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Manos Spanos

EXODUS On New Album: ‘This Is Gonna Be So Goddamned Heavy, It Ain’t Even Funny’

Manos Spanos
Veteran San Francisco thrashers EXODUS have entered a studio in Northern California with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) to record their tenth studio album. Commented EXODUS guitarist and songwriter Gary Holt: "We are well into drum tracks; everything is going super smooth and Tom [Hunting] is just killing it! Best drum sound this band has ever laid down — sounds just simply pummeling! "[There is] only one more song [left to lay down] and some B-sides to go, then we go through things and make sure everything is up to par, and then time for guitars! "Can't wait to add the crunch to these monsters. "This is gonna be so goddamned heavy, it ain't even funny! "We couldn't be more stoked and pleased with how this record is coming along! Bludgeoning!" Holt recently told "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone about his plans for a new EXODUS studio album: "I'm heavily in riff mode [right now]. It's always hard to gauge where a record's going right away, but you kind of get a feel for where you're headed mentally, and right now it's really fast. It's ridiculous. "I wanna make sure that the [next EXODUS] album is as good as it needs to be, and knowing I am going to be on a tight time frame, it does tend to stress me out quite a bit. But I think I write well under stress… I hate the pressure. But I do what I gotta do. We all do. So we'll make it happen." EXODUS' latest album, "Exhibit B: The Human Condition", was released in North America on May 18, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 114 on The Billboard 200 chart. EXODUS' previous album, "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A", opened with 3,600 units back in October 2007. EXODUS has announced its participation in a monumental upcoming tour with headliners SLAYER and additional special guests SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. This metalhead's "dream tour" kicks off on May 9 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and hits six more cities, including a stop at the world-famous Rock On The Range festival on May 17 in Columbus, Ohio. Gary Holt will perform double-duty on this run as guitarist for his band EXODUS, while also filling in for SLAYER's fallen guitarist Jeff Hanneman.
02 min read

VADER: ‘Tibi Et Igni’ Album Teaser

Manos Spanos
Polish death metal veterans VADER will release their new album, "Tibi Et Igni" (a Latin phrase which translates to "For You And Fire"), on May 30 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2011's "Welcome To The Morbid Reich" was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski. The artwork was handled this time by a true legend of visuals, Joe Petagno (MOTÖRHEAD). A teaser for b>"Tibi Et Igni" — featuring 50 seconds of the opening track, "Go To Hell" — is available below. Commented VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek: "Joe is a legend! Not just because he created MOTÖRHEAD logo or breathtaking artworks for many outstanding albums. Joe is over all times and his imagination touches the Hell itself…. And this is enough reason to ask him for painting 'a Hellfire' for VADER's new music. He accepted it and… made me so proud!" Joe Petagno added: "They have been on my 'get in touch' list for years. Finally we managed it and for a killer album very appropriately titled: 'Tibi Et Igni'." "Tibi Et Igni" track listing: 01. Go To Hell 02. Where Angels Weep 03. Armada On Fire 04. Triumph Of Death 05. Hexenkessel 06. Abandon All Hope 07. Worms Of Eden 08. The Eye Of The Abyss 09. Light Reaper 10. The End Digipak Bonus: 11. Necropolis 12. Des Satans Neue Kleider Bonus 7" Vinyl: Side A: Necropolis Side B: Przeklęty Na Wieki (Cursed Eternally) "Tibi Et Igni" will be made available as a standard jewelcase CD, digipak (with 2 bonus tracks), as colored vinyl with a bonus seven-inch EP (including 2 bonus tracks) and exclusively at Nuclear Blast mailorder as a limited digipak edition with a signed VADER tourbook. VADER will release a special seven-inch single containing two tracks from "Tibi Et Igni". The single is titled "Go To Hell" and includes the following songs: Side A: "Where Angels Weep" Side B: "Triumph Of Death" The song "Where Angels Weep" will also be available digitally. The vinyl and the digitally version will be released on April 18 via Nuclear Blast. You can pre-order the single (red, white and black vinyl) at this location. VADER's forthcoming effort will mark the recording debut of British drummer James Stewart (DIVINE CHAOS), who replaced Pawel "Paul" Jaroszewicz in 2011. VADER's latest album, "Welcome To The Morbid Reich", was released in Europe on August 12, 2011 and in North America on September 13, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and features the cover artwork of Zbigniew Bielak (DESTRÖYER 666, WATAIN). The band laid down a total of 12 songs for the CD, which was mixed and mastered in May 2011. vadertibicd
03 min read

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY: New Album Update

Manos Spanos
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, the band led by brothers and founding SEPULTURA members Max (also of SOULFLY) and Igor Cavalera, is putting the finishing touches on its third album for a fall release via Napalm Records. The CD is being produced by John Gray, who has previously worked with SOULFLY. Max Cavalera checked in from the studio to give an update. On working with his brother: Max: "It has always been some kind of killer magic whenever I play with my brother. We have a special connection that comes out through the music and the crowd reacts to it in an insane way." On the recording process: Max: "Pretty much, I have to get into CAVALERA CONSPIRACY mode. I wanted the new album to be faster and thrashier with the concept of Old Babylon. As far as recording equipment, we use everything! We don't rely too much on Pro Tools like other bands. All Igor's tracks are live drums. The energy is all there and we play all the guitars and sing of top of it, so in a way, it's like the old ways of recording." On feelings of pressure regarding the band's third album: Max: "There's pressure but I also like the challenge. I think it is the CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's most and intense and fastest record yet. I am very proud of it." CAVALERA CONSPIRACY recently recruited Nate Newton of CONVERGE as its new recording bassist. Said Gray: "This is by far the fastest and heaviest record I have ever had the pleasure of working on with Max Cavalera. "Max, Igor and Marc [Rizzo, guitar] were on the same page musically from the moment they walked in the door, and recording this album was a very smooth process. "I had never worked with Igor Cavalera before and I was very impressed with his ability to work out the arrangements with Max and get some extremely complex drum parts done live with hardly any re-takes necessary. Marc Rizzo, as always, was spot-on and a true guitar virtuoso. "I love to work with Marc because he always pushes himself to perfection, but he is very down to earth and keeps things light when he's under pressure. "What can I say about Nate Newton — he killed it on the bass tracks with very little back and forth. I'm really impressed with his talent, and I look forward to meeting him some day." Added Rizzo: "The new CAVALERA CONSPIRACY record was amazing to record... Definitely a brutal and fast third record!!!" Stated Newton: "It was a lot of fun to be a part of this record. For me, it was a challenge to learn the songs sight unseen and record them. It was a pretty interesting look into the way Max writes songs and I am glad to have been a part of it." Johny Chow, who had been touring and recording with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY for the past few years, in 2013 joined STONE SOUR as that band's new touring bassist. Joining CAVALERA CONSPIRACY on stage last year for its tour of South America and Mexico was SOULFLY bassist Tony Campos. CAVALERA
03 min read

EDGUY Considered Approaching NASA For Stage Set

Manos Spanos
In September, German melodic metallers EDGUY will hit the road in support of their forthcoming album, "Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown". The band's tour management has just revealed that EDGUY considered approaching NASA to help build the stage for the show. A spokesman for All Access Entertainment says: "Working with EDGUY is a pleasure, but at the same time it's a major challenge. The best is not good enough for EDGUY, because they love their fans like no other band in the world. They have always been the hardest-working band on the planet to give their audience the biggest bang for the buck. It's an honor to work for them. "The first time we considered approaching NASA was for a keyboard, due to fractional heat caused by Tobi's fast playing — the keys literally caught fire. We were in need of special material and gear used in the world of aerospace technology. That's when we got the idea of building a lifesize model of Cape Canaveral to take out on the road with us. However, it was difficult to transform, we failed — but it was worth the try. Now, we see what we can come up with for the forthcoming tour, but we're optimistic that it will blow away everything known to humankind." EDGUY will release its tenth studio album, "Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown", on April 18 via Nuclear Blast. In addition to the regular CD edition, the follow-up to 2011's "Age Of The Joker" will be made available as a limited digibook containing two CDs. Also available will be a strictly limited hardcover earbook collectors' edition (28.5x28.5cm) containing the two discs, a photographic history with more than 130 photos from the band's archive, liner notes, touring history, and more. "Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown" track listing: 01. Sabre & Torch 02. Space Police 03. Defenders Of The Crown 04. Love Tyger 05. The Realms Of Baba Yaga 06. Rock Me Amadeus 07. Do Me Like A Caveman 08. Shadow Eaters 09. Alone In Myself 10. The Eternal Wayfarer Bonus disc track listing: 01. England 02. Aychim In Hysteria 03. Space Police (progressive version) 04. Space Police (instrumental version) 05. Love Tyger (instrumental version) 06. Defenders Of The Crown (instrumental version) 07. Do Me Like A Caveman (instrumental version) The official lyric video for the song "Sabre & Torch" can be seen below. "Sabre & Torch" lyric video: Limited-edition artwork:
02 min read

STEEL PANTHER: ‘All You Can Eat’ Album Premiere

Manos Spanos
Los Angeles glam-metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER will release their third album, "All You Can Eat", on April 1. The band is premiering the CD in a unique interactive experience that has just launched. The premiere is taking place here and features a television set that will broadcast all things STEEL PANTHER, including the complete album stream of "All You Can Eat". With each change of the channel on the television set, fans will experience different content from the STEEL PANTHER world. The set will broadcast the latest STEEL PANTHER music videos, current episodes of SP TV and a few surprises as well. The experience will take fans deeper in to the lifestyle of STEEL PANTHER and is a must see for all Fanthers around the globe. STEEL PANTHER has also launched a worldwide "hotline" that fans can call for up to the minute updates on the band. Fans who call 941-75-Steel (941-757-8335) and verify that they are over 18 are sent an immediate link to see the band’s latest unreleased video for the song "Gloryhole". The video was shot in an unnamed glory hole location and features a performance by STEEL PANTHER in the stalls as only they can do it. A few surprise visitors showed up that day during filming and can be seen in the video as well. The phone number has been getting major attention with fans around the globe calling in to experience what STEEL PANTHER delivers on the "hotline." "All You Can Eat" track listing: 01. Pussywhipped 02. Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World 03. Gloryhole 04. Bukkake Tears 05. Gangbang At The Old Folks Home 06. Ten Strikes You’re Out 07. The Burden Of Being Wonderful 08. F@#king My Heart In The Ass 09. BVS 10. You're Beautiful When You Don't Talk 11. If I Was The King 12. She's On The Rag Regarding the new CD title, singer Michael Starr said: "We feel like STEEL PANTHER is like a buffet. You know what I mean?! There's a little bit of everything for everybody. And you can have as much of us as you want." The not-safe-for-work version of the official "Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" video includes celebrity cameos by "Jackass" star Steve-O, porn icon Ron Jeremy, "Breaking Bad" actor RJ Mitte and MMA fighter Chuck Liddell. Speaking to the South Bend Tribune, STEEL PANTHER drummer Stix Zadinia (real name: Darren Leader) stated about the band's new CD: "If you liked [2009's] 'Feel The Steel' and [2011's] 'Balls Out', you will love this record. It is more heavy metal songs that are hooky and great and fun and make you want to rock and make you want to have a good time and party. Also, there is a lot of riffage on this album that I think anybody who has ever questioned this band — 'Oh, those guys wear spandex and it is 2000-whatever' — these songs are going to put all of that to rest." "Balls Out" sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart.
03 min read

GWAR Frontman DAVE BROCKIE’s Death Investigated As Drug-Related

Manos Spanos
According to WWBT, the NBC-affiliated television station for Richmond, Virginia, investigators looking into whether the death of GWAR lead singer Dave Brockie may have been drug-related. Law enforcement sources told the station the investigation is leading them to believe Brockie's death Sunday is drug-related, but the Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause. The investigation will include a toxicology report, which could take six weeks or more. Foul play is not expected, according to police. Brockie was found dead in his home in Richmond on Sunday night (March 23). Brockie was 50 years old. GWAR manager Jack Flanagan released a statement saying, "It is with a saddened heart that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR, passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23, 2014 . . . A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963. My main focus right now is to look after my bandmates and his family." Brockie is the second member of GWAR to die within the past three years. Guitarist Cory Smoot, who played the character Flattus Maximus, died of a heart attack on the band's tour bus in November 2011 at the age of 34. Brockie said at the time, "I think Cory's death is a big wake-up call for all of us. We all breathed a big sigh of relief when we found out it wasn't a drug overdose, to speak quite frankly. But then to think that he was 34 and died of a heart attack — it's really scary." According to The Pulse Of Radio, Brockie was the last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 30 years ago. The future of the band at this stage is uncertain. The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the band members performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human race. The band released its 13th album, "Battle Maximus", last year. Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/gwar-frontman-dave-brockies-death-investigated-as-drug-related/#LsH6Ei1TVYEXy8Fm.99
01 min read

AUTOPSY: New Song ‘The Howling Dead’ Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
U.S. death metal legends AUTOPSY have completed work on their seventh studio album, "Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves", for an April 29 release via Peaceville Records (April 21 in Europe). The CD was recorded at Fantasy Studios with producer Adam Munoz, and sees a continuation of AUTOPSY's pursuit of the ultimate in metallic horror and extremity, featuring the longstanding combo of Eric Cutler and Danny Coralles on guitars, Joe Trevisano on bass and Chris Reifert on drums/vocals. "Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves" track listing: 01. Savagery 02. King Of Flesh Ripped 03. Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves 04. The Howling Dead 05. After The Cutting 06. Forever Hungry 07. Teeth Of The Shadow Horde 08. All Shall Bleed 09. Deep Crimson Dreaming 10. Parasitic Eye 11. Burial 12. Autopsy The song "The Howling Dead" can be streamed using the SoundCloud eidget below. From all-out death metal savagery to crawling, doom-filled sludgery, "Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves" further pushes the limits of taste and brutality with this latest relentless onslaught of terror from beyond the grave. Artwork comes courtesy of Wes Benscoter, who was also previously responsible for the stunning "Macabre Eternal" album cover. Says the band: "Tourniquets tighten... hacksaws rip... graves are filled...This is AUTOPSY, this is death metal. With the stench of 'The Headless Ritual' still permeating the befouled air, AUTOPSY has once again come for your very metal soul with their newest blood-soaked homage to all things dark, twisted and horrific... once again, bone-crushingly heavy nightmares await. 'Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves' will awaken the most depraved part of the coldest zombie's stare... blood will flow, brains will be destroyed, coffin lids will be opened." AUTOPSY's sixth studio opus of horror and all-out madness, "The Headless Ritual", was released in July 2013 via Peaceville Records. AUTOPSY released a DVD, "Born Undead", in June 2012 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records. The set charts AUTOPSY's birth, death and rebirth with an extensive documentary conducted with the bandmembers themselves, as they describe how the beast came to be, and the impact their music has had on the metal world over a span of more than 20 years. The film also documents the band's long-awaited return to the studio and stage, and includes rehearsal footage of both new tracks and old classics for their live comeback assault. AUTOPSY had previously decided to make an official comeback after working together on two songs for the special 20th-anniversary edition of debut album, "Severed Survival", in late 2008; the band having originally split before the release of its fourth album, "Shitfun", in 1995. AUTOPSY is: Chris Reifert - Drums/Vocals Danny Coralles - Guitar Eric Cutler - Guitar Joe Trevisano - Bass
03 min read

BLACK SABBATH’s GEEZER BUTLER Discusses Veganism, Religion And Life Lessons

Manos Spanos
Bryan Reesman of Attention Deficit Delirium recently conducted an interview with legendary BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler. A few excerpts from the chat follow below. On being raised vegetarian: Geezer: "I was brought up vegetarian. Me mum didn't eat meat, and a lot of it was because we had such a big family. We had seven kids in the family, and me dad used to get about $30 a week to feed us on, so there was never that much meat around anyway. So I didn't really miss it. Then the older I got, when we started doing up riders for the road, as soon as you would say you were vegetarian, people always would think you had fish for some reason. I said, How is fish a vegetable? I always had these arguments with them and I always had eggs and everything. I just decided to do vegan stuff, nothing to do with any animals or anything. I just went full vegan from there.” On being raised with religion: Geezer: "At first, we took Holy Communion and that was about it. I like kids having a belief up to a certain age, then let them go their own way and make their own mind up. I think it was good for me to have been brought believing in with something, and I did get into it and believed in it up to a certain point... As soon as you start meeting girls elsewhere, you sort of go off. That's what I was doing in the end. I was going to Mass every Sunday just to take a look at all the nice girls that were going there." On rebellion: Geezer: "It's almost like people are afraid to protest anymore. I've noticed that especially in America. If you go out to protest anything, you're surrounded by police who aren't afraid to use teargas or rubber bullets or even real bullets." On remaining humble: Geezer: "Know who you are and stay who you are. Always remember your roots. People I know and people that work for us have worked for other people…[certain older people] act like they've invented the cure for cancer, the way they treat the people that work for them. It's unbelievable the egos that some people get. I just don't get it." Read the entire interview at Attention Deficit Delirium.
02 min read

SLIPKNOT’s COREY TAYLOR Calls Out KISS For ROCK HALL Drama

Manos Spanos
According to The Pulse Of Radio, STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has called out KISS in a new interview with Radio.com over the public feud between the current band members, two original ex-members and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame over the group's long-awaited induction into the Hall next month. Taylor said, "On one hand, you're stoked being a KISS fan, but on the other hand it's, like, 'Can you guys just put aside your petty issues and realize that without one another you wouldn't have been able to do this? Can you just set stuff aside and do one show for the fans of the original lineup again? And then you never have to see each other again?'" KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley firmly rejected the idea of performing at the induction ceremony with former founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, despite the Hall's and fans' wishes. Taylor added, "Without (Frehley and Criss), the other two guys wouldn't be where they are! And that's just me layin' it straight! I might not ever get a kind word from anybody in that band anymore. But I think it's petty and I think it's ridiculous! Figure it out! Show respect, because sometimes it's not about you, it's about the fans." But Taylor, who has seen his share of turbulent times in SLIPKNOT, admitted that band relationships can be tricky. He said, "We're just crazy people who can't get along sometimes… Now add fame and money and all that rock and roll craziness to it — we're lucky we don't eat each other in this industry!" KISS will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 10 at a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, along with NIRVANA, Linda Ronstadt and others. Taylor and SLIPKNOT are currently recording their first studio album since 2008's "All Hope Is Gone".
02 min read

Manos Spanos

Manos Spanos (Metalpaths' co-editor-in-chief), eight years in this site but still can't be characterised as a metalhead.