marquee Club in London as well as at some festivals in Milton Keynes and they were featured regularly in Kerrang! (Derek Oliver becoming a big fan of the band) and attracted interest from a number of UK and US record companies, finally agreeing terms with one of them for a three album deal. But it was not to be – for reasons which were never explained by the record label the deal fell through at the very last minute. Sadly the band didn’t survive for very long after that. They did their last gig on 15th October 1988 and then Doogie moved to London to join Midnite Blue, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen and now the mighty Tank. And then legendary DJ Tom Russell of 96.3 Rock Radio called Doogie and asked him if he would do some acoustic numbers at The Garage in Glasgow for Rock Radio’s Birthday Bash in January 2008. Doogie agreed and asked Chic to play guitar. It was a big ask after 20 years: almost 1000 people, Doogie singing alone and Chic with one flamenco guitar! “We had such a blast though and it woke up so many great memories in both of us that we decided to give it a go with the full band for my 50th birthday” said Chic.
And so the full band started to rehearse and it was clear that they could still play a bit. The band just gelled: just like old times and the gigs were a terrific success. And so the idea of re-recording some of the favourites from the set that had never had a proper production job was conceived.
And so the full band started to rehearse and it was clear that they could still play a bit. The band just gelled: just like old times and the gigs were a terrific success. And so the idea of re-recording some of the favourites from the set that had never had a proper production job was conceived.
“Granite” is an album with its roots in the past but its energy in the present. Metal Mind Productions will release “Granite” on 13th February 2012 in Europe and 6th March 2012 in USA (via MVD).
0 New Video – Maylene and the Sons of Disaster – Open Your Eyes
And now for a music video that is horrifyingly different….. check out the new video “Open Your Eyes” from Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, starring Danny Trejo. “Open Your Eyes” is on the new Maylene and the Sons of Disaster album, IV.
0 The Darkness in Superbowl Commercial
THE DARKNESS
STORM NORTH AMERICA
GROUP’S HIT “I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE” AND FRONTMAN
JUSTIN HAWKINS FEATURED IN FOURTH QUARTER SUPER BOWL XLVI
COMMERCIAL FOR SAMSUNG’s GALAXY NOTE SUPERPHONE
LIVE PERFORMANCE AND INTERVIEW
SET FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 ON
VH1’s TV’s “BIG MORNING BUZZ LIVE”
(LIVE 10:00AM ET/PT)
U.S. TOUR KICKS OFF TO SOLD-OUT CROWDS
THE DARKNESS took the world by storm during today’s Super Bowl XLVI, one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. The British group’s infectious classic hit “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” was featured in a fourth quarter commercial for Samsung’s Galaxy Note Superphone. Directed by filmmaker Bobby Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, Shallow Hal), the clip features the group’s bombastic frontman JUSTIN HAWKINS as a pied-piper leading a colorful cast of characters in a massive street party (see the link below). Fans can log onto Facebook.com/samsungmobileusa to win JUSTIN’s guitar from the spot. Last year’s Super Bowl XLV was watched by more than 111 million people, becoming the most-watched program in U.S. television history (Nielsen Co.).
Tomorrow (Monday, February 6), tune in to watch the multi-platinum group’s acoustic performance and interview airing LIVE from the NYC studios of VH1 TV’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” (10:00AM ET/PT). Viewers can access extended interviews and behind-the-scenes photos online at Buzz.VH1.com andhttp://www.facebook.com/vh1buzz.
Recently reunited with all original members, THE DARKNESS—JUSTIN HAWKINS (vocals/guitars), DAN HAWKINS (guitars/backing vocals), FRANKIE POULLAIN (bass) and ED GRAHAM (drums)–are now on the road, having launched their month-long headlining North American tour last week (see press quotes below) in Toronto, following it up with a killer sold-out show last night at Irving Plaza in NYC (see set list below). The group’s live set encompasses classics from 2003’s multi-platinum album Permission To Land, including favorites “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” and “Get Your Hands Off My Woman”; 2005’s One-Way Ticket To Hell And Back with “One Way Ticket” and “Is It Just Me?”; as well as several new songs off their forthcoming yet-to-be-titled third album (release date TBA, mid 2012). The trek marks the band’s first return to the States since their 2004 tour supporting Permission To Land. The group will return to Irving Plaza tomorrow (Monday, February 6) for an encore performance.
Renowned worldwide for their electrifying rock n’ roll, the group debuted “Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us”–their first new song in six years–as a free download for all the loyal fans who’ve supported the band with sold-out tours on both sides of the Atlantic. The hilarious animated video for the song, created by popular visual rock artist Thom Lessner and directed by Ted Passon, premiered this week on www.RollingStone.com. Download the Mp3 on the band’s official site: www.TheActualDarkness.com.
Watch the Samsung commercial featuring “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” and JUSTIN here: Facebook.com/samsungmobileusa
Here’s the THE DARKNESS set list from the sold-out Irving Plaza show.
Saturday, February 4 New York NY–Irving Plaza
Black Shuck
Growing On Me
Best Of Me
One Way Ticket
Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us
Get Your Hands Off My Woman
Out Of This World
Holding My Own
Love Is Only A Feeling
Concrete
Friday Night
Everybody Have A Good Time
Physical Sex
Is It Just Me
Street Spirit
She’s Just a Girl Eddie
Givin Up
Stuck In A Rut
I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Bareback
Love On The Rocks With No Ice
Press Quotes From Toronto:
“… the Darkness has come back armed with a helluva lot of killer tunes you might have forgotten how much you liked at the time…It was a non-stop barrage of succinct, high-impact popsmithery that, almost without fail, boiled the best bits of AC/DC, Queen and Thin Lizzy down into three-and-a-half-minute nuggets of rousing, verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus perfection.”
–Ben Rayner, TORONTO STAR, February 2, 2012
“The Darkness delivered a generally solid set that could be aptly described by The Who album: Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy.With Hawkins looking lean and delivering scissor kicks, the group hit the ground running with a foot-stomping Black Shuck as Hawkins easily hit those challenging high notes. And fans definitely showed their love early with hands swaying and singing. Others kept some old-school concert staples alive with cigarette lighters overhead….[new song]…”Concrete,” a jackhammer blast of guitar riffs that got a strong response despite being basically unknown.”
–Jason MacNeil, TORONTO SUN, February 2, 2012
“…incredible enthusiasm and stage presence. All members displayed genuine passion and enjoyment and were clearly glad to be back. Fear not: tired washed out has-beens, they are not. Highlights included Justin’s acrobatic behind-the-head guitar solo and a HEADSTAND against the drum kit.”
–Alex Last, MUSICVICE.COM, February 2, 2012 (Toronto)
“Throughout the show, the hard rockers brimmed with their trademark flailing guitar solos, thundering drums and Justin’s magnificent falsetto vocal..The showmanship, so synonymous with the Darkness over the years, was also out in force…Of the new tracks, the gutsy ‘Concrete’ was the best received while ‘Everybody Have A Good Time’ –a tune in the spirit of the band’s ‘Friday Night’ –allowed everybody to do just that.”
–Laurie Lionsdale, LITHIUM MAGAZINE, February 3, 2012 (Toronto)
For more on THE DARKNESS, check out the following sites:
www.theactualdarkness.com
www.facebook.com/thedarknessofficial
www.twitter.com/darknessactual
2 An Update From L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns posted the following update:
Yesterday was our last day of pre-production, We got to play 20 new songs to Andy Johns, The guys from Cleopatra and our agent. They all seemed to like what they heard. On Monday we start tracking drums in a big old school studio for a few days and after that hours days and weeks in the little studio with Bruce Witkin. We ran in to our old band mate Mick Cripps last night and he’s on board to play a few tracks so that’s him and Kelly wow that is four fifths of the original band!!!! How cool is that.
11 Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
It is finally here! The album you have been waiting for since 1984…….. A Different Kind of Truth. It seems like I have been waiting for ages to hear David Lee Roth sing with Van Halen again. I enjoyed the tunes from the brief, but short-lived reunion in 1996, “Can’t Get This Stuff No More”, and “Me Wise Magic” . A Different Kind of Truth is exactly what I have been waiting for…… An album that sounds like classic Van Halen. While I enjoyed the Sammy Hagar years in Van Halen, I have always longed for Van Halen’s return to their classic sound. That is exactly what A Different Kind of Truth sounds like. Classic Van Halen! This album has a massive production, and will please most audiophiles out there.
I am sure there are many of you that would love to have an album that is on a par with Van Halen I. This album isn’t it. If you want a heavy Van Halen album, with tons of guitars and that fun party rock that Van Halen is known for, A Different Kind of Truth will put a big smile on your face.
I read where many folks were slamming the song “Tattoo”, and while I can understand other people’s opinions, I like the song. It kind of reminds me of David Lee Roth’s song “Sensible Shoes” from his 1991 album, A Little Ain’t Enough. It is a catchy song, but it is one of the lesser songs on this CD.
I have to admit that I like the original demo version of “She’s The Woman” better than this latest version. I miss Michael Anthony’s background vocals. This version is good, and if you haven’t the original unreleased version of this song, you will probably love it.
Alex Van Halen makes his presence felt on the song “China Town”. I have always though of Alex as an incredible drummer. He continues to show just how awesome he is by pulverizing his drum kit, with a super fast tempo, and pounding rhythms. This isn’t a song that would be used as a radio single, but it is one of those deep Van Halen tracks that long time fans of the band will appreciate.
“Blood and Fire” screams radio hit. This song isn’t super heavy, and this song could have easily worked in the Hagar years, but David Lee Roth owns this one.
“HoneybabySweetiedoll” has a strange intro, but this is the kind of aggressive VH tune I have been waiting to hear for years! I love this! “The Trouble With Never” is a catchy, heavy rocker that Van Halen should release as their second single. Those fans on the fence after hearing “Tattoo” will certainly jump on the Van Halen train, after hearing “The Trouble With Never”.
“Stay Frosty” has that same type of acoustic guitar style as the Van Halen classic “Ice Cream Man”, but nowhere near as good as that song (which is one of my Van Halen favorites). The song gets a little heavier towards the middle, but even with Eddie Van Halen’s awesome riffs, this song is still one the weaker tracks.
A Different Kind of Truth closes out in strong fashion with two heavy rockers back to back with “Big River” and “Beats Workin”. It often sounds like to be me that David Lee Roth is singing “Big Trouble” in “Big River”, but it is a cool song nonetheless. Eddie tears it up on “Beats Workin'” and rest assured, but the time this song ends, I am hitting repeat to listen to this CD again.
Thanks to the Van Halen clan and David Lee Roth for releasing the Van Halen album, I have been longing for. A Different Kind of Truth is a tremendous comeback album that I can’t stop listening to. All Van Halen fans should pick up immediately. Highly Recommended!
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Tattoo
02. She’s The Woman
03. You and Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood and Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin’
Van Halen is:
Eddie Van Halen – Guitars
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Wolfgang Van Halen – Bass
David Lee Roth – Vocals
0 IRON MASK: New Album To See February North American Release Via AFM
Black As Death, the new album from Belgian neo-classical power metal masters IRON MASK, will be released stateside this February 14th, following its European release in December.
What started as a side project for Magic Kingdom guitar master Dushan Petrossi a decade ago, has taken on a life of its own, IRON MASK eventually becoming the more popular of the two outfits.
Following the release of 2009’s Shadow of the Red Baron, the blistering Black As Death is IRON MASK‘s fourth LP in a decade. Boasting over an hour of the band’s renowned talent through a diverse array of lightning-fast metal, glorious ballads, dizzying neo-classical arrangements and straightforward hard rock thunder. Dushan Petrossi and his band merge exceptional musical prowess with epic accessibility, making Black As Death a must-hear for fans of Firewind, Dio, Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen and Rainbow.
Check out the song “Broken Hero” below!
Black As Death Track Listing:
1. From Light Into The Dark
2. Black As Death
3. Broken Hero
4. Feel The Fire
5. Genghis Khan
6. God Punishes, I Kill
7. Rebel Kid
8. Blizzard Of Doom
9. The Absence
10. Magic Sky Requiem
11. Nosferatu
12. When All Braves Fall
IRON MASK lineup:
vocals – Mark Boals (Holy Force, The Codex, ex-Royal Hunt, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, etc.)
vocals – Roma Siadletski (Magic Kingdom)
guitars – Dushan Petrossi (Magic Kingdom)
bass – Vassili Moltchanov (Magic Kingdom)
drums – Ramy Ali (Evidence One, Justice)
keyboards – Mats Olausson (ex-Ark, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, etc.)
1 LACUNA COIL Announces Acoustic Performance, Meet-And-Greet at Cobra Lounge 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.
If you haven’t heard LACUNA COIL’s Dark Adrenaline yet, be sure to head over to Spin.com now for the exclusive album stream. Having already earned rave reviews from the press, with Outburn avowing, “LACUNA COIL knocks one out of the park with ‘Dark Adrenaline’…it is an album without filler and one for which start to finish spins are mandatory”, this album promises to be yet another gothic-metal classic!
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 information, please visit:
www.lacunacoil.it
2 Have You Seen the New KIA Commercial?
We don’t usually post commercials at HRH, but this one is worth checking out…………
17 What is Rockin’ Your Friday?
My play list is always diverse…… diverse in a hard rock sense. I never venture out of the rock world as there is TOO much great music, old & new to listen to. I pride myself on the fact that I have never listened to a Lady Gaga song, or any of the crap that is force fed down the throats of radio listeners.
This week I have been listening to the Electric Boys album, And Them Boys Done Swang a ton. This one still sounds great months after its release, and I am convinced that is best album they have ever done. “All Lips and Hips” might have put them on the map, but this is the album you should be listening to! I saw a brief blurb last night that is album is soon be slated for an official U.S. Release. That is great news for rock fans everywhere!
I just received the new Wallner/Vain CD in the mail, and will be posting a review soon. This CD rocks! In fact, it rocks so much, I had to break out my copy of Blue Murder’s debut CD. (Carmine Appice and Tony Franklin play on the Wallner/Vain CD) I have been giving that one a few spins as well.
I have still been giving Alice Cooper’s Welcome 2 My Nightmare quite a few plays. I know a lot of folks have mixed feelings about this CD, but I love it.
Two of the CD’s I have been listening to in the car this week are Deep Purple’s Slaves & Masters, and ZZ Top’s Recycler. I have also broke out some classic Def Leppard….. High N’ Dry, On Through the Night, and Pyromania.
What has been rockin’ your Friday, and your play lists this week?
1 New Teaser Clip Available From Dynazty!
Dynazty releases teaser clip for their soon to be released album, Sultans of Sin. Check it out!!
