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Manos Spanos

JUDAS PRIEST’s GLENN TIPTON On ‘Redeemer Of Souls’: ‘It’s Nice To Get Back To What People Want To Hear’

Manos Spanos
JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner recently spoke to Ultimate Classic Rock about their forthcoming album, "Redeemer Of Souls". You can now watch the chat below. "Redeemer Of Souls", will be released in North America on July 8 (pushed up a week from the originally announced July 15) via Epic Records. The CD's title track was made available for purchase via iTunes and other digital service providers on April 29. "This album has got vikings, dragons, aliens, a bit of bible thumping and some guns," Halford said."That's what you need in a metal record. It's strong and it's intense, but there's a lot of fun and exploration, through at least that side, with the lyrical content." The follow-up to 2008's double-disc concept album "Nostradamus", "Redeemer Of Souls" is being billed as a return to JUDAS PRIEST's heavy-metal roots. "It's nice to get back to what people want to hear," Tipton said."This album just typifies JUDAS PRIEST." "We felt it was important to make another classic metal album, which is generally what PRIEST has been famous for over the last 40 years," Halford added. "We had great success with 'Nostradamus', which was something that we'd always wanted to try. I think there was a nice enough space of time, musically, to do a lot of things but primarily just to kind of get all of the pieces into place to make what we feel is one of our best records — with all of the elements of what classic PRIEST stands for." Regarding why there are five "bonus" tracks that are included on the deluxe version of "Redeemer Of Souls" and do not appear on the CD's regular version, Glenn Tipton told the "Trunk Nation" show: "They are all great songs. The reason they are not on the album is because the 13 that we chose are very consistent with what we wanted to do, which was release an undisputable heavy metal album. The others, they are not lightweight by any chance, but they've got a different feel, a different texture. So it's not a case of trying to rip the kids off and trying to get more money for an extra album, it's just a case of, these five tracks seem to deserve to go on their own CD, and that's what we did." Added Halford: "We didn't want to drop the energy. From the opening thunder-and-lightning on 'Dragonaut' right up 'till the end of 'Battle Cry', it's just full-on, it's relentless. It's great." "Redeemer Of Souls" CD track listing: 01. Dragonaut 02. Redeemer Of Souls 03. Halls Of Valhalla 04. Sword Of Damocles 05. March Of The Damned 06. Down In Flames 07. Hell & Back 08. Cold Blooded 09. Metalizer 10. Crossfire 11. Secrets Of The Dead 12. Battle Cry 13. Beginning Of The End Bonus tracks: 14. Snakebite 15. Tears Of Blood 16. Creatures 17. Bring It On 18. Never Forget
04 min read

DRAGONFORCE Parts Ways With Drummer DAVE MACKINTOSH, Announces Replacement

Manos Spanos
British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE have parted ways with drummer Dave Mackintosh and have replaced him with former BRAINDAMAGE and KILL RITUAL member Gee Anzalone. A native of Turin, Italy, Gee is a drum teacher who graduated from the NAMM Academy of Milan and carries on the well established multi-national mix of musicians that make up DRAGONFORCE. Gee will make his live debut with DRAGONFORCE on the forthcoming "Maximum Overload" U.K. tour, which commences on September 17 in Edinburgh. Dave is moving on to pastures new to focus on his first musical love, which is progressive rock. He says in a statement: "After much thought, I have parted ways with the boys in DRAGONFORCE to pursue my first love of progressive rock. I wish the lads all the luck in the world and look forward to the release of 'Maximum Overload' as I truly believe this is the most fantastic DRAGONFORCE album that I and the boys have recorded to date! "Many thanks to all the fans who have supported me in this last decade of massive tours, countless shows and all the albums. I couldn't have done it without you. "I will continue to tour and play with some of the greatest names in prog rock, and hope to see some familiar faces on the road! "In the meantime, stay metal, watch out for the new Dave Mackintosh web site which will be launched within the next four weeks as well as some great new videos I will be producing with my gear sponsors." Added DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li: "We have been through a lot with Dave and want to thank him for everything he has contributed to DRAGONFORCE, both as a friend and musician, and we would all like to wish him well with his new project." DRAGONFORCE will release its new album, "Maximum Overload", on August 19 in North America via Metal Blade and August 18 in Europe through earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group. The CD was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with OPETH, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, AMON AMARTH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK and SYMPHONY X, to name a few. It marks the band's first-ever album involving an outside producer, having historically opted to record themselves in association with Karl Groom. "Maximum Overload" will be released on standard CD, standard digital version, special edition CD with five bonus tracks and a bonus DVD, special edition digital version (same bonus material as special edition CD), and vinyl. The effort features a couple of surprises, notably a guest appearance on some of the songs from TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy. "Maximum Overload" also features an all time first for DRAGONFORCE... a cover version! Guitarist Sam Totman explained: "Just before the last Australian tour, our manager suggested it might be interesting to do a cover for the next album, something we've always refused even to consider. Because we had all had a couple beers, every bandmember wrote down three songs each and we compared them all, just for a laugh. I wrote down 'Ring Of Fire' by Johnny Cash, an idea which the rest of the band loved, so we've DRAGONFORCE-ized it." "Maximum Overload" is the follow-up to 2012's "The Power Within", which was the band's first with vocalist Marc Hudson. Since his live debut with the group in July 2011, Marc has gone on to front over 100 shows with DRAGONFORCE in 32 countries across the globe, including arenas with IRON MAIDEN as well as a mammoth headlining world tour to support the CD. A demo version of a new DRAGONFORCE song called "Defenders", featuring a guest appearance by TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy, can be streamed below. "The Power Within" sold 5,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 74 on The Billboard 200 chart.
04 min read

SEBASTIAN BACH Is ‘Transformed’ Into LADY GAGA On ‘Sing Your Face Off’ (Video)

Manos Spanos
Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach is one of the contestants in ABC's new competition series, "Sing Your Face Off". Actor John Barrowman ("Torchwood", "Arrow") hosts the show, which features five celebrity contestants taking on the identity of an iconic music performer each week. ABC launched "Sing Your Face Off" last night (Saturday, May 31) from 9 to 11 p.m. Two all-new episodes will air back to back in that two-hour time period each week. The show is described as a talent variety competition where celebrities are transformed and trained to perform as a legendary musical icon. Over the course of the series, five personalities — Bach, basketball star Landry Fields, comedian Jon Lovitz, singer China Anne McClain ("A.N.T. Farm") and actress Lisa Rinna ("Days of Our Lives") — will take on the identity of an iconic music performer. Debbie Gibson and Darrell Hammond are the primary judges, and scheduled guest judges including David Allen Grier, RuPaul, Carnie Wilson, Richard Simmons, Tom Arnold and Carmen Electra. "From the hours in the makeup chair to the days spent with choreographers and vocal coaches, each show will feature the complete transformation — not just physical — the celebrities will embody everything about the assigned icon — their walk, their talk, and their distinguishing mannerisms leading up to the live performance in front of the studio audience," according to production notes. "Viewers will get the chance to see each of the celebrities portray multiple musical performers during the series — such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Pavarotti, Pitbull, Britney Spears, and Tina Turner, to name a few." Video footage of Bach as he is transformed into Lady Gaga and MAROON 5's Adam Levine, singing "Bad Romance" and "Moves Like Jagger", can be seen below. "Sing Your Face Off" is produced by Endemol USA with Georgie Hurford-Jones ("America's Got Talent") as executive producer.
02 min read

OVERKILL: ‘White Devil Armory’ Release Dates Announced

Manos Spanos
New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL filmed videos for the songs "Bitter Pill" and "Armorist" this past weekend with veteran director Kevin J. Custer (HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, SUFFOCATION). Custer previously worked with OVERKILL on the "Electric Rattlesnake" and "Bring Me The Night" clips. Says OVERKILL frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: "[It's] fantastic to have Kevin on board again. When he's directing, the direction is intense!" He adds: "Each time, the prior results have been spot-on, so our confidence is high for this shoot. From the director's eye to yours/ours, should be a killer!" "Bitter Pill" and "Armorist" are both taken from OVERKILL's new album, "White Devil Armory", which will be released on July 22 in North America via eOne Music and on July 18 in Europe through Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was tracked at Gear Recording and was mixed by Greg Reely, who also worked on 2012's "The Electric Age". The limited-edition box-set version of "White Devil Armory" includes a digipack CD, a leather belt and buckle plus a certificate of authenticity. It is available for pre-order from Nuclear Blast. "White Devil Armory" track listing: 01. Freedom Rings 02. Where There's Smoke... 03. Pig 04. Armorist 05. Down To The Bone 06. Bitter Pill 07. King Of The Rat Bastards 08. Another Day To Die 09. It's All Yours 10. In The Name The cover artwork for "White Devil Armory" can be seen below. Speaking to Steppin' Out magazine, OVERKILL vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth stated about "White Devil Armory": "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." OVERKILL released a very special limited tour edition of "The Electric Age" in Europe on April 19, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The limited 2CD tour edition included 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. overkillvidoshootmay2014_638
03 min read

GUNS N’ ROSES: ‘Appetite For Democracy 3D’ Coming to U.S. Cinemas This Month

Manos Spanos
With over 100 million albums sold, the world's most dangerous bandreturns for this historic Sin City takeover! Now captured in 3D and 5.1 sound, GUNS N' ROSES' new concert film, "Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live From The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas", is coming to U.S. cinemas Saturday, June 14. Rockfuel Media has selected DRK Productions to distribute the digital cinema 3D theatrical premiere of the rock concert film. This screenings will take place in 100 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, Columbus, St. Louis, Houston, Tucson and more. Watch the trailer and get locations, dates and tickets at www.gnr3dmovie.com. Barry Summers, president of Rock Fuel Media, said: "We are very excited to be presenting 'Appetite For Democracy' 3D concert film at cinemas across America — the first-ever GN'R concert movie release in theaters. 'Appetite For Democracy' will be afirst for GN'R fans to see and hear this iconic band on the big screen in 3D." Doug Kluthe, president of DRK, said, "We're very pleased that Rock Fuel has chosen us to theatrically distribute this epic GUNS N' ROSES 3D concert film." GUNS N' ROSES will release "Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live From The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" on July 1 via Universal Music Enterprises. The show was filmed on November 21, 2012 during the "Appetite For Democracy" tour in celebration of twenty-five years of "Appetite For Destruction" and four years of "Chinese Democracy". "Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live From The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" will be available in North America on Blu-ray, featuring the complete concert film in both 3D and 2D plus an interactive 3D photo gallery, and standard DVD featuring the 2D version of the film. Both releases are mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound and feature bonus interviews with the band. The GN'R Appetite For Democracy Official App (iOS/Android) brings the concert experience to a new level by connecting GN'R directly with their fans, allowing fans to connect with each other via social media, buy exclusive merchandise, check tour/cinema dates for the movie, preview digital tracks of the film; and purchase or stream via VOD the digital long form concert. Produced by Rock Fuel Media's Barry Summers, "Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live From The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" is the first official GUNS N' ROSES live concert film since 1992's "Use Your Illusion" concert video. "Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live From The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" track listing: 01. Chinese Democracy 02. Welcome To The Jungle 03. It's So Easy 04. Mr. Brownstone 05. Estranged 06. Rocket Queen 07. Live and Let Die 08. This I Love 09. Better 10. Motivation (Tommy Stinson song) 11. Catcher In The Rye 12. Street Of Dreams 13. You Could Be Mine 14. Sweet Child O' Mine 15. Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 (PINK FLOYD cover) 16. November Rain 17. Objectify (Bumblefoot song) 18. Don't Cry 19. Civil War 20. The Seeker (THE WHO cover) 21. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (BOB DYLAN cover) 22. Nightrain 23. Don't Let It Bring You Down (NEIL YOUNG cover) 24. Used To Love Her 25. Patience 26. Paradise City GUNS N' ROSES lineup: * W. Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano * Dizzy Reed - keyboards, piano * Chris Pitman - keyboards, backing vocals, tambourine * Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on 'Motivation' * Richard Fortus - rhythm guitar, lead guitar, acoustic guitar * Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal - lead guitar, lead vocals on 'Objectify' * Frank Ferrer - drums, tambourine * DJ Ashba - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals gunsappetitecinemas2014
04 min read

MASTODON: New Song ‘Chimes At Midnight’ Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will release their sixth album, "Once More 'Round The Sun", on June 24 via Reprise Records. The follow-up to 2011's "The Hunter" was recorded in Nashville with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz, who is known for his work with RUSH, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS and ALICE IN CHAINS. The song "Chimes At Midnight" can now be streamed below. Also available on June 24 will be a stunning deluxe 2LP vinyl edition of "Once More 'Round The Sun". This limited edition will include two discs pressed onto 180-gram black vinyl housed in a quadruple gatefold vinyl jacket featuring artwork by Skinner, plus a CD of the complete album. The package will include four exclusive lithographs derived from the album artwork. Those who preorder the deluxe vinyl edition will be entitled to bonus digital content: An instant download of "High Road", plus another album track delivered digitally prior to street date, and a download of the entire album delivered digitally on street date. "Once More 'Round The Sun" track listing: 01. Tread Lightly 02. The Motherload 03. High Road 04. Once More 'Round The Sun 05. Chimes At Midnight 06. Asleep In The Deep 07. Feast Your Eyes 08. Aunt Lisa 09. Ember City 10. Halloween 11. Diamond In The Witch House (feat. Scott Kelly of NEUROSIS) A three-minute video video featuring renowned Oakland-based artist Skinner, whose work graces the cover of "Once More 'Round The Sun", can be seen below. The short film showcases a conversation between MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor and Skinner about the genesis of the ideas that would eventually become the cover art. Skinner talks about his longtime appreciation of MASTODON's music that would later inspire his creation of these lurid and iconic images. MASTODON will film a video for the song "High Road" on Saturday, May 24 in the Los Angeles area.
02 min read

WHIPLASH Announces New Drummer

Manos Spanos
Veteran thrashers WHIPLASH have parted ways with drummer Dan Foord and have replaced him with Charlie Zeleny. Charlie will make his live debut with WHIPLASH on June 22 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey. Tony Portaro, guitarist and founding member of WHIPLASH, first witnessed Charlie Z in action with Joe Lynn Turner's band, blowing the roof off Dingbatz, located in Tony's hometown. Foord left WHIPLASH to focus on the reformation of his former band SIKTH, plus his new band KROKODIL, as well as his drum teaching and touring obligations. His last show with WHIPLASH will take place on July 25 at the Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany. Charlie Z has toured/recorded with Joe Lynn Turner, BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS, BLOTTED SCIENCE, SUSPYRE and Jurgen Blackmore, among many others. He has played with Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of DREAM THEATER) and has performed drum duets with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel. "Walk The Plank", the new video from veteran WHIPLASH, can be seen at this location. The clip was shot on May 25, 2013 at the Del Putas Fest ("Festival Of Whores") at the Teatro al Aire Libre Carlos Vieco amphitheater in Medellin, Colombia. Filmed and edited by Medellin videographer Juan Molina, of Juanchope Studios, it features concert footage and a montage of scenes from the event. "Walk The Plank" is a re-recording of the song that originally appeared on WHIPLASH's 1987 album "Ticket To Mayhem". Produced by Tony Portaro, the new version of the track was laid down by guitarist and vocalist Portaro, bassist Dank DeLong and drummer Dan Foord, and mixed and mastered by Kostadin "Mozart" Kamcev at Mozart Studio in Clifton, New Jersey.
02 min read

NAILS Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST ENTERTAINMENT

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Southern California-based four man hatecrew NAILS has inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The band's as-yet-untitled third album is tentatively scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2015. "After waging an oppressive blitzkrieg against the world in 2013 with 'Abandon All Life', NAILS will join the ranks of the legendary Nuclear Blast for our next campaign of grindcore/death/punk tyranny," comments NAILS vocalist/guitarist Todd Jones. "Alongside the hate dogs is none other than Monte Conner, building on his work with gods like OBITUARY, DEATH and SEPULTURA in bringing the extreme underground to the forefront of heavy music. "Deep in a Southern California bunker crafting our newest LP, the tyrants offer sincere thanks to our former team at Southern Lord for their commitment to NAILS' vision. Long live bleak aggression, crushing rage, and audial warfare. Long live NAILS. HATRED AD INFINITUM…" Formed in December 2007, NAILS is comprised of Todd Jones, Taylor Young, John Gianelli and A.R. Saba. Their music can only be described as being beyond conventional aural brutality. Their unique blend of grindcore, death metal, and punk invokes the most unabashed violent emotions from the recesses of its listeners' reptilian brains. Their raw sincerity, take-no-prisoners live show and D.I.Y. work ethic has earned the band a vast loyal following, and made them the most talked about band in the underground. The legendary Max Cavalera recently accurately declared their current album "Abandon All Life" as "one of the best albums of the last 20 years," and NAILS to be "probably the heaviest band right now." NAILS is: Todd Jones - Vocals, Guitar Saba - Guitar John Gianelli - Bass Taylor Young - Drums
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.