Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release "Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings", a 15-CD library box housing the rock guitar virtuoso's most comprehensive anthology ever, on Tuesday, April 22.
"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" will also be available as a collectible limited-edition USB drive exclusively on Satriani.com.
One of the most influential and respected instrumental rock guitarists to emerge in the past three decades, Joe Satriani is that rare "musician's musician" who's crossed over into the mainstream with music sublime and complex, appealing to a wide variety of tastes.
A true master of the six-string, Satriani worked as a guitar teacher in his early career, with a number of his students — among them Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Larry LaLonde (POSSESSED, PRIMUS), David Bryson (COUNTING CROWS), Charlie Hunter and more — achieving their own considerable successes.
While in considerable demand as a sideman throughout his career — he's toured with Mick Jagger, DEEP PURPLE and many others — Satriani has pursued his own musical vision over the years through a series of instrumental rock albums (many of them Grammy nominated) which chronicle his evolution as an artist and his eloquence as a guitarist.
All 14 of Joe Satriani's landmark studio albums, from "Not Of This Earth" (his 1986 debut) through "Unstoppable Momentum" (2013's masterpiece), are included in the new collection alongside "Added Creations And Bonus Tracks", a newly curated anthology disc of rare compositions and performances falling outside the purview of Satriani's official album canon, and "Surfing With The Alien", 1987's platinum-selling breakout.
"When the good people at Legacy approached me with the idea of a comprehensive box set featuring my studio recordings in their entirety, plus bonus tracks, all remastered, I answered with a resounding, 'YES!,'" said Joe Satriani.
"The only person who could pull this all together logistically and sonically was mastering engineer John Cuniberti.
"John and I have recorded quite a bit of music together going way back to the early '80s. I've made more records with John engineering and co-producing than anyone else, so who better to help me put this box set together the right way? His attention to detail has made this project exciting, illuminating and ultimately awesome sounding."
"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" presents brand-new digital masters, overseen by Joe Satriani, with each CD packaged in a replica cardboard jacket. The library collection is housed in a specially designed clamshell box with a booklet filled with photos and memorabilia from across the decades.
"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" is the ideal audio accompaniment to "Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir", Satriani's autobiography, also coming in April.
A tireless performer who draws strength and inspiration from live shows, Satriani is consistently one of the world's top concert draws. He is a core member of the rock supergroup CHICKENFOOT (with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith) as well as founder of the highly successful G3 tours, each teaming Satriani with a pair of top-flight guitarists with shows often featuring special guest artists and other musical surprises. A nearly annual event, G3 launched in 1996 with Steve Vai and Eric Johnson and has showcased a wide variety of axemen over the years, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Fripp, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Neal Schon, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather and many others. Most recently, the G3 tour played South America in 2012.
Over his career, Joe Satriani has earned 15 "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" Grammy nominations alongside platinum ("Surfing With The Alien", "Flying In A Blue Dream") and gold ("The Extremist", "Time Machine") certifications for his solo recordings. He also racked up gold and platinum certifications for the DVD "Live in San Francisco" and two G3 DVDs, "G3 Live" and "Live In Denver".
Satriani is extending his decades-lo
San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD will enter GREEN DAY's Oakland, California's JingleTown Recording compound on Sunday, February 9 to begin recording their new album for a late 2014 release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
Comments MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn in the latest installment of his online blog, "The General Journals: Diary Of A Frontman... And Other Ramblings": "Looking forward to this; it's gonna be a fun album to record.
"We have some really, really strong songs, powerful songs.
"There's no question it's going to be a big project. So with big projects come big expectations and sometimes big 'issues,' but the feeling in the band, the feeling BETWEEN the band, is so positive we're chomping at the bit to get started.
"We know it will be a big undertaking but we're up for it. We're ready.
"We're approaching two decades of recording and releasing our music to you. Let that sink in for a minute... because it definitely causes me to pause.
"Most bands do not get to make music for as long as we have and flourish. Most bands do not get to build an 'army' of fans and friends. We have, and for one of many reasons, we refuse to rest on our laurels. There's no getting complacent at this stage of the game. Good isn't good enough, it has to change the world, it has to dent the universe. You won't care if it's anything less. We're putting in the long, hard, boring hours of work that it takes to make something truly special.
"And I have to mention it again; the feeling of four guys pulling together, four guys all on the same page, four guys all on the same team, man... it is an amazing feeling. I can't remember a time when the band was this locked-in mentally, physically, and spiritually.
"There's still a waaaaays to go before we're done, a few songs still getting wrapped up musically / lyrically...
"But yeah, it begins... this weekend."
He adds: "As I mentioned last week, we will be releasing the 'demo' version of 'Killers & Kings' with a B-side of the IGNITE classic 'Our Darkest Days / Bleeding', on 10-inch vinyl for Record Store Day worldwide.
"For those of you who don't know, Record Store Day is a day to support the local mom-and-pop record stores. Often bands will release limited-edition items exclusively to these stores, it never ends up in the big chains. It helps support the little guys, and if you can't make it to the store, you can still order if from them online. We back it 100%.
"Yesterday we put the first of four 10-inch album covers that will be released. Four Tarot cards in total.
"More covers coming next week.
"It's the first time since our debut album that we've actually released demos 'before' an album. Since that album, we've only done it after the fact, and I really am excited about doing beforehand.
"I remember selling the six-song MACHINE HEAD demo at our early shows. We'd sell it in the parking lots of metal shows like drugs. I even brokered a deal overseas to have the demos sold and they did extremely well; it helped create a buzz over there.
"This demo version of 'Killers & Kings' is not-finished. Shit, I'm still 'scattin'' some the lyrics, meaning = making it up as I go! I think it's cool that you can hear that.
"I'm not sure why the idea of releasing demos before a record stopped. I always loved hearing demos before a record came out.
"I think what happened is that record companies got scared that people wouldn't buy the record if they didn't like the demos. I know, for me, I wanted to hear new music no matter what. If I was crazy about the band, I searched far and wide to hear anything they had, demos, bootlegs, rehearsals, videos, the more I found, the better. It's like I went on a journey with the band. Listening to the songs evolve, or not evolve, change or not change.
"I love that journey! I hope you do too, 'cause we're about to take you on a crazy fucking journey.
"Are you ready?"
Other tentative songtitles set to appear on the new MACHINE HEAD album include "Beneath The Silt", "Ojos De La Muerte", "Sail Into The Black" and "Night Of The Long Knives".
MACHINE HEAD's most recent studio release, 2011's "Unto The Locust", entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No
In the brand new issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott recalls how the band began falling apart in the midst of its biggest success after singer Philip Anselmo turned to heroin to combat his back pain.
"This is when the drug thing came about and everything started going sideways with him," Vinnie says. "That's when the band and him started separating and he started demanding his own tour bus. We'd see him before the show and then he'd be gone, and you never knew which Phil you were gonna get. You might get the pitbull that we all knew and loved, or you might get some dude who was completely whacked out on heroin and didn't do what he was supposed to do.
"It did become difficult on that touring cycle, but also we'd never had a break, so we could never get away from it.
"A lot of elements started creeping in, particularly with him. I mean, we were all in some pain. I had to deal with tendonitis, but I never turned to drugs to pacify it.
"None of us had any clue that he was even thinking of doing heroin — we used to be the most anti-drug guys in the world — and when he OD'ed in Dallas, when we played our big homecoming show to 18,000 people, the first thing that came to my mind was that he'd passed out because of the heat. When I saw him laying on the ground, blue, I was, like, 'What the fuck?' If it hadn't been for our drum tech, Kat, chasing down some paramedics, [Anselmo] wouldn't be around anymore. And it really would have been a shock because none of us had a clue.
"It definitely went from being all hunky dory to being a lot more work and not knowing what was gonna happen.
"We kept working, and, really, our intention wasn't to stop. Until Phil decided he'd rather go and do DOWN and SUPERJOINT RITUAL, we never stopped. I really felt like we were gonna be THE ROLLING STONES of heavy metal, and we could have been."
Vinnie, who is late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag's death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.
Asked if he thinks Vinnie Paul will ever be open to repairing the rift, Anselmo told Artisan News: "You know, that would be a question for Vinnie Paul; I don't know. But once again I'll say that I love him. I feel his pain every single day. Dime was very much my brother, Rex's [Brown; PANTERA bassist] brother as well."
He continued: "In this life, one thing I've learned is that it does not take pure blood to make family; it's the relationship and how strong you hold that bond. And once again, my door is always open for Vince."
Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney has called on Vinnie and Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, telling the producers of "Behind The Music Remastered: Pantera" that she forgave the singer after they found themselves unexpectedly face to face at a concert in California.
In Rex Brown's memoir, "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera", Haney said: "My line has softened over the years since Darrell's death, probably because I feel an element of forgiveness and a desire for everybody to get along. No matter what ever happened, nobody did this to Darrell. I mean, they — Rex and Philip — didn't. The person who did it did it, and no matter what reason the killer — if he was still alive today — could give to justify that, it wouldn't change anything. But when you go through something like this, you want to lay blame somewhere. Obviously I had resentment to Rex and Philip because I had to watch Darrell trying to save his band. I wanted to fix it for him. As far as Philip is concerned, we are at least communicating, albeit on a fairly surface level. We haven't talked about any deep things like resentments because I've told him that I still harbor some resentment for how he handled band issues and how that impacted Darrell and I've made that very clear to him. And it's hard for me to trust him. But we'll see. It's a start and in time we'll probably sit down face to face."
She continued: "Despite all the issues I'll say this: going out selling the merchandise for Darrell every summer has given me a whole different perspective. When you are with all the people that PANTERA's music touched and you hear the stories they have about how a certain song got them through, even if they never got to see them, it makes you realize that you're being selfish and that your issues are petty and false. I'm not the big picture. They are. I'm so grateful for all the things I learned from Darrell and I want to try to be that kind of person you know. Better."
She added: "I wish Vince was more like his brother when it comes to welcoming new people into his world, instead of feeling strapped up or that it's a problem or an inconvenience. Of course it can be overwhelming, I used to watch Darrell every day and marveled at how amazing he was at handling it, but I wish there was more of that in Vinnie. I know he has never really dealt with the death of his brother head on, and instead he's chosen to shut it away and hope that he'll never have to discuss it. If he was open to sharing some of his stories with people, he might just find peace, and if he let people in, he might also just see the big picture I'm talking about."
Asked about the persistent rumors of a PANTERA reunion with Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) filling in for Dimebag on guitar, Vinnie tells Metal Hammer: "All I can say is rumors are rumors.
"I'm not interested because there 's no Dime, and, to me, if there's no Dime, there's no PANTERA.
"That's my reason. It's behind me. I've moved on.
"I play in a band called HELLYEAH and I really love doing it.
"I'm looking forward to moving forward; I don't wanna live in the past."
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DOWN has been confirmed as the "first special guest" on this year's Revolver Golden Gods Tour, presented by Epiphone. The trek, which will be headlined by BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, will kick off on April 16 in Portland and wrap up on June 7 in Los Angeles. Also rumored to be appearing on the bill is DEVIL YOU KNOW, the new band featuring former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones; Francesco Artusato, celebrated solo artist and guitarist with ALL SHALL PERISH and THE FRANCESCO ARTUSATO PROJECT; and John Sankey, drummer for the Australian band DEVOLVED, who has also worked with FEAR FACTORY and DIVINE HERESY.
Revolver Golden Gods Tour dates:
Apr. 16 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Sodo
Apr. 17 - Portland, OR - Roseland
Apr. 18 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House
Apr. 19 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
Apr. 21 - Billings, MT - Shrine Auditorium
Apr. 25 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Apr. 26 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
Apr. 29 - Ybor City, FL (Tampa) - The Ritz
Apr. 30 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
May 02 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City
May 04 - Silver Spring, MD - Fillmore
May 05 - Clifton Park, NY (Albany) - Northern Lights
May 07 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 08 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
May 09 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
May 10 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
May 12 - Norfolk, VA - Norva
May 13 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater
May 15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
May 17 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere's
May 19 - Sioux Falls, SD - The District
May 20 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
May 21 - St. Paul, MN (Minneapolis) - Myth
May 23 - Grand Prairie, TX (Dallas) - Verizon Theater
May 27 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
May 28 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
Jun. 01 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater
Jun. 02 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex - Rockwell
Jun. 04 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theater
Jun. 05 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
Jun. 06 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom
Jun. 07 - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theater
DOWN has completed work on its new EP for a spring release. The CD was recorded at singer Philip Anselmo's New Orleans studio, Nodferatu's Lair and is the second in a series of EPs to be released over the next few years, each touching on a different aspect of the band's sound.
Speaking about the band's new material, DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan told the "Metal Hammer" radio show: "It's kind of slight continuation of the first EP, but it's a little bit more… It's hard to say, man… It's more… I wouldn't say 'aggressive,' but it's definitely got some freaky guitar stuff on it. And it's definitely got a pretty good groove factor. And we spent a lot of time trying to make all the songs [fit together stylistically]. We had several songs that didn't quite match it, so we kind of [set them aside] and we're gonna move them to another EP. But it's got a super-heavy vibe to it, man. I mean, I'm really excited about it. Everybody in the band is excited about it."
He continued: "We wrote it kind of like we did the 'NOLA' record. Each one of us had some riffs and we got in a room and we just hashed it out like the old days — just going off each person's experiences and ideas. Everybody's ideas were valid, and it really ended up being well rounded and slamming. It was [a] very creative [process], let's put it that way. Actually, it was surprising some of us how much we really still got it."
Pepper also spoke about the cover theme for the next DOWN EP and how it will be connected to last year's "Down IV Part I - The Purple EP".
"When the second [EP] comes out, you'll see it as being an extension of the last cover," Pepper said. "So number 2 is gonna connect sideways to number 1, and you'll start to see a morphing kind of process. There's some kind of liquid light kind of thing that's kind of melding across as you go… I hate to quote the overall color, but I believe it's something like orange. I haven't looked at it in a while. It might not be orange yet, but it's heading in that direction."
Released in September 2012, "Down IV Part I - The Purple EP" sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Guitarist Kirk Windstein recently left DOWN and was replaced by Bobby Landgraf, the band's former guitar tech who was previously in GAHDZILLA MOTOR COMPANY, a 1990s outfit also featuring Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER), and HONKY.
"I couldn't feel more blessed," Landgraf, 48, said in an interview. "Phil could've gotten anyone to play guitar, but I've been jamming with them during soundchecks, so they know we can play together."
"It's really a dream come true," added Landgraf. "It's what you're working for all those years."
The new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY studio album, "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican", will be released in Europe on April 7 via Mascot Label Group and one day later in North America through eOne Music.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recently amicably parted ways with longtime guitarist Nick Catanese and replaced him with Dario Lorina (LIZZY BORDEN).
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