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NOVEMBERS DOOM: Fifth ‘Bled White’ Studio Video Blog

Manos Spanos
The fifth installment of the video blog documenting the studio sessions for the recording of the ninth NOVEMBERS DOOM disc, entitled "Bled White", can be seen below. Sessions are being held at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin. The album is tentatively due for release in mid-summer 2014. NOVEMBERS DOOM's eighth full-length album, "Aphotic", was released in May 2011 via The End Records. The CD features special guests on several tracks: Dutch singer Anneke Van Giersbergen (AGUA DE ANNIQUE, THE GATHERING) appears on "What Could Have Been"; world-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine (EARTHEN GRAVE) lends her talent on both "What Could Have Been" and "The Dark Host"; finally, the man behind the mixing board, Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH), adds his vocal touch to "Of Age and Origin", also offering rare appearance of his mighty growl!
01 min read

GAMMA RAY: Two New Songs Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
German power metallers GAMMA RAY will release their eleventh studio album, "Empire Of The Undead", on CD, CD/DVD digipack, LP and digitally via earMusic on March 28. Two songs from the CD, "Avalon" and "Pale Rider", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The "Empire Of The Undead" title track was already been made available on the single/EP "Master Of Confusion", an appetizer the band released in 2013, just before touring the world with HELLOWEEN. GAMMA RAY recorded the new album in various sessions in 2013, with Eike Freese at the mixing desk alongside bass player and co-writer Dirk Schlaechter. It was just after landing in South America that the unbelievable news reached GAMMA RAY mainman Kai Hansen and his bandmates: Hammer Studio, their home, rehearsal place, studio and meeting point for many metal bands in Germany, including their instruments, amps and tapes, had been destroyed by a terrifying fire. GAMMA RAY will embark on the "Empire Of The Undead" tour in March, with special guests RHAPSODY OF FIRE. The complete track listing for each "Empire Of The Undead" format can be found at GammaRay.org. The CD and DVD contained in the CD/DVD digipack will feature the following: CD: 01. Avalon 02. Hellbent 03. Pale Rider 04. Born To Fly 05. Master Of Confusion 06. Empire Of The Undead 07. Time For Deliverance 08. Demonseed 09. Seven 10. I Will Return 11. Built A World (European bonus track) 12. Avalon (live from the final studio sessions) 13. The Spirit (live from the final studio sessions 1) 14. Empire Of The Undead (live from the final studio sessions 1) DVD: Four live
03 min read

TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON: ‘Angels Of The Apocalypse’ EPK Available

Manos Spanos
Frontiers Records will release TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's sophomore album, "Angels Of The Apocalypse", on May 16 in Europe and May 20 in North America. The official EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Angels Of The Apocalypse" can be seen below. The story: It is 2020 A.D - The Elements send 4 Angels to observe mankind and its actions in the last century. There are 4 Angels, but still they are One. Fire, Wind, Earth and Water are their names. With the Elements they observe in unimaginable sadness and anger the primitive events that take place in the last 150 years as they have the ability to go back and forth in time. As they give their final warning, Mankind sees unimaginable destruction that shakes its core foundations. Pandora's Box is opened and the forces of Nature are unleashed. Is this the prelude for Judgement Day... Following the release of the debut album "The Land of New Hope", the "Metal Opera" was met with critical and fan acclaim, entering the national album charts in seven European countries, including a Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country, Finland. In August 2013, Tolkki flew to Greece to seek the right inspiration for the follow-up album and upon his return he managed to develop a sound that is even more grandiose and symphonic and yet heavier and darker in direction as compared to the debut album. "In August 2012, I planned to release a Metal Opera that had to be a trilogy," says Tolkki. "I am following a specific storyboard in a musical format and this time the musical direction is heavier and darker than the previous AVALON. This was deliberate since the Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics demanded that". As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS "Dreamspace" lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively. "It was really nice and brought good vibes and freshness to the album," says Timo. "Definitely the right move." The amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen — who takes care of the lead vocals on the first single, "Design The Century" — along with Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) — who appears again after contributing to the first album — and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album, which is also produced by Tolkki. "Some songs were written with a specific singer in mind, while for some others I decided based on the knowledge that I had on how he or she would perform," says Tolkki. "I am particularly happy of how this record sounds especially two songs, 'You'll Bleed Forever' and the 10-minute title track, are among my favorite ever." Once again the stunning artwork is provided by the French artist Stanis W. Decker and the first pressing of the physical edition will be available in a glossy digipak. "Angels Of The Apocalypse" final track listing: 01. Song For Eden 02. Jerusalem Is Falling 03. Design The Century 04. Rise Of The 4th Reich 05. Stargate Atlantis 06. You'll Bleed Forever 07. The Paradise Lost 08. Neon Sirens 09. High Above Of Me 10. Angels Of The Apocalypse 11. Garden Of Eden The first single, "Design The Century" (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen), will be released digitally worldwide on April 7. Musicians: * Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass and keyboards * Tuomo Lassila: drums * Antti Ikonen: keyboards * Nicholas Jeudy: orchestration * Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix: vocals
04 min read

PHILIP ANSELMO Says He ‘Felt Like A Trapped Animal’ During Touring Cycle For PANTERA’s ‘Far Beyond Driven’

Manos Spanos
In the April/May 2014 issue of Revolver magazine, the surviving members of PANTERA — vocalist Philip Anselmo, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and bassist Rex Brown — speak about the making of the band's classic 1994 album, "Far Beyond Driven", which is being re-released next week as a 20th-anniversary, two-disc edition. The new version will include a newly remastered version of the original recordings along with a new live performance from the 1994 Monsters Of Rock festival. Speaking about PANTERA's touring activities that followed the release of "Far Beyond Driven", Vinnie Paul said: "When we went on the road, that's when the wheels started coming off and people didn't know what other people were doing. Phil had his own bus. Things started turning into what they turned into in the end. "Phil started isolating himself from the rest of us. It got to the point where we wouldn't see each other until about 20 or 30 minutes before showtime. You never knew if he was going to be in a shitty mood or a good mood. You just hoped it was good enough to get through the show. That's truly where some of the shows started lacking. They weren't as good as they used to be, and he would start his rants and go on for 20 minutes while we stood around and looked at him, like, 'What the fuck are you saying to these people, dude? They want to hear us play some songs. Let's play some music.'" Said Anselmo: "The touring was really a mixed bag for me. The [chronic back] pain was intense, but the thrill was still there much of the time, and when I was onstage, that part of it I enjoyed very much. But during this time, I was drinking an entire bottle of Wild Turkey every night before a show to numb the pain I was experiencing. "I felt trapped, man. I felt lost even trying to explain to the guys in my band, who were so used to seeing Superman up onstage, that I was not Superman anymore. I felt like a trapped animal, honestly. I felt cornered and very confused. "The words that would come out of my mouth [while we were on stage] were abrasive. I was lashing out at other bands when I really had no business mentioning other bands during a PANTERA show. I was going slowly insane throughout the touring of this record, whether it be from pills, alcohol, or the mental stress from carrying around the chronic pain along with the addiction." When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Vinnie Paul and his brother, PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.
03 min read

SEBASTIAN BACH Says His Former Bandmates In SKID ROW Are ‘Allergic To Cash’ And ‘Happy Not Being Big’

Manos Spanos
Ex-SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has responded to a recent interview in which SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan told a journalist that answering questions about the possibility of working with Bach again is "a waste of time." "I go on my Twitter feed and I read things like [January 24] was the 25th anniversary of the release date of the first SKID ROW album, and SKID ROW doesn't give a fuck," Bach tells Yahoo! Music. "I would love to do something to celebrate it, and my former bandmates are like, 'Nah, we're playing a bowling alley. We're happy. We don't care.'" He adds: "There's a lot of unreleased material sitting around collecting dust. The fans would love [to see it being released], but I guess my band is allergic to cash. They're happy not being big. It's such an insult to the millions of people who dug our albums. It's like saying, 'We were just joking [back then]. Happy anniversary!'" Bach in July 2012 posted a letter on his Facebook page in which he said he was willing to reunite with SKID ROW. "For the fans, I would be willing to put my ego aside and do something that would be special for the people who put us where we are today," he wrote. "I do not personally want it myself. But it's not always about 'what I want.' If the fans really want to see us together, I would do it for the fans. Sometimes you can do things for people other than yourself." Bach said he wanted to write the letter in response to current SKID ROW singer Johnny Solinger's interview in which Johnny said a tweet by Bach about a possible SKID ROW reunion was an attempt to "get attention." Speaking to SCTimes.com, Bolan stated about Sebastian's departure from SKID ROW, "We thought we were disbanded and that we'd never do it again. Then we kept getting e-mails and the management office was getting lots of letters about people wanting to see SKID ROW on stage and we really started to miss it. We knew if we got back together, we were going to do things different." He added, "When Johnny joined the band [in 1999], that really gave us a kick in the ass. It was a different guy there and everything that came out of that guy was positive." On the topic of the persistent rumors of a reunion with Sebastian, Bolan said, "Actually, there were never any talks. Ever. That was all just total rumor. We got rid of him in the '90s and never looked back. . . After the first tour [with Solinger on vocals], it seemed like this is the way it's always been. It's so weird, I'll hear an old song on the radio and it just sounds so bizarre to me because I'm so used to Johnny singing it."
03 min read

HATE Announces New Drummer

Manos Spanos
Polish extreme metallers HATE have announced the addition of drummer Pawel "Pavulon" Jaroszewicz to the group's ranks. Commented HATE guitarist/vocalist Adam "ATF Sinner" Buszko: "We are proud to inform you that Pavulon has joined HATE as a full-time drummer! I must say this was not a hard choice, because we have known Pavulon for years and always admired his dedication to the music and development he has made being in groups such as CRIONICS, VADER, DECAPITATED and ANTIGAMA. Having played a couple of shows together, we now strongly feel that he is the right man in the right place. I have no doubt that his drumming skills will bring in some extra power to our live sound as well as new songs. He will be appearing on the upcoming album, which will be followed up with more details soon. "We have been working on the new material for months now and I am hoping we get in the studio by June and start tracking. "In a few days, we start European tour with KAMPFAR. Remember not to miss that! "To sum up, I want to say we have long needed some new blood and energy and finally we got it. Now I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead to make HATE shine brighter than ever!" HATE will take part in the Spreading The Plague MMXIV Tour, which will hit Europe in March/April. The band will team up with Norway's pagan black metal horde KAMPFAR to bring supreme blasphemy to 16 cites of Euroland. On the tour, which will start on March 28 in Munich, Germany, you will also see U.S. avantgarde black metallers VELNIAS and Norwegian melodic black metal act ISKALD as part of this prime tour package. Commented Adam "ATF Sinner" Buszko: "We are very much looking forward to touring Europe again and I think the combined lineup for these shows is simply killer! As we are working on new tracks right now, you may expect some brand-nu-blaspehemy played on the upcoming shows for the first time! We've been waiting for a regular tour since the tragedy happened and I believe the time has come to hit the road again at full force. We will come back rejuvenated and hungrier than ever before, so be prepared for truly riotous shows!" HATE's latest album, "Solarflesh", was released in North America on February 5, 2013 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Erebos" was recorded at Sound Division Studio in Warsaw with Filip "Heinrich" Halucha (VESANIA, DECAPITATED) and Arek "Malta" Malczewski (BEHEMOTH's sound guy). The effort was mixed at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski (DECA
02 min read

GWAR Frontman DAVE BROCKIE A.K.A. ODERUS URUNGUS Dead At 50

Manos Spanos
**UPDATE**: GWAR's manager, Jack Flanagan, has released the following statement: "It is with a saddened heart that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR, passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23, 2014. His body was found Sunday by his bandmate at his home in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond authorities have confirmed his death and next of kin has been notified. A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963. "My main focus right now is to look after my bandmates and his family. "More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed." The original article follows below. Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, the founder and lead singer of renowned Richmond, Virginia metal band GWAR, has died. Roommates reportedly found Brockie's body at his home Sunday evening (March 23). "I wish it was a joke," former GWAR bassist Chris Bopst, a music writer for Style Weekly, told the site. "Everyone is in shock." Brockie was 50 years old. Richmond Police also confirmed Brockie's death. "At approximately 6:53 p.m. on Sunday, Richmond Police were called to a residence in the 4800 block of West Seminary Avenue for a report of a deceased individual," a Richmond Police spokeswoman said in a statement. "When officers arrived, they found David M. Brockie, 50, deceased inside the home. Detectives do not suspect foul play at this time and the Medical Examiner's Office will determine cause of death." "Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known," former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop told Style Weekly. "He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art. His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great frontman, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice." Vocalist Randy Blythe of fellow Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD, who toured with GWAR in 2009, wrote on Instagram: "I got a very sad call tonight from my buddy Chris Bopst, who was one of the original members of GWAR. My friend Dave Brockie, a.k.a. Oderus Urungus, the singer of GWAR, has left the building and taken off back to his home planet. He was 50 years old. "I do not know details of why he died yet, just that he passed away at home and his roommates found him. "When someone dies, a lot of the time people will say, 'Oh, he was a unique person, really one of a kind, a true original.' Most of these people no idea of what they are talking about; they obviously had never met Dave. "Dave TRULY WAS ONE OF A KIND. I can't think of ANYONE even remotely like him. That's VERY HARD TO SAY. "My band learned how to become a real touring band from GWAR. They gave us out first shot at this thing. "I learned many things from Dave, many of which I am eternally grateful for, and some of which I am deeply ashamed of. "I took this picture at his birthday party a few months ago — Dave kissing his Oderus birthday cake. "Right now, if I were to truly honor Dave in the way HE would do it if it were ME that had died, I would make a completely tasteless joke about his death. But I do not have the stomach for that — Dave would, but not me. He never put much stock in 'limits.' "Richmond has lost one of its most creative people. "This is a crying shame to me. "Thank you, Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did. Thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish. "RIP Dave Brockie. Oderus, enjoy your trip back home." Bassist Chris Kael of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH said: "Just read about the passing of Dave Brockie — Oderus Urungus from GWAR. We had the privilege of playing with GWAR just one month ago at Soundwave festival in Australia. Dave was always right there on the side of the stage that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH were playing on — watching every band, laughing and enjoying life. As he entertained us in life, may his death remind us that life is short. Tell the ones around you that they are loved. Live life with a smile and a laugh. Just as Dave and I shared a laugh while talking at Soundwave. We love you. Each and every one of you. R.I.P. Dave Brockie — Oderus Urungus." Vocalist Tony Foresta of another Richmond, Virginia band, MUNICIPAL WASTE, which toured with GWAR in 2012, wrote on Instagram: "I'm so devastated right now. One of the most fun, brilliant, inspirational and creative people I've ever had the privilege to call a friend has passed. I'm going to miss you so much, pal." Dez Fafara (DEVILDRIVER, COAL CHAMBER): "Rest in peace, my brother!" EMMURE: "We are deeply saddened by the news of our fellow comrade passing away. Dave was a admired individual amongst us. He spoke highly of EMMURE and whether he knew it or not, we were very passionate about him as well. R.I.P., Oderus Urungus. GWAR FOREVER." Ben Orum (ex-ALL SHALL PERISH): "Dave, You were a creative genius. Thank you for bringing so much joy to me and my friends as we grew up with GWAR. RIP." According to Australia's TheMusic.com.au, GWAR's management will issue a statement regarding reports of Brockie's passing at approximately 1:00 p.m. EST today. Brockie is not the first member of GWAR to die at an early age. GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, who played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on November 3, 2011. He was 34 years old. In a January 2012 interview with Full Metal Jackie, Brockie stated about Smoot's passing: "I think Cory's death is a big wake-up call for all of us. We all breathed a big sigh of relief when we found out it wasn't a drug overdose, to speak quite frankly. But then to think that he was 34 and died of a heart attack — it's really scary." He continued: "Everybody out there needs to take care of themselves, especially you guys who are playing in bands and starting to get up into your 40s and you're all sitting there just like me saying, 'Holy shit, this is still going on and I can keep doing this probably for the rest of my life?' Yeah, you can, but you have to take of yourself. You really, really, really, really do. So I'm trying to quit smoking right now." GWAR's latest album, "Battle Maximus", sold around 3,500 copies in the United States in its first
08 min read

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Parts Ways With Guitarist EDWARD CARLSON, Bassist JASON WARD

Manos Spanos
Arizona metal veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have parted ways with guitarist Edward Carlson and bassist Jason Ward and have replaced them with Steve Conley and Michael Spencer, respectively. Says the band: "After completion of the 2013 tour with TESTAMENT in the U.S., Edward Carlson was no longer able to tour due to physical issues that would require back and neck surgery to possibly correct. We will miss our comerade and wish him well on his next adventure. Steve Conley has been officially recruited to fill the spot. Having played with David Ellefson (MEGADETH) in F5, we are confident in his ability to hold the spot with integrity. "Jason Ward's departure happened after the tracking of 'Ugly Noise'. Jason had spent 21 years in FLOTSAM and decided to stay at home with his new family and career. He was, and is, one of the strongest personalities in the FLOTSAM catalog of players. "We have all had a turn on the sidelines. "We will miss his participation on the road and his witty humor. "Shorty after the TESTAMENT tour in 2013, Michael Spencer took the helm as bassist. He was the first bassist to replace [Jason] Newsted in 1987 (Spencer was formerly in SENTINEL BEAST). He was a part of the writing of 'No Place for Disgrace' in 1987, and he was on our first tour with MEGADETH in the U.S. and Europe. With that history, it made perfect sense that 'No Place' should be redone. You can hear him on the reproduction of 'No Place for Disgrace'." FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's current lineup is as follows: Eric "A.K." Knutson - Vocals Michael Gilbert - Guitar Kelly D. Smith - Drums Michael Spencer - Bass Steve Conley - Guitar Fan-filmed video footage of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's March 9 performance at Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands can be seen below. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM released "No Place For Disgrace - 2014", a re-recording of the band's second album, "No Place For Disgrace", on February 14 in Europe and digitally on February 18 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The physical CD was made available in North America on March 4. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM recently returned to Metal Blade Records to release their new album, "Ugly Noise". "Ugly Noise" is FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow-up to their 2010 album "The Cold". The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith, who hadn't recorded with FLOTSAM AND JETSAM since "High" in 1997.
03 min read