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Manos Spanos

THE DARKNESS: New Song ‘The Horn’ Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
Reunited British rockers THE DARKNESS have released the new song "The Horn" as a download single. The only new track that THE DARKNESS is currently playing on tour, it is available to download from iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon UK (cheapest single price) and other official download stores. You can stream "The Horn" in the YouTube clip below. THE DARKNESS is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its first album, "Permission To Land", by performing the CD in its entirety on the band's U.K. tour. "Permission To Land" was released in 2003, hitting the No. 1 spot in the U.K. chart and winning "MasterCard British Album" at the 2004 Brit Awards (along with "Best British Group" and "British Rock Act"). Between 2003 and 2006, THE DARKNESS was honored with many awards and accolades; along with three Brit Awards, the band won an Ivor Novello in 2004 for "Songwriters Of The Year", four Kerrang! Awards, two Metal Hammer Awards, an MTV Europe Music Award and even an Elle Style Award in 2004 for "Most Stylish Band". THE DARKNESS — Justin Hawkins (vocals/guitars), Dan Hawkins (guitars/backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass) and Ed Graham (drums) — resumed active service on the main stage of 2011's Download festival with their original lineup. The band's latest album, "Hot Cakes", was released in August 2012 via Wind-Up (North and South America) and PIAS (U.K. and rest of the world). The CD was produced by Justin and Dan Hawkins with longtime collaborator Nick Brine and mixed by Bob Ezrin.
01 min read

DAVE MUSTAINE: Why Critics Have Been Harsh On ‘Super Collider’

Manos Spanos
In a brand new interview with the Detroit Metro Times, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was asked why he thinks critics have been harsh on the band's new CD, "Super Collider", while fans seem to "love the new album." Mustaine replied: "Critics have to listen to a whole bunch of records and don't really have time to live with them like they used to when we were younger. They'll listen to a record once. If it grabs them, they'll say something about it. If it doesn't, they'll say something else about it. If somebody has said something good about it before, journalists nowadays can be impressed by a mob mentality. They'll jump on the bandwagon instead of being an individual and having their own opinions. There's also that psychosis where, if a guy doesn't like a person and he listens to the record, then it can be a masterpiece and they'll say it sucks. I know there have been a lot of misconceptions about me over the years and my autobiography cleared a lot of that up, but not everybody's read it." Speaking to Ultimate-Guitar.com, Mustaine stated about "Super Collider": "There are gonna be people who are gonna take exception with the record because they're people that wanna hear 'Black Friday' the rest of their lives. And I feel for them, man. I know the first time I heard AC/DC versus what they put out now, it's a different time. I think that's the whole thing about if you're really a fan of the band, you grow with them or you stop being a fan. I always loved early AC/DC and I totally respect older AC/DC, but I was weaned on Bon Scott." In a separate interview with KNAC.COM, Mustaine said: "I didn't want to make the same record over and over. I like to explore and take chances and push the limits to try something different. "So many people think a band should always sound the same, but I don't want to do that. It can be a challenge to work out something new, and I think we have done that." He continued: "I'm not the kind of musician that won't allow myself to grow. If I hadn't taken some risks, there would be no MEGADETH. Some fans want you to make the same song and sound the same all the time, but that is just not me." "Super Collider" has sold around 72,000 copies in the United States since its June 4 release. The CD arrived in stores via Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).
02 min read

LOSTPROPHETS Singer Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Rape Baby

Manos Spanos
According to the BBC News, singer Ian Watkins of the Welsh rock band LOSTPROPHETS has pleaded guilty to 13 sexual offenses, including two of attempting to rape a baby. The 36-year-old musician admitted three counts of sexual assault involving children and six involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. He will be sentenced on December 18. Prosecuting barrister Chris Clee QC told Cardiff Crown Court earlier today: "Ian Watkins was the lead singer in a successful band called the LOSTPROPHETS. "He accepts he was a determined and committed pedophile." Watkins' two female co-defendants also admitted a string of sex abuse charges against their own children. Clee said: "Both women sexually abused their own children and made them available to Watkins for him to abuse." Watkins allegedly sent a text to one of the women saying: "If you belong to me, so does your baby." Watkins initially claimed he was the "victim of a malicious campaign" against him, telling police during interviews he was being stalked by "a crazed fan" and other people had access to his computers. The following details about the charges against Watkins have been revealed: * A laptop seized from Watkins' home in Pontypridd was password protected but was later sent to GCHQ to be cracked. The password was later discovered to be "Ifuckkids." * In a 45-minute webcam chat downloaded by detectives, Watkins and one of the two women charged discuss making the baby have sex with animals and take drugs.
04 min read

Report: The Ocean + Support Acts – Athens, Greece

Manos Spanos
The past months a large number of great bands visited Greece and enlisted our country to their tour destinations, even if the economical situation of our country is not the ideal. But what happens when three of the most important bands of our age plan to arrange two gigs in Greece? Well, the answer stands below, in this concert report. I am referring to The Ocean’s Pelagial World Tour of course. After the major success of ‘Pelagial’, The Ocean planned a great world tour in which they could perform the whole’ Pelagial’. Together as one, the band joined forces with two great bands and friends of their, Tides from Nebula and Abraham, both bands with extra-strong releases. The outcome; a destructive show! While the start time for the first band is approaching, many decided to visit Gagarin 205 for the show early, being able to hear the support acts too. The doors opened and approximately forty minutes later Abraham walked on stage. The band’s two lead singers opened the show, while the whole crew appeared a few seconds after. Their set was mostly created with tracks off the latest record, ‘The Serpent, The Prophet, The Whore’. As a result we had the chance to listen live favorite songs like ‘Start with a Heartbeat’, ‘The Chymical Fiance’ or ‘Carcasses’. Their vocalist, who played keyboards, too, is an absolute lunatic on stage (with every possible meaning of the word). With plenty of energy he was singing, headbanging and climbing on the speakers, having the time of his life. Along with the other members, I would say the band is solid and greatly bonded together, with their songs to sound spectacular live. When Abraham finished their set, it was time for Tides from Nebula to perform and shake the venue. The band is the ideal one to force your mind travel away and your body to relax. Their post-rock melodies provide some ear-orgasms. I didn’t attend their previous concert in Athens last year and I was curious to watch the instrumental band from Poland performing. With a lovely mood, the band started their set. We heard a lot of songs off ‘Eternal Movement’, their latest record. ‘Only With Presence’, ‘Up from Eden’ are only a few songs we had the chance to hear. The venue got loaded with ambient, post-rock melodies and everyone had a great time. Tides From Nebula are one of the most friendly to the audience bands I had the chance to hear and on stage they totally rock, moving up and down all the time and giving their 100% for the fans. The band thanked the fans many times but we should thank them back regarding the fact that they were explosive while performing.
05 min read

METALLICA To Let Fans Pick Setlist For European Shows

Manos Spanos
METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message: "After spending the better part of the last couple of years making our film 'Through The Never', we are so ready to make another album... It's been far too long! And when we're locked away in the studio, history has dictated that we always need that inspirational break to soak up all the great live METALLI-energy that you guys bring to the gigs. So as we may have done once or twice before (!!), we will be hitting the road this summer, but not just for another 'European vacation'... we've added a twist — YOU PICK THE SET LIST!! "As we embark on two short treks through Europe, we're going to give you, the ticket holders, the chance to vote on what songs you would like to hear at the show(s) that you attend. It will be pretty simple... pick up your ticket(s) online and you'll receive an e-mail shortly after with a code and a link to a site on which you may cast your ballot. We normally play around 18 songs a night, and since we didn't want to be left out of the fun, the band also gets to vote . . . and we vote for a NEW SONG! That leaves the other 17 slots for you to choose, so vote for all your favorites from the close to 140 songs we've recorded in our career and to make it more fun along the way, you'll be able to follow what you and your fellow fans are selecting by watching the site for continuous results. "In true METALLICA fashion, we don't have all the shows ready for you just yet, but here are a few dates to get you started: June 04 - Imtech Arena, Sonisphere – Hamburg, Germany June 06 - Nurnburg Rock Im Park – Nuremberg, Germany June 08 - Nürburgring Rock Am Ring– Nürburgring, Germany
02 min read

MARDUK Drummer To Sit Out Tour

Manos Spanos
Due to problems with a nerve in the spine, drummer Lars Broddsson of Swedish black metallers MARDUK will be unable to join his bandmates on their upcoming tour. Filling in for him will be F. Widigs. MARDUK's "Panzer Division 2013" tour with GRAVE, DEATH WOLF and VALKYRIA will kick off on November 28 in Erfurt, Germany. Says MARDUK's Morgan Håkansson: "As we just played the final date of the 'Serpent Sermon Tour', which has been an intense march across this world, we are proud to announce that before this year comes to an end yet another march over Europe will be done! Three weeks of mayhem as we are teaming up with legendary death metal act GRAVE as well as VALKYRJA and DEATH WOLF. MARDUK will be spearheading and be performing the entire 'Panzer Division Marduk' album from 1999, and as 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the 'Those Of The Unlight' album we will be doing that one as well! So don’t miss out on this march over Europe!!" MARDUK's 12th studio album, "Serpent Sermon", sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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. MARDUK's previous CD, "Wormwood", opened with around 650 units to enter the Heatseekers chart at No. 99. "Serpent Sermon" was made available as standard CD, vinyl and limited-edition media book with an exclusive bonus track entitled "Coram Satanae".
02 min read

ANTHRAX Guitarist SCOTT IAN To Write Memoir For Fall 2014 Release

Manos Spanos
Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, announced today that it has acquired world rights to publish a book by musician Scott Ian, co-founder of the iconic thrash metal band ANTHRAX, entitled "I'm The Man". Da Capo executive editor Ben Schafer made the deal with Jim Fitzgerald at the James Fitzgerald Agency. "Why a book? Because I think my story can connect with anyone and, if I was able to make the life I wanted for myself happen, then anyone can," Ian says. “I'm really excited to be writing a book because the idea of getting forty-something years of stuff out of my brain and onto the page seems very therapeutic. Plus if I didn't do it now, I'd start forgetting and wouldn't be able to share all these killer stories with you, my friends!" In this fast-paced, humorous, and revealing memoir from the leader of a band that proved to the masses that brutality and fun didn't have to be mutually exclusive, Ian will tell his life story, starting with his upbringing as a nerdy Jewish boy in Queens, New York, and evolving through his first musical epiphany when he saw THE WHO on television and decided he wanted to play guitar. Not long after, Ian saw KISS at Madison Square Garden and realized what he wanted to do with his life. The book will chronicle his adolescence in a dysfunctional home, his escapism through the turbulent world of heavy metal, and the complete history of ANTHRAX, starting with the band's formation through the present day reinvigoration with the return of vocalist Joey Belladonna, the release of "Worship Music", and their triumphant performance at Yankee Stadium with the Big Four of thrash: METALLICA, SLAYER, and MEGADETH. The book will also feature eye-popping full-color autobiographical comic book inserts. For "I'm The Man", Ian will be working with Jon Wiederhorn, co-author of the books "Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal" and "Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen". Wiederhorn is a senior writer at Revolver and a regular contributor to Guitar World, Noisey.com, eMusic.com, and Yahoo Music! He has also worked on staff at Rolling Stone, Guitar, Guitar.com, and MusicPlayer.com.
02 min read

LAKE OF TEARS To Release Live Album

Manos Spanos
Swedish dark rock/metal pioneers LAKE OF TEARS finally fulfill the wish of many fans and release their first-ever live album on January 31, 2014. "By The Black Sea" includes a full concert with 16 songs recorded earlier this year in Bucharest, Romania and will be available as DVD/CD set. Bonus material on the DVD is a "making-of" footage, an interview, and the band's latest video clips, "Illwill" and "House Of The Setting Sun". LAKE Of TEARS' latest album, "Illwill", was released in April 2011 via AFM Records. It was made available on CD, limited-edition digipak and limited 180-gram vinyl (with different cover artwork). LAKE OF TEARS' previous CD, "Moons and Mushrooms", came out in April 2007 via Dockyard 1.
01 min read

WOLF HOFFMANN: ACCEPT Has Proven Naysayers Wrong With Latest Comeback

Manos Spanos
On November 13, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann of reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT was interviewed backstage before the band's first-ever joint concert with SCORPIONS in Helsinki, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow. On ACCEPT's most recent "comeback," which began with 2010's "Blood Of The Nations": Wolf: "When we started doing [reactivating the band] this three or four years ago, nobody had any idea if this would go anywhere — if it would die tomorrow. We just knew we wanted to play music again, and we found [singer] Mark [Tornillo], and we thought, 'Here's a chance for us to do what we love to do, and we'll just see what happens.' … We just wanted to play, basically, and we just put it out there and the fans liked it. I mean, we worked really hard — it's not like it happened overnight. We really had to build the whole machinery back up again. When we started, we had no record deal, we had no… I mean, we were out of the business. We had nothing… We had no crew, we had no video, we had no web site… We just had the idea to get started again." On new ACCEPT lead singer Mark Tornillo (formerly of TT QUICK): Wolf: "Mark is a rare find, I think. That's what we noticed when we first met him. We thought, 'Wow, this guy can really sing the old material with ease — he sounds totally comfortable doing it, it's totally his range, but at the same time, he can do it in a way that's not just a copy; he can really put his own twist to it. And any suggestions you throw at him, he can actually perform, so that's a huge plus for us. 'Cause now we can write songs that are a little different — more melodic, more this, more that — and he's got a huge range. That was the magic moment, that we met Mark, during that infamous jam session a few years back. We thought, 'This is too good to be true. We've got to try this. No matter what the world says, no matter what anybody says. We believe in it and we'll give it a go.' Because, as everybody says, it's an uphill battle when you change lead singers, and we experienced that head-on that people said, 'It's not gonna work. [Original ACCEPT singer] Udo [Dirkschneider] is [not there].' But I guess we've proved them wrong."
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.