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Video: METALLICA Performs ‘One’ With Chinese Pianist LANG LANG
METALLICA played its classic song "One" with Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang earlier tonight (Sunday, January 26) at the 56th annual Grammy Awards. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.
During the rehearsals for tonight's show, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Artisan News about playing with Lang Lang and how it feels to be back in primetime at the awards.
"It's been 22 years, I do believe [since we last performed at the Grammys], so we're excited to be back," he said. "That's a long time to be away from anything, so we've got a lot of energy stored up that we're ready to unleash.
"Obviously, the Grammys are mostly about mashups, and so we're doing a very cool one with our new best friend, which is the worldwide renowned pianist Lang Lang."
Speaking about the collaboration with Lang Lang, Ulrich said: "Well, I would like to think that on a broader scale that music is music. We have a tendency in METALLICA to not look much beyond that in terms of definitions. But, obviously, he's a very talented musician, he's a very dynamic musician, he projects himself very well. I mean, when he plays, he's really full of energy and he's got a lot of kind of showmanship and kind of energy that protrudes off the stage and right into people's hearts and souls. So I would like to think that it's a good collaboration."
METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Rolling Stone that the band's performance at the Grammy Awards would be "completely insane." He explained, "Lang Lang has interjected himself into the song in a way I don't think anyone else has ever done in the course of our career. He's going to be playing major parts of the song. He's going to be playing through the melody."
Hammett told The Pulse Of Radio that the song's arrangement highlighted Lang Lang's playing without changing the song. "We're not lightening up the song just for him," he said. "We're still hanging onto all the heavy parts and it's gonna be amazing. He's just an amazing pianist, and at one point he's going to be, like, weaving in and out of my guitar solo and playing parts of my guitar solo with me. That's gonna be interesting. I've never, ever experienced that ever before with anyone we've ever played with."
"One" was the first single released from METALLICA's 1988 album "…And Justice For All", becoming the first song from the band to gain substantial commercial radio airplay. It was also the basis for the first music video the group ever did.
Hammett told Rolling Stone that METALLICA has recorded a demo of "One" with Lang Lang's contributions on it.
EPICA’s MARK JANSEN ‘Can’t Get Enough’ Of His Band’s Just-Completed Sixth Album
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA recently finished recording their sixth album for a spring release via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION).
Says EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: "[I] have been listening to our new album the whole day now and I can't get enough of it! It sounds more modern but with all typical EPICA elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort.
"It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album!
"Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it's still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to 'Design Your Universe' and some new elements.
"[I] can't wait 'till the moment you'll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!"
EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.
After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs.
EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set.
On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version.
"Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.
BLACK SABBATH Wins ‘Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance’ GRAMMY Award
BLACK SABBATH was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 56th annual Grammy Awards, which is being held tonight (Sunday, January 26) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. BLACK SABBATH was nominated for the track "God Is Dead?", from the band's 2013 comeback album "13".
The SABBATH members did not personally accept the award at the pre-telecast ceremony because they were busy preparing to be one of the presenters during the main show. Pop singer Cyndi Lauper, who co-hosted the pre-telecast, said that she spoke with them prior to the event and that they were grateful for the honor. "I know that Ozzy is not here and I saw them last night," she said. "They asked me to accept this award for them. It's awesome. And I'm sure he thanks the Academy. They had to be next door to do something. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody."
Osbourne came up with the title for "God Is Dead?", but bassist Geezer Butler wanted to call it something else. Ozzy told Shortlist, "I was in a doctor's office and there was a magazine in there with that line on the cover. I thought, 'Yeah — people flew planes into the World Trade Center because of God, there's all this fucking shit going on in the world in the name of God.'" Geezer added, "Ozzy gave me that line, and I wrote the lyrics. I wanted to call the song 'American Jihad'."
Ozzy continued, "Fuck that. I'm the guy at the front singing it; I would have had a fucking army after me . . . In the early days [of BLACK SABBATH], there was a lot of backlash from religious groups . . . I was sent letters written in blood. In my house I must have 25 fucking Bibles, each with a marked-up passage that [the sender] wanted me to read."
Butler told The Pulse Of Radio what the song was about. "It's about this guy that sets out to prove that God is still alive, and he has this voice in his head saying that God's dead, and he can't get rid of the voice telling him, so he goes out and kills everybody," he said.
"13" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in June 2013, the first SABBATH album to ever top the U.S. chart.
The disc features Ozzy, Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi playing together for the first time in 35 years. Their last effort together was 1978's "Never Say Die!"
The nominees in this year's "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category were as follows:
ANTHRAX - "T.N.T."
Track from: "Anthems"
Label: Megaforce
BLACK SABBATH - "God Is Dead?"
Track from: "13"
Label: Vertigo/Republic
DREAM THEATER - "The Enemy Inside"
Track from: "Dream Theater"
Label: Roadrunner Records
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "In Due Time"
Track from: "Disarm The Descent"
Label: Roadrunner Records
VOLBEAT feat. King Diamond - "Room 24"
Track from: "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies"
Label: Republic Records
BLACK SABBATH's "God Is Dead?" also picked up a nomination in the "Best Rock Song" category. In addition, the band's comeback CD, "13", earned a nod for "Best Rock Album", alongside LED ZEPPELIN's "Celebration Day" and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's "…Like Clockwork", among others.
METALLICA's "Through The Never" received a nomination for "Best Recording Package" and ALICE IN CHAINS' "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" was up for the "Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical" award.
Nominations for the 56th annual Grammy Awards were announced on December 6, 2013 by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the sixth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour CBS entertainment special broadcast live from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
"This year's nominations reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry of the year in their respective fields," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, in a statement.
This year's Grammy Awards process registered more than 22,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (October 1, 2012 - September 30, 2013). Grammy ballots for the final round of voting were mailed on December 11 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They were due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by January 8, when they were tabulated and the results kept secret until the 56th Grammy telecast.
The 56th annual Grammy Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.
The Grammy Awards will air live on CBS tonight (Sunday, January 26) at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
JEFF LOOMIS: Video Footage Of SCHECTER Demo
Video footage of former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis' demo at the Schecter at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which is taking place January 23-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, can be seen below.
The special tour edition of Loomis' latest album, "Plains Of Oblivion", was released on April 16, 2013 via Century Media Records.
"Plains Of Oblivion - Tour Edition" features three bonus tracks, in addition to the original "Plains Of Oblivion" disc that was released in 2012.
Loomis's second solo album, "Plains Of Oblivion", sold 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 179 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Plains Of Oblivion" was released on April 10, 2012 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.
MOTÖRHEAD: Rescheduled European Tour Canceled
MOTÖRHEAD has been forced to cancel its previously announced European tour, originally rescheduled from last fall.
"It is with great regret that MOTÖRHEAD has to announce the cancellation of their European tour, scheduled to start February, 2014," reads a statement from the band.
"Many concerted, diligent and focused efforts were made by founding member, and international icon Lemmy Kilmister to deal with a range of health issues relating to diabetes. While there has been undoubted progress, Lemmy and the band were advised by doctors that it was still too soon to resume full touring activities, and so for the good of the future, the band and Lemmy reluctantly agreed to cancel.
"No one is hurting more over this than Lemmy, and he feels the aggravation and inconvenience of every ticket, and every method of transportation, already paid for by loyal fans in anticipation of the tour. Being a road warrior of over 50 dedicated, non-stop years, it is equally distressing for him to be unable to occupy the top lounge of the trusty tour bus (his spiritual home) but Lemmy recognizes that his long-term health must win. It goes without saying that Lemmy profusely apologises for inconveniences caused, but he does want everyone to know that he is continuing on the road to a full recovery, and that the prognosis long term is very good."
Since being diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, Lemmy's had to have a defibrillator installed in his heart, and more recently suffered from an "unspecified hematoma," which led to the cancellation of several European shows last summer. Factor in a daily intake of smokes, speed and Jack and Coke for the last 40-plus years, and it's a wonder he's alive at all. After decades of invincibility, the cracks are finally showing. Lemmy has had to make some difficult adjustments. "I had to give up the Jack and Coke because of the sugar," he told Decibel magazine. "I miss it. I gave up smoking, too. I gave up bread. It's been a bit of a job, you know?"
Longtime MOTÖRHEAD manager Todd Singerman told Decibel: "[Lemmy's] been up and down. He's got a really bad diabetic problem, and it changes on a daily basis. A lot of it is just fighting the bad habits, the things that he's not supposed to do anymore. He's stopped smoking, but he probably sneaks Jack and Coke here and there. He'd be lying to you if he said he stopped. He's been trying to substitute it with wine, and I'm sure he's slowed down on the speed. He thinks wine's better than Jack, but it's still got tons of sugar, you know? He doesn't grasp that he's just trading one demon for the other. That was the compromise with the doctors, by the way — trade the Jack for the wine. But he doesn't tell them he's drinking two fucking bottles, either. These are the battles we're up against. Keep in mind, he's been doing all this stuff on a daily basis since Hendrix. And it's coming to roost. It's sad for him, because he's gotten away with this stuff for all this time.
"I made them cancel [last fall's European tour], because Lemmy's not ready," Singerman explained. "He didn't wanna cancel. But what was gonna go down is what happened in Europe over the summer. See, he fucked up in Europe. He was supposed to rest for three months, and he refused. He ended up doing that show [Wacken Open Air in August], which he wasn't supposed to do, and it ended up being 105 degrees "Out there. He's playing direct in the fucking sun. The only thing I'm proud of him for is stopping when it didn't feel good. That was smart of him. The bottom line is that he needs to find a balance and then live that balance for a few months. But we can't find the balance yet. He has great days and then he fucks it up. And when you fuck up, you go backwards."
Lemmy, who turned 68 years old in December, told Classic Rock he didn't expect to still be here at 30,
"I don't do regrets," he said. "Regrets are pointless. It's too late for regrets. You've already done it, haven't you? You've lived your life. No point wishing you could change it.
PHILIP ANSELMO Has ‘Great Memories’ Of PANTERA’s ‘Far Beyond Driven’ Album
On January 24, Sheila Esmaili-Doki of the Sherman Music Examiner conducted an interview with former PANTERA and current DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Sherman Music Examiner: How was the "Metal Masters 5" show? I watched some footage from that and it looked pretty amazing.
Philip Anselmo: It was fun, you know, always fun meeting up with those guys... ANTHRAX and SLAYER, specifically. Meeting up with those guys, who really took me and PANTERA under their wings. We were such kids, you know. It means the world. They're great friends. And the MEGADETH guys... shit, man, Chuck Billy [TESTAMENT] being there and Billy Sheehan and all the rest of them. I don't want to leave anybody out -- there were a lot of musicians out there. It's always fun. It can be a bit of a clusterfuck here and there, but it's always a blast.
Sherman Music Examiner: I noticed that "Strength Beyond Strength" was in the setlist, which was really cool. It reminded me about the 20th anniversary of [1994 PANTERA album] "Far Beyond Driven" coming up. Does it seem like that has been 20 years? That album being #1 on Billboard back then was a pretty outstanding thing. Does it seem like the time has passed quickly since then or does it seem like a long time ago?
Philip Anselmo: You know, I guess I could say a little bit of both. Sometimes, it's, like, "Oh my God, time flies." And then other times, it's, like — you know, it's been a long haul and a lot has changed... you can see the distance and feel the distance, but 20 years — you think about when you're 20 years old and you think you've been on the earth a very long time, and it's not true at all. It's a long time, but I've got great memories and I still love that album.
Sherman Music Examiner: I know you have mentioned before that you always have low expectations for any music release you put out and that you are kind of a pessimist. Have the reactions to [your solo debut] "Walk Through Exits Only" surprised you in any way? It has gotten a lot of positive feedback, and it is an incredible release.
Philip Anselmo: Once again — you really said it, you know — I am a pessimist. And I don't put any expectations out there because I guess they set you up to let you down if you're that type of person, and I'm not that type of person. I realize that people are going to love music or hate music or be indifferent to it. For me, you know, especially on this leg on the tour, where I was very adamant about playing small clubs — for me, the vibe is awesome so far. Because I think we're really just that type of band. So I feel like we are where we belong, it's a new thing, and where it goes from here is anybody's guess, and also, where it goes from here is, I guess — how much work you put into it. So we'll see. I'm as in the dark as anybody else, but as far as the shows go, I'm having a blast.
Read the entire interview at Sherman Music Examiner.
WITHIN TEMPTATION: Teaser For ‘Whole World Is Watching’ Video Featuring SOUL ASYLUM’s DAVE PIRNER
A teaser for "Whole World Is Watching", the new video from Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION, can be seen below. The full clip will make its online debut next week.
"Whole World Is Watching", the third single from WITHIN TEMPTATION's new album, "Hydra", features a guest appearance by SOUL ASYLUM frontman Dave Pirner. It is a power ballad about facing and conquering your fears.
"When we wrote 'Whole World Is Watching', Dave was at the very top of our list," said WITHIN TEMPTATION singer Sharon Den Adel. "He has such a captivating voice: it made the song exactly how it needed to be."
"Hydra" will be released on January 31. The album will be available in several luxury formats. The cover artwork was created by Romano Molenaar ("X-Men", "Batman", "The Unforgiving").
Pre-order "Hydra" via iTunes now, and you will instantly receive the first two singles: "Dangerous", featuring a guest appearance by former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones and "Paradise (What About Us?)" featuring ex-NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen.
The digital premium album, complete with digi-booklet, will be available on iTunes and includes 18 audio tracks and a music video. The digital premium album features bonus "Evolution Versions" of four new songs, which contain audio commentary from guitarist Robert Westerholt and Sharon and give you unique access to the development of the songs, their lyrical inspiration and the sound of the initial demos and vocals.
"Hydra" digital premium album track listing:
01. Let Us Burn
02. Dangerous (feat. Howard Jones)
03. And We Run (feat. Xzibit
04. Paradise (What About Us?) (feat. Tarja)
05. Edge Of The World
06. Silver Moonlight
07. Covered By Roses
08. Dog Days
09. Tell Me Why
10. Whole World Is Watching (feat. Dave Pirner)
11. Radioactive (originally performed by IMAGINE DRAGONS)
12. Summertime Sadness (originally performed by Lana del Ray)
13. Let Her Go (originally performed by PASSENGER)
14. Dirty Dancer (originally performed by Enrique Iglesias)
15. And We Run (evolution track)
16. Silver Moonlight (evolution track)
17. Covered By Roses (evolution track)
18. Tell Me Why (evolution track)
19. Paradise (What About Us?) (feat. Tarja) music video (exclusive to iTunes premium version)
Aside from the digital premium version, "Hydra" will also be released in a deluxe box set including exclusive items many of you have been asking for, for a long time:
"Hydra" deluxe box set
* "Hydra" 18-track album including bonus tracks in the form of a media book with a hot foil print cover, featuring a 100-page booklet consisting of unique photos
* Double gatefold black vinyl version of the album including bonus tracks
* Instrumental version of the entire album
* Songbook with sheet music of the songs of the album
* "Hydra" guitar pick
* Packaged in an especially designed LP-sized box
In a recent interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Sharon stated about the songwriting process for "Hydra"": "A lot of bands were inspired by the '80s at the time we were writing 'The Unforgiving' album. There was a lot of music based on the '80s coming out and it had a lot of '80s flavors. With this new album, even though we're only a few years further up the road, you can feel that music has changed again. Music is not inspired on the '80s, but more like there are different influences in the music again. Music's always organic, and you feel things are changing comfortably."
She added: "When people asked us after 'The Unforgiving', 'Are you gonna make another 'Unforgiving' album?" we said, 'Of course.' Because we were really full of it in a positive way. We really like the album a lot and still do like it a lot but we really feel there's an '80s feel to the songs. When we started writing this album, again we felt like we were already knowing we were gonna go a different direction also."
Classic BLACK SABBATH Albums Re-Enter BILLBOARD Chart
According to Billboard.com, several of BLACK SABBATH's catalog of albums made their digital debut a week ago, thus sparking a return to the chart for two of their classic titles. Both "Black Sabbath" and "Paranoid", released in 1970, return to the chart this week. "Paranoid" re-enters at No. 121 with 2,935 (up 183%) and "Black Sabbath" returns at No. 184 (2,130; up 229%).
BLACK SABBATH's sales breakdown:
* "Paranoid"
This week: 2,935
Last week: 1,038
* "Black Sabbath"
This week: 2,130
Last week: 647
* "Greatest Hits 1970-1978"
This week: 1,973
Last week: 372
* "Vol. 4"
This week: 1,498
Last week: 751
* "Master Of Reality"
This week: 1,463
Last week: 249
* "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
This week: 887
Last week: 205
* "Sabotage"
This week: 774
Last week: 186
When Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terry "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward formed BLACK SABBATH in 1969, they created a signature sound that set the blueprint for heavy music and influenced generations of disciples for years to come. For the first time, the full catalog from the original BLACK SABBATH lineup is now available digitally in the U.S. and has been mastered specifically for iTunes, ensuring the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended. Available exclusively on the iTunes Store worldwide, fans now have the ability to download all albums in one newly created bundle ("The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978"), eight legendary studio albums, two classic compilations, or simply purchase each song individually.
"It's about fucking time the first eight BLACK SABBATH albums were made available on iTunes in the U.S.," said Ozzy Osbourne.
"Great news. [It's] been a long time trying to explain to fans why the music wasn't available," Tony Iommi commented.
"It's going to be great to finally have the catalogue accessible on iTunes," Geezer Butler noted.
"Black Sabbath: The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978" features the band's collected studio works for Warner Bros. Records from the 1970s, including their iconic eponymous debut (1970), the multi-platinum landmark "Paranoid" (1970), the platinum albums "Master Of Reality" (1971), "Vol. 4" (1972), and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (1973), and the gold-certified "Sabotage" (1975), "Technical Ecstasy" (1976), and "Never Say Die!" (1978). Also available is their classic 1976 compilation "We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll" as well as 2006's "Greatest Hits 1970-1978", which was released in connection with their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Following wildly successful shows in North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe, BLACK SABBATH will kick off another North American tour with dates starting March 31 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The trek will hit ten cities in Canada, including stops in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton, before wrapping April 26 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. These dates will be part of the band's final shows of their 2013-2014 world tour in support of their first studio album in 35 years, "13", which entered the charts at #1 in 13 countries (including their first #1 in the U.S.). Another run of European festivals and headlining shows will follow this summer.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY: New Studio Footage Of Guitar-Recording Sessions
Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY are recording their next album, the follow-up to the well-received self-titled record issued via Candlelight Records in late February 2012, the reissue of their "Eye For An Eye" debut, and the released Scion A/V EP "Megalodon". The forthcoming CD, untitled at this time, will again feature the trio of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woodroe Weatherman, and drummer Reed Mullin.
A new video clip from the studio — featuring footage of Woodroe "Woody" Weatherman laying down some guitar — can be seen below.
The initial work on the new album found the band not long out of the recording studio, having recently completed their "Megalodon" EP. The special EP was included free to all customers to the band's official webstore. Dean said: "The EP was written, recorded, and released in two months' time. It really challenged us in a good way."
Formed in Raleigh in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States, the band continues to find new fans via nonstop touring.