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FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE: ‘Pathfinder’ Video Released

Manos Spanos
"Pathfinder", the new video from Italian symphonic death metallers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, can be seen below. Regarding the video shoot, the group stated: "It will definitely stand up from the average as we are going to shoot it in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Sicilia. This region was part of Greece right in the era where the 'Labyrinth Of Knossos' myth is collocated and our philological research led us there. It will be artistically deep and metaphorically intricate, a real reflection on the sense of our lives." "Pathfinder" is taken from FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE's latest album, "Labyrinth", which was released on August 16, 2013 in Europe and August 20, 2013 in North America via Nuclear Blast. The CD was mixed and mastered by Stefano "Saul" Morabito. The cover artwork was once again created by Colin Marks, who was also responsible for several neoclassical pieces of art in the massive inlay.
01 min read

SATYRICON’s SATYR Discusses Winemaking

Manos Spanos
Punch.com journalist, sommelier, and black metal music fan Steven Grubbs recently spoke with SATYRICON founder, frontman, and winemaker Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven and asked whether the musician's friends in the metal scene think it's odd that he makes wine, which is sold under the Wongraven family name. "I think the majority think it's pretty cool, actually," he said. "For them, wine is this thing that is kind of mysterious and unapproachable." When it comes to wine, Satyr is quick to describe himself as a traditionalist, preferring the old Piemonte style (wines of medium weight and stern tannins and acidity). "I like wines that are representative of their places," he said. Satyr has been making and selling a Burgandy Barolo from Castiglione Falletto since 2010. He sources fruit from a monopole cru owned by the Roagna family, a venerable bastion of Piemontese winemaking tradition. Luca Roagna handles the vinification and Satyr assembles the final product. Read the Punch.com feature in its entirety at this location.
01 min read

LAMB OF GOD Bassist JOHN CAMPBELL: ‘We Try To Push Ourselves On Every Record’

Manos Spanos
David Devo Oosthuizen of The Metal Review recently conducted an interview with LAMB OF GOD bassist John Campbell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. The Metal Review: In terms of a new album, I think everybody's sort of saying that after such a mammoth album ["Resolution"] that dropped in 2011, when is there a hope of some new material? Have you guys been tossing around some new ideas? John Campbell: We have, and I'm glad that you ask the question on when, and not how we are going to do something better, because that's a question we ask ourselves every time. Well, when we get together to start discussing the record, start working on the actual music, but probably won't be until the middle of this year … I keep forgetting we have a New Year. The Metal Review: Is there anything in terms of the formula you guys use for your records you would want to challenge or change or do differently this time? John Campbell: We try to push ourselves on every record to kind of step outside what we've done before, whilst still maintaining what it is that we do. We're a heavy metal band. We're not going to change that now. We're going to put out music that we feel really good about! The Metal Review: "As The Palaces Burn" [LAMB OF GOD documentary] is obviously going to be a massive event during March. I mean, we've seen on social media it will screen in over 200 locations! That's huge! John Campbell: You tell me! The Metal Review: As a documentary, it is massive exposure, especially for a story that you guys have got to get out there, right? John Campbell: Yeah, and actually it's kind of an odd thing! We started this documentary trying to show our fans and the impact of music, specifically our music on people around the world in these far-off fun places! The story kind of changed in the middle of it and the people making the movie are artists in their own right and they were true to telling the story as it unfolded. This is a tragic story, and I would like people not to think we are commodify the story, but it is a documentary about what happened and we think there are a lot of people that would like to see what happened. The Metal Review: With vinyl making such a huge comeback, what is your view on vinyl as a music format? It is so big again, you would think it is the brand new thing around the block, when,of course, it's been around forever! John Campbell: Vinyl definitely has its place! I have a vinyl collection, but I haven't turned on my record player in a long time, but I have a record player. There are people that absolutely love vinyl and they love a band and they want to see them released on vinyl, so why wouldn't we? The Metal Review: We heard TRIVIUM recently say that there's not enough metal bands, not enough camaraderie between metal bands and youngsters should pick up a guitar and start playing and form metal bands, that there's not enough creativity in metal today. What's your take on all that? John Campbell: I think kids should pick up instruments, regardless of what they play, I think they should pick up pencils, brushes, anything! Be creative and be artistic! Whether it's heavy metal or not! Read the entire interview at The Metal Review.
03 min read

THE HAUNTED’s New Lineup Performs Live For First Time; Video Available

Manos Spanos
The new lineup of Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED made its live debut during the 2014 edition of "The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise" — 70000 Tons Of Metal — which sailed January 27 to January 31 from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico and back. Fan-filmed video footage of THE HAUNTED's performances aboard the cruise can be seen below. THE HAUNTED released a new three-song single, "Eye Of The Storm", on January 20 in Europe and January 21 in North America via Century Media Records. "Eye Of The Storm" was made available as limited-edition seven-inch EP (1,000 copies split as follows: 500 on black vinyl, 300 on red vinyl and 200 on white vinyl) and as digital single, featuring the new songs "Eye Of The Storm", "Infiltrator" and "My Enemy". "Eye Of The Storm" track listing: 01. Eye Of The Storm 02. Infiltrator 03. My Enemy The single marks the recording debut of THE HAUNTED's new lineup, which was announced last summer, featuring founding members Patrik Jensen (guitar) and Jonas Björler (bass), returning members Marco Aro (vocals) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums), as well as new guitarist Ola Englund. Commented THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen: "There aren't superlatives enough to describe how much the band has longed for these three songs to be released. "We are sure fans have been anxious to know what the band sounds like today after all the turmoil and old members leaving and new members joining. "We feel that these three songs represent the band perfectly. "We are currently working on the new album, an album that will be filled to the brim with what we know to be THE HAUNTED. "We'll start doing gigs this spring and we'll do festivals all over the place this summer. "Get in touch with the festivals you visit (and behave like an animal at) and tell them to get us on the bill! "THE HAUNTED is back. "Play it loud. No. Louder." THE HAUNTED's 2014 lineup: * Patrik Jensen - Guitar * Ola Englund (SIX FEET UNDER, FEARED) - Guitar * Marco Aro (THE RESISTANCE, FACE DOWN) - Vocals * Jonas Björler - Bass * Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen stated about the band's new lineup: "THE HAUNTED went through some difficult times last year. Losing three band members is a pretty huge blow to any band. Jonas and I agreed immediately that we wanted to continue with the band, but we wanted to take our time and not rush into anything. "Some of you might recognize a few faces, some of you might not. Adrian Erlandsson is back on drums and Marco Aro is back on vocals. Adrian you might know from playing on our first album and Marco sang on 'The Haunted Made Me Do It', 'Live Rounds In Tokyo' and 'One Kill Wonder'. On guitar we also have Ola Englund bringing some pretty heavy chops to the band. "We're all VERY excited about having THE HAUNTED back in working shape again and we can't wait to get back out on the road to play for our very patient and faithful fans again. A new album is also already in the works and if you are familiar with the individual band members of this new lineup, you can be assured that the new material will grab you by the throat from the get-go!" Vocalist Marco Aro (ex-FACE DOWN, also in THE RESISTANCE) was previously involved with THE HAUNTED for three acclaimed releases between 1999 and 2003 as well as for several worldwide touring campaigns. Drummer Adrian Erlandsson (also in AT THE GATES and PARADISE LOST) belonged to the original lineup of THE HAUNTED together the Björler twins after the demise of their previous legendary group, AT THE GATES. Together with Jensen, they launched THE HAUNTED's self-titled debut in 1998, an album which has been widely considered as the kick-start for a new era in the thrash metal movement and which, despite its initial underground status, climbed to be a massively inspirational record for a whole new generation of musicians and bands in the following decade. Guitarist Ola Englund is a highly talented young player from Sweden, who has recently been active as touring and recording member of U.S. death metal institution SIX FEET UNDER.
05 min read

Former SLAYER Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO: ‘There Is Absolutely No Friends When It Comes To Money’

Manos Spanos
Owais "Vitek" Wani of Metal Wani recently conducted an interview with former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below. A couple of excerpts follow. On the status of the second PHILM album: Lombardo: "The second album was being written as we were mixing the first album. So at this point, we already have the second album written, recorded and we're just waiting for a record company. Mike Patton [FAITH NO MORE singer and owner of Ipecac Recordings, which released the first PHILM album, 'Harmonic'], from the record company Ipecac, he's only putting out three albums this year, and it's unfortunate that this one isn't one of them. He just had to scale back. Of course, the music industry isn't what it was anymore, so he had to scale back his [release schedule]. Which is all good; I totally understand. So right now I'm just shopping the record to several other companies and we'll see what happens. Hopefully it can be released as soon as possible. I'm getting really anxious to put this album out, because it's uniquely different than the other one. It's not as experimental as the first one. This particular album, the new one, the songs are a little more concise and straightforward, so there's not a lot of improvisation or a lot of places where the band decides to take off musically and improvise. So we kept it together this time on this record. And right now, as I speak, this album's done and we already have, like, five songs for the [third] record. I've got some really talented musicians, and we could come up with music fairly easy. So I'm excited about this new group." On BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward's recent kind words about Lombardo's playing: Lombardo: "It made me feel really, really good. Bill Ward and I, we've established a very nice relationship. We keep tabs on each other. I always ask him how he's doing, and he's in communication with me as well. So we have a nice little thing going on. He's just a nice friend, and I'm very happy to have met him recently. The first time that I met him was in 2004 on a BLACK SABBATH reunion, JUDAS PRIEST reunion… I think that was the first time… It was, like, a festival that SLAYER played. I met him way back then; it was very brief. And then we re-met about a year ago." On whether he has listened to the new BLACK SABBATH album, "13", and what his thoughts are on it: Lombardo: "No, I haven't. I heard, like, one song. I don't know… I just can't listen to BLACK SABBATH unless it's with Bill… It's one of those things that you wanna hear it, you wanna get into it, but ahhh… it would have been soooo much better if Bill Ward was there. I mean, it's not the first time — I think there was an album Carmine Appice… no, not Carmine… that Vinny Appice played on — and that's a fantastic record, but that hit me at a different time. I was more open to the possible changes within bands. Right now, just knowing a little bit of the SABBATH situation, I just really didn't have the interest to listen to that album. But I will one day, eventually. It's gonna cross my path. I just haven't purchased it." On late SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman being excluded from the list of faces and names showcased during Grammy Awards' "In Memoriam" segment this year: Lombardo: "Yeah, that was disappointing. But they're notorious for that. That organization is predominantly rap- and country-driven. And they don't wanna hear rock; they don't care about rock and metal. Metal, I think, is music for misfits, and it's played by misfits. And what do they wanna do with this kind of music? We wanna get recognized? They're not gonna do it. Let it be. Let it be. We don't need a doorstop. Metal doesn't need a doorstop or an organization to recognize who we are. We have our fans. Let the voice of the fans show how big metal is." On the most important lesson he has learned in his three decades as a professional musician: Lombardo: "There is absolutely no friends when it comes to money. That's the number one lesson I've learned."
04 min read

METALLICA’s LARS ULRICH Comments On 3D Movie’s Disappointing U.S. Box Office Run

Manos Spanos
METALLICA's 2013 IMAX 3D concert film, "Metallica Through The Never", arrived on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, video on demand and digital on January 28th through the band's own Blackened Recordings label. The $18 million film, which combined concert footage with a fictional narrative, made less than $4 million in its initial U.S. box office run last fall. Drummer Lars Ulrich admitted he was disappointed that it didn't do better. "Well, I think anytime you do anything, obviously at some point you're disappointed," he told RollingStone.com. "It seemed with [the 2004 METALLICA documentary] 'Some Kind Of Monster', there was a group of people that fell in love the film that that weren't necessarily METALLICA fans. And I think that we were thinking that there was a shot of that happening too [with 'Through The Never'] and that didn't happen. Maybe we were disappointed that that didn't happen." Asked if he is hoping "Through The Never" takes on a new life in the video release, Lars said: "Obviously, every single filmmaker on this planet will say the following sentence: 'My movie should be seen on a big screen, not on an iPod.' [Laughs] But this movie I would like to say in my own selfish way really should be seen on a big screen. If you'll get something out of it on an eight-inch monitor on an airplane, I think that's totally cool — and obviously I want people see it any way they can but, given a preference, I would rather they see it on an IMAX screen rather than an eight-inch monitor on an airplane. But I can't control that. And the minute you let go of it, you let go of it." Ulrich said that making the "Through The Never" movie re-energized METALLICA's creativity, explaining, "[Working on the film] gave us a chance to experience a whole other way of being creative and having a creative outlet. We were very inspired by making that [movie], and now we're energized to make a record. The film was fun, but it's all about the next record." METALLICA will hit the European festival circuit this summer, with the band's set lists comprised of requests made online by fans attending each date. One slot at each night's show will be reserved for a new tune.
02 min read

Video Premiere: DREAM THEATER’s ‘The Looking Glass’

Panagiotis Karagiannidis
"The Looking Glass", the new video from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest, self-titled album (available for purchase here), which sold around 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on September 24, 2013 via Roadrunner.
03 min read

MASTODON Putting Finishing Touches On New Album

Panagiotis Karagiannidis
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will embark on a spring headlining tour with support from GOJIRA and KVELERTAK. The trek kicks off April 28 in Seattle and criss-crosses the U.S. before culminating in a performance at the Rock On The Range festival on May 18. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 7.
03 min read