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Manos Spanos

MANOWAR’s U.S. Tour Highlights (Video)

Manos Spanos
A two-minute video clip featuring highlights of MANOWAR's recent short U.S. tour can be seen below. Released on Febraury 28, "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" is a completely new recording with many surprises, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of "Kings Of Metal" and MANOWAR's following world tour. Already a significant force with international success since their debut album "Battle Hymns", the "Kings Of Metal" release in 1988 and the following world tour in 1989 catapulted MANOWAR into a new sphere. Songs like "Heart Of Steel", "Kings Of Metal", "Hail And Kill" and "Blood Of The Kings" became instant classics, celebrated since by metal fans all over the world. For "Kings Of Metal MMXIV", MANOWAR have recorded these timeless metal anthems with new arrangements and their signature "larger-than-life" sound that sealed their place in heavy metal history. "Our fans have made us the 'Kings Of Metal', and with this tribute to one of their favorite albums, we honor them and thank them for their unparalleled support and loyalty!" said MANOWAR vocalist Eric Adams. "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" features nine main tracks packed with face-melting metal, plus nine bonus tracks with over 40 minutes of additional music. "We have pushed man and machine to the maximum level to honor the original recordings that we all love, and to add new aspects and surprises that give this new album its own character," said MANOWAR bassist and producer Joey DeMaio. "The sound is again as massive and majestic as it has always been," he continued. "Recording this album has been an amazing experience! After playing the songs so many times on tour, Donnie and I now had the opportunity to contribute our own sound and elements that the fans have come to love from our live performances," explained guitarist Karl Logan. For the new narration on the spoken word track "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", MANOWAR joined forces with celebrated British actor Brian Blessed. Blessed is a renowned Shakespeare and character actor who has starred, among others, in Kenneth Brannagh's "Henry V", Oliver Stone's "Alexander", in "King Lear", and as Prince Vultan in the cult movie "Flash Gordon". For special effects of the highest level on "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", sound effects specialist Hamilton Sterling was recruited; a Hollywood veteran who has contributed to action blockbusters, including "Batman - The Dark Knight", "Men In Black 3", "War Of The Worlds" and "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World", two of which won Oscars for "Best Sound Editing". "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" was released as a 2-disc CD with two 24-page booklets and additional new art by legendary fantasy artist and longtime collaborator Ken Kelly, and as a digital double album.
03 min read

MACHINE HEAD: First Video Blog From The Studio

Manos Spanos
San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD entered GREEN DAY's Oakland, California's JingleTown Recording compound on February 9 to begin recording their new album for a late 2014 release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The first in a series of short segments regarding the production side of making MACHINE HEAD's new CD can be seen below. Tentative songtitles set to appear on the new MACHINE HEAD album include "Killers & Kings", "Beneath The Silt", "Eyes Of The Dead" (formerly "Ojos De La Muerte"), "Sail Into The Black", "How We Die" and "Night Of The Long Knives". As part of this year's Record Store Day on April 19, MACHINE HEAD will release a 10-inch vinyl single, with the A-side containing the "demo" version of "Killers & Kings". The B-side will be a cover version of the track "Our Darkest Days" from one of MACHINE HEAD's favorite bands, IGNITE. Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn stated about the band's new material: "It sounds like MACHINE HEAD! It's definitely moving forward, which I feel like we're probably always gonna do. "We're not a band that ever looks back. We do our thing and try to take the life experiences that we have and the musicianship that we've evolved and try to use it. Obviously, we have our sound and we have the MACHINE HEAD patented harmonics, the downtuned riffs and I sing the way I sing. "I think Bob Dylan said it best: 'You just find new ways to say the same thing.'" Speaking about some of the specific tracks and the lyrical themes covered on the new album, Flynn said: "I've got some pretty cool lyrics ready. There's a song called 'Night Of The Long Knives', and it's pretty fucked! It's about the Manson murders, and the lyrics are really dark and vicious. "We've found some new twists to give to the MACHINE HEAD sound and some new fire and excitement." Asked what the band's main aims were when they started composing music for the new CD, Flynn said: "Well, it's nice to try and have a plan, but music has a way of unravelling over time! [Laughs] You've just got to roll with it. "With [2007's] 'The Blackening', I'd love to say I had this grand vision of nine- and 10-minute songs, but the first four songs we wrote were the four shorter songs on the record. For months, there was no indication whatsoever that we'd have 10-minute songs. That stuff came later. "Human nature wants to control and dictate where things will go, but you can't. It won't let you! The more you try, the more it goes, 'Fuck you.' It's going some other way!"
03 min read

MADBALL Begins Recording New Album

Manos Spanos
New York hardcore legends MADBALL have entered the studio to begin work on their eighth full-length release, their first since 2010's "Empire". The band is recording basic tracks with Ken Susi (UNEARTH) at System Recordings in Grafton, Massachusetts. Additional recording will take place at Pinecrust Studios in Miami, Florida with Jonathan Nuñez at the helm. The CD will be mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with MADBALL on "Legacy" (2005) and "Infiltrate The System" (2007). The as-yet-untitled effort is slated for a mid-summer release. MADBALL's latest EP, "Rebellion", was released digitally in 2012 via The BNB Label, a brand extension of vocalist Freddy Cricien's Black N Blue Productions group. The six-song effort contained four new tracks and newly recorded versions of two cuts from the band's legendary 1989 seven-inch single, "Ball Of Destruction". The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersberg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL). "Rebellion" marked the first MADBALL recording with former UNEARTH and THE RED CHORD member Mike Justian, who had served as MADBALL's touring drummer for a couple of years. "Empire" sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.
01 min read

Meet HELLYEAH’s New Bassist KYLE SANDERS (Video)

Manos Spanos
A one-and-a-half-minute video clip introducing HELLYEAH's new bassist, Kyle Sanders (former member of BLOODSIMPLE and the brother of MASTODON's Troy Sanders), can be seen below. HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott spoke with RockNLive.org about the band's recent dismissal of bassist Bob "Zilla" Kakaha and guitarist Greg Tribbett, the recruitment of Sanders and the recording of its fourth album, "Blood For Blood". On the lineup change, Abbott said, "We wanted to make sure that we brought somebody in that was a 'bro,' somebody that we felt comfortable with. We didn't wanna go through an audition process and bring a whole bunch of different people in that we had no idea, anything about their character or dynamic or what they were all about. And Kyle… was the first guy that came to our mind." Abbott also revealed that the band will bring in a touring guitarist, hinting, "We haven't announced who that is yet, but I can tell you he's a hell of a guitar player." Abbott said that HELLYEAH is "gonna be stronger than ever" as a result of the changes, adding, "There's nothing like having some fresh blood out on the road with you." "Blood For Blood" will be released on June 10 via Eleven Seven Music. The CD was helmed by producer Kevin Churko at his The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada. Churko is the Canadian musician, sound engineer, songwriter and record producer who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and IN THIS MOMENT, among other acts. A press release describes "Blood For Blood" as a "welcome return to form" for the band, adding that it "sounds like a recharged HELLYEAH, taken up many notches." "Blood For Blood" track listing: 01. Sangre Por Sangre (Blood For Blood) 02. Demons In The Dirt 03. Soul Killer 04. Moth 05. Cross To Bier (Cradle Of Bones) 06. DMF 07. Gift 08. Hush 09. Say When 10. Black December HELLYEAH filmed a video for the song "Sangre Por Sangre (Blood For Blood)" with director Robert Sexton (SOULFLY, DEATH ANGEL, THE DWARVES, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, AMEN, MONDO GENERATOR, GENÖCIDE) in Hollywood, California. The track is the first single from "Blood For Blood". "Sangre Por Sangre (Blood For Blood)" will hit rock radio in April. HELLYEAH will hit the road this spring, starting with several festival slots in April and May. HELLYEAH was formed in 2006 by NOTHINGFACE guitarist Tom Maxwell and bassist Jerry Montano, MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett, and former PANTERA and DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott. Montano left a week after the release of the band's self-titled debut album in 2007 and was replaced by Bob "Zilla" Kakaha, who had played with Abbott in DAMAGEPLAN. HELLYEAH's other albums include 2009's "Stampede" and 2011's "Band Of Brothers". MUDVAYNE has not released an album since 2009 while Gray and Tribbett have been working with HELLYEAH. hellyeah2014promo_638
03 min read

ELUVEITIE Wins SWISS MUSIC AWARD For ‘Best Live Act National’

Manos Spanos
On Friday, March 7, Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE were awarded one of Switzerland's most prestigious recognitions in music: a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Live Act National." ELUVEITIE was chosen to receive the honor after a highly competitive fan voting, marking the very first time ever for a metal band to receive this award. Watch ELUVEITIE accept their award at the Hallenstadion stadium in Zurich during a massive two-hour show on live television at this location. Commented the band: "Now that we have recovered from Friday night's events (although our minds are still blown), we would like to say a few words: "Winning a Swiss Music Award for 'Best Live Act National' is certainly one of the highlights of our career, and an immense honor. However, it is not just our honor, but yours to share with us: this award goes out to all of you! "The stage at the stadium in Zurich [Friday] night was as much yours as it was ours. It is also not simply a recognition of our most recent activities, but the result of many years of hard work and amazing times. "We want and have to thank each and every one of the amazing people who have worked with us and supported us in any way during the last 12 years. There are many, and listing them here would exceed the scope of this message. Please take the time to visit our website, where we have tried our best at the futile attempt to list all their names: "But most of all, we want and have to thank all of our amazing fans all over the globe, who stood with us, supported us and came to our shows. Our die-hard fans, our incredible fan clubs (in particular in Brazil, Poland, and France), all the members of our official forum and everybody who voted for ELUVEITIE, joining forces with us to show the whole music world how strong metal really is! This award is your award! You all rock! "Even more motivated we now return to Tommy Vetterli's New Sound Studio, where recordings for our new album have started last week already. ELUVEITIE 2014 is going to be a big one!" ELUVEITIE recently announced the addition of violinist Nicole Ansperger to the group's ranks. ELUVEITIE's latest album, "Helvetios", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 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. "Helvetios" was released in Europe on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast RecordsNew Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KRE
02 min read

TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON: ‘Angels Of The Apocalypse’ Album Details Revealed

Manos Spanos
Frontiers Records will release TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's sophomore album, "Angels of the Apocalypse" on May 16 in Europe and May 20 in North America. Following the release of the debut album "The Land of New Hope", the "Metal Opera" was met with critical and fan acclaim, entering the national album charts in seven European countries, including a Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country, Finland. In August 2013, Tolkki flew to Greece to seek the right inspiration for the follow-up album and upon his return he managed to develop a sound that is even more grandiose and symphonic and yet heavier and darker in direction as compared to the debut album. "In August 2012, I planned to release a Metal Opera that had to be a trilogy," says Tolkki. "I am following a specific storyboard in a musical format and this time the musical direction is heavier and darker than the previous AVALON. This was deliberate since the Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics demanded that". As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS "Dreamspace" lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively. "It was really nice and brought good vibes and freshness to the album," says Timo. "Definitely the right move." The amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen — who takes care of the lead vocals on the first single, "Design The Century" — along with Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) — who appears again after contributing to the first album — and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album, which is also produced by Tolkki. "Some songs were written with a specific singer in mind, while for some others I decided based on the knowledge that I had on how he or she would perform," says Tolkki. "I am particularly happy of how this record sounds especially two songs, 'You'll Bleed Forever' and the 10-minute title track, are among my favorite ever." Once again the stunning artwork is provided by the French artist Stanis W. Decker and the first pressing of the physical edition will be available in a glossy digipak. "Angels of the Apocalypse" final track listing: 01. Song For Eden 02. Jerusalem Is Falling 03. Design The Century 04. Rise Of The 4th Reich 05. Stargate Atlantis 06. You'll Bleed Forever 07. The Paradise Lost 08. Neon Sirens 09. High Above Of Me 10. Angels Of The Apocalypse 11. Garden Of Eden The first single, "Design The Century" (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen), will be released digitally worldwide on April 7. Musicians: * Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass and keyboards * Tuomo Lassila: drums * Antti Ikonen: keyboards * Nicholas Jeudy: orchestration * Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix: vocals
03 min read

SKID ROW To Perform At ‘500 Songs For Kid’

Manos Spanos
SKID ROW will play a song on opening night of 500 Songs For Kids on April 10 at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta, Georgia. All proceeds will go to the Songs For Kids Foundation, which brings musicians year round to children's hospitals across the United States. Songs For Kids Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 2007 with the mission to enrich the lives of children suffering from illness or hardship. They work year round to bring music to children's hospitals and special needs camps through live interactive concerts, hospital bedside performances and the Songs For Kids Records songwriting and recording program. SKID ROW has finished recording "United World Rebellion - Chapter Two", the second in a series of EPs that the reincarnated band — Dave "Snake" Sabo (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass), Scotti Hill (guitar), Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Rob Hammersmith (drums) — plans to release in the near future. The CD was laid down at Cock Of The Walk studio in Kennesaw, Georgia. SKID ROW's last EP, "United World Rebellion - Chapter One", was released in Europe on May 24, 2013 via Germany's UDR Music. The European version of the EP includes two bonus tracks, both of them cover tunes: "Fire Fire" (EZO) and "United" (JUDAS PRIEST). "United World Rebellion - Chapter One" sold around 1,500 copies in the Unted States in its first week of release. The CD was made available in North America on April 16, 2013 via MRI.
01 min read

MARK TORNILLO Says Next ACCEPT Album Will Have ‘Even More Of A Classic Feel’ Than Last Two Did

Manos Spanos
On March 10, journalist Mitch Lafon conducted an interview with ACCEPT and TT QUICK singer Mark Tornillo. You can now watch the chat below. On the progress of the recording sessions for the new ACCEPT album: "I literally finished singing the vocal tracks a week ago Sunday." On whether fans of the first two ACCEPT albums with Tornillo on vocals — 2010's "Blood Of The Nations" and 2012's "Stalingrad" — will be happy with the musical direction of the new ACCEPT album: "Yeah, I would say. It's more of the same, but even more of a classic feel than the other ones, I think. There's some songs on this one, I think, that when you hear the opening riffs, you're gonna go, 'Wow! This could have been on 'Balls To The Wall'. This could have been on 'Metal Heart'.' It's just very classic-sounding stuff, classic-sounding ACCEPT stuff. But with a lot of very diverse things on this record as well. I mean, you've got the heavies and the double basses, but some things that, I think, are a little different." On whether the songwriting process for the new ACCEPT album was more comfortable for him, having done two albums already with the band prior to this one: "It is more comfiortable for me. I think it's a little more comfortable for everyone. 'Stalingrad' was the one, I think, that threw us all for a loop, more than anything, because we had set the bar so high with 'Blood Of The Nations'. And we were really searching for a niche with 'Blood Of The Nations' still, searching for an identity for the band. So 'Stalingrad' was actually more of a challenge, I think, than this one was. We really kind of settled in with this one and are not afraid to take a chance here and there now too. So we'll see what happens. I'm loving it. So I'm just hoping the fans will feel the same way." On the status of the the first official ACCEPT documentary, "Acceptology", featuring footage from ACCEPT's humble beginnings as a garage band in their German home town of Solingen in the late '70s, their '80s "Balls To The Wall" "glory days," and all the way up their most successful reincarnation with Tornillo: "'Acceptology' is still being recorded. Actually, Stefan Kaufmann [former ACCEPT drummer and U.D.O. guitarist] is spearheading that whole project. So I know that we did some extensive video during the recording of this album that's gonna be on some of that stuff. But there are two live DVDs now; there's one from South America, and there's one from Bang Your Head!!! festival last year in Germany. Now, the way I understand it, one of these is going to be released with the new album [as a bonus disc]. I'm not sure which one — I think possibly the German one; I don't know all the details — but the way I understand it, there will be a live DVD with the new album. 'Acceptology', I'm not sure when that's gonna be released and how it's gonna be released." On TT QUICK's future plans: "We've talked about [doing some recording and scheduling some more dates]. There's talk about us maybe doing a few shows, actually, this summer while I'm home. I'm gonna be here, now that we're done with recording the new ACCEPT album, I'm gonna be in the neighborhood now until probably the end of July when we're gonna start touring again [with ACCEPT]. So it gives us some time to do some TT QUICK stuff this summer. David [Dipietro, TT QUICK guitarist] and I have actually been throwing ideas back and forth, so there's a good possibility we may just do an EP, release it digitally and see what happens." Tornillo's pre-ACCEPT band TT QUICK will reunite once again for a performance at the "Rock N' Roll Heaven Presents" event on May 3 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. Also appearing on the bill will be KING'S X, THE ATOMIC BITCHWAX and the BLACK SABBATH cover band BLACK REIGN. This time around, TT QUICK will play a full set after their "teaser" appearance at Rock N' Roll Heaven and the Old Bridge Metal Militia's reunion concert and fundraiser in May 2013 to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy. TT QUICK was a popular club band during the 1980s in the New York and New Jersey area and was known for the guitar work of David Dipietro and the powerful vocals of Mark Tornillo. Dipietro's skills were especially singled out as he had given lessons to both Zakk Wylde of the OZZY OSBOURNE band and SKID ROW's Dave Sabo. TT QUICK disbanded and later reunited sporadically and released a few more albums, including a live CD from one of their reunion gigs ("Thrown Together Live") and a studio effort, "Ink", which came out in 2000.
05 min read

Ask ALICE COOPER Anything

Manos Spanos
Eagle Rock Entertainment, in association with Banger Films, has announced the world premiere of "Super Duper Alice Cooper" at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by AT&T, where it will screen as part of their Spotlight section. Taking us through his life and career, Alice presents his story in the first ever "doc opera" film — a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation, and rock opera. "Super Duper Alice Cooper" is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr. Jekyll whose rock 'n' roll Mr. Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, a preacher's son who struck fear into the hearts of parents as Alice Cooper, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as frontman for a group of Phoenix freaks in the '60s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the '70s to his triumphant comeback as '80s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice and Vincent battle for each other's souls. Alice's story is told not only by the man himself, but through exclusive interviews with members of the original Alice Cooper band, Elton John, Iggy Pop, John Lydon and Dee Snider. In order to make "Super Duper Alice Cooper" as interactive for his devoted fans as he possibly can, Alice Cooper is putting together a special pre-recorded "Keep Calm & Go Ask Alice" question-and-answer session that will run following each theatrical screening. In order for Alice to give some wild answers, he'll require some burning questions from fans, so he's inviting YOU to ask him anything now via www.SuperDuperAliceCooper.com (click the "Keep Calm & Go Ask Alice" graphic). Once the submission period is closed, Alice will personally handpick select questions and answer them via video, serving as the aforementioned Q&A. "Super Duper Alice Cooper" is the creation of Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn at Banger Films, producers of "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" (2009 SXSW Audience Choice Winner) and "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" (2010 Grammy-nominated and Tribeca Audience Choice Winner), and much-lauded filmmaker Reginald Harkema, winner of the TIFF Special Jury Prize for his film "Monkey Warfare". The 13th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival will take place from April 16 to April 27 at locations around New York City. In a 2012 interview with Spinner.com, Dunn stated about the Cooper documentary: "We know Alice through various projects that we've done. We interviewed Alice for 'Headbanger's Journey'. He's also featured pretty prominently in two episodes of [the new groundbreaking documentary series] 'Metal Evolution', both in [the] Shock Rock and Early Metal U.S. [episodes]. He's a pretty fascinating character, who has been through a lot in his life. He's one of those musicians that maybe he hasn't had a hit in a long time, but everyone knows who Alice Cooper is because of his influence on pop culture and the big songs he had in the '70s. "We're exploring a different stylist approach with this film. It won't be talking heads; it's going to be more of an archival and animated journey through his career. "He's such a rich visual artist, it makes so much sense to try and do it in a different way. "I think we're just a little bit sick of doing talking head interviews, to be honest [laughs], after doing 300 of them for 'Metal Evolution'. So it's really the story of Alice's career from the '60s right up to the '80s and everything he went through — the ups and the downs, battles with alcoholism, being raised in a Christian family, rebelling against that but then coming back to faith later in his career, and moving from town to town, and trying to find his place." Alice Cooper's latest album, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare", sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart. Cooper's previous CD, 2008's "Along Came A Spider", opened with just under 10,000 copies to land at No. 53. Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind. keepcalmandaskalice
04 min read

Video: FIREWWIND/OZZY OSBOURNE Guitarist GUS G. Performs In Thessaloniki

Manos Spanos
Fan-filmed video footage of from guitar virtuoso Gus G. — well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND — performing this past Saturday, March 8 at Block 33 in Thessaloniki, Greece can be seen below. Gus was joined at the gig by acclaimed Swedish hard rock vocalist Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION). Gus G.'s debut solo album, "I Am The Fire", will be released on March 18 in North America via Century Media Records. "I Am The Fire" track listing: 01. My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén) 02. Blame It On Me (featuring Mats Levén) 03. I Am The Fire (featuring Devour The Day) 04. Vengeance (featuring David Ellefson) 05. Long Way Down (featuring Alexia Rodriguez) 06. Just Can't Let Go (featuring Jacob Bunton) 07. Terrified (featuring Billy Sheehan) 08. Eyes Wide Open (featuring Mats Levén) 09. Redemption (featuring Michael Starr) 10. Summer Days (featuring Jeff Scott Soto) 11. Dreamkeeper (featuring Tom S. Englund) 12. End Of The Line (featuring Mats Levén) The cover artwork, pictured below, was designed by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT, DREAM EVIL). The video for the album's opening track, "My Will Be Done" (featuring Mats Levén), was produced by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others. Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on "I Am The Fire", and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN, LITA FORD), and vocalists Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, ex-JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). "I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include "Eyes Wide Open", "Redemption", "End Of The Line" and "Blame It On Me". The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing. Gus G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL (Sweden), MYSTIC PROPHECY (Germany) and NIGHTRAGE (Greece), but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band that have helped him emerge as one of the world's top metal and rock guitarists. His work on Ozzy's "Scream" album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player magazine's "Best Metal Guitarist," the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder" award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece "Best Guitarist" on four separate occasions.
05 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.