It was 2009 with their second album ”Vigilance” that fans started getting worried. Not only it had nothing to do with ”Under Reprisal”, but also showed the band in a very difficult situation. Having changed three out of five members on their line-up, the remained stable basis of Jon Howard and Pat Kavanagh, (having already offered a controversial album called ”Years In The Darkness” under the name of Arkaea, alongside Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera, both recently departed from Fear Factory) seemed to lose the element that once made them special: Nerve! It was such a disappointment for most of their fans, as ”Vigilance” without being that bad, was sounding rather distant from their potential, showing like it was made to gain some more publicity and fans, sounding a lot more commercial and pointless in terms, so that many people (including me) believed that there would be no turning back in the days of inspiration.

The crucial third album entitled with the band’s name was long awaited and guess what…It’s a large success! I surely didn’t expect such a comeback and the band sounding so fresh and willing to close the mouth of those that dared disputing their worth (including me once again). This time, with guitarist Travis Montgomery more experienced in his second effort with the band, they change members again, but it seems that the departure of Alex Rudinger on drumss and Chris Feener on guitars, helped them in such a way that we can already consider this is the second birth of the band and a good basis to build their future career around the sceptics of this album. I don’t know if giving their name on this album is a statement that they imagined such a sound and performance from the beginning, like telling us ”this is who we are”, but I can surely tell you that this album is one of the best that were released in the year of 2011 (and we had many great releases to choose from).

From the first seconds of ”Uncensored”, it is clear that the groove delivers pain and sweat and the clean production gives more space for the band to express themselves as direct as they want. Tracks like ”Comatose” or ”Fallen Disciples” will definitely make you stare for some seconds somewhere else, losing your attention from the quality and intensity of the Canadians and a big smile will return to your face, just like when you were listening to ”Under Reprisal” in 2006. If you are a newcomer on the Threat Signal sound, sit back and relax to enjoy an album lasting 45 minutes that will offer you more than you can imagine. The rhythm section acts as the perfect vehicle to transport the gigantic guitar work made on this album, right at the most sensitive areas of your brain and your heart too, and easily without hesitation, starting to move along the rhythms that take over the whole album is what will follow and you’re surely gonna love it.

The ending of the album with tracks like ”Disposition” and the ending duo of ”Death Before Dishonor” and ”Buried Alive” will make things even better for you and listening to it again will be the next thing you will do. Of course, we have to point out some parts that once they get studied well and get fixed in the future, we’ll have to deal with the best album that the band will ever release. Howard’s harsh vocals are really great but he will surely have to work his clean sounding voice, as it sometimes pulls back the aggression produced by his rest four bandmates. Also, there has to be some more different approach in songwriting, as some of them sound like two or three songs are combined in a larger one. It’s something they can do in order to become even better. The point is that they recognized their mistake with their previous album at first. Things have taken their course for much better material, and once they don’t spoil it again, they will get their share in what they deserve. Check out the limited edition’s bonus track ”Resistance” and you will surely understand what I mean. U-turn was made successfully without any crash. That needed guts for sure…

The fact is that the new album is very difficult to listen. I admit that it took me more than three or four times to understand their music. Like Deathspell Omega’s “Paracletus”, the Parisians follow also experimental steps in “The Great Southern Darkness”. The band evolves the music they have played in 2009 at “Meet Us in the Southern Sign”. The new album has a lot of progressive and ambient elements. Someone can easily say that the new album has less black metal feeling, but the truth is that there is a compensation with a killer production, very good guitars, heavy bass and flexible drumming. The band surpasses the line of the stereotypical black metal and produce an innovative black metal album.

I will not try to analyze the songs, moreover everybody has a subjective assessment. Personally, I prefer “Secret Ride To Rebellion” with the chaotic riffs and my favorite song of the album “Negative Incarnate”(perhaps the best riff that they have ever wrote) with the combination of the crazy stoner solo. Also I like “They Call Me Black Devil” a song which also the stoner rock ingredients are apparent. Another good song that is worth staying in is “The Foolhardy Venturer” with amazing progressive guitars and a different black metal attitude. The final song I found very difficult I must say. Except the brutal vocals, at some points the guitars are clearly influenced by Monster Magnet’s music. As I said everyone has his subjective assessment. For the followers of their two first albums I recommend “Bring Down the Cosmic Scheme” and “The Science of Shifting” which are very close to their old black metal style.

In conclusion, “The Great Southern Darkness” is a very difficult album, but surely not a mediocre album. The title says it all: A great southern black metal. If I had to put a title for their music in this album, that would be “Black ‘n’ Roll for nihilists”. If you didn’t like the album from the first listening, give it a chance!

Commented Carroll: “To all fans and friends, I, Adam Carroll, have officially quit WARBRINGER. I have financial issues at home that have to be addressed sooner than later. I hope you all can understand and respect my decision. It’s been some of the best years of my life and I appreciate all the support you the fans have given us and continue to give. I will forever be part of the WARBRINGER family. Many thanks and until I see the rest of you again, keep the metal alive.”

The band enlisted friend and talented, young guitarist Andrew Bennett for the purpose of filling in live for this tour with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group as he continues his audition process where it matters most– on the stage and in the van.

Added Bennett, “Last month I received a message from the guys, which basically stated that Adam was requesting to step out. As a result, they were searching for a possible replacement who could learn the material in time for the upcoming ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X tour. I jumped at the opportunity and started learning some tracks. Around the beginning of this month I went down and jammed with the guys and the rest is history.

“I am eternally grateful to my friends in WARBRINGER for giving me the opportunity to play with them and I am very excited about what the future may hold. But one thing that I would like to make clear is that I don’t view myself as Adam’s replacement, as much as I view myself as filling the position instead of him. Adam’s work with the band and time with them is not something that can be erased and I would just like to make it clear that I respect him greatly. He has left big shoes to fill and I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am going to honor his legacy with the band.

“I’m looking forward to interacting with, and playing for, the fans on the road! It’s time to shred!”

WARBRINGER’s third album, “Worlds Torn Asunder”, sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 11 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

WARBRINGER’s sophomore CD, “Waking Into Nightmares”, also opened with around 2,000 units back in May 2009 to debut at No. 14 on the Heatseekers chart.

“Worlds Torn Asunder” was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SYMPHONY X), and features artwork by Dan Seagrave, who designed WARBRINGER’s previous album cover (in addition to art for bands such as ENTOMBED, SUFFOCATION and MORBID ANGEL).

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

The concept of METAL ASYLUM was inspired by two of Rivera’s previous endeavors; the first tribute band the singer ever created entitled PROJECT RIVERA, which was a tribute to classic ’80s metal, in addition to a more recent specialty show of his known as “James Rivera, A Tribute To His Metal History”. The frontman has recruited several quality local Houston musicians to perform material from his own music career, in addition to fan favorites from the forerunners of classic and true metal. Audiences can expect to witness Rivera and company’s renditions of the SCORPIONS, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MERCYFUL FATE, METAL CHURCH, plus many others! Currently three regional Texas shows are scheduled to take place early this year in San Antonio, College Station and Houston. James Rivera’s METAL ASYLUM promises to deliver a pulse-pounding, headbanging, horns in the air experience for every metalhead!

METAL ASYLUM lineup:

* James Rivera (HELSTAR, MALICE, VICIOUS RUMORS, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM) – Vocals
* Marc Petillon (WINTERS END) – Guitar
* Scott Fisher (WINTERS END) – Guitar
* Michael Millsap (SIX MINUTE CENTURY) – Bass
* Mikey Lewis (HELSTAR) – Drums

Upcoming shows:

Feb. 24 – Bonds 007 Rock Bar – San Antonio, TX
Feb. 25 – Schotzis – College Station, TX
Apr. 14 – Acadia Bar & Grill – Houston, TX (James Rivera’s Birthday Bash)

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

ARCH/MATHEOS last year filmed a video for the song “Midnight Serenade” with director David Brodsky of MyGoodEye (DEVIN TOWNSEND, HELMET, IN THIS MOMENT). The track comes off the group’s debut album, “Sympathetic Resonance”, which sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

“Sympathetic Resonance” entered the official chart in Germany at No. 27, in Austria at No. 67, and in Switzerland at No. 78.

The cover art for “Sympathetic Resonance” was fashioned using an image created by light painting photographer Dennis Calvert, who has described light painting as “The ability to see in four dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light.”

Released on September 13, 2011 via Metal Blade Records, “Sympathetic Resonance” features the following track listing:

01. Neurotically Wired
02. Midnight Serenade
03. Stained Glass Sky
04. On the Fence
05. Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)
06. Incense and Myrrh

ARCH/MATHEOS features an all-star lineup, including the talents of Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) on drums, and Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) on additional lead guitar.

Comments Matheos: “I think John and I work really well together. There’s a lot of mutual respect and trust in what we do. But we’re also both very critical of ourselves, and each other. This can make for a long and sometimes tedious process. But ultimately it’s one I enjoy because I think it brings out the best in both of us.”

ARCH/MATHEOS recording lineup:

* John Arch (FATES WARNING) – Vocals
* Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, OSI) – Guitar
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) – Bass
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) – Drums
* Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) – Additional Lead Guitar

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

Fourth Saturday night in the row for this month to go to Eightball Club to see a gig. This January was rather hot as far as gigs are concerned, so after Entombed, Samsara Blues Experiment and Maiden United, it was time to see another great German band from Dusseldorf, the rising force called Long Distance Calling, brought by the same promoters that offered us the show of Samsara Blues Experiment. They seem to have caught the vibe of the youngsters craving for new sounds, and they do their best to add some more enjoyable nights to our calendar, in the best possible way. This night, we also enjoyed two more great Greek bands, We Own The Sky from the city of Athens and Sleepstream from Thessaloniki, which both of them showed a great potential for the future and they warmed the crowd up for good.

We Own The Sky played for about half an hour and I was lucky to arrive at Eightball just when they started their show (perfect timing,huh?) and they proved why they had a place in this gig’s line up. An instrumental act of post rocking ambiance where needed, without hesitating to show some progressive elements on their sound, with songs varying from four to six minutes mainly. They thanked the crowd for being there and supporting them, as well as the promoters. The fact that they seem to take their music seriously and they play it with intensity, without hesitating to bang their heads between the songs, managed to win the impressions for them and at the end of their short but pointful performance, we all praised them with a warm applause that they surely deserved. Future’s bright for them in a sound that’s rising on and on.

Sleepstream have recently released their first full length entitled ”A Waltz With The Seventh Crane” and it was a chance for them to present it in its entirety. Seeing the development of their new born baby live (the album hasn’t even completed a month and a half since its release) is something we will definitely remember when they will become a large band, as it seems pretty certain. The guys had an incredible sound by their side and the fact that their songs are filled with a cello and a violin, gives them extra credits and broadens the width of their expression, something which the fans were discussing during and after their fifty minute performance. They told us that the response they have got for their album so far is tremendous and they will do anything to give back what they have got so far. Well, they certainly did it in this first time I saw them, on the first occasion I shall purchase their cd also. They are playing with Crippled Black Phoenix on March and it’s a great reason to attend this show. Count the days, we’re in it!

Long Distance Calling eliminated our ears for about eighty minutes and they showed why with each album they become even larger in status and artists like Jonas Renkse from Katatonia, Peter Dolving from The Haunted and John Bush from Armored Saint, take part on their albums, acknowledging them as something special that they want to participate. Their recent self-titled third album may be the one that will open wide the doors for them to pass through untrained ears. The point is that the German quartet gave an astonishing show, presenting material from all three albums (”Satellite Bay”, ”Avoid The Light” and ”Long Distance Calling”) and their sound is twice addictive in a face to face condition, especially bringing out their heaviness combined with the great touch of sensational feeling they offer to their fans. The atmosphere would either vary to closing your eyes to feel the magic, to simply bang your head to their most heavy outbursts, pretty much a gig that can cover everyone’s tastes in the end.

Among other details to be mentioned, is the joy on their faces, where you could see the band really having fun and looking amazed from the response they had from about 300 fans inside Eightball. The smiles on their faces betrayed them and even while playing stuff as ”I Know You, Stanley Milgram”, ”Sundown Highway”, ”Black Paper Planes”, ”Aurora” and other memorable compositions, they were overtaken by the fact they were treated as a really great band by the fans. Maybe that’s why they gave a great encore and promised us to come back as soon as possible. Who would dare saying that we’d have the chance to see such bands in the year of 2012… The fact that such gatherings seem more than a warm atmosphere makes things even better, as everyone you see has an urge to have fun and not just show off to the others, looking more evil or informed, as it tends to happen in metal shows. The crowd attending these new bands seems to have a more relaxed aspect on music, that in the end the only thing you see, is people hanging out together and discussing how much fun they had. The way it should always be. The promoters know what to do and we certainly will see more stuff by them. Until then, be prepared!

Report: Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.
Photos: Andrew Koran.

When asked about what is going on with IRON MAIDEN at the moment, Nicko replied, “Well, we’re taking some time off. And we’re gonna go back out on tour sometime this year. We’re not sure yet when. It’s in the words of a very famous British singer from the Second World War called Vera Lynn. And she had a song and it went something like, ‘We’ll meet again. Don’t know where. Don’t know when.’ So that’s in the line of Vera Lynn. We’re doing a Vera Lynn. We don’t know where, we don’t know when. . . [But] IRON MAIDEN is touring sometime this year, yeah. I don’t think [it will be a world tour this time]. Next year, maybe. But this year, it’s just gonna be a little tour — short run.”

EMI has set a March 26 release date for “En Vivo!”, the new concert Blu-Ray, two-DVD set and double soundtrack album from legendary British metallers IRON MAIDEN.

“En Vivo!” was filmed on April 10, 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the “Round The World In 66 Days” leg of “The Final Frontier World Tour”, and captures a magnificent performance by the band, ardently embraced by the legendary Latino passion and energy of their Chilean fans. With spectacular stage backdrops, dynamic musicianship and a literally jaw-dropping appearance by Eddie, this live show encapsulates to perfection the heart and soul of IRON MAIDEN 2011.

In addition to the Blu-Ray, the two-DVD will initially be available as a limited-edition double DVD in collectors’ steel book case and double vinyl picture disc. As well as a traditional two-CD soundtrack album, “En Vivo!” will be available as a digital download CD soundtrack album and digital download video.

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

As previously reported, “Resolution” is likely to sell between 50,000 and 55,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on January 24 via Epic.

LAMB OF GOD’s previous CD, “Wrath”, opened with around 68,000 units back in March 2009 to land at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by 2006’s “Sacrament”, which shifted around 63,000 units to enter the chart at No. 8. It also represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, “Ashes Of The Wake”, which premiered with 35,000 copies in September 2004.

“Resolution” was released internationally through Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band’s last effort, 2009’s “Wrath”.

“Resolution” track listing:

01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

A guestbook can be found at this location.

Reale died Wednesday (January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn’s disease — an ailment he had battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.

Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

Mark is survived by his father, Anthony Reale, and was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Reale.

Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn’s disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn’s symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT’s new album, “Immortal Soul”, and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark’s creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.

Source: www.blabbermouth.net

“Five Serpent’s Teeth” is a very energetic, powerful and heavy album. The band has written some very good songs in this album. Both the mid-tempo and the fast moments of the album are very good and the quality of the songwriting has reached very high levels. The vocals are very good and it seems that Matt Drake has worked a lot on them, the guitars are also killer in most of the album and you will find some very good riffs and solos in it , the drums are great and so is the bass. Almost all the songs in “Five Serpent’s Teeth” last more than 5 minutes but all of them are interesting. The influence of bands like Testament, Metallica and Exodus is clear in Evile’s music but that does not mean that Evile have copied these bands; they have put their own elements and their own style in the album and the result is a record that kicks ass! The sound of the album is clean and heavy. I would prefer the sound to be a bit more dirty and old-school, but this clean production also fits very well the music of the band.

Evile are here to stay. They managed to release another killer album; the 3rd in the row! Nothing seems able to stop them and I hope that they will continue the great work that they are doing.