Friday, September 27, 2013

Sons of The Sea Perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Just learning recently about Brandon Boyd's new project, it seems I am now flooded with music videos from his project "Sons of The Sea".  Their EP "Compass" was released in June, a new music video surfaced a few days ago for "Come Together", the full length album debuted on Tuesday (Sept. 24th), and now Boyd has taken the show on the road with a stop over at Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show.  You can check out two clips of Boyd + band performing the singles "Come Together" and "Lady Black".



For the project, Boyd contributed vocals and lyrics, while O'Brien handled the guitar, piano, and bass parts, with Josh Freese playing the drums. Writing and recording for the first time without his Incubus bandmates, Boyd was able to "exercise his inner control freak in the best possible way," crafting elegant, nuanced pop songs that show rock influence, yet ultimately live outside of the genre.  For those who enjoyed Incubus' recent work with O'Brien, Sons of the Sea should come as a welcome extension of where those projects were headed. -Billboard

46 & 2: The Glee Episode We All REALLY Want To See

After my girlfriend (who is one of the biggest Tool fans I know) showed me this video, I HAD to share it with all you fine people reading AFGM.  I cannot recall the last time I heard/saw kids (and judging by their talent, I use the term 'kids' in the nicest of ways) where I have seen such precision and attention to detail in one single take (from what I have gathered from the video).  I'm almost certain that Keenan, Carey, Jones, and/or Chancellor would appreciate the amount of work these kids went to for an almost dead on performance.

So a quick little background bit about the video (most of which can be found on the YouTube credits).

- If you haven't guessed it already the song is a cover of Tool's "46 & 2".
- Photography / Videography: John Quinto
- Mastering Engineer: Steve Nagasaki
- Mixing Engineer: Dan Agee
- Lead Engineer: Zach Allen
- Assistant Engineer: Jarad Clement
- Cameramen: Simon Marts and John Quinto
- Jeremy Singer at Maineville Music Academy



Amazing job to everyone listed above and of course the students that took part in this video that all have some amazing talent (thank your coaches and teachers kids).  I hope that another song will come of this since you can see the great feedback they have been getting from the clip.


"Big Tool fan and this is pretty damn cool. I'm sure you get requests all the time, but it would be sick to hear this same group do Parabol/Parabola. Great thing you have going here, can't wait to hear more." -f9ql (YouTube User)


"Incredible performance. The amount of focus and concentration here is amazing, felt like I was hearing the song again for the first time. Thank you for that! Each one of you have an amazing future in music ahead of you." -Terry Heeter (YouTube User)


"I'm one of those kids who listened to TooL at the same time as taking Chorale in high school. We got to sing with the band but it would have been awesome to do this. I am beyond impressed. You're an awesome professor to have had your kids compose this! I almost cried a little too! GREAT JOB Y'ALL!!!!! That drummer killed it at the end!!!! Represent!!!!! <3" -moonbabyam


"Little girl doing vocals was amazing it's clear she's had some voice training and she needs to keep with it because she's feeling the jam and she's talented. All of these kids right down to the percussion group were just effin amazing!" -usernamemonopoly


"Bassist killed it. And he obviously has great taste with the Periphery shirt." -AbsentProductions

Dope - Blood Money

Holy shit...DOPE is back!

I was wondering when Virus would be taking a step back from Device and heading back to the studio with Edsel.  Now that I got my answer, I am striving for something more.  I want a Toronto headline date!  I don't know if it's possible but since I've seen these guys open for Black Label Society (Apr. 4th, 2009 @ Sound Academy), I am crossing fingers they got enough support north of the border to bolster a Canadian tour.

So scouring through the (what seems) endless amounts of video and music coming out from multiple record labels, I was extremely happy to see this video clip surface on eOne Music...



So what are fans expecting for the new album Edsel?  DOPE has quite a range when coming to their music style and consistently changing up their sound as each album progresses.

"It sounds like DOPE. But it's next level. It's DOPE in 2014. With every record, the chemistry changes, the band changes and the sound expands. I'm really happy with how it's turning out. It's heavy, it's pointed, it's punk, pissed off, angry, electronic, noisy, melodic and metal. It picks up where 'No Regrets' left off and yet somehow has a lot of the punk/industrial energy of the early 'Felons And Revolutionaries' stuff. It's DOPE. And like all DOPE, it's best when played extremely loud and while traveling at dangerously high speeds." -Edsel

(Photo courtesy of Dope's Facebook Page)

DOPE has been formed and reformed over again over the years.  Not that core members are hard to work with but more along the lines of who is available as a full time musician and who is ready to tour another album alongside Edsel and Virus?

"With every DOPE album, the lineup shakes up a bit.  People grow, visions change and opportunities arise. It's just part of the process and it has always shaken out to be this way. Everyone has there own passions and we all support each other. DOPE has become like a fraternity and I am on great terms with all of the guys who have ever played with me." -Edsel

DOPE 2014 consists of the following lineup:

Edsel Dope - Lead Vocals | Virus - Lead Guitar (also a member of DEVICE with David Draiman of DISTURBED) | Dan "Dubs" Fox - Drums (former DOPE touring drummer and MUSHROOMHEAD percussionist) | Nikk Dibs - Guitar | Jerms Genske - Bass (former lead vocalist of DIRGE WITHIN)

(*Original bassist Acey Slade recently returned to DOPE for a handful of Midwestern shows and will also be performing in Russia with Edsel, Virus, and Dubs at the end of October.*)

(Photo courtesy of Dope/Chris Lotten)

"I love playing with Virus. He's my boy! I'm proud of him! He’s kicking ass with DEVICE. He kicks ass at whatever he does and we will kick ass together again in the near future.  My DOPE batteries are recharged and I am psyched to be back to it full time. The energy of the new music is off the chain! I can't wait to finish it all up and be out there and tour the world." -Edsel

Catch DOPE on tour as the hit up a few areas before conceding back into the studio for the final touches of the new album.

"Truth is, after 13 years of non-stop recording and touring with DOPE, I was burnt and I just needed a break from it all.  I'm ready to go now! I’m excited to get out there and re-connect with the fans and with that energy and feeling of being on tour.  We are gonna do a month worth of shows and lose our fuckin' minds before I slide back into the studio and put the finishing touches on the new album." -Edsel

(Photo courtesy of Dope's Facebook Page)

Tue 24 Sep - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Wed 25 Sep - Charlote, NC - Chop Shop
Thu 26 Sep - Fayetteville, NC - Drunk Horse Pub
Fri 27 Sep - Baltimore, MD - House of Rock
Sat 28 Sep - Nashaua, NH - Evolution Nightclub
Sun 29 Sep - Worcester, MA - The Paladium Upstairs
Tue 1 Oct - Hartford, CT - Webster Underground
Wed 2 Oct - West Warwick, RI - Manchester 65
Thu 3 Oct - New York, NY - Webster Hall in the Marlin Room
Fri 4 Oct - Reading, PA - Reverb
Sat 5 Oct - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
Sun 6 Oct - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Tue 8 Oct - Louisville, KY - Diamond Billards
Wed 9 Oct - Detroit, MI - I Rock
Thur 10 Oct - Battle Creek, MI - Planet Rock
Fri 11 Oct - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
Sat 12 Oct - Woodstock, VA - Virginia Chili Cookoff @ Shenendoah fairgrounds
Tue 15 Oct - Appleton, WI - Luna Lounge
Wed 16 Oct - Des Moines, IA - Warehouse
Thu 17 Oct - Wausau, WI - The Filmore
Fri 18 Oct - Chicago, IL - Double Door
Sat 19 Oct - Janesville, WI - Back Bar
Sun 20 Oct - Bloomington, IL - Castle Theatre

More information as it comes in folks!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Stone Temple Pilots - High Rise

High rise or high road?  That's the question that has been fumbling around in my head since the vocal takeover of Chester Bennington; hands down one of the biggest names in rock n roll right now (and for the past 10 years).

So for all those who haven't been following the entertainment news recently, Stone Temple Pilots (aka Robert DeLeo, Eric Kretz, and Dean DeLeo) have been in a family feud so to say with former vocalist and STP founder Scott Weiland.  Different POV's on the band's future put a rift between the group and ultimately fired Scott from the position.  A bit of a harsh move but this was not the first time that Scott was removed from a lead vocal spot before (coughSTPcoughVelvetRevolvercough).

"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press. Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing all of my fans on my solo tour which starts this Friday." -Weiland (dated Feb 27th, 2013)



So moving forward, the group pressed on with Scott filing lawsuit after lawsuit with claims that the band cannot use their name without his consent.  Blah, blah, blah...we will see what the courts have to say about all this legal BS.

"The band that played last weekend was not Stone Temple Pilots and it was wrong of them to present themselves as that... They don't have the legal right to call themselves STP because I'm still a member of the band... It's misleading and dishonest to the millions of fans that have followed us for so many years. When I tour on my own, it's never as Stone Temple Pilots. It's as Scott Weiland. The fans deserve to know what they're getting... If my former bandmates want to tour with a new singer, that's their prerogative. I don't give a f**k what they call themselves, but it's not Stone Temple Pilots." -Weiland

So back to the music now, Chester enters the scene from what seems thin air.  The chemistry is instant and full of new, fresh ideas that both Chester and the band seemed to be really enjoying.


1. Out of Time
2. Black Heart
3. Same on the Inside
4. Cry, Cry
5. Tomorrow

"Naturally, I'm not [former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer] Scott [Weiland], so I'm not gonna think of the same melodies, I'm not gonna think of the same lyrical content and such, so in that sense, naturally, there's gonna be a difference in terms of how I interpret what the band puts together musically. I think that's one of the reasons why we're so eager to get the [new STONE TEMPLE PILOTS] EP out, because we want people to hear the new direction and feel the vibe of the new music. Because there's definitely a vibe in that EP that is fresh and it's new but it still feels very STP." -Benningnton



So why an EP?  If the chemistry is good and the songs are really coming along nice, why only do 5 songs instead of pushing for an entire full length?  Well, it seems Chester even got quotes stating there is no major label to pick them up right now, as you can read below:

"We don't have a label. Everything we're doing is on our own, so we're just taking it one track at a time. We would love to sit down and hammer out a record, but the reality is we're gonna make music, we're gonna make a lot of it, and we're gonna be in a position to release a single at a time, go out and really give people music the way they want to get it." -Bennington

So the latest release from the group would be their 8 minute EPK for their upcoming "High Rise" release, which is scheduled for October 8th, 2013 via 13Star Records (whoever that is).  I am personally soooo excited to hear this EP and (hopefully) the tour to follow.  Negativity is going to surround this debacle for quite some time but in the end it is what it is.  STP loves Chester and Chester loves STP.  They make good music together and Chester is an equally entertaining front man.  GET OVER IT!



"I'm very proud to have had the honor to have worked with Scott [Weiland] in the past – really, at a time when there was no one better, in my opinion. I'm really, really excited about what we carved out, and I'm just as honored and just as proud of what we're embarking upon right now." -Dean DeLeo

Now all we need is a good ol North American tour with a stop in Toronto.  Who's with me?!


Random Music Quotes: Heafy

"The state of metal in 2013… It's in a great place and it's also in a bad place.  I think the fact that there is so much… I guess to each his own, and I always talk about being acceptant of all styles of life and all genres of music — I mean, you can learn something from everything — there is a lot of manufactured nonsense out there.

For me, when I think of hardcore and I think of metal and I think of bands that I love from those genres… I don't know. In my head, I know what they should sound like. And I can see what these bands are all copycatting off each other's copycatting and not quite making anything original and not making anything of their own; they just keep copying a form of a copy.

I know I've been looking for that young, new metal band...



Where are the kids that are picking up a guitar, saying, 'Hey, I wanna be like IRON MAIDEN,' 'Hey, I wanna be like METALLICA'? Instead it's bands that are putting weird dance music in with heavy music. Which is fine — I guess they're doing something that kids love — but for me, as a metal fan, I'm missing out on where are the young kids picking up a guitar and starting metal bands. I guess there are a few last hopes out there — there are some really incredible bands that are doing some really incredible things. The fact that METALLICA and IRON MAIDEN are bigger than ever is a really, really great thing.

We, as fans of metal, need to not just look at it as a thing to get turned on to casually — it's a lifestyle; it's far beyond just something that we casually listen to.

I think that metal fans and metal bands need to support each other and band together and help bring each other further and bring each other upwards versus trying to drag each other down. I'm not saying that's a common feature and that's what's happening now, but I definitely don't see enough of a brotherhood, of people helping each other — bands helping each other go up, fans supporting all bands because they're in the genre they love. I think we need more of that. And we need more kids to start playing metal again." -Heafy

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Music Video Roundup For September 25th, 2013

Even though yesterday's article had a ton of new music and music videos for you all to enjoy, it just wasn't enough for moi.  After logging into the comp this morning I saw a slew of new videos pop up on my subscriptions and alerts.  Hopefully this will make the day go by a lil faster for a few of you.



"Dead Man Breathing" comes off of Hatebreed's 6th studio album "The Divinity of Purpose" which was released on January 29th, 2013 via Razor & Tie/Nuclear Blast Records.

AFGM: Hatebreed - The Divinity of Purpose




"Romantic Dreams" come off the Deftones' 7th studio album "Koi No Yokan" which was released on November 12th, 2013 via Reprise Records.

AFGM: Deftones - Koi No Yokan




Scar The Martyr will be releasing their debut self titled album "Scar The Martyr" on October 1st, 2013 via Roadrunner Records.




"Down In The Shadows" comes off of INVSN's self titled debut album "Invsn" which was released on September 24th, 2013 via Razor & Tie Records.




"Come Together" is taken from Sons of the Sea's self titled full length album "Sons of the Sea" which was released on September 24th, 2013 via AVOW! Records.




"Magnolia Blvd" comes off the Butcher Babies' debut full length "Goliath" which was released on July 9th, 2013 via Century Media Records.

AFGM: Butchered, Taped and Ready To Rock




"Crown of Thorns" comes off Kill Devil Hill's upcoming release "Revolution Rise" which is due out on October 29th, 2013 via Century Media Records.

***

And just as a bonus for sticking it out through the entire article, here is a 5 minute clip of the newly designed Halloween exhibit at Universal Studios in Hollywood.  The exhibit is titled "Black Sabbath - 13 3D" and will feature music, video and themes from the legendary band Black Sabbath.  Enjoy!

Music Releases For September 24th, 2013

As you can see below, we had a lot to cover this week for music releases (hence the day late release).  by the time I got around to looking through the reviews it was already time to pack up and head home for he evening.  Either way, were back in full swing this morning and just finished reading some great reviews about the aforementioned albums.

Some interesting releases from artists such as Yoko Ono, Alan Jackson, Elton John, INVSN, Sammy Hagar, and more.  All with something a little different that the other, I hardly found a review that wasn't in favour of most of these albums.  Call it a good week if you want.  I am looking forward to heading down to my local record store, online retailer, or other legal sources to pick up and spin a few of these.

Some of my personal favourites this week would have to be Gov't Mule, Matthew Good, Tarja, Metallica and Dream Theater (amazing album).  Hope you all enjoy!

(Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Band - Take Me To The Land of Hell)

It takes an effort to reach the spot where it sinks in as an overarching piece, but that ties back to more challenging Ono musical projects, where time and patience are key elements in the listening process. For "Moonbeams" she even gets her wail on, making it ache as hard as the spread of a dull blue bruise. It's there that Ono still performs most effectively, using tone and gesture to say far more than most of her straight "message" songs. In among the ebullient atmosphere of this record, there's a voice in there that says: "I hurt, too." -Pitchfork

(Alan Jackson - The Bluegrass Album)

Jackson and album producers Keith Stegall and Adam Wright infuse a back-porch feel in original numbers here and savvy selections from other writers, including Jackson's new spin on John Anderson's 1982 hit "Wild and Blue" and Adam Wright's sharply witty "Ain't Got Trouble Now."

Among his own contributions, Jackson's "Blue Ridge Mountain Song" and "Blue Side of Heaven" demonstrate his understanding of themes that are central to bluegrass: the knowledge that life is hard, but the human spirit can rise above. -LA Times

(Elton John - The Diving Board)

There’s no pretension about the songs on ‘The Diving Board’; at this late stage, John and Taupin are who they are, and they’re not trying to fit into any easy box that the music industry or fan expectations may have prepared for their burial. It’s a record that may put off some fans, but it’s not made for young ears in search of the Next Big Thing, or casual fans hoping for another ‘Philadelphia Freedom.’ Longtime John observers will be familiar with the drill — ‘The Diving Board’ is simply a fine set of new music from a pair of brilliant songwriters. Settle in and let the music happen. -Ultimate Classic Rock

(Sammy Hagar - Sammy Hagar & Friends)

After listening to Mr. Hagar’s new album “Sammy Hagar and Friends” I can’t help but wonder how his voice still sounds this good forty years later. Sammy Hagar is a legendary rock front man. With Sammy Hagar and Friends Sammy gets to explore other genres he hasn't played in before, which as a fan is very entertaining to listen to.

Sammy Hagar and friends is a must for Sammy Hagar fans. The album includes Kid Rock, Neal Schon, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith, Bill Church, Nancy Wilson, Ronnie Dunn, Toby Keith, Vic Johnson and several more. -Zoiks Online

(Sting - The Last Ship)

Ironically, this assemblage of character portraits winds up making more of a personal statement than Sting has issued in a decade. It doesn’t hurt that it’s his first CD of original material since 2003’s muted attempt at a soul CD, “Sacred Love.” Here, he’s writing about his youth in the ’50s, growing up in the dying days of the shipbuilding industry that once defined his hometown of Wallsend in North England. -NY Times

(Gov't Mule - Shout!)

Anyone who has seen the Mule live understands their songs are often skeletons to support extended jams. That improvisational spirit is alive and well here where most of the pieces exceed five minutes with three over eight. It pushes the disc to nearly 75 minutes, good value for the money but at the expense of not reigning in some of the band’s less interesting side roads that can wander off course. Haynes’ whisky-scarred bark of a voice acquits itself well for this music but is also limited in its range. As if to acknowledge that, a second CD has the same songs played by Gov’t Mule utilizing eleven different singers. -American Songwriter

(Matthew Good - Arrows of Desire)

So what makes Arrows of Desire so alluring is the complete reversal it boasts of all these pessimistic expectations. Upon closer inspection, we find Good, as a suffer of bipolar disorder, never really liked the limelight much anyway, and is more in his element than ever when the (Canadian, anyway) crowds aren't staring his way all the time. And what separates Good from his peers is that when he says he's rediscovered some of the colors in his teenage musical palette, he means it; Arrows of Desire is closer to tasteful retrospective than shabby, copycat cash-grab. The album certainly doesn't sound much like the success-riddled tunes of Good's old band, but it puts a spring in the metaphorical step of his music that hasn't been seen for a long, long time. -Sputnik Music

(INVSN - Invsn)

By all means, this is a solid debut album from INVSN. The deep shadows and foreboding synths play perfectly off the infectious pop sensibilities, as the emotive and haunting melodies seem to draw on each band members taste and influence. Undoubtedly, it’s important for fans of Lyxzen’s previous work to not look at this as a step away from the hardcore scene, but a reworking of the angst and rage into something that is just as significant and haunting. -Push To Fire

(Tarja - Colours In The Dark)

Colours In The Dark keeps the spotlights on the vocals, even if Tarja’s vibrato show hints of touring abuse. On the maddeningly flawed “Lucid Dreamer,” Tarja glides through an enchanting power metal melody that tingles the spine when she shoots for the high E. The song misguidedly interrupts itself in the middle for an ELO acid trip, featuring the world of sounds that must go through a zombie’s head.

Colours In The Dark is riskier than Tarja’s previous three solo albums. The album is a huge panorama of operatic metal, where some artistic experimentation is attempted, but repeatedly crushed under the album’s bombast. The dramatic scope of the strings and choirs, guitars and woodwinds, arrangement and high-gloss presentation is truly wondrous. -About.com

(Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction LIVE)

Reissued for its 20th anniversary, this new double-disc box-set CD edition omits the bonus tracks from Countdown to Extinction‘s 2004 re-release, but is remastered by Tom Baker – who adds plenty of brawn. Baker’s clear-cut, punchy mix is a breath of fresh air after the confusing array of dubious remixes on Megadeth’s previous reissues.

Ultimately, although all that polishing and buffing ensures a nice finish, it doesn’t alter the reality that Countdown to Extinction marks the point at which the band’s career was cleaved in two for many fans. -Pop Matters

(Metallica - Through The Never Soundtrack)

The music-driven feature film combines a bold narrative and spectacular live-performance footage of one of the most popular and influential rock bands in history to produce a bracing, raw and visceral cinematic experience. Emerging young star Dane DeHaan (The Place Beyond the Pines, Kill Your Darlings, The Amazing Spider-Man 2) portrays Trip, a young roadie sent on an urgent mission during Metallica s roaring live set in front of a sold-out arena audience. -Amazon

(Black Label Society - Unblackened)

What makes Unblackened a nice surprise for the faithful is the way the tunes are rearranged. “”Stillborn”, which is a smash mouth rocker, is nearly unrecognizable here. Wylde and crew turn it into a ballad. Not a cheesy ballad, but one along the lines of, say, Bob Seeger’s “Turn The Page” or something of that ilk.

The draw of Unblackened is powerful. I enjoyed both discs and I am not now, nor have I ever been, a Black Label Society fan. Bluesy bar rock, no matter how well played, holds no interest for me, and I find most of BLS’s work to be boring, while their live presence, at times, comes dangerously close to self-parody. Going into Unblackened feeling that way, but still enjoying the record, convinces me the die-hard fan will be salivating over the whole project. -Crave Online

(Dream Theater - Dream Theater)

The majority of the songs are shorter – around the six minute mark – than they've been for some time.  Combine that with the most striking commercial hooks of their career on lighter-waving ballads Along For The Ride, The Bigger Picture and Rush-influenced anthem Through The Looking Glass – with its major key bounce, tranquil floating vocal and sky straddling chorus – and it amounts to the most accessible Dream Theater album to date.

Although he played on 'A Dramatic Turn...', this is the first album where Mangini was involved from the beginning – and he nails it. The Enemy Inside is likely to be his calling card as his unbelievably fast and ferocious attack propels the track in spectacular style, typifying the technical prowess and musical intelligence he brings to the whole record. -Stereoboard

Box Sets:


(Nirvana - In Utero 20th Anniversary)

The Super Deluxe box set is rounded off with the CD/DVD combo of Live & Loud from December 1993. Recorded just four months before his suicide, it revisits the entire Nirvana back catalogue, and serves as a fitting reminder of Cobain's talents as a songwriter and front man. Overall, the music presented on this anniversary edition of 'In Utero' is a comprehensive deconstruction of the album, with the liner notes putting it all into context. However, it also succeeds in shedding new light on the material by allowing Steve Albini the opportunity to finish a job he started twenty years ago. If there's any criticism to be made, it's that his 2013 mix isn't available as a stand-alone release. But in the digital age, there seems little motivation for the record company to do so. It may not have quite defined a generation in the same way as 'Nevermind'. But 'In Utero' sounds better with age and is well worth revisiting as this impressive release demonstrates. -Contact Music

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Music News and New Music for September 24th, 2013

So of course, when running your own blog solo it can be tough to keep up with the s**tload of stuff that comes across our ears over a weekend!  Some good, some bad, some not even worth mentioning.  I guess that's how I use AFGM in general.  These articles that I go through everyday from various sites (Blabbermouth,. CBC, National Post, AV Club, Exclaim, Music News, Rolling Stone, etc.) and sort of "filter" some of the nonsense news such as the latest fashion design, who's got beef with who and who ISN'T doing music...still.

These articles brought forth are for a few different reasons:

1. It is relevant music information that pertains to you as a reader, no matter the level of intent or the genre.

2. They are relevant to the music I would be currently listening to or a genre I have put some attention and focus on.

3. I am somewhat patriotic about my Canadian music, so that always comes as a first for me.  I enjoy music from all parts of the world respectively, but I still have to promote local if I can.  Canadian music rocks!

4. Because it's humourous and we can ALWAYS use a good laugh.  Rarely will it be at someone's expense...but then again I am just the guy talking about it.  They're the ones causing the comments.

So in closing, I trust you all will not read EVERY single article posted here.  But I hope you find something of use here and keep the conversation going by forwarding it onto someone else.  Click on each article heading for redirection to the full article.  Cheers!



METALLICA: 'Master Of Puppets' Performance Clip From 'Through The Never' Movie:




The TSO and its guest cellist deliver musical risk-taking at its finest:

"We want a lot from the Toronto Symphony. They have proven time and again that they are capable of substantial artistic achievement. So, when they don’t reach the heights, we feel a bit let down. The Elgar reminded us on Wednesday night of what they can achieve. It’s a standard they’ve taught us to expect."


HALESTORM's Cover Of DAFT PUNK's 'Get Lucky' Available For Streaming:




STONE TEMPLE PILOTS: 'Black Heart' Lyric Video:




Japandroids Map Out Canadian Fall Dates:

10/17 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
10/18 Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightlcub 
10/20 San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
10/23 Saint John's, NL - The Rock House
10/24 Saint John's, NL - The Rock House
10/26 Halifax, NS - Olympic Community Hall (Halifax Pop Explosion)
11/06 Bogota, Colombia - Fundacion Gilberto Alzate Avendno
11/07 Bogota, Colombia - Amrando Records
11/08 Lima, Peru - Voce Club

Imogen Heap Announces 'Sparks' Album, Unveils Massive Box Set:

"Sparks":

1. You Know Where to Find Me
2. Entanglement
3. The Listening Chair
4. Cycle Song
5. Telemiscommunications
6. Lifeline
7. Neglected Space
8. Minds Without Fear
9. Me the Machine
10. Run-Time
11. Climb to Sakteng
12. The Beast
13. Xizi She Knows
14. Propeller Seeds

Those who order the box set (see full article) will get it on or around February 24th, prior to the in-store release date. Thiose buyers will also get access to one of Heap's sound checks on her 2014 tour.




Fewer hooks, plenty of sprawl: Why I’m glad the boys of MGMT are back with a new album:

"And in 2010, when MGMT released Congratulations, it was apparent that the MGMT thing was a new thing: less anthemic, less hooky, still melodic, but more of an airy, sprawling sonic adventure. Producer Fridmann missed that journey, and although he is now back on board, this self-titled third disc continues with beautiful textures and updated sixties experimentation at the expense of pop hooks."


MOTÖRHEAD's Motörheadphönes - New Promotional Video:




Veruca Salt Recording New Material with Brad Wood:

"It's confirmed: We are heading into the studio in October with none other than Brad Wood to record a couple of songs."


Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Valhalla Rising' Soundtrack to See Release:

1. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Valhalla Rising (Introduction)"
2. Giles Lamb & Douglas MacDougall - "Caged"
3. Giles Lamb & Douglas MacDougall - "One Eyes Fights"
4. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Montage"
5. Giles Lamb & Douglas MacDougall - "Arrowhead"
6. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Escape"
7. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Return"
8. Giles Lamb & Douglas MacDougall - "Free"
9. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Christians"
10. Peter Peter - "Men of God"
11. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "The Bat"
12. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Into ell"
13. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Hell"
14. Giles Lamb & Douglas MacDougall - "Forest"
15. Peter Peter & Peter Kyed - "Valhalla Rising (End Credits)


Linkin Park Release New Single With Steve Aoki “A Light That Never Comes”:




Lee Ranaldo, Hey Rosetta!, Wintersleep Pay Tribute to Jack Kerouac on New Compilation:



1. William Fitzsimmons & Tim & Adam - "First Page of Kerouac's Tristessa"
2. Tim & Adam - "Billie Holiday Eyes"
3. Gregory Alan Isakov - "O' City Lights"
4. Peter Bradley Adams - "She Has to Come Down"
5. Alela Diane - "We Are Nothing"
6. Wintersleep - "Father Time"
7. Marissa Nadler - "Tristessa's Song"
8. Joshua James - "Esperanza (Spanish Version)"
9. Lee Ranaldo - "Middle Page of Kerouac's Tristessa"
10. Will Dailey - "Broke My Calm"
11. Hey Rosetta! - "Sad Animals"
12. Willy Mason - "I Have Known Love"
13. Matt Costa - "Shadows of Autumn"
14. The Low Anthem - "Numbers in Nirvana"
15. Neal McCarthy & Barbara Kessler - "Esperanza (English Version)"
16. Tony Dekker & Hanne Hukkelberg - "Last Page of Kerouac's Tristessa"


Eminem Unveils 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' Artwork:


MMLP2 hit stores on November 5th, 2013 via Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records.




TLC Detail Greatest-Hits Release and Biopic, Promise New Album in 2014:


1. Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg
2. What About Your Friends
3. Baby, Baby, Baby
4. Hat 2 Da Back
5. Creep
6. Waterfalls
7. Red Light Special
8. Diggin' on You
9. Kick Your Game
10. No Scrubs
11. Unpretty
12. Silly Ho
13. Damaged
14. Meant to Be




Cuff the Duke Announce Ontario Fall Tour:

10/25 Sudbury, ON - Townehouse Tavern
10/26 Nipissing Village, ON - Piebird Farmstay
10/30 London, ON - London Music Club
11/01 Kingston, ON - Grad Club
11/02 Burnstown, ON - Neat Coffee Shop
11/05 Hamilton, ON - Casbah
11/08 Barrie, ON - Clarkson Pub
11/09 Oshawa, ON - The Moustache Club
11/15 Peterborough, ON - The Red Dog
11/16 Aylmer, ON - Old Town Hall


PROTEST THE HERO: 'Clarity' Lyric Video:



Elvis Costello Explains the Origins of His Roots Collab 'Wise Up Ghost':

"When I first went on [Fallon], I didn't know what the protocol was about the Roots accompanying people.  I'd seen them do it on a number of nights, but I didn't know how tight they were with those artists. They could have been friends from another occasion; I didn't think it was necessarily something you could request.

It would just be idiotic to assume that I would even think about trying to do a rap record.  But there are plenty of songs I've done where the declamation of the lyric has been more important than the melodiousness of my voice. Right from the beginning, 'Pump It Up' is from a noble lineage of one-note songs, where the rhythm is driving it as opposed to melodies that, as they used to say, the milkman can whistle." -Costello


KORN: 'The Paradigm Shift' EPK:



Korn also tease three new songs from their upcoming record.  Check out "Spike In My Veins" (http://instagram.com/p/edepTGq-xt/), "Prey For Me" (http://instagram.com/p/edcbULK--Q/) and “Punishment Time” (http://instagram.com/p/en4OavBV-t/)


John Lennon's 1980 Trip to Bermuda Documented with New App:


"Writing Double Fantasy was a very exciting time creatively for both John and me.  I think the album app captures the sense of discovery and the artistic dialogue that John and I shared at that time and provides a new way to help us imagine a world without hunger." -Ono


THE BROWNING: 'Industry' Lyric Video:



"Hypernova" is due out on October 1st, 2013 (USA) via Century Media/Earache, and October 7th, 2013(Europe) via Earache.


More Photos From Korn’s Campy Revolver Magazine Shoot Available:




BLACK LABEL SOCIETY: 'Spoke In The Wheel' Video From 'Unblackened' DVD:



DVD:

1. Losin' Your Mind
2. The Blessed Hellride
3. Sold My Soul
4. Road Back Home
5. Spoke In The Wheel
6. House Of Doom
7. Queen Of Sorrow
8. Machine Gun Man
9. Sweet Jesus
10. In This River
11. Throwin' It All Away
12. Takillya (Estyabon)
13. Won't Find It Here
14. Rust
15. Speedball
16. I Thank You Child
17. Stillborn

CD1:

1. Losin' Your Mind
2. The Blessed Hellride
3. Sold My Soul
4. Road Back Home
5. Spoke In the Wheel
6. House Of Doom
7. Queen Of Sorrow
8. Machine Gun Man
9. Sweet Jesus
10. In This River
11. Throwin' It All Away

CD2:

1. Takillya (Estyabon)
2. Won't Find It Here
3. Rust
4. Speedball
5. I Thank You Child
6. Stillborn
7. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
9. Lovin' Woman
10. Queen Of Sorrow (unplugged)
11. Song For You (cover)
12. Won't Find It Here (unplugged)
13. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow




Bleeding Through Announce Farewell U.S. Tour With Winds Of Plague, Oceano, Gideon & Sworn In:


11/01 Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall
11/02 Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose
11/03 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre – Studio B
11/04 Joliet, IL – Mojoe’s
11/05 Louisville, KY – Expo Five
11/06 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
11/07 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
11/08 Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
11/09 Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin Metalfest
11/10 Cleveland, OH – Ohio Metalfest
11/11 Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
11/12 Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
11/13 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
11/14 Springfield, VA – Empire
11/15 Greensboro, NC – Greene Street
11/16 Jacksonville, FL – Roc Bar
11/17 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
11/19 Houston, TX – Walters
11/20 Dallas, TX – Trees
11/21 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
11/22 Lubbock, TX – Jakes
11/23 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

*A few more stops for the tour will soon be revealed.


IN FLAMES - 'Sounds Of A Playground Fading' Video:




Muse to Release Concert Film:

"Over the summer, we played this massive gig in Rome Olympic Stadium, that was probably the best gig of the year.  It’s gonna come out in 4K, which is the highest resolution concert ever shot. It’s four times more powerful than HD, so it’s like ridiculous detail. When you see the concert being filmed, you can see all the crowd, you can see their faces being filmed." -Bellamy


I See Stars Release “Murder Mitten” Lyric Video:




MEGADETH: 'Countdown To Extinction: Live' Trailer:

1. Intro
2. Architecture Of Aggression
3. Ashes In Your Mouth
4. Captive Honour
5. Countdown To Extinction
6. Foreclosure Of A Dream
7. Hangar 18
8. High Speed Dirt
9. Holy Wars
10. Peace Sells
11. Psychotron
12. Public Enemy
13. She Wolf
14. Skin O' My Teeth
15. Sweating Bullets
16. Symphony Of Destruction
17. This Was My Life
18. Trust
19. Outro




SABATON - Trailer For 'Swedish Empire Live' DVD:



"Swedish Empire Live" will be out on September 20th via Nuclear Blast and will be available in the following formats:

- 2Blu-ray digi
- 2DVD digi
- DVD (Poland only)
- CD digi
- 2LP (limited black vinyl in gatefold + poster)
- 2LP (limited yellow vinyl in gatefold + poster) (Nuclear Blast mailorder only)
- Earbook (2Blu-ray + 2DVD + CD + exclusive bonus CD, 48-page earbook)
- Special Leather Hardcover Earbook (Nuclear Blast mailorder only) (2Blu-ray + 2DVD + CD + exclusive bonus CD, 48-page earbook)


DEATH ANGEL - 'The Dream Calls For Blood' Lyric Video:




ASHES OF ARES: 'This Is My Hell' Video:



"It really is for the first time being in total creative control of lyrics and vocal melodies. That's a big deal for me. It's a big step, but without Freddie writing the music — he wrote 99.9 however much of the music — it would be different. I'm a music writer, but not writer per se. I did write the basis for "Move The Chains", but my guitar playing sucks [laughs], but Freddie made it sound like actual guitar playing, and I did "The Answer", which I wrote acoustically. It's really more… I'm going to take the hits — good or bad — as far as lyrics and melodies because it is all me. Freddie wrote 99.9 [percent], however much of the music, but it's really this collaborative effort. Van took the ideas we had and wrote these cool drum parts that we didn't even think of — it changed the dynamic of the songs. It's a really cool joint collaboration, and we're really proud." -Matt Barlow


Wolves At The Gate Streaming Their Cover Of Thursday’s “Understanding In A Car Crash”:

Alter Bridge Streaming ENTIRE "Fortress" Album

The beauty about Alter Bridge is...

1. No Scott Stapp (haha)
2. Myles Kennedy
3. Mark Tremonti
3.5. Amazing guitar collaborations between Kennedy and Tremonti.
4. They don't mess around when it comes with promotion and production of their albums.

While they may keep quiet for months at a time when working on other project such as Mark's TREMONTI solo project or Myles working round the clock with Slash and the rest of the gang, the group always seems to fall back in the Alter Bridge groove when the timing is right.  I was personally ecstatic upon hearing that Alter Bridge was releasing their forth album "Fortress" on October 4th, 2013 in North America (via Roadrunner/EMI Records) AND they are going to stream the ENTIRE album prior to it's release.  I am currently blasting the album as I am writing this!


1. Cry of Achilles
2. Addicted to Pain
3. Bleed It Dry
4. Lover
5. The Uninvited
6. Peace Is Broken
7. Calm the Fire
8. Waters Rising
9. Farther than the Sun
10. Cry a River
11. All Ends Well
12. Fortress

The album was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette who has done a lot of work with the likes of Chevelle,  The Amity Affliction, Iggy Pop, Limp Bizkit, Three Days Grace, Saliva, and many more!  Jeff Moll handled the mixing and digital engineering parts of the album while the mastering was done by Ted Jansen (both of whom have extensive credential as well).



"I think it's definitely a little bit more cerebral. I think every record we try to kind of better ourselves, and I think this record definitely shows that we've progressed, and the arrangements of the songs, we didn't think about too much, rather just letting them evolve. In the end, I think it shows all of that as well. We would just try things out all the time, and eventually, some of the songs would get pretty lengthy and well, we didn't care. We've got a couple of 6-7 minute songs on the record, and our fans like that, and we like it too. We like those journeys that we can take with a piece of music when we can really hit it hard and that's just something ALTER BRIDGE has become accustomed with and it's just kind of where we've gone. Consistently we've just kind of been pushing ourselves. The songs on the record are a bit more up-tempo as well. I think this is our epic. It's our hardest rock record to date." -Brian Marshall

So since you got all that, you wanna hear what I've been cranking all afternoon?  Have at er!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Rock In Rio 2013 Video Recap

So the 2013 edition of Rock In Rio has come to a close and the video segments are being added to social media streams on a hourly basis now.  From what I have compiled below (crossing fingers no copyright claims) you can check out the performances from Metallica, 30 Seconds To Mars, Ghost, Alice In Chains, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, and more!

Metallica:




Nickelback:




30 Seconds To Mars:




Ghost (aka Ghost BC):




Alice In Chains:




Slayer:




Avenged Sevenfold:




The Offspring:




Bon Jovi:




Iron Maiden:

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Dayshell's Not Coming In

So a band that is almost brand new to the scene (and for their label Sumerian Records) but still has some experience in previous bands on the bill is the newly formed Dayshell.  Much like a metamorphic rock under pressure, Dayshell was formed after lead man Shayley "Dayshell" Bourget decided to leave Of Mice & Men to pursue other musical endeavours, shocking fans and the music world alike as OM&M were well on their way to become a top notch performer.

"I want to push boundaries.  This is our own style. It might be heavy at the forefront, but there's beauty behind that. It encompasses all of my influences from Deftones and Led Zeppelin to Incubus and Enya. I like to call it 'Fresh Metal'."  -Bourget

So with that Dayshell began to take shape.  The group quickly got their ducks in order and released their first single "Share With Me" which you can check out below:



Wake up to anxiety
The clock hits paranoia
Slowly I begin to mask myself within
So I'm begging for ya

Share with me only 
Star in the sky
I need a sign from another light

I instantly became hooked on the first single as it encompassed a lot of traits that I like about a song.  It had some amazing vocal range, some great (but not overly complicated) beats, low toned guitars which gave a different feeling to the songs as a whole (could be a result of how they did the production), and the lyrical content.  One could argue it sounds similar to a lot of the emo-rock music you have heard for the past 10 years now but I like to take qualities from each band and attribute them to their overall sound that ultimately makes them stick out compared to others.

"It pretty much tells my whole story.  I would wake up with anxiety, get paranoid, and start drinking in order to feel normal. On the chorus, I'm reaching out for a hand though. I want to become the person I was born to be. I want to be better at what I love to do. At the end of the day, it's a huge 'thank you' to the fans who have supported me and never gave up. I come out of the gate completely honest. Nobody can say anything because I say it all here." -Bourget


Dayshell is:

Shayley Bourget | Raul Martinez | Jordan Wooley

So moving forward, the group recently has got fans hooked as they released their second single "Not Coming In", which you can also check out below:



"I want people to keep an open mind and interpret this the way their heart wants to feel. There's more out there for all of us. If somebody gets inspired, that's incredible. I knew in my heart that this band was always going to happen. This was part of the plan I've had for my whole life." -Bourget

I think their label did a great job of picking up this guy on a new project.  Seems risky when leaving an established band such as Of Mice & Men, but Shayley shows that he's got the right formula for a great album and live sound.  Dayshell's debut album will be released on October 15th, 2013 via Sumerian Records.



That honest carries through the rest of the record as well, and it's speaks the loudest. Shayley holds nothing back, and that's why Dayshell is going to stick with listeners for a long time to come. -Sumerian Records


Stray From The Path Streaming ENTIRE "Anonymous" Album

They are loud, angry and in your face for the seventh time. Much like a fair amount of the politically charged bands I listen to , they tend to do the opposite of the mainstream rock (coughstonetemplepilotscoughNINcough) where they seem to mellow out. This is quite the opposite for Long Island's Stray From The Path.

After seeing them for the first time at the 2013 Montebello Rockfest, I could see that these guys follow in the footprints of many hardcore thrash bands before them (Sick of It All, Terror, Agnostic Front, Madball, etc.). Without letting any momentum go to waste, SFTP have released their seventh studio album titled "Anonymous" and want you to take notice. They are as politically charged as ever and want you to join in on their liberty (whereisourliberty.com). "Anonymous" was released on September 17th, 2013 via Sumerian Records.

\









Music News and New Music For September 19th, 2013

So of course, when running your own blog solo it can be tough to keep up with the s**tload of stuff that comes across our ears over a weekend!  Some good, some bad, some not even worth mentioning.  I guess that's how I use AFGM in general.  These articles that I go through everyday from various sites (Blabbermouth,. CBC, National Post, AV Club, Exclaim, Music News, Rolling Stone, etc.) and sort of "filter" some of the nonsense news such as the latest fashion design, who's got beef with who and who ISN'T doing music...still.

These articles brought forth are for a few different reasons:

1. It is relevant music information that pertains to you as a reader, no matter the level of intent or the genre.

2. They are relevant to the music I would be currently listening to or a genre I have put some attention and focus on.

3. I am somewhat patriotic about my Canadian music, so that always comes as a first for me.  I enjoy music from all parts of the world respectively, but I still have to promote local if I can.  Canadian music rocks!

4. Because it's humourous and we can ALWAYS use a good laugh.  Rarely will it be at someone's expense...but then again I am just the guy talking about it.  They're the ones causing the comments.

So in closing, I trust you all will not read EVERY single article posted here.  But I hope you find something of use here and keep the conversation going by forwarding it onto someone else.  Click on each article heading for redirection to the full article.  Cheers!



New music from around the world – bringing you the hottest new tracks from all corners of the globe:

"As part of the Guardian's efforts to bring you the best new music, today we're launching a series that sees us partner with some of the best writers and bloggers covering vibrant local scenes around the globe."


Music, movie industries sound alarm on online piracy, blame Google:

"Since last year's hotly contested anti-piracy legislation, which awakened a grass-roots lobbying movement of Internet activists, lawmakers have had little appetite to revisit the issue. And industry has said it has abandoned legislative reforms in lieu of voluntary measures, such as ad networks advising members not to advertise on sites known to offer illegal content. Payment processors like Visa, MasterCard and PayPal also have agreed not to do business with sites that continue to pirate copyrighted material.

And, last August, Google announced it would tweak its search engine to lower the visibility of any site that acquires a high number of copyright removal notices."


Corey Taylor’s (Slipknot, Etc.) Acoustic Cover Of The Clash’s “London Calling” Released:




Massive Music Piracy Plunge Fails to Halt Decline in Sales:

"For more than a decade the music industry has attributed a massive decline in sales to music piracy. However, in a week where a report from the UK telecoms regulator indicated that piracy has plunged, no industry press releases hit the wire. Perhaps that’s because the effect on sales appears to be non-existent? In fact, the same research shows once again that those who download without permission tend to spend more on music than those who don’t."


Apple seeks music experts to ensure iTunes Radio doles out hits:

"At the same time, Apple has been staffing up and is looking to hire a range radio music programmers. These are people with deep knowledge in genres such [as] Latin, metal and alternative music who will be responsible for selecting and promoting songs out of the thousands of new releases each month. Apple has also been trying to poach people from the labels themselves."


Canadian music legends write letters in support of the Sam the Record Man sign:


Also features open letters from Blue Rodeo, Tom Cochrane, Bruce Cockburn, Sylvia Tyson, and more.


Roger Waters Regrets Pink Floyd Legal Battle:

"It's one of the few times that the legal profession has taught me something.  Because when I went to these chaps and said, 'Listen we're broke, this isn't Pink Floyd anymore,' they went, 'What do you mean? That's irrelevant, it is a label and it has commercial value. You can't say it's going to cease to exist . . . you obviously don't understand English jurisprudence.'" -Waters


The Used Premiere “The Ocean Of The Sky” Music Video:




Pandora wins case, allowed to play music:

"ASCAP argues that 'ASCAP repertory' refers only to the rights in music works that ASCAP has been granted by its members as of a particular moment in time.  Pandora argues that 'ASCAP repertory' is a defined term articulated in terms of 'works' or 'compositions,' as opposed to in terms of a gerrymandered parcel of 'rights.' Pandora is correct." -U.S. District Judge Denise Cote


25 Music Icons’ Brilliant Advice on Making Music:

Patti Smith, Frank Zappa, Marnie Stern, Fatboy Slim, and many more!


Kanye West, Eminem, Public Enemy on Deck for Reissues via "Respect the Classics" Series:


"While due dates have yet to arrive, Modern Vinyl reports that reissues are in the works for Eminem's The Slim Shady LP, as well as his D12's Devil's Night and D12 World. Likewise, reissues are scheduled for Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak, Common's Like Water for Chocolate, Lil Wayne's first Tha Carter LP, N.E.R.D.'s In Search Of and 2Pac's Greatest Hits."


The Killers Reveal 'Direct Hits' Best-Of, Premiere M83 Collaboration:


1. Mr. Brightside
2. Somebody Told Me
3. Smile Like You Mean It
4. All These Things That I've Done
5. When You Were Young
6. Read My Mind
7. For Reasons Unknown
8. Human
9. Spaceman
10. A Dustland Fairytale
11. Runaways
12. Miss Atomic Bomb
13. The Way It Was
14. Shot At the Night
15. Just Another Girl
16. Mr. Brightside (Original Demo) *
17. When You Were Young (Calvin Harris Remix) *
18. Be Still *

* bonus track

"Direct Hits" arrives on November 11th, 2013 via Universal Music Canada.


Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha Guests On New Deltron 3030 Track:




DREAM THEATER Guitarist: Our Fans Are 'Very Passionate And Really Supportive Of What We Do':

"We definitely approached "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" like we had something to prove as we were writing it, and we wanted to make sure we created something that was going to really assure our fans that we were here to stay and that everything was okay and that we were moving forward in a positive way. Definitely the tone of that album comes across that way, for sure. Now, this one: after that album came out and thankfully was received so well, we had a successful tour where we were able to learn more about Mike Mangini as a person and as a drummer, and we were able to, as you said, go into this album and let our hair down and forge ahead with a new sound, a new approach, maybe more experimental. I think that the music on this album comes across as having a more gusty rock thing. When we were doing some of the solo sections, we wanted to capture the vibe of playing live and improvising and playing with that kind of real fire that happens when you're playing together as a band. That's how we wrote it and that's how we think it's coming across. With the last one, there wasn't a drummer in the room as we were writing it, so it's probably more controlled-sounding, and this one is — and I've used this term before to describe Mangini — unleashed. Freer-sounding." -Petrucci


Korn Change Up Their Image For Upcoming Magazine Cover:



MATT SORUM's 'Peace Through Music Gala' Raises Over $275,000:

"We founded Zindagi Trust to help the 10 million children in Pakistan employed in child labor.  "I soon realized over 85% of school-going children only have access to government schools plagued with low teacher attendance, dilapidated facilities, and a curriculum that encourages rote-learning. Only through government school reform, can all children get quality education." -Shehzad Roy


Top 10 Post-Millennial Weezer Songs:

"Modern Ducks", "This Is Such Pity", "Slave", "Ruling Me" and others.


STONE TEMPLE PILOTS: New Song 'Black Heart' Available For Streaming:



"In terms of style, when the DeLeo brothers [Dean and bassist Robert] get in the studio and start writing, they have a very unique way of putting chords together and structures and the type of chord progressions they put together.  So, in that sense, it's gonna be undeniably the sound of STP — I mean, they're the heart and soul of the band. Naturally, I'm not [former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer] Scott [Weiland], so I'm not gonna think of the same melodies, I'm not gonna think of the same lyrical content and such, so in that sense, naturally, there's gonna be a difference in terms of how I interpret what the band puts together musically. I think that's one of the reasons why we're so eager to get the [new STONE TEMPLE PILOTS] EP out, because we want people to hear the new direction and feel the vibe of the new music. Because there's definitely a vibe in that EP that is fresh and it's new but it still feels very STP." -Bennington


A Perfect Circle Announce 'Three Sixty' Best-Of, New Song:

*Standard Edition*

Disc 1:
1. The Hollow
2. Judith
3. Orestes
4. 3 Libras
5. Weak And Powerless
6. The Noose
7. The Outsider
8. Blue
9. When The Levee Breaks
10. Imagine
11. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums
12. Passive
13. By And Down

*Deluxe Edition*

Disc 1:
1. The Hollow
2. Rose
3. Judith
4. Orestes
5. 3 Libras
6. The Package
7. Weak And Powerless
8. The Noose
9. The Outsider
10. Blue

Disc 2:
1. Imagine
2. Passive
3. People Are People (live)
4. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums
5. When The Levee Breaks
6. By And Down
7. 3 Libras (live)
8. Gravity (live)
9. Fiddle and The Drum (live)

"Billy [Howerdel] and I created A Perfect Circle out of a now long-running friendship, and I think the music we have made reflects that personal connection and has given us the ability to further develop and trust our intuition.  I feel Three Sixty is an accurate representation of that friendship and those instincts." -Maynard James Keenan


ZAKK WYLDE Says Next BLS Album Will Have 'Heavy Riffs And Other Stuff Everyone Knows And Loves':

"It'll have all the heavy riffs and other stuff everyone knows and loves.  'Order Of The Black' was already three years ago, which is pretty insane. But the whole time we've been working, touring and stuff like that; it's not like we've been sitting around the house. It's crazy because back in the beginning of BLACK LABEL we were pumping out an album a year and constantly touring. But don't mind doing it this way, either." -Wylde


ANNIHILATOR: 'No Way Out' Video Released:




Stealing Axion Release New Single “BFS9":

"Did you catch our new single we posted the other day?

We still have a few free downloads available on the bandcamp page of our new track!

Check it out!

http://stealingaxion.bandcamp.com/"


PRO-PAIN: 'The Final Revolution' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed:


1. Deathwish
2. One Shot One Kill
3. Southbound
4. Problem Reaction Solution
5. The Final Revolution
6. Can't Stop The Pain
7. All Systems Fail
8. Want Some?
9. Fall From Grace
10. Emerge
11. Mass Extinction
12. Under The Gun
13. Life's Hard (live 2010) (bonus track on digipack)
14. Get Real (live 2010) (bonus track on digipack)
15. Party In Paris (UK SUBS cover) (bonus track on digipack)

"The Final Revolution" hits North America on December 3rd, 2013 via Steamhammer.

"In order to keep things interesting, I decided to take the reins and handle all of the writing duties alone this time.  It's the first PRO-PAIN album since the '90s in which I've written everything.  We hope everyone will enjoy our new album as much as we do! See you on tour!" -Meskil


Dates Released For Veil Of Maya, Struc/tures, Northlane, Vildhjarta, Etc. Tour:

11/08 Minneapolis, MN – The Garage
11/09 Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin Metalfest
11/10 Cleveland, OH – Ohio Metalfest
11/15 Houston, TX – Walters
11/16 Ft. Worth, TX – Tomcats
11/17 Austin, TX – Red 7
11/19 Phoenix, AZ – Martini Ranch
11/20 San Diego, CA – SOMA
11/21 Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
11/22 Sacramento, CA – Boardwalk
11/23 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
11/25 Albuquerque, NM – Blackwater Music
12/01 Orlando, FL – The Social
12/02 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade w/ Protest The Hero
12/03 Columbus, SC – New Brookland Tavern
12/04 Raleigh, NC – Southland Ballroom
12/05 Springfield, VA – Empire
12/06 Allentown, PA – Croc Rock
12/07 New York City, NY – Gramercy
12/08 Danbury, CT – The Heirloom Arts Theatre
12/10 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
12/11 Montreal, QC – La Tulipe
12/12 Toronto, ON – Annex Wreckroom
12/13 Detroit, MI – The Shelter
12/14 Chicago, IL – Reggies


RED FANG: New Song 'No Hope' Available For Streaming:



"Whales And Leeches" track listing:

1. DOEN
2. Blood Like Cream
3. No Hope
4. Crows In Swine
5. Voices Of The Dead
6. Behind The Light
7. Dawn Rising
8. Failure
9. 1516
10. This Animal
11. Every Little Twist

Bonus tracks:
12. Murder The Mountains
13. Black Water



"Whales And Leeches" will be available on October 15th, 2013 via Relapse Records.  You can also catch them on tour with Indian Handcrafts, Radkey and Cancer Bats:

With Indian Handcrafts:
11/30 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
12/01 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
12/02 Tempe, AZ – Club Red
12/04 Austin, TX – Red 7
12/05 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s Dowsntairs
12/06 New Orleans, LA – Siberia
12/07 Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn
12/08 Raleigh, NC – Kings Barcade

With Cancer Bats & Indian Handcrafts:
12/09 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
12/10 Cambridge, MA – The Middle East
12/11 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
12/13 Montreal, QC – Cabaret Mile End
12/14 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace (Red Fang only)

With Radkey:
12/15 Detroit, MI – The Shelter (feat. Cancer Bats)
12/16 Chicago, IL – Logan Square Auditorium (feat. Cancer Bats)
12/17 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
12/19 Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
12/27 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (Red Fang only)


CARCASS Giving People What They Want:

Invisible Oranges: To me, "Surgical Steel" sounds at its heart to be a very sad record.

Walker: You think?

Invisible Oranges: I think so.

Walker: If anything, "Heartwork" and "Swansong" were, lyrically, very serious. This is a throwback to the old days of CARCASS, where it was very lighthearted. But this is cool because you're extracting something from this album. Which is fine. I'm not here to dictate how people should perceive or enjoy this album. People who look at the lyrics and titles and think what the fuck they want are ultimately fragile and stupid. There's no real agenda here, no real issues, nobody's trying to brainwash anyone. I'm not Barney Greenway [NAPALM DEATH]. You can look at it at whatever level you like. You can view the lyrics as throwaway, or look very deep into it, and that's fine. People keep asking me what the chorus is, the numbers on "The Dark Granulating Satanic Mills", and I'm not going to say. I've heard some interesting theories as to what those numbers are about, and that is far more interesting than the reality.


SCAR THE MARTYR: 'Blood Host' Video Released:



1. Intro
2. Blood Host
3. My Retribution
4. Soul Disintegration
5. Cruel Ocean
6. Dark Ages
7. Sign Of The Omeneye
8. Anatomy Of Erinyes
9. Prayer For Prey
10. White Nights In A Day Room
11. Effigy Unborn
12. Never Forgive Never Forget
13. Mind’s Eye
14. Last Night On Earth

Bonus tracks:
1. Flatline & Fracture
2. Digging For Truth
3. Coat Of Arms
4. Complications

SCAR THE MARTYR's self-titled debut album will be released on October 1st, 2013 via Roadrunner Records.


The Flatliners Expand North American Tour, Add Canadian Dates:

09/19 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern *
09/20 Guelph, ON - Vinyl
09/21 Newmarket, ON - Stellar Hall
10/12 Sao Paulo, Brazil - WROS Fest 2013
10/16 Boston, MA - The Sinclair ~
10/17 Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge ~
10/18 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg (CMJ) ~
10/19 Rochester, NY - The Bug Jar #
10/30 Ybor City, FL - The Ritz (Main Stage)
11/01 Gainesville, FL - The Fest @ Florida Theatre of Gainesville
11/13 Vienna, Austria - B72 %
11/14 Graz, Austria - The Bang Bang Club %
11/15 Prague, Czech Republic - Klub 007 %
11/16 Hamburg, Germany - Head Crash %
11/17 Berlin, Germany - Ramones Museum %
11/17 Berlin, Germany - Cassiopeia %
11/18 Munster, Germany - Sputnik Café %
11/20 Milan, Italy - Live Forum %
11/21 Lyon, France - Warmaudio %
11/22 Paris, France - Miroiterie %
11/23 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Winston %
11/24 Opwijk, Belgium - Nijdrop %
11/26 Newcastle, UK - Trillians %
11/27 Glasgow, UK - The Audio %
11/28 Manchester, UK - Star & Garter %
11/29 Kingston, UK - The Hope %
11/30 Brighton, UK - The Hope %
12/05 Long Beach, CA - Alex's Bar ^
12/06 Fullerton, CA - Slidebar ^
12/07 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill ^
12/09 Portland, OR - Slabtown ^
12/10 Seattle, WA - El Corazon ^
12/11 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret ^
12/13 Edmonton, AB - Ritchie Hall ^
12/14 Calgary, AB - Republik ^

* with Junior Battles, the Motorleague, Cunter
~ with Good Riddance
# with Such Gold

^ with Living with Lions


CANCER BATS: 'R.A.T.S.' Video Released:




DEATH ANGEL: New Song 'Caster Of Shame' Available For Streaming:

"The Dream Calls For Blood" will be available on October 15th, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records.

1. Left For Dead
2. Son Of The Morning
3. Fallen
4. The Dream Calls For Blood
5. Succubus
6. Execution - Don’t Save Me
7. Caster Of Shame
8. Detonate
9. Empty
10. Territorial Instinct / Bloodlust
11. Heaven And Hell (digipak bonus track)

"We worked so hard writing, and recording this record! Especially writing this while on the road for the last three years of touring. And it reflects the triumphs, and mainly hardships, of all we went through while touring. The anger, perseverance, and energy was captured on the recording of 'The Dream Calls For Blood'." -Mark Osegueda


MONSTER MAGNET - Another New Song Available For Streaming:



"Last Patrol" is due in North America on October 15th, 2013 via Napalm Records.

1. I Live Behind The Clouds
2. Last Patrol
3. Three King Fishers
4. Paradise
5. Hallelujah
6. Mindless Ones
7. The Duke
8. End Of Time
9. Stay Tuned

"'Last Patrol' is a return to our roots in terms of vibe and recording style. It's full-on psychedelic space-rock with a '60s garage feel, recorded almost exclusively with vintage guitars, amps and effects in our hometown of Red Bank, New Jersey. The songs are a kind of space-noir, tales of cosmic revenge, peaking libidos, alienation and epic strangeness. It's a weird trip through the back alleys of a dark, retro-future, which not by coincidence very much resembles my own life. [laughs] The lyrics aren't fantasy really, rather a recounting of my musings on, observations of and general emotional reaction to my life and environment during a 1 week writing period in February of 2013. But I tend to use the vernacular and imagery of science fiction and surrealism to express myself and that's where these lyrics get trippy. There's also our cover version of DONOVAN's 'Three Kingfishers', which I thought fit the mood of the album." -Dave Wyndorf

Don't forget to catch Monster Magnet on tour this fall as well with support from Zodiac and Royal Thunder:

11/14 Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
11/15 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews
11/16 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
11/17 Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights
11/19 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
11/20 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
11/22 Seattle, WA – Neumos
11/23 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
11/24 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
11/26 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
11/27 Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
11/29 Tempe, AZ – Club Red
11/30 Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
12/02 Austin, TX – Red 7
12/03 Houston, TX – Fitzgeralds
12/04 Dallas, TX – Trees
12/06 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
12/07 Charlotte, NC – Amos Southend
12/08 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Sound Stage
12/10 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
12/12 Boston, MA – Sinclair
12/13 West Chester, PA – The Note
12/14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom


'The Art Of Metal' Book Due Next Month:


"The Art Of Metal: Five Decades Of Heavy Metal Album Covers, Posters, T-Shirts, And More" will be released on October 15th, 2013 via Voyageur Press.


Woe, Is Me Vocalist Hance Alligood Exits, Says Band Have “Dissolved”:

“Well, a lot of these statements start off with the exact same thing: “It deeply saddens me to say” or “I never thought I’d be typing this”, or something along those lines.

The truth is, I’ve been sad for a while. Not necessarily sad, I suppose, just unhappy. I’ve lost the passion for this genre of music I once had and I don’t think it’s ever gonna come back. I honestly wish there was more to the story than that. I wish there was something for me to elaborate on and try to get you to wrap your head around this complex story.

In reality, I decided to leave the band because my heart just wasn’t in it anymore. I could no longer continue faking my happiness and passion for it. It wouldn’t have been fair to the other guys, it wouldn’t have been fair to all our wonderful fans, and it wouldn’t be fair to myself.

I hope you guys understand why the band decided to call it quits, though. We as a band, even since I joined, have been through numerous member changes. It’s nothing that the band hasn’t overcome before, but I’m sure you can understand at this point, another singer change would not be something the guys would want to subject themselves to. I can’t blame them, and I hope they don’t blame me as the reason for all of this. I love those guys like brothers.

I do want you (the fans) to know that I held on as long as I could. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that without you guys, none of this would have even been possible. It took a lot of people a while to come around when I joined the band. I was the new guy, replacing a super talented singer who was an original member and also a power-house vocalist.

But at the end of the day, I felt so much love and support from you guys. That love and support is something I will forever be grateful for. Words can’t even explain my love for the fans of this band.

I’m still the same old Hance. I’m just looking for a new chapter in my life, a new musical endeavor that I can find my passion for. I want to create music until the day that I die. I just want to be involved in a musical project that makes me completely, 100% happy. I still want to tour, I still want to make records for you guys, and I hope that in time, you will follow me (and the rest of the guys) and join me on my new musical journey.

In the next few weeks I will be taking the necessary steps to figure out a game plan from here. I’ve already got things in the works as far as new music in concerned. I’ve been talking to a few people about the idea of a new band, and I’m also about to start writing for a full length solo album. I’m really excited about those things. I don’t plan on slowing down at all.

So I guess, in closing.. I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to the fans who have helped us every step of the way to keep this dream alive. Thank you to anyone who has ever bought tickets to a show, bought any of our merch, bought our music, or anything else. Thank you to the very special people I’ve met on tours that shared their life stories with me (you all know who you are).

Thank you to Kevin Hanson, Brian Medley, Doriano Magliano, Andrew Paiano, and David Angle. Touring for the past 2 years with this band have been excellent. We went across the world and back! There are a lot of people who will never get to experience the things we have and see the parts of the world we’ve seen. I am grateful for every opportunity we had.

As of right now, I am unsure about our future plans. But all of that will be answered very soon, I’m sure.

I wanna say a special thank you to two bands: We Came As Romans and A Skylit Drive. Every one of the guys in each of these bands has taught me something worth remembering.  I will never forget any of the people I’ve met and the stories you’ve shared with me. I will take them with me into my next musical endeavor and with me for the rest of my life.

I love all of you so very much, and I hope you can understand why I had to do this.” -Alligood