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IN FLAMES: Entire ‘Siren Charms’ Album Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
"Siren Charms" the eleventh album from Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, can be streamed in its entirety using the SoundCloud widget below. Due in the U.S. on September 9 via Sony/RED, the CD was recorded at Hansa Tonstudios (DAVID BOWIE, DEPECHE MODE, U2) in Berlin, Germany. The cover artwork was created by Blake Armstrong of Space Boy Comics and can be seen below. "Siren Charms" track listing: 01. In Plain View 02. Everything’s Gone 03. Paralyzed 04. Through Oblivion 05. With Eyes Wide Open 06. Siren Charms 07. When The World Explodes 08. Rusted Nail 09. Dead Eyes 10. Monsters In The Ballroom 11. Filtered Truth The "Through Oblivion" video was once again helmed by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film Company AB, who has previously worked with HAMMERFALL, DIMMU BORGIR, EUROPE and LACUNA COIL, among many others. In a recent interview with ARTISTdirect, IN FLAMES guitarist Björn Gelotte said: "I think 'Through Oblivion' is really cool. It's something we didn't try before. It's a very simple song, but there are elements in it that make it really complex. That one is very fun. I think it's going to go over very well live. That's going to be interesting to see how it turns out." Speaking about the band's mindset going into the making of "Siren Charms", Gelotte said: "We changed the scenery from how we normally do records. We've done quite a few in Gothenburg. We've done a few experiments. We went to Uppsala once. We did one record in Denmark. We rented a huge house, built two studios in there, and just winged it. It turned out great. It was an awesome experience. This time around, Anders [Fridén, vocals] fell in love with the Hansa studios in Germany. It's a classic studio in Berlin. So many classic albums have come from there, and so many artists have been there. He felt that maybe he could get inspired from that or something might rub off in the studio. I was like, 'Fuck it. For me, it doesn't really matter. I can record anywhere.' He was absolutely certain it was important for us to do that. I went down there and fell in love with it too. Anders explained the history of the place. David Bowie, U2 and DEPECHE MODE have all recorded there. All of these huge records have come from there. I was pretty sure it wasn't going to change anything. Listening back to it now, it did. Something came in there. There's a certain melancholic vibe to the album that I'm not sure would've happened anywhere else." He continued: "It was a genius move from Anders. He talked us into it. Basically, we weren't really hard to convince when we saw the studio and heard the history of it. It was an interesting thing to do. It changed things a little bit. We came down there with the same goal to make the eleventh record… We wanted to make something special out of it, and we really did… I think it's a sense of melancholy. It's not something depressing or sad in a bad way. It strikes a certain note — at least in my heart. There's a vibe in it. I could never recreate it just by using the same formula. It's something that just happens. It's a mix of a lot of things. The ideas Anders is talking about in the lyrics all the way until the final mix and the way we put on extra guitars and the effects are all a little sadder in a sort of uplifting and refreshing way. There are so many things that work together in giving it that vibe."
04 min read

MIKE PORTNOY On Possibility Of Reunion With DREAM THEATER: ‘If I Was A Betting Man, I Wouldn’t Put Money On It’

Manos Spanos
In the latest issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) was asked by TESSERACT's Jay Postones what the chances are of Portnoy ever playing with DREAM THEATER again. "If I was a betting man, I wouldn't put money on it," Portnoy replied. "And that's not my doing. I never say never and haven't closed any doors. "I'm a very nostalgic person; I forgive and forget very easily… but I think the guys [in DREAM THEATER] have made it very clear they have no interest in looking backwards. "Those guys were a huge part of my life for a very long time, so I'm open to anything, anytime. "I guess the ball's in their court. We shall see." Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 27 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI). In an October 2013 interview with Brazil's "Wikimetal", DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie stated about his current relationship with Mike Portnoy: "I haven't spoken to Mike since he left the band. "Myself, personally, and the way that the band feels is we're moving forward. Mike Mangini is our drummer and he will remain our drummer until the day that we're finished doing this. It's just the way that it is. "The reason that DREAM THEATER is moving on is because we have somebody that completely clicks with the band, he understands the band and he's helping us fulfill our musical aspirations. "Mike [Portnoy], you know, he's moved on, he's working with musicians and doing the things that he wants to do musically, and I think he's happy with that. But as far as DREAM THEATER [is concerned], this is who we are and this is who we will continue to be. Mike Mangini is our drummer, and he will be."
02 min read

OBITUARY: New Song ‘Visions In My Head’ Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY will release their ninth studio album, "Inked In Blood", on October 28 via the band's new partnership with Relapse Records. OBITUARY's first full-length CD in over five years was recorded by the band this past April at its own RedNeck Studio in Gibsonton, Florida. "Inked In Blood" track listing: 01. Centuries Of Lies 02. Violent By Nature 03. Pain Inside 04. Visions In My Head 05. Back On Top 06. Violence 07. Inked In Blood 08. Deny You 09. Within A Dying Breed 10. Minds Of The World 11. Out Of Blood 12. Paralyzed With Fear The song "Visions In My Head" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. Commented OBITUARY on the new material: "We don't know how to explain it but we really hit the 'metal nail' on the head with this album. "We have been writing and working on the new material for nearly three years now and we could not be more excited how these songs have all turned out. "All the stars seem to have aligned for us and this release, with the songs, production and overall feel of this record, the band is more solid than ever." The album recording was funded by an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign in late 2013. Now the band has partnered with Relapse worldwide to maximize the release and impact of what is surely their heaviest and most cohesive record in 20 years. The group elaborated on the decision to create the Kickstarter campaign and sign with Relapse. "We always knew that our fans were some of the most devoted fans on the planet and they proved it by stepping up, being a part of something new and supporting us with our Kickstarter campaign," says the band. "This was an amazing display of true fan support and we could not be more proud of everyone who helped raise the money to record this album by pre-ordering it, buying all the cool stuff we offered and just being a part of something that we believe will be the way of the future. Now we have teamed up with Relapse Records to have them get this new album out there, in stores and available to the fans worldwide. "We are very excited about our partnership with Relapse and are looking forward to working beside them with the release. They are a great label and super-cool people who have shown us that they are excited to have OBITUARY on their roster and are ready to push this album to its fullest potential." OBITUARY is: John Tardy - Vocals Trevor Peres - Guitar Donald Tardy - Drums Terry Butler - Bass Kenny Andrews - Guitar
03 min read

KILLER BE KILLED: ‘Snakes Of Jehovah’ Video Released

Manos Spanos
"Snakes Of Jehovah", the new video fromKILLER BE KILLED, the new band comprised of Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA), Greg Puciato (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), Troy Sanders (MASTODON) and Dave Elitch (ex-THE MARS VOLTA), can be seen below. The clip was shot by renowned director Thomas Mignone of Doom Inc. (SLIPKNOT, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, CRADLE OF FILTH, MUDVAYNE, SUICIDE SILENCE). "Snakes Of Jehovah" is taken from KILLER BE KILLED's self-titled debut album from KILLER BE KILLED, which sold around 5,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 58 on The Billboard 200 chart. "Killer Be Killed" was released on May 13 (one day earlier internationally) via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur, whose credits include work with GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ESCAPE THE FATE, P!NK and STEVE EARLE. Cover art and packaging was executed by Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature Design, the Grammy-nominated design firm whose clients include ALICE IN CHAINS, FOO FIGHTERS, CHRIS CORNELL, DEVILDRIVER, MONSTER MAGNET, WOLFMOTHER and DEMON HUNTER. "He's a Polish worker in the back of a dark truck, but he looked like a criminal to me," explained Clark about his choice for the cover's image. "Multiplying his face seemed to give him a sort of split personality/schizophrenic vibe, which feels like a good mesh. Not just for the band name but the idea of a (for the lack of a better term) supergroup." "Killer Be Killed" track listing: 01. Wings Of Feather And Wax 02. Face Down 03. Melting Of My Marrow 04. Snakes Of Jehovah 05. Curb Crusher 06. Save The Robots 07. Fire To Your Flag 08. I.E.D. 09. Dust Into Darkness 10. Twelve Labors 11. Forbidden Fire 12. Ghosts Of Chernobyl (vinyl-only bonus track) "Killer B
05 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

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

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

OPETH: New Song ‘Eternal Rains’ Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
"Eternal Rains", a brand new song from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's highly anticipated eleventh studio album, "Pale Communion", which will be released on August 26 via Roadrunner Records. The cover artwork was once again created by Travis Smith — with art direction by OPETH guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt — and can be seen below. "Pale Communion", which was produced by Åkerfeldt and mixed by longtime collaborator and PORCUPINE TREE frontman/guitarist Steven Wilson, was heralded by the lead single "Cusp Of Eternity". "Pale Communion" track listing: 01. Eternal Rains 02. Cusp Of Eternity 03. Moon Above, Sun Below 04. Elysian Woes 05. Goblin 06. River 07. Voice Of Treason 08. Faith In Others his one as well, and may be some new fans. You never know."
01 min read

OBITUARY: New Album Title Revealed

Manos Spanos
Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY have set "Inked In Blood" as the title of their ninth studio album, tentatively due at the end of October via the band's new partnership with Relapse Records. OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy revealed the CD title during an interview with the Italian blog Metal Skunk before the group's July 17 concert in Rome. OBITUARY's first full-length CD in over five years was recorded by the band this past April at its own RedNeck Studio in Gibsonton, Florida. Fan-filmed video footage of OBITUARY performing the "Inked In Blood" title track on June 13 at the Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark can be seen below. Commented OBITUARY on the new material: "We don't know how to explain it but we really hit the 'metal nail' on the head with this album. "We have been writing and working on the new material for nearly three years now and we could not be more excited how these songs have all turned out. "All the stars seem to have aligned for us and this release, with the songs, production and overall feel of this record, the band is more solid than ever." The album recording was funded by an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign in late 2013. Now the band has partnered with Relapse worldwide to maximize the release and impact of what is surely their heaviest and most cohesive record in 20 years. The group elaborated on the decision to create the Kickstarter campaign and sign with Relapse. "We always knew that our fans were some of the most devoted fans on the planet and they proved it by stepping up, being a part of something new and supporting us with our Kickstarter campaign," says the band. "This was an amazing display of true fan support and we could not be more proud of everyone who helped raise the money to record this album by pre-ordering it, buying all the cool stuff we offered and just being a part of something that we believe will be the way of the future. Now we have teamed up with Relapse Records to have them get this new album out there, in stores and available to the fans worldwide. "We are very excited about our partnership with Relapse and are looking forward to working beside them with the release. They are a great label and super-cool people who have shown us that they are excited to have OBITUARY on their roster and are ready to push this album to its fullest potential." OBITUARY is: John Tardy - Vocals Trevor Peres - Guitar Donald Tardy - Drums Terry Butler - Bass Kenny Andrews - Guitar
02 min read

Blues Legend JOHNNY WINTER Dead At 70

Manos Spanos
Blues legend Johnny Winter has died at the age of 70. The news was first reported by American Blues Scene and Jenda Derringer, wife of Winter's former bandmate Rick Derringer. Jenda wrote on Facebook: "[Johnny] passed early this morning in Zurich, Switzerland." She added: "He was not in good health and was very frail and weak." Johnny — elder brother of fellow music legend Edgar Winter — has always been one of the most respected singers and guitar players in rock and the clear link between British blues-rock and American Southern rock. Throughout the '70s and '80s, Johnny was the unofficial torch-bearer for the blues, championing and aiding the careers of his idols like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. The Blues magazine editor Ed Mitchell said this morning: "It's no secret that Johnny has battled with ill health for many years — but he seemed to transcend that struggle when he played live. No one's slide tone was as sweet, searing, stinging or fiery. Johnny Winter blazing away on a Gibson Firebird is an iconic blues image. "He was the greatest slide blues guitarist that ever lived. We'll always have him to thank for pulling Muddy Waters out of his funk in the Seventies and helping him record some of his greatest work: 'Hard Again', 'I'm Ready' and 'King Bee'. All essential."
01 min read