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Manos Spanos

Video: MEGADETH’s DAVID ELLEFSON On His Signature Kelly Bird Bass

Manos Spanos
David Ellefson is a world-renowned bassist who recently helped Jackson design a new signature model bass to add to his arsenal. In the video below, the founding member of MEGADETH demonstrates some of the key features of the David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird Bass, with its striking body shape and red pinstripe finish. The new David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird Bass features a basswood body with Ellefson's signature red pinstripe finish, bolt-on bound maple neck with 21 jumbo frets and block inlays, EMG pickups, two volume controls and three-band active EQ, Jackson high-mass four-string HM-4 bridge, and Jackson die-cast tuners. It is available in Red Burst with Black Center-Stripe. The new David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird Bass was unveiled at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that took place in January at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
01 min read

CYNIC: ‘Kindly Bent To Free Us’ Track Listing Revealed

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Legendary progressive rock innovators CYNIC — consisting of guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal, drummer Sean Reinert and bassist Sean Malone — will release their new album, "Kindly Bent To Free Us", on February 14, 2014 via Season Of Mist. The CD was produced by CYNIC at L.A.'s Perfect Sound Studios. The effort was engineered by Jason Donaghy (BAND OF HORSES, FEIST, ROB ZOMBIE, RYAN ADAMS), mixed by R. Walt Vincent (PETE YORN, LIZ PHAIR, TOMMY KEENE) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (FATES WARNING, SEPULTURA, CATHEDRAL, INQUISITION, HALFORD). The artwork for "Kindly Bent To Free Us" was created by longtime and sadly late CYNIC artist Robert Venosa. "Kindly Bent To Free Us" track listing: 01. True Hallucination Speak 02. The Lion’s Roar 03. Kindly Bent To Free Us 04. Infinite Shapes 05. Moon Heart Sun Head 06. Gitanjali 07. Holy Fallout 08. Endlessly Bountiful 09. Earth Is My Witness (deluxe CD book exclusive bonus track) About the new material, Reinert said: "It's a bold new sound for CYNIC and marks a gigantic leap in the band's progression. We've had a lot of time to let this material develop and gestate, and it finally feels ready to be unleashed on the world. I've been in trio mode with Malone and Masvidal flushing out a zillion and one details, and couldn't be happier about what's happening with these songs. They are truly alive!" In a February 2012 interview with Ireland's Molten magazine, Masvidal described the band's new music in the following way: "It's almost like, I don't know how to explain it, but if I had to put it in a box it's more sci-fi, futuristic and alien but at the same time very song-driven. It's kind of like, to me, coming into CYNIC's body more. It feels very modern and at the same time it just feels really cool. I'm big in the space. It's definitely new. It's not like anything we've done before. It's a new color, a new space. I think people will really take note of even the guitar stuff. I'm really shifting gears, I'm trying things in a different way and the way stuff is played. It's a new space for CYNIC, for sure. It definitely sounds like us, except completely new." CYNIC's latest EP, "Carbon-Based Anatomy", was released in November 2011 via Season Of Mist. The CD artwork was designed by the great Robert Venosa, the artist behind the covers of CYNIC's previous releases "Focus", "Traced in Air" and "Re-Traced".
03 min read

RANDY BLYTHE’s Book Gets Title, Tentative Release Date

Manos Spanos
According to Amazon.com, Da Capo Press has set a June 24, 2014 North American release date for LAMB OF GOD vocalist Randy Blythe's memoir, "Dark Days: My Tribulation And Trials". Random House has purchased the foreign rights to the book and will act as publisher in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The memoir, which puts emphasis on the past year of Randy's life, is an incredible, harrowing, heartbreaking, and redemptive story told in Blythe's already well-recognized writing style. It seems that almost every major media outlet has attempted to righteously cover the story of Blythe's arrest, incarceration, trial, and acquittal for manslaughter in the Czech Republic last year, but now, the man at the center of it all unveils the truths of the ordeal, personally detailing every aspect in his own words. No ghost writers, no co-authors, just Randy Blythe himself. The rights to Blythe's book were sold to Da Capo executive editor Ben Schafer by Marc Gerald at The Agency Group. "While I've dreamed of being a published author almost since I began to read, I never imagined my first book would center around such a sad topic," says Blythe. "Sometimes though, life unexpectedly provides you a story that needs to be told. I believe this one does (for several different reasons, not just for the benefit of myself), so I will tell it with the respect and dignity all involved deserve. This will be a good read, I promise you, and I hope some good comes of it." Added Schafer: "I knew that Randy was a master vocalist and lyricist but it turns out he is a vivid and visceral prose writer as well. "Regarding his arrest and trial in the Czech Republic, Randy handled a frightening and heartbreaking situation with courage, grace, and humility, and we at Da Capo Press are honored to have the opportunity to have a part in telling his story." Da Capo Press, a member of American publishing company the Perseus Books Group, is an excellent home for Blythe's memoir, having already published several other books by heavy metal greats like Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH), Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL) and Al Jourgensen (MINISTRY). Prague, Czech Republic's High Court upheld Blythe's "not guilty" verdict on June 5 in connection with the death of a fan three years ago. The court's decision is final. A three-judge panel on March 5 acquitted Blythe of manslaughter in the death of 19-year-old Daniel Nosek. Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage. Though Blythe faced up to 10 years in prison, during the closing argument, prosecutors only asked the judge for the minimum sentence of five years.
03 min read

BEHEMOTH: ‘Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel’ Video Released

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Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release their long-awaited new album, "The Satanist", on February 3 in the U.K., February 4 in North America and Poland, February 5 in Japan, and February 7 in the rest of the world. Pre-order bundles, include: CD, LP, t-shirt, as well as the deluxe box set, and are available at metalblade.com/behemoth in North America, nuclearblast.de/behemoth in Europe, and on behemoth-store.com (digibook and box). BEHEMOTH's video for the new single "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" has been unveiled. This visual masterpiece was produced by Grupa 13 and is one of BEHEMOTH's most unsettling and unique works to date. BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski states about the video: "Yes, we took all the time in the world to complete this project. And we did everything that was humanely possible to accurately express our vision. We crossed the Rubicon. "'Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel' is an ecstatic manifest of our unrestrained artistic will, where we dare to reach out beyond the limitations of the heavy metal genre. And it's only the beginning." "The Satanist" deluxe box, which is available in North America as an European import, includes: CD/DVD digibook in silver mirror slipcase with a high-quality 44-page booklet (with gold foil, UV gloss lamination), supersize poster flag (approx. 3.5' x 5'), wooden black inverted rosary cross, metal pin, black envelope with black communion wafers. The DVD, "Live Barbarossa", includes a professionally filmed show in Ekaterinburg, Russia, as well as 30-minute documentary about the creative process behind "The Satanist". "The Satanist" was produced by BEHEMOTH, Wojtek and Slawek Wieslawscy and Daniel Bergstrand at Hertz Studio. The CD was mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER) and mastered by Ted Jensen (METALLICA, AC/DC) at Sterling Sound in New York City. The cover art for "The Satanist" was painted by renowned Russian painter and occultist Denis Forkas. The paint used included some of Nergal's own blood. Additional art and design was completed by Metastazis (PARADISE LOST) and Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, GHOST). "I wanted to incorporate some of my DNA into the art," Nergal told Australia's Heavy magazine about having his blood included in "The Satanist" artwork. "This album seems to be so defining of who we are now as people and as individuals, and considering all the instances in recent years, [we wanted] to make it more 'ours' than it is usually." In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Darski described BEHEMOTH's new songs as "very atmospheric" and "very emotional." "Think BURZUM meets NEW ORDER meets KILLING JOKE," he added. But at the same time, fans shouldn't expect the album to sound too far removed from BEHEMOTH's past efforts. "Take SLAYER, for example," Darski said. "Whatever genre they deal with, they still end up sounding like SLAYER. Even when they were flirting with nu-metal, it was a SLAYER record. Same with BEHEMOTH." According to Darski, at least some of the inspiration for the new BEHEMOTH album came from his five-month bout of leukemia he overcame in January 2011, after receiving a bone-marrow transplant. "When I was in the hospital, I was collecting experiences and emotions," he said. "I'm pretty sure that it's coming out now. There are moments I catch myself thinking about how my state was back then. It was me versus life, me versus death. It definitely changed my thoughts a lot. It's 100 percent being reflected in the record and songs I'm writing nowadays. I'm way more radical than I used to be." Fans can still order the limited edition 12-inch EP of "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" (1,000 white and 1,000 black, 180-gram vinyl) that will be released as a gatefold with each copy hand numbered and signed by the band. The 12-inch EP can be pre-ordered via BEHEMOTH's webstore, Nuclear Blast Europe webstore, and Metal Blade Records U.S. webstore. "The Satanist" track listing: 01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel 02. Furor Divinus 03. Messe Noire 04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer 05. Amen 06. The Satanist 07. Ben Sahar
04 min read

JIM ROOT To Sit Out STONE SOUR Tour In Order To Focus On SLIPKNOT’s Next Album

Manos Spanos
STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root will sit out the band's upcoming tour with POP EVIL and STOLEN BABIES in order to focus on the songwriting process for SLIPKNOT's long-awaited new studio album. STONE SOUR says in a statement: "Everyone involved is okay with the decision and our mutual friend Christian Martucci will be filling in on guitar. "It was a difficult decision, but as the fans have wanted another STONE SOUR tour and Jim had responsibilities to the writing process with SLIPKNOT, we feel this is the best decision where everyone wins." STONE SOUR's tour with POP EVIL and STOLEN BABIES is scheduled to kick off on January 14 at the House Of Blues in Orlando, Florida. SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor — who also fronts STONE SOUR — told ARTISTdirect in a recent interview that things may finally be moving forward for SLIPKNOT in terms of making its first new album since 2008's "All Hope Is Gone". Taylor explained: "SLIPKNOT is looming on the horizon. That's what's next in my mind anyway. I'm writing some demos. [Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, percussion] is putting some things together. Joey [Jordison, drums] is doing [his side project] SCAR THE MARTYR, but he's a fucking machine. He can write at any time. This band is just loaded with writers. We don't have a definitive start date, which is fine. That's okay for us now. When we're ready to make the album, we will. That's the mindset. Next year we're going to get together and start putting the pieces together." Asked what he thinks when someone brings up SLIPKNOT's 2004 album "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses", Taylor replied: "That album is a bit of a peek at what I think the next album will be. It'll be a cross between 'Iowa' and 'Vol. 3' in a lot of ways, while also evolving the way we always have. The stuff I'm writing right now is really dark. The stuff Clown is coming with is fucking beyond. It's really cool. It's going to be cool to get the alchemists in the same room and see what happens." Jordison recently told Stereoboard.com about the forthcoming SLIPKNOT CD: "What I can say is that there is SLIPKNOT material. We're writing right now, and we're all in talks . . . I've got so much SLIPKNOT material, I started writing this a long time ago. Y'know, when the time is right. Everyone works at their own pace and I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, I just kinda put myself in the mindset where I'm writing for a certain project. I kinda just take myself to that place, get in that mindset. When the time is right." Jordison and Crahan are the main creative forces within SLIPKNOT and the ones most ready to make a new record, as Crahan hinted to The Pulse Of Radio not long ago. "Before you know it, there is going to be another record, and it's gonna come sooner than anybody thinks," he said. "Everybody thinks differently, but I'm here to tell you as the Clown, it's gonna come sooner than you think and it's gonna hit you in the back of the head instead of the front of the face. And it's gonna be an amazing, amazing part of our lives." The new SLIPKNOT album will be the band's first without bassist Paul Gray, another key member of the songwriting team who died of a drug overdose in May 2010. Taylor and Root have spent the last three years recording and touring behind three full STONE SOUR studio records, 2010's "Audio Secrecy" and the double concept album "House Of Gold & Bones", which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013. SLIPKNOT toured earlier this year and last summer.
04 min read

Report: Anneke van Giersbergen, Dreambleed – Athens, Greece

Manos Spanos
Rainy Sunday in Athens…still,December entered with a big smile for those who were blessed to attend Anneke van Giersbergen’s show in Athens. After her two successful appearances in Thessaloniki ( 29/11) and Larisa (30/11) it was the turn of the “beautiful one” Athens to be enthralled by the ethereal voice , the exquisite beauty and the sweet smile of Anneke. Our greek alternative metallers Dreambleed, were delighted to open the show, warming up the crowd. Being a huge fan of Anneke for over 12 years, my heart was beating furiously the whole week,waiting for the big day to come! I arrived at the Kookoo live bar at 20:30 sharp. Lots of people were standing in the line , holding their tickets close with joy, waiting with excitement for the doors to open. The soundcheck was still in process until 9 pm ,but then, approximately 15 minutes later we entered the bar. All the fans were trying to find a good place as near the scene as they could. The show began at 21:40 according to schedule,with Dreambleed getting on stage. Their frontman, Manolis, proved to be full of energy through the whole show. In the beginning, he welcomed the crowd, made someDREAMBLEED (6)jokes and then grabbed the microphone and sang a setlist of 10 songs most of them deriving from their forthcoming album entitled “Beautiful Sickness”. The band’s appearance was dignified and noteworthy.With their modern alternative sound, including some electro-gothic elements, they managed in an excellent way to whip up the crowd’s interest. ”Punishing Ghosts” , “I will forget” , “Changing” ,”Alone with myself” and then Antonis Vlachos , vocalist of 3Fold Pain joined the band for “Dialogue with the stars”. He was a real “live-wire” with his brutal vocals and his mind-blowing stage presence. Later, Manolis took his his place in front of his piano ,the rest members of the band left the stage and he made a cover of Anathema’s “Parisienne Moonlight” with deep emotion. Three more songs followed ,until Dreambleed “waved goodbye” and then, finally 15 minutes later ,the crowd welcomes and embraces Anneke van Giersbergen and her band. At 10:45 the lights turned low and magic began! Micha Haring , Joost van Haaren , Ferry Duijsens and Gijs Coolen entered the stage and afterwards,the lovely face of Anneke appeared and welcomed all of us with a glow in her eyes! “You will never change” was the first song and “Drive” followed with Anneke playing electric guitar ,jumping around and the fans singing along the whole time. Anneke and her bandmates are, in fact, on tour for the promotion of the album “DRIVE” that was released on September 2013. As a result, most of theANNEKE (5)songs played derive from that particular album. I was filled with a feeling of happiness with the first notes of “Saturnine” reaching my ears. It travelled me back to the past and I know that her voice was, is and will always be soul-stirring, no matter how many years will pass.”My boy” , “1000 miles away from you” ,”You learn about it/She” .. All of them…one of a kind! You should be there and take a look at the eyes of people attending the show..some were glistering with tears of emotion. Others were glowing with joy and these are always the effects of watching Annekes’s shows. The masterpiece “Beautiful one” ,dedicated to Athens came next to touch even the hardest heart…After the request of a fan, “My electricity” was performed (instead of “Circles” )and I fell like faint! Sensation at the summit when “My mother said” was played. My mind got filled with images and emotions and I couldn’t stand but burst into tears,I confess!!!
04 min read

MASTODON’s BILL KELLIHER: ‘We’ve Got 21 Or 22 Songs That Are Candidates For The New Record’

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U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine spoke to guitarist Bill Kelliher of Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for the band's next studio album, tentatively due in early 2014. "I'm in Death Valley [California] and Thanksgiving is in two days, I fly back to Atlanta on Friday [November 29] and on Saturday or Sunday we start tracking," he said. "We've got 21 or 22 songs that are candidates for the new record, though obviously we can't use all of those. We'll have to strip a few off, though they can be used elsewhere. "I'm really not sure if there will be [a concept] or not. I know we had some ideas for a concept, but we've been so busy…" Asked what it's been like working with producer Nick Raskulinecz (RUSH, ALICE IN CHAINS, FOO FIGHTERS, GHOST) on the new album, Bill said: "It's something that we totally need — a cheerleader to get our asses in gear. There he is saying, 'Come on, you're MASTODON… you're one of the biggest bands in metal… Smash that hammer down and write some heavy shit. It's time to do or die!' He's that kind of a guy." MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor recently told RollingStone.com about the band's forthcoming CD: "It's gonna be massive and insane, lots of epic greatness. There will be lots of huge riffs and new directions. It's real weird, real math-y, real straightforward. It's up, down and all around. It's a culmination of everything for the band. The snowball keeps rolling and collecting snow." On December 10, Warner Bros. Records will digitally release "Mastodon Live At Brixton", a recording of MASTODON's February 11, 2012 performance at London, England's O2 Academy in Brixton. This sold-out performance was MASTODON's first show at the legendary venue. An audio-only version and a live video version directed by Ryan Mackfall (Crashburn Media) (both featuring the full 97-minute performance) will be available from all digital retailers, including iTunes and Amazon. In addition to performing "Curl of the Burl", "Black Tongue" and "Dry Bone Valley" from "The Hunter", the band dug into their catalog, unearthing such scorching tracks as "Colony of Birchmen", "Capillarian Crest" and "Iron Tusk".
02 min read

ROYAL HUNT: ‘A Life To Die For’ Lyric Video Released

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The official lyric video for the title track of "A Life To Die For", the twelfth studio album from Danish/American hard rockers ROYAL HUNT, can be seen below. Due on November 29 in Europe and December 3 in North America via Frontiers, the CD is described in a press release as "a concept album not in the lyrical sense but musically, which sees the band expand their musical boundaries and bring their symphonic and grandiose musical element to the max employing a large number of classical/orchestra players in the studio as well as a large choir. "A Life To Die For" track listing: 01. Hell Comes Down From Heaven 02. A Bullet's Tale 03. Running Out Of Tears 04. One Minute Left To Live 05. Sign Of Yesterday 06. Won't Trust, Won't Fear, Won't Beg 07. A Life To Die For Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on "A Life To Die For" are available for streaming at HeavyHarmonies.com. "Once again, the U.S. singer DC Cooper sees his trademark vocals shine throughout the songs penned by keyboard maestro Andre Andersen. The songwriting and performances are absolutely top notch and this is ROYAL HUNT at their symphonic best! In short, 'A Life To Die For' is another trademark release from ROYAL HUNT and truly an essential addition to any fan of progressive metal." Andre Andersen said: "This album is all that any fan of this kind of music might dream about: strong songs with huge choruses, infectious riffs, technical yet memorable instrumental parts, stellar production this time mighty reinforced by classical instruments and — of course — instantly recognizable style." "A Life To Die For" will be made available in three different versions: * Digipack CD + DVD (containing live footage from the band's last year tour, tour documentary and interviews) * Regular CD * 180-gram vinyl, gatefold The cover artwork was created by Kai Brockschmidt (PINK CREAM 69, PRETTY MAIDS) and can be seen below. ROYAL HUNT is: Andre Andersen - Keyboards DC Cooper - Lead Vocals Allan Sorensen - Drums Andreas Passmark - Bass Jonas Larsen - Lead Guitar Guest musicians: * Kenny Lubcke, Alexandra Popova - backing vocals * Jacob Kjær - guitar solo on "Running Out Of Tears" * Soma Allpass, Christina Lund, Patricia Skovgaard, Christina Larsen - strings * Erik Rosenqvist, Mads Kofoed - brass/woodwinds * CV Company - choir
02 min read

TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON Begins Recording Sophomore Album

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Finnish composer/producer and guitar player Timo Tolkki entered East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland on November 25 to begin recording for the follow-up to TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's debut album, "The Land Of New Hope", which entered the Top 100 album charts in seven European countries (including a Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country Finland). His former STRATOVARIUS bandmate Tuomo Lassila is joining him on drums, and the early STRATOVARIUS lineup reunion will be rounded out by keyboard player Antti Ikonen, who played on such classic albums as "Fright Night", "Twilight Time" and "Dreamspace". Tolkki's sequel to his first metal opera will feature 11 tracks and will be released in 2014 via Frontiers Records. Says Tolkki: "It is incredibly refreshing to create and play new music with his old friends and that the spirit and the atmosphere has been absolutely great and positive!" Fans can follow the progress of the making of the album, including writing and recording sessions and special cameos from the musicians and singers involved, from the new web site at this location. The entire cast of musicians will be revealed one by one in separate video blogs. Fans will be able to interact and take part to different phases of the production through the web site and in the social media pages. The confirmed cast of musicians/singers is once again full of internationally acclaimed artists, with some interesting twists and surprises. It will surely guarantee another masterpiece from one of the forefathers of symphonic melodic power metal. The first singer from the cast is Simone Simons of EPICA. She is one of the leading ladies in the female voices category in the world. However, she is not singing the main role on "Avalon II", which is a working title for the album. The final name will be revealed later. To date, Timo Tolkki has sold over two million records in his career, has won a Finnish Grammy-equivalent and has been chosen by the readers of the American Guitar World magazine to Top 100 as "the fastest guitar player in the world" and "the most influential metal guitar player in the world." He has released 20 albums in his career and toured the world for over 3000 shows in 52 countries.
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.