Lost your password?

Manos Spanos

SLIPKNOT To Release ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’ In October

Manos Spanos
SLIPKNOT's fifth album, ".5: The Gray Chapter", will be made available on October 21 via Roadrunner. The CD will include 14 songs, plus two bonus tracks for the deluxe edition. ".5: The Gray Chapter" track listing: 01. XIX 02. Sarcastrophe 03. Aov 04. The Devil In I 05. Killpop 06. Skeptic 07. Lech 08. Goodbye 09. Nomadic 10. The One That Kills The Least 11. Custer 12. Be Prepared For Hell 13. The Negative One 14. If Rain Is What You Want 15. Override (bonus track) 16. The Burden (bonus track) The official ".5: The Gray Chapter" pre-order can be found at this location. You can see the cover artwork below. "The Devil In I", the official first single from ".5: The Gray Chapter", can be streamed below. The disc follows up 2008's "All Hope Is Gone" and is the band's first without founding bassist Paul Gray, who died in 2010, and drummer Joey Jordison, who was let go late last year. "The Devil In I" is more melodic and features cleaner vocals from frontman Corey Taylor, who told The Pulse Of Radio what the song is about. "'The Devil In I' is really about the war inside yourself," he said. "Trying not to give into defeatism, trying not to give into negativity, trying not to give up basically. It's a struggle. It's one of the hardest thing you can do, is to give in to that side of yourself." SLIPKNOT issued and quickly fulfilled a casting call earlier in the month for fans — also known as "maggots" — to appear in the new video for "The Devil In I". The call for extras to appear as "human maggots," requiring that applicants be between 20 and 35 years old and "comfortable to be shooting in barefoot," was issued the weekend of August 16-17 and was no longer accepting submissions by August 18. The shoot was scheduled to take place on either Friday (August 22) or Saturday (August 23) in the Los Angeles area. Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that the band's remaining members pulled closer together in the studio following Gray's passing. "It was almost like getting to know each other again," he said. "We were all kind of grieving in our own way and dealing with things in our own way, and knowing that we had to be healthy to go in, we had to be creative to go in, and knowing that we were gonna have to fill this huge void, we just kind of took it upon ourselves to make up for that emptiness by being a little bit of Paul. Like we were all a little bit of Paul in our own way." Asked what has been most fulfilling about working on new SLIPKNOT music that he never experienced before, Corey told Full Metal Jackie: "This one, it just feels, there's something weird about this one. Obviously this is the first album we're making without Paul. "After everything we went through, there's a catharsis that comes with this, being able to throw all the emotion and aggression out that we've been holding onto. At the same time, getting to be creative again. Feeling that juice coming back into us. It's been a real positive experience just from an artistic standpoint, a lyrical standpoint. "We're making an album that's not just a reflection. Let's just get new music out there. There's something very vital with what we're trying to do. There's something very visceral with the emotion we're playing with and trying to tell the story of a band that's gone through hell, and yet we're back. It's been really fulfilling." Corey recently described the musical direction of the new SLIPKNOT material as "a great mesh of [2001's] 'Iowa' and [2004's] 'Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)'." He explained: "You've got the gorgeous melodies and the artistic direction of 'Vol. 3' and then you've got the absolute brutality of 'Iowa'. And I think people are gonna lose their minds when they hear it." Reports have suggested that SLIPKNOT has recruited drummer Jay Weinberg to play on the new album and tour. Weinberg is the son of Max Weinberg, longtime Bruce Springsteen and the E STREET BAND drummer. There are also rumors that SLIPKNOT is no longer working with Donnie Steele, the group's original guitar player who has been playing bass for SLIPKNOT since the band resumed touring in 2011. SLIPKNOT announced in December 2013 that it had parted ways with Jordison. The band has not disclosed the reasons for Jordison's exit, although the drummer issued a statement in January saying that he did not quit the group. The video for "The Negative One", w
06 min read

Defunct Post-Metal Rock Band ISIS Changes Name Of Facebook Page After Being Mistaken For Terrorist Group

Manos Spanos
According to ABC News, defunct post-metal rock band ISIS has changed the name of its Facebook page from "ISIS" to "Isis the band" to avoid being confused with the militant Islamic group ISIS. The rockers, which have been inactive as a band for the past four years, recently began getting "off-color comments" on their Facebook page from individuals who believe the musical act's ex-members are associated with the Islamic terrorist group, which claimed responsibility for beheading American journalist James Foley. ISIS — which refers to itself as the Islamic State — has been described in a New York Times editorial as "a Sunni Muslim group [which] practices a perverted, nihilistic version of Islam that does an extreme disservice to millions of Muslims, both Sunnis and Shiites, pursuing more peaceful and purposeful lives." "It certainly caught us off guard," Aaron Harris, the band's former drummer, told ABC News. "Fans have emailed us that they're reluctant to wear our T-shirts now and we've also gotten some off-color comments," he added. "Just like our fans, we've been watching the news in disbelief. We haven't commented on it because we haven't been an active band since 2010, even though our music does live on. We maintain our Facebook page to keep people up to date on our current musical projects." Former ISIS members Aaron Harris, Jeff Caxide and Clifford Meyer partnered with Chino Moreno (DEFTONES) to form PALMS, whose debut album was released last year via Ipecac. ISIS' final studio album was "Wavering Radiant", released by Ipecac in April 2009.
02 min read

Dimlight’s Singer Sanna Salou left the band

Manos Spanos
We present you the official statement from Dimlight's facebook page: "Dear friends, we find ourselves in the unpleasant position to announce that Sanna decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. All these years Sanna has been a special member of Dimlight. From the depths of our hearts we thank her and wish all the best in her personal life and musical career. When a chapter ends, another begins...? "
00 min read

FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH, SATYRICON, AMEN, OTEP, PRONG Added To SLIPKNOT’s KNOTFEST

Manos Spanos
SLIPKNOT's very own Knotfest — the most cutting-edge heavy music festival in America — has revealed additional bands for the October 24-26 destination festival held at San Manuel Amphitheater & Campgrounds in San Bernardino, California. Already featuring some of the biggest names in metal — SLIPKNOT, DANZIG, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, VOLBEAT, OF MICE & MEN, ANTHRAX and more — the Knotfest lineup has now added FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH, SATYRICON, AMEN, OTEP, PRONG, IMMOLATION, ATTIKA 7 and more. The new additions will perform on the Extreme Stage 005 powered by Kinetik Power and Ernie Ball. As previously announced, SLIPKNOT will close Stage 001 both Saturday and Sunday, with unique sets each night, featuring brand new music and an entirely new stage set and experience. All Knotfest ticket purchasers will receive a digital copy of SLIPKNOT's forthcoming album, to be delivered on release date. Knotfest — powered by Rockstar Energy Drink — will feature a SLIPKNOT-curated lineup of over 60 bands performing on five stages on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Friday night VIP Pre-Party Bash with band performances and other activities for those that have purchased VIP or Camping Packages. The current Knotfest U.S. band lineup by stage is as follows: Friday, October 24 - Pre-Party For Camping & VIP Guests Stage 003: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER CHELSEA GRIN Stage 002: SUICIDE SILENCE BUTCHER BABIES ALTERBEAST Saturday, October 25 Extreme Stage 005 powered by Kinetik Power and Ernie Ball: SATYRICON OTEP AMEN PRONG IMMOLATION Stage 003: IN THIS MOMENT THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA BUTCHER BABIES MISS MAY I ONE OK ROCK Stage 002: TESTAMENT CARCASS MAXIMUM THE HORMONE KING 810 MAN WITH A MISSION Stage 001: SLIPKNOT DANZIG ANTHRAX BLACK LABEL SOCIETY HATEBREED Sunday, October 26 Extreme Stage 005 powered by Kinetik Power and Ernie Ball: FEAR FACTORY NAPALM DEATH ATTIKA 7 EXMORTUS RATTLEHEAD Stage 003: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE WHITECHAPEL UPON A BURNING BODY ANTI-MORTEM Stage 002: OF MICE & MEN DEVILDRIVER VEIL OF MAYA NOTHING MORE Stage 001: SLIPKNOT FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH VOLBEAT TECH N9NE ATREYU HELLYEAH Every Knotfest has been a fully immersive experience for fans, and this one ups the ante. In addition to performances from more than 60 of the heaviest bands on the planet, attendees will descend into an apocalyptic underworld featuring over 20 festival attractions including a Slipknot Museum (curated by the band), carnival rides, a zipline across the festival grounds, drum circles, a massive display of fire, freaks, fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, and much more. Knotfest tickets are on sale now at www.knotfest.com. A limited number of VIP packages are still available. Camping packages are sold out. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. each day and the show runs until 12:30 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. knotfestnapalm
03 min read

PRIMAL FEAR Parts Ways With Drummer RANDY BLACK

Manos Spanos
Due to "irreconcilable differences" between singer Ralf Scheepers and drummer Randy Black, Randy will leave German/Swedish/Canadian power metallers PRIMAL FEAR effective August 16, one day after the band's performance at the Summer Breeze festival in Germany. Summer Breeze will mark Randy's final show with the group. PRIMAL FEAR will announce their new drummer in September. The band states: "We wish Randy all the best in his future career." PRIMAL FEAR's tenth studio album, "Delivering The Black", was released on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America via Frontiers Records. The follow-up to 2012's "Unbreakable" landed at position No. 16 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. After some very intense songwriting sessions and pre-production schedule, the band started to record "Delivering The Black" in the summer of 2013 at the House Of Music studios in Germany, with Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The band then moved to Denmark in September 2013 to finish the album, with acclaimed producer/engineer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, AMARANTHE) handling the mix at his Hansen studio in Ribe. "Delivering The Black", which can be ordered at Amazon.com, combines the strongest PRIMAL FEAR moments ever, with crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys. The centerpiece of the album are the two epic tracks "When Death Comes Knocking" and the 10-minute opus "One Night In December".
02 min read

ALICE IN CHAINS Drummer SEAN KINNEY Says SPOTIFY And PANDORA Are ‘A F**king Ripoff’ For Musicians

Manos Spanos
In a brand new interview with the Bismarck, North Dakota radio station 96.5 The Fox, ALICE IN CHAINS drummer Sean Kinney was asked if he thinks that any new bands can become as successful as ALICE IN CHAINS, despite the fact that all the streaming-music services and illegal music downloading have dramatically affected record sales. "I'd hope so, but I think it's gonna be really hard, because everybody wants it now and they don't have to do anything to get music," he said (hear audio below). "So it's kind of devalued music. You don't go and get it, then wait for it to bring it home. And you don't listen to albums. As many people don't listen to albums in their entirety; they cherry-pick stuff. "You know, when you don't put anything into getting something, then it doesn't have much of a value… On a bigger scale, it is what it is, but it's just sad, because music is so important to so many people and such a huge part of the world and how we connect and what brings together. And when you put a value of zero on that, I'm more afraid of what the future will be of that. Now you've devalued such an important art form and part of everybody's life. "So I would hope that people would stick with bands, but when you put nothing into going to support a band, they can't financially continue to be supported, because they're not being supported financially; it costs money to go places and make music." He continued: "So, yeah, it'll be interesting. My fear is, like, when big rock bands that can still go to an arena and play that show — METALLICA and stuff like that — decide to not do it anymore, who will take their place? Is there anybody that can? Right now I'm not feeling super positive that anybody can. And that could go missing for generations of people. That whole experience can be lost. It's like the experience of listening to an entire album. It's an experience. And now how you experience music is being reshaped and hopefully something will shake up." Asked how he feels about the fact that music fans are seemingly more interested in streaming individual songs from artists than listening to entire albums, Kinney said: "You have these Spotifys and Pandoras where you get access to almost every piece of recorded music on the planet. And then that's great for the consumer. But for every person who's ever recorded music, it's a fucking ripoff. Because, I think, I hear people are starting to post their [royalty] checks [online for having their music streamed]. You get 10 million plays of your song, and you get a check for 111 dollars." He added: "It's a weird time we live in; it's a real balancing act. And so basically, you'd hope to get an audience and you can tour. Try to break even, or maybe make a little bit to make a living on tour. But it costs a lot. Gas prices aren't lower, and instrument [prices] aren't lower. Last I checked, I think CDs and stuff like that cost the same, or less than they used to, so I don't know. I really don't know how to deal with that. It is what it is. We just go about it by doing what we want, and play music and stuff. If it comes to a time when we can't afford to get to places, and we do, we invest to go to a lot of places. We're not leaving there with a briefcase of dough. If it comes to a time where we can't do that, we just won't be able to do it."
04 min read

MARTY FRIEDMAN Explains Decision To Leave MEGADETH: ‘I Just Couldn’t Go On Anymore’

Manos Spanos
In a brand new interview with Wondering Sound, former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman explained his decision to leave the band in 1999 in order to make the kind of music that he was passionate about: Japanese pop music, or J-Pop, which Friedman calls "embarrassingly happy." "I found myself touring with MEGADETH, and in my hotel room I'd be blasting this Japanese music all the time. What's wrong with this picture?" he said. As his interest in J-pop grew, Friedman started enjoying MEGADETH less. "I thought I was doing myself a disservice just playing the same old stuff and not really enjoying it," he told Wondering Sound. "Making money from fans who want to see you play when you're not into it didn't really sit right with me." According to Marty, he simply outgrew metal, explaining that MEGADETH's music began to bore him, and he singled out the band's popular ballad "A Tout Le Monde" as an example. "The melody's like duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh. It's kind of the same thing over and over again," he told NPR in a separate interview. "I'd go play the show at night with MEGADETH. And I'd be like, you know, what what I'm listening to is just so much more exciting than what I'm playing as my gig." Friedman told his MEGADETH bandmates that he would leave the group at the conclusion of a 16-month-long tour, but "only stayed three more months." He explained to Wondering Sound: "It was just too much. I'm the kind of guy who can't fake it that well. It wasn't very nice, but I just couldn't go on anymore." Focusing on the J-Pop genre, Friedman noted that going for the opposite of metal was the whole point. "There's not a whole lot of happy music going on," he told NPR. "Especially in the heavy metal world, where everybody's just trying to out-lame each other, you know, with darkness and monsters and crap like that." Marty's new solo album, "Inferno", sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 186 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on May 26 via Prosthetic Records (except in Japan, where the album was made available through Universal Music). "Hyper Doom" video:
03 min read

KISS, KORN, BLACK SABBATH, SLIPKNOT, ANTHRAX Members React To ROBIN WILLIAMS’ Death

Manos Spanos
Paul Stanley (KISS), Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH), Brian "Head" Welch (KORN), Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Yngwie Malmsteen, Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Michael Sweet (STRYPER) and Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) are among the musicians who reacted on Twitter and Facebook to the passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams, who died earlier today (Monday, August 11) of a suspected suicide due to asphyxia. Williams was found dead at his home in Tiburon, California. A forensic examination is set to take place on August 12. The actor was reportedly battling severe depressing before his death. His third wife, Susan Schneider, released a statement after the announcement of his death. "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings," she wrote. "I am utterly heartbroken. "On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. "As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."
011 min read

DAVE LOMBARDO Says Current SLAYER Lineup Is Missing That ‘Certain Magic’

Manos Spanos
Former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo was interviewed on episode 110 of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast with rock and roll comedian Dean Delray. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below. A few exceprt follow below (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). On the musical chemistry of the original SLAYER lineup: Lombardo: "I appreciate the nucleus of the band. Like [John] Bonham. When Bonham was part of [LED] ZEPPELIN. When his son [Jason] took over, oh my God. C'mon. Really? I have respect for Jason and for what he's done, but when he put a double-bass pedal on a single bass drum, that just blew it for me. It's, like, 'Really, dude? Your dad was about single bass.' "There is a certain magic — just like with SLAYER, just like with AC/DC with Bon Scott — there's a certain magic when you have those musicians and nobody could replace that. Nobody. That's it. You can't. Yeah, SLAYER's new drummer [Paul Bostaph], yeah, a lot of fans like him. But there's that magic. It's chemistry. It's like when you meet a girl and you two get along really well, and it's like a chemistry; it's something special. Same thing with the band: you get these four guys, [and] they may hate each other, but on stage, there's magic. And that's what's missing, I personally believe." On the business disagreements that led to his latest departure from SLAYER: Lombardo: "It's not just [guitarist] Kerry [King] and it's not [bassist/vocalist] Tom [Araya]. It's who handles all the external business. "I don't wanna get into it too much… I just wanted things to be fair for not just myself, but for the band. Because I was noticing that the band was getting shafted. And it was bad. "You see, when I go on stage and I perform, I perform with all my heart. When I go up there, it's like I'm going to war. It's blood, sweat and passion. "When you do the math, it didn't make sense. You don't need a fucking college degree to do some simple mathematics. And when my attorney and I, we did the math, and we demanded the documents that were necessary to back up what my deal was about, red flags were popping up everywhere. "I mean, my statement [explaining my side of why I sat out SLAYER's Australian tour in early 2013] on Facebook is clear. And it's still there, because if it wasn't true, I'd probably be sued for defamation of character. So, no. It's true and it's backed up by fact, and it's why it's still up there. "All that shit, when it's all said and done, I can't go on stage and know that my bandmates, as well as myself, aren't being compensated for the work that we're doing. 'Cause we're out there, we're the ones out there, travelling, we're the ones sweating, peeling off our clothes that are just fucking full of sweat. And it's, like, 'Really? This is it?' So it just didn't make sense. Especially when you see other bands that are as successful as we are, especially during the 'Big Four' [shows that we played with METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX]. And to see how SLAYER was travelling and how everyone else was travelling, it was kind of weird. [I was, like] 'What's going on here?' "It's all good. If they wanna work with that organization, then so be it. But, hey, I'm a punk, and I'll always be a punk and I'll never [be a whipping boy]. Absolutely fucking not. I'm not gonna be that. So that subject, fuck it." On SLAYER's late guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who passed away in May 2013 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver: Lombardo: "I have text messages [from Jeff]… The last text was, like, a month before he passed. 'Cause I wanted to get together with him to discuss what was happening with SLAYER. He wasn't happy at all. He'd text and go, 'What the fuck is going on, Dave?'" On whether Jeff was still getting money while SLAYER was out on the road with Gary Holt (EXODUS) filling in: Lombardo: "[Laughs] Yeah. Yeah, he was, but who's to tell how much? He didn't know a lot of things that were happening, like the other guys didn't either. And it was a surprise to him. "I wanted to get together with him to discuss what was happening to me and to fill him in what I had discovered. But we weren't able to get together. And there was a time where we were gonna get together and chat, and he said, 'Dave, I had a medical scare. I can't get together. We had a couple of medical scares.' Whatever it was. I think it was leading up to liver failure. "We saw it coming. The years leading up to the spider bite, the drinking was getting heavy — very, very heavy. Including, I mean, Kerry as well. I mean, there was one show in Holland, [Kerry] said his equilibrium or something with his hearing, but I think it was that tall glass of vodka that he poured himself before getting on a ferry in London, and he splashed it with Coke. So here we have a large, 32-ounce fucking… a full bottle of vodka with a splash of soda. You're gonna wake up the next day and you're gonna tell me it was, 'Oh, my hearing. Something with my hearing. I couldn't stand up straight.' No, you were fucked up, man. [Laughs]" On playing two songs with METALL
09 min read

METALLICA Wants You To Share Your Memories And Snapshots From ‘Master Of Puppets’ Tour

Manos Spanos
METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message: "Earlier this year we were contacted by author and major METALLICA fan Matt Taylor, who wrote the critically acclaimed, award-winning and much-respected account of Steven Spielberg's escapades as he was making his ground-breaking film 'Jaws' on the island of Martha's Vineyard in 1974. Matt came to us with a proposal to tell the definitive story of 'Master Of Puppets' and the subsequent tour that followed its release and when we took a spin through 'Jaws: Memories From Martha's Vineyard', we were so blown away by the presentation, thorough coverage, and attention to detail that went into it, we knew he was the man to help us celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary of that release. As some of you keen observers may have noted, we have not been involved with most of the other books out there about METALLICA, but we just had to work with Matt, 'cause his first book is so damn cool! "Matt has been very busy doing extensive interviews with all of us, our managers, record company staff, people we hung with then and Cliff's [Burton, late METALLICA bassist] dad Ray, who has graciously given us some of his time. However, Matt is still out there with his trusty recorder and scanner looking for more stories and photos. Just as he did with 'Jaws', Matt's plan for the 'Master Of Puppets' book is to lean heavily on amateur, fan-taken photos and stories reflecting the grassroots vibe of the time, so this is where you come in. Were you there in 1986? Snuck a camera into a show or two? Ran into us at a record store or in the bar? Have a funny story about getting to the gig or photos of you and your pals there? We want them all!! Cropped, blurred, overexposed? We'll take 'em! No photographs, anecdotes, or stories are too insignificant. We want YOU to be a part of this book! "Please e-mail us at submissions@metclub.com to tell us your story and receive more info about submitting photos. All submissions must be from your own personal collection... we can only use snapshots that YOU took. Remember, we want everything! No story or snapshot is too small or trivial. "Oh, and in case you're wondering, we are planning to have it all put together and ready for your eyes in the fall of 2015. And click here to check out Matt's first book, 'Jaws: Memories From Martha's Vineyard'." Released on February 21, 1986, "Master of Puppets" only reached No. 29 on the Billboard album chart but has sold over six million stateside copies since. It is the last record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash. A loose concept album about how we are all puppets in one way or another — be it to a cult, a drug, the government, organized religion, or, in the most extreme case, the psycho ward — it still ends on a positive note, exhorting the individual to break free of the constricting mores of society in an effort to achieve true non-conformism. It featured staples of the band's live set such as "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and the title track.
03 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.