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Manos Spanos

FATES WARNING: ‘I Am’ Soundcheck Footage From Joliet

Manos Spanos
Video footage of progressive metal veterans FATES WARNING performing the song "I Am" during soundcheck on November 15 in Joliet, Illinois can be seen below. The track comes off the band's eleventh studio album, "Darkness In A Different Light", which registered the following first-week chart positions: Germany: #41 The Netherlands: #90 USA: #162 "Darkness In A Different Light" sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was issued in North America on October 1 via InsideOut Music. Featuring founding guitarist Jim Matheos alongside classic-lineup members Ray Alder (vocals) and Frank Aresti (guitar), longtime bassist Joey Vera and drummer Bobby Jarzombek, "Darkness In A Different Light" was produced by Matheos and mixed by longtime FATES WARNING engineer Phil Magnotti. The effort was mastered by Maor Appelbaum (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA, ANVIL) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in California. The cover artwork was designed by Conte di San Pietro. In addition to the standard CD jewel case and the digital download format, "Darkness In A Different Light" was made available in Europe as 2CD mediabook edition and as gatefold 2LP version (180-gram vinyl in black, red or white vinyl) with four bonus tracks. "Darkness In A Different Light" track listing: CD 1 01. One Thousand 02. Firefly 03. Desire 04. Falling 05. I Am 06. Lighthouse 07. Into The Black 08. Kneel And Obey 09. O Chloroform 10. And Yet It Moves
02 min read

OVERKILL: Anaheim Concert Footage, Photos

Manos Spanos
Video footage of OVERKILL's November 15 performance at City National Grove Of Anaheim in Anaheim, California as part of the band's "Legends Of Thrash Tour" with KREATOR can be seen below. High-quality photos of the concert — courtesy of Stephanie Cabral — are available on Facebook: Overkill, Kreator. OVERKILL is putting the finishing touches on its new album for March 2014 release in North America via eOne Music and in Europe through Nuclear Blast Records. Speaking to Steppin' Out magazine, OVERKILL vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth stated about the upcoming CD: "The new record has a blend of what we've done over the past half decade. I'm noticing it's a more punchy heavy metal record with more dimension than the last record had. Where is it going to end up on the food chain? I really don't know. But my feeling is it's an eclectic collection of moments from us. 'The Electric Age' came across, to me, as kind of a two-dimensional thrash record. This one is punchy but has a whole different bunch of ways to go and things to hear on it." As previously reported, OVERKILL released a very special limited tour edition of its latest album, "The Electric Age", in Europe on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. The limited 2CD tour edition includes the regular album as well as a four additional live tracks on a bonus CD, recorded at The Metro in Sidney, Australia on September 25, 2010. "The Electric Age" sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 77 on The Billboard 200 chart.
02 min read

CROWBAR Working On New Album

Manos Spanos
New Orleans sludge metal veterans CROWBAR have entered OCD Recording Studio in their hometown with engineer Duane Simoneaux to begin recording their tenth studio album for a 2014 release. The follow-up to 2010's "Sever The Wicked Hand" will be mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY and SHADOWS FALL, among others. Windstein exited DOWN in September in order to focus "100%" on CROWBAR. He was replaced in DOWN by the band's longtime stage manager and HONKY founding guitarist Bobby Landgraf. "After 22 wonderful years, we are parting ways," Windstein said. "They will always be my brothers and I wish the best to all of them. We have created some bad-ass music together that we can all look back on and be proud of. All of our great times will never be forgotten." With Windstein devoting 100% of his focus on CROWBAR, he is assuring fans that the sky is the limit. He continues: "CROWBAR is my heart and soul. The music is a part of me that I am extremely proud of. "It's an amazing feeling to be putting all of my energy and focus into something that I created 25 years ago! "We are extremely excited to record our 10th full length album and to bring the riffs to as many people as possible on tour." CROWBAR recently announced the addition of bassist Jeff Golden to the group's ranks. Jeff (pictured all the way left in photo above), 32, is from Bolton, Connecticut, but currently resides in Estero, Florida. Bassist Patrick Bruders quit CROWBAR in September in order to focus on DOWN CROWBAR will head out on the road throughout Europe shortly before album release. The band has also been confirmed for the Roadburn, Maryland Death Fest and Hellfest festivals in 2014.
02 min read

SLAYER’s KERRY KING Says DAVE LOMBARDO ‘Shot Himself In The Foot’

Manos Spanos
SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was the featured guest on "The Steve Austin Show - Unleashed!" podcast last week. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below. "The Steve Austin Show - Unleashed!" is the explicit version of the podcast hosted by former WWE wrestling champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. On SLAYER's early years: King: "Me and [late SLAYER guitarist] Jeff [Hanneman] would go hang out and see bands. We saw METALLICA at the Woodstock in Orange County, of all places, and we were blown away. We were already into MOTÖRHEAD and VENOM, and there was a lot of talk of the METALLICA guys. So we were, like, 'Let's go check this out.' And they were doing what we were doing the way we wanted to do it… We just weren't there yet. They were probably six to eight to twelve months ahead of us, just with shit-togetheredness. Even back then, I look at [then-METALLICA guitarist] Dave Mustaine, and to this day, I love him as a guitar player; he's one of my favorites. And then I saw him playing and it just blew me and Jeff away that he was just ripping solos and he wasn't even looking at what he was playing. And we were just like, 'Man, that's awesome.' And were just into it. Me and Jeff were six months apart in age. We were just like the same person." On SLAYER's recent split with original drummer Dave Lombardo: King: "When Dave was in [the band] this last time, I figured I'd be on the stage with him until one of us fell off the stage, dead. Things change. He got some bad advice and listened to some bad advice, gave us an ultimatum ten days before we went to Australia [to do the Soundwave festival tour]. And I said, 'I can't have this over my head.' And I feel bad for Dave to this day; I really feel bad for him because he shot himself in the foot. Maybe he thought he had the upper hand, but you ain't gonna get me…. Before I got home, I knew exactly what I was going to do for Australia." On how SLAYER has managed to maintain its camaraderie within the band for more than 30 years: King: "The only thing that we've done to separate each other purposely is when Tom [Araya, SLAYER bassist/vocalist] started coming out with his family, I don't know, maybe ten or so years ago. And I said, 'It's probably a good idea to get your own bus.' Because you never know what's gonna be going on on our bus. For the band, kids keeping you awake all night — if that's what would happen; kids stumbling in on something they really don't need to see, that's something. But that's the only thing. We fly together, we're still on the same bus. We take off on the same bus in a few days. [Editor's note: The interview was conducted a few days prior to the start of SLAYER's current North American tour.] "What took me the longest time to figure out for myself personally was what not to say to people. You have your opinion, someone is pissing you off that day? You don't need to say it. Shut up, get on with your day, tomorrow's a new day and it's all gonna be fine. And, you know, there are so many bands that break up, and the individual doesn't usually have the talent of the whole. "We're good at what we do, we've got a very strong brand, a very strong following and it would be stupid [for us to call it quits]. "The only reason I would leave SLAYER today is if Tom said he was done, 'cause then it's just me. Or if I was done and it was just Tom, I don't think Tom would wanna do it. It's now just the two of us." "The Steve Austin Show - Unleashed!" podcast (audio):
04 min read

TESTAMENT Bassist Leaves Tour, EXODUS’ JACK GIBSON Steps In

Manos Spanos
TESTAMENT bassist Greg Christian has been forced to leave the band's current North American tour with LAMB OF GOD and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE for "personal reasons." Filling in for him beginning with tonight's (Wednesday, November 19) concert at Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson (pictured). "It's an honor to be filling in for Greg," Jack tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "I've always thought he was one of the best metal bass players alive. "TESTAMENT is already family. Gene [Hoglan, TESTAMENT drummer] is a god. "This should be a lot of fun!" "Dark Roots Of Thrash", a DVD/2CD release documenting TESTAMENT's sold-out headlining performance at the Paramount in Huntington, New York this past February, was made available on October 18 (Europe) and October 29 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records. "Dark Roots Of Thrash" was produced by Get Hammered Productions, directed by Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK) and mixed by Juan Urteaga (VILE, EXODUS, SADUS, MACHINE HEAD). It captures a total of 19 live tracks with countless cams onstage and high above the audience, plus a special moshpit cam that makes you feel like you're a part of the show. EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt is continuing to fill in for fallen SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman on the latter band's current tour.
01 min read

MANOWAR : ‘Kingdom Come MMXIV’ Mixing Sneak Peek

Manos Spanos
A sneak peek into the mixing of "Kingdom Come MMXIV" from "Kings Of Metal MMXIV", a newly recorded special version celebrating the 25th anniversary of MANOWAR's classic album "Kings Of Metal", is available below. The new recordings will feature guitarist Karl Logan's and drummer Donnie Hamzik's contributions, who, after having played these classic hymns many times live, will now have the opportunity to add to their legacy by including their own signature sound and performance. The new album will also feature movie and theater legend Brian Blessed ("Hamlet", "Flash Gordon") narrating "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV". The release of "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" is scheduled for spring 2014 and will be followed by an anniversary tour that will see MANOWAR perform the full "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" album along with their other classic metal hymns in a completely new stage production. MANOWAR released highlights of its "The Lord Of Steel World Tour" on a live EP, featuring performances from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Russia and Sweden. The disc was mixed and mastered at MANOWAR's own studios Hell and Haus Wahnfried by Joey DeMaio personally with longtime MANOWAR engineer Dirk Kloiber. "The Lord Of Steel Live" was released digitally as an iTunes exclusive worldwide on July 9, and was made available on CD in retail and through TheKingdomOfSteel.com on August 16.
01 min read

STEVEN TYLER Wants Producer RICK RUBIN For Solo Album

Manos Spanos
Steven Tyler tells RollingStone.com that he is hopeful producer Rick Rubin will be involved in the making of the AEROSMITH vocalist's upcoming solo album, which is tentatively due next year. "I'm working on it," he said about his solo disc. "I just got back from Russia. Tour was over last week, so I set up my studio, and I had dinner with Rick Rubin last night." He added: "We did do 'Walk This Way' with RUN-D.M.C. That was [Rubin's] idea." Tyler recently told The Pulse Of Radio that his plans to go out on his own should not be a cause of concern for AEROSMITH fans. "I'm just doing a solo record because I think it's kinky, you know, to go write a song with Johnny Depp," he said. "I think it's ridiculous to go, you know, write a bunch of songs that I started five years ago and never finished. It feeds my passion, you know. But, no, the band's not breaking up. Me doing a solo record doesn't mean the band's not working on a record, you know what I mean? But I get that in the press one has to hear that from one lead singer of one AEROSMITH." Tyler issued his first-ever solo song, called "(It) Feels So Good", in May 2011 while serving as a judge on "American Idol". The AEROSMITH frontman recently teamed up with the South Korean pop star Psy on a new record. In an interview with Italian magazine L'Uomo Vogue, Psy said, "When I was in middle school, I literally cried when AEROSMITH were singing 'Crazy' or 'Amazing' or whatever. They were my lifetime role models, and now I am collaborating with Steven Tyler. What the fuck, man? I love my life." AEROSMITH's latest album, "Music From Another Dimension!", came out in November 2012 and debuted at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 album chart, selling 63,000 copies in its first week of release.
02 min read

Personal Items From AXL ROSE’s Relationship With ERIN EVERLY Being Auctioned

Manos Spanos
A number of items from the marriage of Erin Everly and GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose — including a marriage certificate issued by Clark County, Nevada, for the marriage of W. Axl Rose and Erin Invicta Everly on April 28, 1990; the couple's 1990 wedding video; a note written to Everly from Rose on a Thanksgiving napkin; a handwritten letter written on lined paper from Rose to Everly addressed "Dearest Erin"; an insurance card for the pair's Jeep Wrangler issued to both Axl and Erin Rose; and even a domestic-abuse report — are being auctioned as part of a two-day sale, December 6-7, at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. GUNS N' ROSES' 1988 hit "Sweet Child O' Mine" was written by Rose for then-girlfriend Erin Everly — daughter of Don Everly, half of EVERLY BROTHERS. She later told People magazine that during her four-year relationship with Rose, she suffered regular beatings that left her bruised, bloodied and sometimes unconscious. "You never knew what would set him off," she said. In March 1994, Erin filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Axl, claiming he subjected her to physical and emotional abuse. Erin was also subpoenaed in a lawsuit filed against Axl by his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Seymour. Erin's and Stephanie's lawsuits were later settled out of court.
01 min read

Video: NIGHTWISH Singer FLOOR JANSEN Performs With KAMELOT In Oslo

Manos Spanos
Dutch singer Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP) joined KAMELOT on stage on November 9 in Oslo, Norway to perform the song "The Haunting". Fan-filmed video footage of her appearance can be seen below. REVAMP is currently touring Europe as the support act for KAMELOT. KAMELOT's latest album, "Silverthorn", sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 79 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Poetry For The Poisoned", opened with around 6,100 units in September 2010 to enter the chart at No. 74. "Silverthorn" was released on October 30, 2012 in North America, October 26, 2012 in Germany and October 29, 2012 in the rest of Europe via Steamhammer/SPV. The CD marks the band's first release with Tommy Karevik, the Swedish vocalist who previously fronted SEVENTH WONDER (a group that he is still a member of). REVAMP's second album, "Wild Card", was released in Europe on August 23 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at SandLane Studio in Rijen, The Netherlands with Joost van den Broek (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and features guest choir parts by Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) and Daniël de Jongh (TEXTURES). The effort features additional guest appearances by Mark Jansen (EPICA), Johan van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) and Devin Townsend.
01 min read

DAVE MUSTAINE Signs Publishing Agreement With WARNER/CHAPPELL MUSIC

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Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has announced that it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with renowned MEGADETH singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will administer Mustaine's songwriting from MEGADETH's recently released album "Super Collider", as well as future songwriting. Mustaine said, "I am very excited about this new partnership with Warner/Chappell. I am glad to be reuniting with a hero of mine, Jon Platt, and industry legend Greg Sowders. I have never been happier." "As a singer, songwriter and guitarist, Dave Mustaine has virtually defined heavy metal music for the past three decades," said Jon Platt, President, Creative - North America, Warner/Chappell Music. "Since founding MEGADETH, Dave has built a body of work that serves as the benchmark for an entire genre. Today, MEGADETH remains a vital force, and Dave continues to rank among rock's most creative and influential musicians and composers. We are thrilled to welcome him to Warner/Chappell." In 1983, Mustaine founded MEGADETH and, in 1985, they released their first album which established the band as pioneers in the thrash metal movement. The band has since sold 50 million albums worldwide, including five consecutive platinum or multi-platinum albums in the U.S., while garnering 11 Grammy nominations. The band's 14th studio album, "Super Collider", was released this past summer and debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200 album chart. It was the first MEGADETH album to be released via Mustaine's own imprint, Tradecraft. Prior to MEGADETH, Mustaine was an early member of METALLICA. Before leaving the band in 1983, he had co-written a half dozen songs that would appear on the band's first two albums. In the video game arena, Mustaine composed the Grammy-nominated MEGADETH track "Sudden Death" for the 2010 release Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock. The game also featured two other Mustaine-composed MEGADETH songs: 1990's "Holy Wars… The Punishment Due" and 2009's "This Day We Fight!" Noted rock author/journalist Joel McIver ranked Mustaine No. 1 in his 2009 book, "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists", and 2010 saw the publication of Mustaine's New York Times bestselling autobiography, "Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir". Mustaine is also the organizer of the traveling heavy metal music festival known as Gigantour. Throughout MEGADETH's various personnel changes over the years, Mustaine has remained the band's sole constant member.
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.