Friday, December 13, 2013

Music News and New Music For December 13th, 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!



HMV Canada Introduces its Latest Digital Music Store and Announces New App:

"The new app also features an innovative image search, which allows users to scan album covers with their Apple mobile device to access 30 second track previews. Android users can purchase mp3 downloads from their device, using this function. Image search provides an effective way for music lovers to sample each track on their own device, before they purchase it, with a simple scan of the album cover."


World's first Music Confucius Institute holds seminar:

"Music Confucius Institutes are a platform to share Chinese music with people around the world. We host a variety of activities and concerts involving students and performers from both countries. And it’s not limited to traditional Chinese music- there’s also contemporary music, an area that has really developed over the past few decades." -Guo Shulan (Chairperson, Board of Music Confucius Institute)


Music for the holidays - Thinking inside the box set:

The Beatles,  The Velvet Underground, Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, The Ramones, and many more!


Being a 'Music Executive' Isn't Enough Anymore (Op-Ed):

"We’re no longer in the music business -- it doesn’t exist anymore. We’re in the multimedia business.” -Scooter Braun


Google Glass Plays Music—Just Not Well, Nor For Very Long:

"Unfortunately, my fears were confirmed. I started playing music over Glass with 40% battery life. Ten minutes later, I was down to 27%. After 20 minutes, about five songs in, I was in the red at 15% remaining battery. Weak."


Studies Explore Impact of Music and the Brain:

"We had two primary aims of this study: To reduce anxiety as well as sedative exposure.  If they can control a non-pharmacological intervention in the form of relaxing, preferred music, can that have a beneficial effect?

We could reduce anxiety in mechanically-ventilated patients who were in this study, while we could also reduce the amount and the frequency of medication that these patients received." - Dr. Linda Chlan


How Shazam uses big data to predict music's next big artists:

"So how exactly does it work? Shazam combines critics' reviews alongside the number of people that have used Shazam to find a song to understand which artists are generating the most interest. This means that instead of only relying on what the criticism (positive or negative) of the music has been, Shazam is able to use consumer behaviour to better judge the artists that have already started to pique the interests of listeners and are starting to gain traction."


Music lovers seek to pump up digital audio quality:

“You can have an $8 million Stradivarius, and it sounds like you bought it at a local hardware store.  We are making a quality product for someone who is passionate about music.  No artist goes into a studio and slaves for six months over each detail, to have their music listened to on a laptop and $5 headsets." -David Chesky


Spotify to take on iTunes Radio with 'free mobile music service':

"A free mobile music service would put Spotify head-to-head with Apple's iTunes Radio, which is currently only available in the US but is expected to launch in the UK and other English-speaking countries by early 2014


Ben Whishaw to Replace Sacha Baron Cohen in Freddie Mercury Biopic:

"Fletcher has been meeting the band and getting a feel for the Queen story, and that the intention is for the movie to get up and running next year regardless of whether Sony steps up. With the band’s songs part of the package, the pic will tell the formative coming-of-age story of the group, culminating in Queen headlining Live Aid in 1985."


NXNE Announces Initial 2014 Lineup with St. Vincent, Danny Brown, Run the Jewels, Mac DeMarco:

"The annual festival will take place in Toronto from June 13 to 22. So far, the bill includes St. Vincent, Danny Brown, Run the Jewels, Juicy J, Mac DeMarco, Rhye, Omar Souleyman, Speedy Ortiz, Odonis Odonis, Courtney Barnett, Mas Ysa, the Golden Dogs, the Cliks, Paradise Animals and more."


Garth Brooks Will Tour Next Year:

"Our baby's a senior in high school, and we talked about it and all my babies are fine with it, and Mrs. Yearwood is fine with it.  So now I get to do what I love to do, which is play music, I get to be with the person I want to be with, which is Mrs. Yearwood. And my children are off on their their own, so the guilt of not being there . . . I'm a phone-call dad now." -Brooks


August Burns Red Release New Cover Of “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy” For The Holidays:




Neil Young Books Canadian Benefit Shows to Support Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation:

01/06-10 New York, NY - Carnegie Hall
01/12 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall

01/16 Winnipeg, MB - Centennial Concert Hall

01/17 Regina, SK - Conexus Arts Centre

01/19 Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall
07/12 London, UK - Hyde Park

"A legal defense fund was set up to support the ACFN's legal challenges against oil companies and government that are obstructing their traditional lands and rights." -Young (press release)


The Beatles' U.S. Albums Receiving Box Set Treatment:

Meet the Beatles! (1964)
The Beatles' Second Album (1964)
A Hard Day's Night (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1964)
Something New (1964)
The Beatles' Story (1964)
Beatles '65 (1964)
The Early Beatles (1965)
Beatles VI (1965)
Help! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1965)
Rubber Soul (1965)
Yesterday and Today (1966)
Revolver (1966)
Hey Jude (1970)


Lou Reed Honoured with Documentary Featuring Velvet Underground Bandmates, Thurston Moore, Debbie Harry:

"Film tribute to Lou Reed, who died in October, which looks at the extraordinarily transgressive life and career of one of rock 'n' roll's true originals.

With the help of friends, fellow musicians, critics and those who have been inspired not only by his music but also by his famously contrary approach to almost everything, the documentary looks at how Reed not only helped to shape a generation but also helped to create a truly alternative, independent rock scene, while also providing New York with its most provocative and potent soundtrack.

With contributions from Bob Ezrin, Mick Rock, Lenny Kaye, Paul Auster, Moe Tucker, Boy George, Thurston Moore, Andrew Wylie, Victor Bockris, Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov and Steve Hunter."


Never-Before-Heard Johnny Cash Material Unearthed for Billy Sherrill-produced Collection:

1. Out Among the Stars
2. Baby Ride Easy (duet with June Carter Cash)
3. She Used to Love Me a Lot
4. After All
5. I'm Movin' On (duet with Waylon Jennings)
6. If I Told You Who It Was
7. Call Your Mother
8. I Drove Her Out of My Mind
9. Tennessee
10. Rock and Roll Shoes
11. Don't You Think It's Come Our Time (duet with June Carter Cash)
12. I Came To Believe

"When my parents passed away, it became necessary to go through this material.  We found these recordings that were produced by Billy Sherrill in the early 1980s. They were beautiful." -John Carter Cash


Kings of Leon Expand North American Tour Schedule, Add Canadian Shows with Local Natives:

02/05 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena *
02/07 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena *
02/09 Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center *
02/11 Auburn, MI - The Palace At Auburn Hills *
02/14 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden *
02/15 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena *
02/18 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center *
02/19 Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center *
02/21 Washington DC - Verizon Center *
02/23 London, ON - Budweiser Gardens *
02/24 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre *
02/26 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre *
02/28 Boston, MA - TD Garden *
03/05 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center *
03/06 Minneapolis, MN - Target Center *
03/08 Chicago, IL - United Center *
03/19 Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Amphitheater ^
03/21 Los Angeles, CA - The Forum ^
03/25 San Jose, CA - SAP Center ^
03/27 Portland, OR - Moda Center ^
03/28 Seattle, WA - Key Arena ^
03/30 Vancouver, BC - Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena ^
04/01 Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome ^
04/02 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place ^
04/04 Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre ^
04/08 Tulsa, OK - BOK Center ^
04/10 The Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ^
04/11 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena ^

* with Gary Clark Jr.
^ with Local Natives


Chevelle Share New Song Title:

“Tracking drums for a song called “Gargoyle” right now,sounds so big and ridiculously heavy, get ready my friends” -Loeffler


Ol' Dirty Bastard Documentary Finally Released:

"The documentary film is based on the life and legacy of one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB). Be one of the first 1 million to stream DIRTY: Platinum Edition and get the NEW WU GENERATION ALBUM FOR FREE! Album includes tracks from Ol' Dirty, RZA and up and coming new Wu artists."


LED ZEPPELIN Catalog Now Available On SPOTIFY Streaming Service:

Dec. 11 - "Led Zeppelin" and "Led Zeppelin II"
Dec. 12 - "Led Zeppelin III" and "Led Zeppelin IV"
Dec. 13 - "Houses Of The Holy" and "Physical Graffiti"
Dec. 14 - "Presence" and "In Through The Out Door"
Dec. 15 - "The Song Remains The Same", "Coda", "BBC Sessions", "How The West Was Won", "Mothership" and "Celebration Day"


The CBGB scene - a classic piece from the vaults:

"CBGB is a toilet. An impossibly scuzzy little club buried somewhere in the sections of the Village that the cabdrivers don't like to drive through.

It looks as if the proprietors kick holes in the walls and piss in the corners before they let the customers in; fo' the atmosphere, you dig. None of the low-budget would-be elegance of Max's Kansas City in the final agonies of its death throes but carefully-choreographed movie-set sleaze.

The audience, who consist mainly of nondescript urban hippies, a smattering of heav-vy street bro's, rock intelligentsia and the occasional confused tourist, are revelling in the tack and basking in their own hipness just for being there."


EDDIE VAN HALEN Makes Surprise Visit To Los Angeles Music School:

"The gift of music is yours, no one can take that away no matter what.  It is not a rich/poor thing nor does it discriminate. If you have a love or even a like for music, go after it, pursue it. Music helps lift your self-esteem, it gave me an identity, kept me out of trouble, gave me goals and the desire to improve. It gave me a life. I am an example of what music can do for someone. What it did for me, it can do for you all. Anything is possible." -Van Halen


LEGACY X Supergroup To Release Debut Album Via FRONTIERS RECORDS:

LEGACY X, the new band featuring legendary vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) alongside drummer Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, CACTUS, MOTHER'S ARMY), bassist Tony Franklin (THE FIRM, BLUE MURDER) and guitarist Jeff Watson (NIGHT RANGER, MOTHER'S ARMY), has inked a deal with Frontiers Records. The group's debut album will be released in the spring.


Periphery Guitarist Jake Bowen Shares Solo Track “The Unguided”:



“Here’s some weird metal I wrote for fun a while back, I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s not for anything in particular, it’s definitely not Periphery, just wanted to write something slow and creepy sounding – I’m really inspired by old sludge metal so I decided I’d give it a proggy attempt. I’m already aware the production stinks but it’s the best I can do without going to Misha‘s house! Haha” -Bowen


Limp Bizkit, Blink-182 And Ex-Nine Inch Nails Members Collaborating On New Music:


"In the lab creating with these talented gentlemen @scroobiuspipyo @florinshordo and @dannylohner #goodtimes #goodpeople #goodmusic"


Legendary Actor CHRISTOPHER LEE Releases 'A Heavy Metal Christmas Too' Single:



"I sing another version, it's a bit more naughty. It's not bad, I mean bad in the sense of unpleasant. It's entertaining, it's certainly different.

The second song, "My Way" is not a Christmas song. The vocals were recorded back in 2006 for a cover version of the song made famous by Frank Sinatra and remixed specially for this single. "I was 84 years old when I sang it and my voice was higher than it is now." -Lee


New Caliban Song 'Devil's Night' Available For Streaming:



"The song is about revenge, someone is taking revenge for his own death and the death of his fiancée in order to be able to rest in peace." -Andreas Dörner


1 – King
2 – Chaos – Creation
3 – Wolves And Rats
4 – nebeL
5 – I Am Ghost
6 – Devil’s Night
7 – yOUR Song
8 – Cries And Whispers
9 – Good Man
10 – I Am Rebellion
11 – Who We Are
12 – My Vertigo
13 – Falling Downwards (Bonus Track)

“Ghost Empire“ is due out February 4th, 2014 in North America via Century Media Records.


CAVALERA CONSPIRACY Signs With NAPALM RECORDS:

"I am so excited that CAVALERA CONSPIRACY has signed with Napalm Records. This is gonna be our third album and it's going to be a brutal grind core style. I am already working on the riffs, and it is going to come out next year. Get ready to be brutalized by CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and Napalm Records!" -Max

"I am very excited to record the new CC record... Me and Max have been planning this for a while, and all i can say is that it will be a "Brutal" record. Also I'm super proud to join Napalm Records, home of lots of amazing artists." -Igor


Ireland's RED ENEMY Signs With MEDIASKARE RECORDS:

"Mediaskare Records has signed Dublin, Ireland’s Red Enemy, who will be coming to the U.S. in February to record their new album with producer Taylor Voeltz (Mureau)."


Diecast Say Financial Issues Are The Cause Of New Album’s Delay:

“We understand that everyone is very anxious for the new record and wants to know what the $&@%ing hold up is!! We feel we should bring you all up to speed on what the issues are. We have run into some financial issues with the new record. Without getting into the specifics we have lost our financial backing and need to pull the funds to finish this from our own pockets! This does not discourage us in anyway and we are going to be hitting this balls to the wall!!

This only means that it’s just gonna take a little time. We hold ourselves to a very high standard on our recordings. We want to give you all the absolute very best in performance as well as quality of the recording. We will not just settle, or, due to cost, put something out we are not 1000% happy with!! We hit a period where we had to stall the record due to capital but, with some new things that are on the horizon (which we cannot announce yet) things are gonna turn around very quickly!

All that needs to happen now is a few punch-ins on the performance side of things. Then off the be mixed and mastered!!!!! Then it’s DONE!!! We hope this sheds some light on the situation!! Hang in there everybody!! It’s coming ASAP!!! Thank you all for sticking with us and being patient!! That shows the true dedication of our fans and believe us, we realize and appreciate it!! WE want this record done as much as you!!!! Just to warn you though, be prepared for something brutal!!

From all of us here at DIECAST, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! \m/ \m/”


BLACK SABBATH, DREAM THEATER, ANTHRAX, VOLBEAT, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Among GRAMMY AWARDS Nominees:

The nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category are 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" is up for the "Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical" award.


Former EVILE Guitarist OL DRAKE Signs Solo Deal With EARACHE RECORDS:

"Very excited to announce signing a solo deal with Earache Records.  I established a great friendship with the guys at Earache over the years while I was with EVILE and I was happy to hear they wanted to work with me in a solo capacity.

This will be a studio project entitled 'OLD RAKE.' I won't be touring, and I'm thankful to Earache for being understanding of this and for giving me this opportunity; I wouldn't rule out doing a few clinics here and there though.

I've always been inspired by Steve Vai, and I've always wanted to do something in a similar approach orientated around metal with injections of other styles and ideas which interest me.

After recently seeing the film 'Not Dead Yet' about the amazing and inspiring genius Jason Becker, it really kicked me into gear to do something with my playing; music is all I can really do, so I'm thankful for the opportunity and ability to still create music for people to hear.

Looking forward to getting the music out there!"


Ex-SLAYER Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO - Pro-Shot Footage Of New Drum Solo:




LAMB OF GOD Partners With SPECTICAST For Distribution Of 'As The Palaces Burn' Feature Film:


"As the Palaces Burn is a feature-length documentary that originally sought to follow the band and their fans throughout the world, to demonstrate how music ties us together when we can’t find any other common bond. However, during the filming process in 2012, the story abruptly took a dramatic turn, bringing the band into a Kafkaesque nightmare, when lead singer Randy Blythe was arrested on charges of manslaughter, blamed for the death of one of their young fans in the Czech Republic. What followed was a heart-wrenching courtroom drama that left fans, friends, and curious onlookers around the world on the edge of their seats. In theaters February 2014."


MASTODON's TROY SANDERS Says Next Album Will Pick Up Where 'The Hunter' Left Off:

"As always, nothing was really pre-determined and spoken of beforehand, like, 'Okay guys, we need to write a lot of long epic songs and a lot of short sweet songs. We need to have a couple of slow ones.' Nothing like that was predetermined verbally amongst the four of us. We go in there and we kind of pick up on whatever comes through Brent [Hinds] and Bill's [Kelliher] fingers and their guitars and build and build.

I guess it's going to be more of a continuation of where we left off with 'The Hunter'. Hopefully, it's just a collection of good MASTODON rock 'n' roll songs. That's where it's headed." -Sanders


Monster Magnet Cancel Tour As Frontman Takes Ill:

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

“We are all totally bummed the rest of the tour is cancelled. Dave is really sick. We were trying to go day to day, only for him to get worse. I’d like to thank everyone who came out and all of you who planned to. No one is more bummed then us. We will be back.” -Wyndorf


FLYING COLORS Completes Writing Sophomore Album:

"Well, we wrapped the writing on Flying Colors 2!! Another magical musical experience indeed...hopefully we can get it out by the end of 2014!" -Mike Portnoy


Avenged Sevenfold Post Trailer For “Hail To The King” Animated Series, Record New Music For Video Game:



“First we want to thank all of our friends that we just saw in Europe. Hands down the best tour that we have ever had over there. It was an honor to play for you all every night. As we promised, we are slowly filling in summer dates so we can come play for you again. We also have been getting quite a few requests for new countries that we haven’t played yet. We will use this summer as an opportunity to come to few new places. Please stay tuned for that.

As for the rest of the world, we hear you, and we will be coming soon! By now you’ve already heard announcements about Download FestivalGraspop Metal Meeting, Nova Rock Festival and Aerodome, and there will be a lot more dates announced in the coming months. Right now though, we have decided to hang out at home until we get over to Australia for Soundwave Festival in February.

Since we have a couple months off we wanted to update you on a couple things that we promised a while back.

First is our “Hail to the King” animated series that we did with Machinima and Jon Schnepp. You may know Jon from his work on Metalocalypse on Adult Swim. It’s funny stuff and it was an honor to work with him. Below is the trailer for the series which will debut Dec. 15th. We hope it gives you something entertaining to watch over your Holiday break. The series also plays as a backstory to our mobile game “Hail to the King: Deathbat.” We felt this was the best way to tell the story and give you all an idea about the type of game we are creating.

This brings us to the game. Two years ago while touring in South East Asia I looked around the bus taking us from the airport to the hotel and noticed everyone was on their phones and iPads playing different types of games. We had a discussion and decided that it would be fun to create one of our own. The problem was that we didn’t feel passionate about doing a full on typical music game. We wanted to do something different. Something inspired by some of our favorite games. So we came up with the idea of turning some of our songs and art work into a living, breathing, evil world.

We wanted to bring the story of the Deathbat to life and allow you to control its destiny. While the game stands on its own in terms of the story and game play, we still wanted to add in some extras for our fans. In the game you can unlock 16 pieces of never seen before artwork from all of our albums. There will also be 7 new Cam Rackam paintings available in the game. We also recorded 7 new songs.

Now these aren’t metal songs, they are theme songs for each level and are done in an old school video game fashion with a new school twist. There will also be reimagined versions of older songs. Basically, we have not only packed the game with exciting gameplay, but also a lot of things for fans that might now be interested in a video game.

The trailer for the game will be released with the Machinima “Hail to the King” series on December 15th as well. Expect a release date in early 2014 as we are in the BETA process now. Remember, the game and series go hand in hand. The animated series tells the story “before” the game takes place. When the series ends, the game picks up.

We hope these things keep you entertained while your hanging out at home for the Holiday Season. Most importantly we hope you all enjoy the time with your families and we will see you on the road as soon as we can make it to you."

-M Shadows

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