Featured
Anathema: Back to Greece for Two Shows
Just a few minutes ago, Anathema's official facebook page announced an extensive European tour due to the new studio album "Distant Satellites".
The original announcement is: "Following the release of their brand new studio album 'distant satellites', ANATHEMA will head out on an extensive European tour!
Keep an eye out on the tour dates tab for ticket links and further dates...
'distant satellites' is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2012's 'Weather Systems', recorded at Cederberg Studios in Oslo, with producer Christer-André Cederberg.
Release dates:
Germany & Sweden – 6th June
UK & RoW – 9th June
USA, Canada & France – 10th June"
Check bellow for the tour dates.
Former THE GATES OF SLUMBER Bassist JASON MCCASH Dies
Jason McCash, former bassist, co-songwriter and co-lyricist for Indianapolis doomsters THE GATES OF SLUMBER, has reportedly passed away. He was 37 years old.
In a posting on Facebook, THE GATES OF SLUMBER vocalist/guitarist Karl Simon wrote: "My best friend died last night.
"There will be no reunion — no more of THE GATES OF SLUMBER. It's dead beyond dead, and I've lost a brother.
"Please be respectful or silent. It's a small world and I'm still alive. Remember that shit."
McCash announced his departure from THE GATES OF SLUMBER last September, explaining that it was "just time for me to leave."
THE GATES OF SLUMBER's "Death March" video can be seen below. The song comes off the band's "Stormcrow" EP, which was released on January 29, 2013 via Scion Audio/Visual, (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market. The CD was recorded by Sanford Parker and it features cover artwork by Dave Quiggle.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER in 2012 parted amicably with drummer J. Clyde Paradis, who recorded and toured behind the 2011 album "The Wretch" (Rise Above Records).
THE GATES OF SLUMBER started in 1998 as a backlash against the stoner rock trend prevalent at the time and with their mixture of BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM, and prime-era CELTIC FROST, the band has crushed or converted unbelievers ever since.
"The Wretch" was released in May 2011 via Rise Above/Metal Blade. The CD was recorded at England's Orgone Studios with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, ANGEL WITCH).
Interview: Mantar (Hanno)
The German metalheads, Mantar, managed to gain some reputation with the release of ‘Death By Burning’...
Ghost Are Coming Back to Greece
Just a few minutes ago, Detox Events officially announced at their facebook page that Ghost are going to play in Athens at Heavy By the Sea Festival!
Until now the confirmed bands for the fest are: Deftones, Nightstalker, Planet of Zeus and Tardive Dyskinesia.
Stay tuned for further information about the concert.
EARACHE RECORDS Sues CENTURY MEDIA
According to the Courthouse News Service, British metal label Earache Records has filed a lawsuit against New York-based The Century Family, an affiliate of the nonparty record label Century Media Records, of Dortmund, Germany, claiming that the U.S. distributor owes it $250,000 in licensing fees, and broke a promise to release a catalog of hundreds of albums.
Earache claims that The Century Family breached a January 2013 agreement to market and distribute Earache's music, and attempted to escape its obligations by falsely claiming Earache had breached a three-year licensing agreement. Earache claims that of the 356 albums it delivered to Century, including 10 new releases, the company has distributed only 13 albums in the United States.
Excerpt from the complaint:
"On December 10, 2013, Don Robertson of [The Century Family] asked Al Dawson of Earache Records whether Earache Records would give [The Century Family] a six-month extension of its obligation to pay the $125,000.00 advance due February 1, 2014, because [The Century Family], according to Robertson, was having cash-flow problems. Mr. Dawson explained that, for reasons of its own (including among other things imminent obligations of Earache Records to third parties, for payment of which Earache Records was depending on timely payment of [The Century Family's] second and third advances under the U.S. Licensing Agreement), Earache Records regretfully could not agree to [The Century Family's] request.
"On January 31, 2014, less than one day before [The Century Family's] deadline to make its second $125,000 advance payment, Earache Records received a letter from attorney Eric German, characterizing himself as 'litigation counsel' for [The Century Family], setting forth a list of spurious allegations, on the basis of which [The Century Family] was claiming (for the first time ever) that Earache Records was supposedly 'in breach' of the U.S. Licensing Agreement. That this letter sent on behalf of [The Century Family] was nothing but a transparent pretext for delay was made clear when Mr. German therein advised, after first threatening litigation, that '[The Century Family] will not be making any payment pursuant to [the January 2013 agreement], unless and until such time as this matter is resolved, whether by negotiated settlement or by litigation.' [The Century Family] thereby not only announced its intended breach of its obligation to make the $125,000.00 February 1, 2014, advance payment, but also the $125,000.00 March 1, 2014, advance payment.
"On February 7, 2104, counsel for Earache Records, William Leibowitz, responded in writing to Mr. German's letter of January 31, 2014, stating in detail Earache Records' position and factual contentions, and noting [The Century Family's] actual and anticipatory breach of the U.S. Licensing Agreement's payment provisions. Mr. Leibowitz's letter constituted notice of termination of the U.S. Licensing Agreement, pursuant to its terms.
"[The Century Family] did not timely make the $125,000.00 February 1, 2014, advance payment, and has failed to cure that default of [The Century Family's] contractual obligation. [The Century Family] has also now failed to make the $125,000.00 March 1, 2014, advance payment, and has already stated that it has no intention to cure that default, either. Accordingly, as of at least March 9, 2014, [The Century Family] is in material breach of its payment obligations under the U.S. Licensing Agreement. Moreover, by [The Century Family] having failed to cure such breaches within thirty (30) days of the date of Mr. Leibowitz's letter of February 7, 2014, the U.S. Licensing Agreement is deemed terminated effective as of March 9, 2014."
Earache says The Century Family is still marketing and selling Earache's records in the U.S. market.
It seeks an injunction and $250,000
IN FLAMES’ PETER IWERS And BJÖRN GELOTTE To Release ‘2112 – A Tale Of Meat And Metal’ Book
"2112 - A Tale Of Meat And Metal", a new book by Peter Iwers and Björn Gelotte of the Swedish metal band IN FLAMES, along with journalist Mattias Lindeblad, will be released on May 30 via Kalla Kulor Förlag.
Restaurant 2112 was founded in 2011 by Iwers and Gelotte. The Gothenburg restaurant is named after the RUSH album and has since its opening become a natural venue for domestic and international fans of rock music.
2112 quickly became renowned for its marvelous, award-winning burgers, the well-selected beer and the warm and inviting atmosphere.
In just a few years, Restaurant 2112 has grown to become a home away from home for the rock-loving residents of Gothenburg and international rock stars passing through town.
This book is the story about following your dreams, even though you've never ever set foot on the other side of the bar counter — a tale of meat and metal.
The foreword was written by Hollywood star and IN FLAMES fan Peter Stormare.
Said SLAYER's Kerry King: "It's nice to see a couple of my friends in the biz doing well at something else. Now we have a great place for some drinks!!"
In an interview with EspyRock.com, Iwers stated about the decision to open Restaurant 2112: "We spent plenty of time thinking about it, looking at possible locations and learning the business side of things. Once we were prepared and knew we could open it, me, Bjorn and two other guys just went for it. We took it step by step, and although it was a lot harder than we ever expected it to be, we didn't rush anything. We've got people there who run it for us, and as soon as we're home, then we go straight to the restaurant and we help out. We do anything that needs to be done and on most occasions we're out as the host for all of the parties that come in. There are two parts to it, [the restaurant and also the pub section]. It's not one of these places that you need to wear a suit and tie, and it's also not a rock 'n' roll place either; [it's] something for everyone to enjoy."
Asked what made him and Björn decide on fine dining, Peter said: "A couple of different reasons, actually. When we're out on tour and someone invites you to a place, it always ends up being a rock 'n' roll bar with loud music and clouded in smoke. After a show, I don't want that, I want a hotel bar which is quiet and I can just sit and relax; you know, the piano-and-champagne-type bar [laughs]. I just want to unwind after a show. Another reason is that I enjoy going out with my friends, having something to eat, a few drinks and talk away for the rest of the night, but most places in Sweden close at eleven, so you have to move on to somewhere else. You keep moving round places, but unless you're quick, then they are full and you end up at the loud rock bar anyway. So we decided that we would combine the two and give you a place that you can sit for a long time and dine, enjoy incredible food and drink at affordable prices, and then just move onto the pub area to continue a nice relaxing evening.
"In the beginning, we had two different menus, but we then just made it the same menu so depending on how you feel and where you are, you will still be able to get the same good food and drinks."
"If you were to be there on a Saturday night, then you would notice that it is interesting, because we have a mix of people in IRON MAIDEN t-shirts and then guys in their fifties with their suits and ties on, but everyone mixes perfectly, they all enjoy it and it is very calm, the perfect atmosphere and exactly what we wanted."
Regarding the restaurant's name, 2112, Iwers said: "I think it was one of the other guys who came up with it; his name is Martin. It is a really clean name and we all happen to love RUSH.
"We spent a while talking about what we would call it, because the name is extremely important; people get a feeling of what your restaurant or bar will be like from the name, and if we called it In Flames Bar, then people would think instantly that it was a metal place or somewhere dark and dungeon-like, maybe a bit twisted with people on flames or something stupid. The name though was clean and then the decoration brings out the rock 'n' roll vibe, which is helped with some paintings and we plan to add some guitars and things. So when he said, 'What about '2112', from RUSH?' we thought about some other restaurants that have all numbers or letter/number combinations and it just worked very well. If you know about RUSH, then it's awesome, but if you don't know about RUSH, then it still comes across as a neat name."
2112 is located at Magasingatan 5 in Gothenburg.
For more information, go to this location.
2112talemeatmetalbook_638
EXODUS On New Album: ‘This Is Gonna Be So Goddamned Heavy, It Ain’t Even Funny’
Veteran San Francisco thrashers EXODUS have entered a studio in Northern California with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) to record their tenth studio album.
Commented EXODUS guitarist and songwriter Gary Holt: "We are well into drum tracks; everything is going super smooth and Tom [Hunting] is just killing it! Best drum sound this band has ever laid down — sounds just simply pummeling!
"[There is] only one more song [left to lay down] and some B-sides to go, then we go through things and make sure everything is up to par, and then time for guitars!
"Can't wait to add the crunch to these monsters.
"This is gonna be so goddamned heavy, it ain't even funny!
"We couldn't be more stoked and pleased with how this record is coming along! Bludgeoning!"
Holt recently told "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone about his plans for a new EXODUS studio album: "I'm heavily in riff mode [right now]. It's always hard to gauge where a record's going right away, but you kind of get a feel for where you're headed mentally, and right now it's really fast. It's ridiculous.
"I wanna make sure that the [next EXODUS] album is as good as it needs to be, and knowing I am going to be on a tight time frame, it does tend to stress me out quite a bit. But I think I write well under stress… I hate the pressure. But I do what I gotta do. We all do. So we'll make it happen."
EXODUS' latest album, "Exhibit B: The Human Condition", was released in North America on May 18, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The CD sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 114 on The Billboard 200 chart.
EXODUS' previous album, "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A", opened with 3,600 units back in October 2007.
EXODUS has announced its participation in a monumental upcoming tour with headliners SLAYER and additional special guests SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. This metalhead's "dream tour" kicks off on May 9 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and hits six more cities, including a stop at the world-famous Rock On The Range festival on May 17 in Columbus, Ohio. Gary Holt will perform double-duty on this run as guitarist for his band EXODUS, while also filling in for SLAYER's fallen guitarist Jeff Hanneman.
SLIPKNOT’s COREY TAYLOR Calls Out KISS For ROCK HALL Drama
According to The Pulse Of Radio, STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has called out KISS in a new interview with Radio.com over the public feud between the current band members, two original ex-members and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame over the group's long-awaited induction into the Hall next month. Taylor said, "On one hand, you're stoked being a KISS fan, but on the other hand it's, like, 'Can you guys just put aside your petty issues and realize that without one another you wouldn't have been able to do this? Can you just set stuff aside and do one show for the fans of the original lineup again? And then you never have to see each other again?'"
KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley firmly rejected the idea of performing at the induction ceremony with former founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, despite the Hall's and fans' wishes.
Taylor added, "Without (Frehley and Criss), the other two guys wouldn't be where they are! And that's just me layin' it straight! I might not ever get a kind word from anybody in that band anymore. But I think it's petty and I think it's ridiculous! Figure it out! Show respect, because sometimes it's not about you, it's about the fans."
But Taylor, who has seen his share of turbulent times in SLIPKNOT, admitted that band relationships can be tricky. He said, "We're just crazy people who can't get along sometimes… Now add fame and money and all that rock and roll craziness to it — we're lucky we don't eat each other in this industry!"
KISS will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 10 at a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, along with NIRVANA, Linda Ronstadt and others.
Taylor and SLIPKNOT are currently recording their first studio album since 2008's "All Hope Is Gone".
ELUVEITIE Checks In From The Studio
On March 7, Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE were awarded one of Switzerland's most prestigious recognitions in music: a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Live Act National." ELUVEITIE was chosen to receive the honor after a highly competitive fan voting, marking the very first time ever for a metal band to receive this award.
ELUVEITIE has now returned to the New Sound Studio to begin work on the follow-up to 2012's "Helvetios", once again with producer Tommy Vetterli (CORONER) at the helm.
Says the band: "As always, working with Tommy Vetterli is as efficient as it is creative: both drum and guitar tracking is already completed!
"We have now begun work on the folk instruments and vocals at New Sound Studio, Lucerne's Soundfarm Studio, and Chrigel's [Glanzmann, vocals] home simultaneously.
"We are extremely proud of the new material and can't wait to present yet another big step in the evolution of ELUVEITIE later this year!
"We were also able to secure a bunch of exciting guest performers, the first of which we have recorded last week: the wonderful Christine Lauterburg.
"Not only is Christine one of the most original musicians in Switzerland, but she's really a living legend! Like no other, she has practiced and perfected the age-old tradition of Swiss jodel over many decades. She has set many milestones in the history of Swiss folk music, and delivered valuable contributions to the research and preservation of a tradition that may reach back all the way to the early ages, and originated with the Helvetian celts.
"We are proud to have Christine in our ranks. Her singing adds just that much more archaic authenticity to our sound, and contributes to the primeval rawness that will define our new album!"
ELUVEITIE recently announced the addition of violinist Nicole Ansperger to the group's ranks.
ELUVEITIE's latest album, "Helvetios", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 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.
"Helvetios" was released in Europe on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast RecordsNew Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist).
ELUVEITIE Checks In From The Studio