Manos Spanos
GODSMACK’s SULLY ERNA Says ‘1000hp’ Title Track Was Written In An Hour
GODSMACK has offered up a short preview of "1000hp" (One Thousand Horsepower), the first single and title track from the band's sixth studio album, due out this summer. Singer Sully Erna told The Pulse Of Radio how the song came together. "It's one of those songs that surprisingly came out and was written from back to front in, like, an hour. I started putting one thing together with the next, and then Shannon [Larkin, drummer] started jumping in and then we arranged the whole song, and literally within an hour, maybe 90 minutes, this whole song was written and it was one of the last songs that we wrote, and it ended up becoming the first single."
The "1000hp" track will be released to radio on June 9, and a digital single will be made available on June 10. The full-length CD will be out later this summer.
GODSMACK's follow-up to 2010's "The Oracle" was once again helmed by Dave Fortman, how previously worked with SLIPKNOT and EVANESCENCE, among others.
Erna described the sound of the "1000hp" album to The Pulse Of Radio as "a little bit more raw, a little bit more open. The writing was a little freer. The production is really kind of raw and in your face, and the songs, man — I'm really, really excited about these songs. And I have to tell you honestly, I wasn't that excited about writing this record at first."
Following the tour cycle for 2010's "The Oracle", Erna told The Pulse Of Radio that years of working together almost non-stop were taking their toll on the group. "You know, it was getting rough," he said. "You know, I'm not gonna lie — the band was getting into a funky place and there was talks about breaking up and, you know, not really staying a band anymore. But you know, I think it was just some time we needed, some time to really reassess the thing and really appreciate what we have as a band. We've always been kind of level-headed about things and eventually we just needed to let a little time pass and let the dust settle."
Erna added that bad blood over the GODSMACK offshoot ANOTHER ANIMAL, as well as his satisfaction with his own solo album "Avalon", led GODSMACK to the brink before they reconsidered.
LARS ULRICH Is ‘Unbelievably Bad’ On Drums And METALLICA ‘Is Shite,’ Say Scottish Post-Rock Icons MOGWAI
Scottish post-rock icons MOGWAI have slammed METALLICA as "shite," claiming that they don't understand the controversy surrounding METALLICA being the first metal artist to headline Glastonbury in the U.K. festival's 44-year history.
The members of MOGWAI, who are set to perform at the same time as METALLICA at this year's festival, gave their opinion of the heavy metal giants during a recent interview with Gigwise.
"I can't wait to hear that guy [presumably referring to Lars Ulrich. — Ed.] play the drums again — unbelievably bad," said multi-instrumentalist Barry Burns. "He's terrible."
Singer Stuart Braitwaite added: "I just can't wait until we go all quiet and you can hear 'Enter Sandman' in the background, because we're on at the same time. I don't really see the fuss. They're a pretty big rock band and it's a pretty big rock festival."
When put to the band that the METALLICA's booking had proven controversial with apprehensive Glastonbury punters, MOGWAI drummer Martin Bulloch opined, “Because they’re shite.”
Mick Jagger of THE ROLLING STONES — who headlined the festival last year — recently shared his opinion of METALLICA headlining Glastonbury, saying: "I've seen them live and they're going to be great." Jagger added that his band had a "great time" headlining the event.
The Silent Rage – Important news concerning the band
We present you the official press release from the band concerning their future:
Dear friends,
It’s been a while since you haven’t heard any news from us so here are some.
We are honored to announce that the band is going to enter at the 25th of August the well known DevasoundZ Studios in Athens, Greece. The studio where bands like SepticFlesh, Rotting Christ, Karma Violens, Endsight, among others have recorded their albums, is going to be our home for an approximately two month period. Fotis Benardo (SepticFlesh, SiXforNinE) is going to be the one who will take care of the recording procedure, the mixing and the mastering. Also, some very special guests are going to participate on the album.
The album title hasn’t been finalized yet. There’s going to be eleven songs featured out of the total thirteen songs that we’re going to record. This is also the next step to the musical direction of the band, with the songs being in a more aggressive mode that what you have been used to know from us in the past. Some titles are: “Stormwarrior”, “The Deadliest Scourge”, “Sin Of A Pilgrim”, “Between Harmony & Sorrow”.
Also, during the recordings we’re going to take a small pause for a special show. We’re more than proud to announce our participation as an opening act to the upcoming Athens show of Grave Digger, on September 19th, at Kyttaro Live. It’s really great to share the stage with them once again, three years since the last time.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Video Premiere: CROWBAR’s ‘Walk With Knowledge Wisely’
"Walk With Knowledge Wisely", the new video from New Orleans sludge metal veterans CROWBAR, can be seen below. Directed by Mike Holderbeast (DOWN, EYEHATEGOD), this is the first of two clip fans can expect to see from the band's new album, "Symmetry In Black", which came out this week.
"For this video, we decided to let the music do the talking," said CROWBAR guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein,
"Working with Mike was a breeze and a pleasure. He has filmed many of our live shows and he is a true professional."
Windstein added about the track: "'Walk With Knowledge Wisely' is the perfect opener for 'Symmetry In Black'. It has every element of the CROWBAR sound and is like an anvil to the face. It's CROWBAR at its finest."
"Symmetry In Black" came out in North America on May 27 via Entertainment One Music. The CD, which was made available in Europe on May 26 through Century Media Records, was produced by CROWBAR guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein and Duane Simoneaux and was mixed by Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA).
"Symmetry In Black" track listing:
01. Walk With Knowledge Wisely
02. Symmetry In White
03. The Taste Of Dying
04. Reflection Of Deceit
05. Ageless Decay
06. Amaranthine
07. The Foreboding
08. Shaman Of Belief
09. Teach The Blind To See
10. A Wealth Of Empathy
11. Symbolic Suicide
12. The Piety Of Self-Loathing
The release of "Symmetry In Black" coincides with the 25th anniversary of the CROWBAR's inception. Windstein said: "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 release our 10th full length and to bring the riffs to as many people as possible on tour."
Windstein exited DOWN in September 2013 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.
CROWBAR last year announced the addition of bassist Jeff Golden to the group's ranks.
Jeff is from Bolton, Connecticut, but currently resides in Estero, Florida.
CROWBAR is:
Kirk Windstein (Guitar, Vocals)
Matt Brunson (Guitar)
Tommy Buckley (Drums)
Jeff Golden (Bass)
ARCH ENEMY’s MICHAEL AMOTT On Singer Switch: ‘Metal Fans Don’t Really Take To Change That Well’
Guitarist Michael Amott of Swedish / American / Canadian metallers ARCH ENEMY spoke to GuitarWorld.com about the departure of the band's lead singer Angela Gossow and addition of Alissa White-Gluz, formerly of THE AGONIST.
"It was a very tough and emotional experience," Michael said. "It took a while to decide if we were just going to stop the band. But we realized that we still love playing and have a lot of music in us. But where would we go singer-wise?"
Amott admitted that he was concerned about how the ARCH ENEMY fans would react to such a significant lineup change, explaining: "I was worried more last year. Back when we were putting [the new ARCH ENEMY album 'War Eternal'] together, and I was sort of like, 'Okay, it's not going to be Angela singing. It's going to be this new girl.' Alissa's really great, but still, it's somebody different. Metal fans don't really take to change that well… I knew it had to be really good. We had to step it up and deliver something really special this time. So I put a lot of work into the album and the writing process. It was very very rigorous and went on for much longer than what we usually do. We did a lot of pre-production and demos. So I think at some point last year, I was thinking more like, 'Hmm, I wonder how people are going to react to this.' But once we'd done it and we'd completed the album and filmed the video and we did all the stuff, I was just ready to get the news out there. I was kind of over it. When it's done it's done...and I'm really proud of it. And the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive so far. I was expecting it to be more like 50/50, but it's been a lot more positive. [laughs]"
Asked what led Angela to leave her role as singer and focus on the band's management, Amott said: "Well, she's been managing the band since 2008. It's worked out very, very well for us. It's been a lot more successful than when we were with a professional, sort of big management company. Suddenly we were making money and everything was working out for us. She's definitely really good at that and it's something she really enjoys doing as well. As far as the actual singing part, I don't think it was an easy decision for her."
He continued: "It wasn't such a big surprise, really, when she said she finally wanted to bow out as a front person for the band and singer, because the writing has been on the wall within in our camp. But, you know, the fans really idolize her and she was a very iconic front figure and she was like the first woman in a successful metal band doing it at the level that we've done it. But it took a while for us to get our heads around what we were going to do, like, were we going to stop the band? But then we realized we actually love playing and we've still got a lot of music in us. But where would we go singer-wise? All these songs are written for a woman to sing. And are there any other woman out there who are really strong, and Alissa was the first one we thought of. But I didn't know if she'd be up for it or that she'd be interested, but when we found out that she was, that all sort of happened as well. She came over here and we did some demos with her as well and stuff like that. I have to say the first rehearsal with Alissa was really strange… She sounded so awesome, but I was thinking, like, you know, I wrote this song for Angela and now somebody else is singing it, and it just felt weird. But she sounded great. But it felt, I don't know, weird. And then I called the other guys later that evening, the other guys, original guys, Sharlee, the bass player, and Daniel, the drummer. They brought it up as well that it felt so weird. It took some getting used to. So I can understand for fans it's gonna take time for some people to get into this. The bottom line is that I think the album is fantastic, and she is… It was either continue with a new singer — and luckily we found someone totally awesome — or stop the band. And I guess we just wanted to keep playing, really."
ARCH ENEMY played its first show with Alissa White-Gluz on May 23 at Turbohalle in Bucharest, Romania. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.
On The Tour Bus With FIREWIND/OZZY OSBOURNE Guitarist GUS G. (Video)
While on the road on his first European solo tour, guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in the metal and rock universe for his work as leader of his own group FIREWIND and also as member of Ozzy Osbourne's band, takes you inside his tour bus and shows you around... or at least he tries to! Check out the three-minute clip below.
Gus G.'s debut solo album, "I Am The Fire", entered the official chart in Greece at position No. 27. The CD sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
"I Am The Fire" track listing:
01. My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)
02. Blame It On Me (featuring Mats Levén)
03. I Am The Fire (featuring Devour The Day)
04. Vengeance (featuring David Ellefson)
05. Long Way Down (featuring Alexia Rodriguez)
06. Just Can't Let Go (featuring Jacob Bunton)
07. Terrified (featuring Billy Sheehan)
08. Eyes Wide Open (featuring Mats Levén)
09. Redemption (featuring Michael Starr)
10. Summer Days (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)
11. Dreamkeeper (featuring Tom S. Englund)
12. End Of The Line (featuring Mats Levén)
The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT, DREAM EVIL).
Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on "I Am The Fire", and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN, LITA FORD), and vocalists Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, ex-JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN).
"I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include "Eyes Wide Open", "Redemption", "End Of The Line" and "Blame It On Me". The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing.
Gus G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL (Sweden), MYSTIC PROPHECY (Germany) and NIGHTRAGE (Greece), but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band that have helped him emerge as one of the world's top metal and rock guitarists. His work on Ozzy's "Scream" album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player magazine's "Best Metal Guitarist," the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder" award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece "Best Guitarist" on four separate occasions.
GRAVE DIGGER: ‘Season Of The Witch’ Lyric Video Released
German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER will release their 1th studio album, "Return Of The Reaper", via Napalm Records on the following dates:
July 11: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Benelux
July 16: Spain, Sweden, Norway
July 14: Rest of Europe
July 15: USA, Canada
The "Return Of The Reaper" cover artwork (see below) was created by Gyula Havancsák of Hjules Illustration And Design, who has been responsible for all GRAVE DIGGER artwork since 2004's "The Last Supper".
The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany.
GRAVE DIGGER vocalist Chris Boltendahl recently revealed that "Return Of The Reaper" will be stylistically reminiscent of GRAVE DIGGER's classic albums "Heavy Metal Breakdown" (1984), "Witch Hunter" (1985) and "The Reaper" (1993).
"Return Of The Reaper" track listing:
01. Return Of The Reaper
02. Hell Funeral
03. War God
04. Tattooed Rider
05. Resurrection Day
06. Season Of The Witch
07. Road Rage Killer
08. Dia De Los Muertos
09. Satan's Host
10. Grave Desecrator
11. Death Smiles At All Of Us
12. Nothing To Believe
The official lyric video for the song "Season Of The Witch" can be seen below.
GRAVE DIGGER's last album, "Clash Of The Gods", was released on August 31 , 2012 in Europe and September 4, 2012 in North America via Napalm Records. A six-song mini-CD, "Home At Last", preceded the full-length effort on July 27, 2012 in Europe and August 7, 2012 in North America.
"The Clans Are Still Marching", the latest DVD from GRAVE DIGGER, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 56 (German chart rules allow music DVDs to enter album charts).
Is FAITH NO MORE Working On New Music?
Reactivated influential alt-metal act FAITH NO MORE has hinted at the possibility of new music 17 years after the release of the band's last LP, "Album Of The Year".
The group, which made a comeback in June 2009 with a headlining performance at the Brixton Academy in London, England and has played sporadic shows for the past few years, has just launched a new Twitter account and one of the first posts reads as follows: "The reunion thing was fun, but now it's time to get a little creative."
FAITH NO MORE will play a number of European summer festival shows beginning on June 28 in Hungary.
Speaking to IHeartGuitarBlog.com in November 2012, FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton stated about the possibility of the band releasing any live material from its reunion tours: "Right now, we have no plans whatsoever — live, recording or anything. We've done what we set out to do with the reunion, and it's all great, but it's just, 'Let's see what happens next.' And I think you need to take a pause to actually reflect on something like that, because otherwise we could just keep playing, and we're very conscious of overdoing it, y'know, milking material that's so old. You can only do that for so long, and I feel that we've done pretty well. The whole band's naturally came to this conclusion, so now we're just sitting tight."
According to Patton, one of the reasons the FAITH NO MORE reunion didn't happen sooner is the fact that they wanted to avoid making it feel like a nostalgia thing — like "Here's FAITH NO MORE again." "We wanted it to feel fresh and still somehow vital," he said. "It wasn't an money grab. It's funny to say, but we all kind of reconnected, and after quite a long time we all kinda looked at each other and were like, 'Man, we actually spent half of our lives together.' It's interesting to see it through that set of glasses as opposed to the ones you wore back then. I suppose, at least personally speaking, I've grown up a lot since then, and I think I approach the music differently, and I felt better about the music than
MOTÖRHEAD’s MIKKEY DEE Says LEMMY Is Doing ‘Much, Much Better’
Kaaos TV conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee on May 21 at Hard Rock Café in Helsinki, Finland. You can now watch the chat below.
MOTÖRHEAD canceled a handful of shows on its European festival tour in August 2013 after the band's frontman, Lemmy, suffered a haematoma (where blood collects outside of a blood vessel). The news of Lemmy's latest medical issue followed reports that he was also fitted with a defibrillator because of heart problems. The band also postponed a European headlining tour which was scheduled to kick off in November.
Asked how Lemmy is doing now, Mikkey said: "It's much, much better. He's been good for awhile. He's working hard on his health. We just did three weeks in the U.S. He's up and about. It's more to get going again. It's for the whole band. We've never been off eight months. But Lemmy's much better, and he played great when we did this U.S. leg, so I really hope that he can stay healthy. And he looks good, so that's all I can say. And he's working very, very hard on it, too, so all the best."
MOTÖRHEAD's 21st studio album, "Aftershock", sold 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart.
MOTÖRHEAD's previous CD, 2011's "The Wörld Is Yours", opened with 7,000 units to enter the chart at No. 94. The band's 2008 effort, "Motörizer", premiered with 6,400 copies to debut at No. 82, while 2006's "Kiss Of Death" registered a first-week tally of 3,500.
"Aftershock" was recorded at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California and is described in a press release as "a true leveler, a crushing confirmation of everything MOTÖRHEAD stands for, marching from the dust storm to deliver 14 belting statements which see MOTÖRHEAD in perhaps their best writing form for years."
Manos Spanos
Manos Spanos (Metalpaths' co-editor-in-chief), eight years in this site but still can't be characterised as a metalhead.