The Heritage Hunter 2012 Tour

After many, many rumors flying around the internet, the Heritage Hunter Tour has been oficially announced and the dates have been set.  The 30 date tour will feature support from Sweden's Ghost and main headliners Mastodon and Opeth!  You can make your way to Ticketmaster for details on the venues and the ticket prices.

Tour dates are as follows:

(M) Indicates MASTODON closes the show

(O) Indicates OPETH closes the show

Apr. 04 - Portland, ME - State Theater (M)

Apr. 05 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theater (O)

Apr. 06 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis (O)

Apr. 07 - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre (O)

Apr. 09 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory(M)

Apr. 10 - Wallingford, CT - The Dome (M)

Apr. 11 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom (M)

Apr. 13 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre(M)

Apr. 14 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection (M)

Apr. 15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE (M)

Apr. 16 - Knoxville, TN - TN Theater (O)

Apr. 18 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom (M)

Apr. 19 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom (O)

Apr. 20 - San Antonio, TX - Back Stage Live (O)

Apr. 21 - Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street (O)

Apr. 23 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium (O)

Apr. 25 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues (M)

Apr. 26 - Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre (O)

Apr. 27 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre (O)

Apr. 28 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort (M)

Apr. 30 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount (O)

May 01 - Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre (O)

May 03 - Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Events Center (O)

May 04 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall (M)

May 05 - Saskatoon, SK - The Odeon (O)

May 06 - Winnipeg, MB - Burton Cummings Theatre (O)

May 09 - Washington, DC - The Fillmore (O)

May 10 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore (M)

May 11 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues (M)

May 12 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Music Park (M)

Here are some quick bios of the three bands on the bill for the tour:


"Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years. Opeth has consistently incorporated progressive, folk, blues, classical and jazz influences into their usually lengthy compositions, as well as noticeable influences from black metal[1] and death metal, most notably in their early works. Many songs include acoustic guitar passages and strong dynamic shifts, as well as both death growls and clean vocals. Opeth rarely made live appearances supporting their first four albums; but since conducting their first world tour after the 2001 release of Blackwater Park, they have led several major world tours.


Opeth has released ten studio albums, three live DVDs, three live albums (two in conjunction with DVDs), and two boxsets. The band released its debut album Orchid in 1995. Although their eighth studio album, Ghost Reveries, was quite popular in the United States, Opeth did not experience major American commercial success until the 2008 release of their ninth studio album, Watershed, which peaked at number twenty-three on the Billboard 200, and topped the Finnish albums chart in its first week of release."

Opeth


"Heritage is the tenth studio album by Swedish band Opeth, released on 14 September 2011 through Roadrunner Records. It was recorded in early 2011 at Atlantis studios in Stockholm, Sweden and was produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt, engineered by Janne Hansson and mixed by Steven Wilson. A critical and commercial success, the album sold 19,000 units in the United States in its debut week and charted at number 19 on the Billboard 200.


Heritage departs from Opeth's usual influence from both progressive rock and death metal. It is the second Opeth album so far to be void of growled vocals and other extreme metal features."

01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Haxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth

(The Devil's Orchard)

***

"Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in early 2000 and composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor. The band is known for their unique "sludgy" sound, mixing clean and distortion-heavy instrumental work and often involving intricate instrumental passages and use of vocal harmonies. They have released five full-length albums to date, with their latest album, 2011's The Hunter, debuting at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart."

Mastodon

"The Hunter is the fifth studio album by the American metal band Mastodon. Released through Roadrunner Records on September 26, 2011 in the UK and one day later in the US via Reprise Records The Hunter is their first release with producer Mike Elizondo. In its first week of release in the UK, the album reached 19th position in the Radio 1 Official UK Top 40 and position number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Hunter has sold 75,133 albums cumulative in the U.S. as of December 2011."




01. Black Tongue
02. Curl Of The Burl
03. Blasteroid
04. Stargasm
05. Octopus Has No Friends
06. All The Heavy Lifting
07. The Hunter
08. Dry Bone Valley
09. Thickening
10. Creature Lives
11. Spectrelight
12. Bedazzled Fingernails
13. The Sparrow
14. The Ruiner (limited-edition bonus track)
15. Deathbound (limited-edition bonus track)

(Dry Bone Valley)

***


"Ghost is a melodic heavy metal band formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008. In 2010 they released a 3-track demo, followed by the single "Elizabeth", and eventually their debut full length album Opus Eponymous. The album has received mostly positive reviews, and has since increased their popularity significantly.


Ghost are easily recognizable due to their eccentric on-stage presence (five of the group's six members wear dark hooded robes, while the vocalist appears in a skull mask and a cardinal outfit), heavily satanic-based lyrics, and highly secretive nature of their identities, with the members being referred to as "Nameless Ghouls". Musically, the band is often compared to groups such as Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate, and Witchfinder General."

Ghost


"Opus Eponymous is the debut album by Swedish heavy metal band Ghost, released on October 18, 2010. It was released in North America on January 18, 2011, and in Japan on April 6, 2011. The Japanese release contains an additional bonus track; a cover of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun". In the June 2011 edition of Sweden Rock Magazine it was named the third best album in the past decade, with the two first being by Iron Maiden.


The album cover bears a close resemblance to the poster of the movie Salem's Lot by Tobe Hooper."

1. Deus Culpa
2. Con Clavi Con Dio
3. Ritual
4. Elizabeth
5. Stand by Him
6. Satan Prayer
7. Death Knell
8. Prime Mover
9. Genesis
10. Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles cover, Japanese bonus track)



(Opus Eponymous)

Music Releases for January 31st, 2012

Its that time of the week.  The time where music lovers flock to their local record shops or to their online retailers to pick up the week's latest release:

Alcest - Les Voyages De L'ame

 David Bowie - Hours: The Collection

Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline (Deluxe Edition)

 Ringo Starr - 2012

Blind Guardian - Memories of a Time To Come 

 Bleeding Through - The Great Fire

Metallica - Beyond Magnetic (EP) 

I Exist - II: The Broken Passage 

Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas 

Rodrigo Y Gabriela & C.U.B.A. - Area 52

Toronto Welcomes The Locusts

Well fellow GTA residents, it wasn't enough that we got LOG playing at the Phoenix last but we have the second of a double header night.  Tonight, Inertia Entertainment (in association with Heavy T.O. in the City) is proud to bring you Machine Head at The Sound Academy!

 
Rob Flynn and the boys from Machine Head will be touring in support of their latest album, "Unto The Locusts", which was released on September 27th, 2011 via Roadrunner Records.

Machine Head Is:


Adam Duce – bass guitar, backing vocals
Robb Flynn – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar
Phil Demmel – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
Dave McClain – drums

Machine Head - Locust

Like I mentioned before, the show will feature support from some heavyweight contenders:

Suicide Silence


Christopher Garza – rhythm guitar
Mitch Lucker – lead vocals
Mark Heylmun – lead guitar
Alex Lopez – drums
Daniel Kenny – bass guitar



Suicide Silence - You Only Live Once

Darkest Hour


John Henry – vocals
Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan – guitar
Mike Schleibaum – guitar
Paul Burnette – bass guitar



Darkest Hour - Savor The Kill

Tickets are still available at Soundscapes or Ticketmaster.  For more information, head over to Inertia Entertainment.

Toronto's Resolution

Be sure to bring your helmets and those high top army boots tonight because Inertia Entertainment is bringing you Lamb of God tonight Toronto!  

The SOLD OUT show will feature not only LOG supporting their new album (Resolution) but will also feature performances by The Acacia Strain and Ontario's own Manahan.  The event is taking place at the Phoenix Nightlcub (410 Sherbourne St.).  Doors are set to open at 7:30pm (19:30hrs).

The dates are as follows:

Jan. 22 – Richmond, VA - The National
Jan. 24 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
Jan. 25 – Boston, MA - The Paradise
Jan. 26 – Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
Jan. 27 – Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Hall
Jan. 28 – Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Following the handful of club shows, LOG will venture to the Pacific Rim for its portion of the "Resolution" tour, ending with the band’s first-ever show in Alaska:

Feb. 12 - Seoul, South Korea
Feb. 14 - Shanghai, China
Feb. 16 - Taipei, Taiwan
Feb. 18 - Manila, Philippines
Feb. 20 - Singapore
Feb. 22 - Tokyo, Japan
Feb. 23 - Osaka, Japan
Feb. 25 to March 5 - Soundwave Festival, Australia
March 07 - Auckland, New Zealand
March 09 - Anchorage, Alaska

(Randy Blythe - Vocals)

Lamb of God have been on a hot streak with the release of their latest album, "Resolution", which was released on January 24th, 2012 via Roadrunner Records/Epic Records.

Track listing for Resolution:

1.Straight for the Sun
2.Desolation
3.Ghost Walking
4.Guilty
5.The Undertow
6.The Number Six
7.Barbarosa
8.Invictus
9.Cheated
10.Insurrection
11.Terminally Unique
12.To the End
13.Visitation
14.King Me

The album was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur.
(You can, for a limited time, listen to the entire album via AOL Music)

During the 2012 Resolution world tour, LOG (in partnership with Epic Records and 914 Films) will shoot a film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band's music to cope with their everyday lives.

So for those of you not aware and do not know what to expect tonight, I fear for your safety (haha):

Lamb of God - Ghost Walking


Lamb of God - Set To Fail


The Acacia Strain - The Impaler


Manahan - Narcotic

Cheers and see you all after the dust settles!

Rockstar Mayhem 2012 Tour

Hold onto your hats folks!  Here comes the summer festivals!

"The 2012 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL Lineup Is Revealed - The main stage for this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will feature Slipknot, Slayer and a major special guest which will be announced on March 5th. The fourth slot on the main stage will feature a rotation of The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying and Asking Alexandria.


In 2012 the tour has upgraded the production on the festival stage and this year the Jagermeister Stage will feature a special headline set by Anthrax supported by a rotation of The Devil Wears Prada, A I Lay Dying and Asking Alexandria, along with Whitechapel, High On Fire and the Jagermeister opener. Please note that bands may vary per market."

Tour dates are as follows:

Jun. 30 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
Jul. 01 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
Jul. 03 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
Jul. 04 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
Jul. 06 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
Jul. 07 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
Jul. 08 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul. 10 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
Jul. 11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jul. 13 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
Jul. 14 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Jul. 15 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
Jul. 18 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul. 21 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 22 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 24 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Jul. 25 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
Jul. 28 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
Jul. 29 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
Jul. 31 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 01 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake PAC
Aug. 03 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
Aug. 04 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
Aug. 05 - Hartford, CT - The Comcast Theatre

"Mayhem will kick off the 26 date trek across the U.S. beginning on June 30th at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California and ticket sales kick off on April 6th with the GET OFF YOUR ASS pre-sale ticket promotion.  Tune in here to the Mayhem site for up-to-date ticketing info, news and sign up HERE for the pre-sale ticket mailing list and the first crack at 2012 pre-sale ticket.


Corey Taylor of Slipknot says “You knew we'd be back. Now, you know we're coming. This will be a tour people will scarcely want to miss. It will definitely be a show to remember. Can't wait to see the states again from behind a mask.”


Slipknot’s, Clown states 'Slipknot is headlining this summer’s Mayhem festival and it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever felt, sensed, or seen. You miss this, you miss everything. Everyone seems to think that there’s a chance we’re gonna go away. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Stay sic and don’t ever judge us.'


'Mayhem 2012 might just be the last and greatest metal festival before the world ends!! So wreak havoc and go out in style!!' adds Tom Araya of Slayer.  Slayer’s Kerry King comments 'We can't wait to get rolling on Mayhem 2012! Been 3 years since we played it last, and it's gonna be brutal!!! You can't go wrong with Slayer and Slipknot, pure fucking mayhem!!!!'


The 5th annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will also feature ROCKSTAR Metal Mulisha Jump Team, on select dates."


Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is organized and produced by John Reese (Rockstar Taste of Chaos organizer), Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour founder), Live Nation, and Creative Artists Agency.

"Metal is ALIVE and WELL in 2012," states tour producer John Reese. "The fifth year of Rockstar Mayhem Festival will have a massive lineup that will set heavy music fans ears blazing!"

"Some years it all comes together, from top to bottom and this year's Rockstar Mayhem lineup is going to bring it!" adds tour producer Kevin Lyman.



Slipknot - Psychosocial


Slayer - War Ensemble 

Anthrax - The Devil You Know

Tool/Intronaut 2012 Tour

"Tool... 

an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour. Tool has won three Grammy Awards, performed worldwide tours, and produced albums topping the charts in several countries."

The (seemingly) legendary progressive/art rockers have been chipping away recently at their 2012 tour, covering tunes from their entire career. Unfortunately the band has not seen a record since 2006's "10,000 Days", but have apparently been in and out of the studio, writing and working on their next album.  The band has already received seven Grammy nominations and won three of the seven (Best Metal Performance: "Aenema", Best Metal Performance: "Schism", Best Recording Package: "10,000 Days").

Tool has been collaborating with their support band (Intronaut) for a few stops along the tour as well.  Below, you can check out Intronaut's Danny Walker joining Tool on stage for their performance of "Lateralus":

Dates for the tour are as follows:

14th Jan, Reno Events Center, Reno, NV

15th Jan, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV

17th Jan, Tuscon Arena, Tucson AZ

18th Jan, Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque NM

20th Jan, Verizon Arena, Dallas, TX

21st Jan, Verizon Arena, Dallas, TX

24th Jan, Huntington Center, Toledo, OH

25th Jan, Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

26th Jan, John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario

28th Jan, TD Garden, Boston, MA

29th Jan, Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ

31st Jan, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

1st Feb, Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ

3rd Feb, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA

4th Feb, Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC

6th Feb, Bank Atlantic Center, Ft Lauderdale, FL

7th Feb, UCF Arena, Orlando, FL

8th Feb, Gwinnet Arena, Duluth, GA

You can check out one of Tool's notable and signature music videos, "Parabola":

The tour will be fully supported by progressive metal writers Intronaut.  The band described themselves as such:

"Their style, while rooted in metal, is extremely forward-thinking and psychedelic, complete with complex polyrhythms, intense, haunting melodies, and vocal harmonies, combined with progressive and jazzy instrumental breaks.  Their sound incorporates traits from prog rock, psychedelic/stoner rock, Indian, African, and Afro-Latin rhythms, as well as a heavy jazz influence."

The Los Angeles four piece group has been touring in support of their last LP "Valley of Smoke", which was released on October 12th, 2010 via Century Media Records.

Currently, Intronaut has released three LPs (2010's "Valley of Smoke", 2008's "Prehistoricisms" and 2006's "Void"), two EP's (2007's "The Challenger", 2006's "Null") and the band consists of:

Sacha Dunable – guitar, vocals

Dave Timnick – guitar, vocals

Danny Walker – drums

Joe Lester – bass

You can check them out below in a music video for the track "Elegy", which is taken from "Valley of Smoke":

Also bonus footage of Intronaut's performance in Dallas, TX on Saturday, January 21st of the track "Valley of Smoke", which also featured a cameo by Tool's Justin Chancellor:

Tuesdays With Metal

So coming back to my desk I noticed quite a bit of videos that hit the news.  Check out (below) some of the newest music videos to hit the net today:


Anthrax - The Devil You Know


Dr. Acula - 2.0


Mastodon - Bone Dry Valley


Evanescence - My Heart Is Broken


Maylene & The Sons of Disaster - Open Your Eyes (feat. Danny Trejo)

***

Michigan's I Am Abomination have also released another single for their untitled upcoming album, due in summer of 2012 (as per band member's confirmation).  This will be I Am Abomination's first attempt to release an full length LP without the support of a record label.


I Am Abomination - Hang On

Music Releases for January 24th, 2012

Make sure to head to your local record store or online to pick up copies of the latest releases for January 24th, 2012.  Quite the amount of notable albums being released today:

Blessed By A Broken Heart - Feel The Power 

Scorpions - Comeblack 

You Me At Six - Sinners Never Sleep 

Joe Cocker - Hard Knocks 

Various Artists: Chimes of Freedom - The Songs of Bob Dylan (Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty Intl.) 

Skrillex - Bangarang (EP) 

Verious Artists: 2012 Grammy Nominees

Abigail Williams - Becoming 

 ††† (Crosses) - †† (EP)

Lamb of God - Resolution 

Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline 

Primal Fear - Unbreakable

The Mass Chaos Tour 2012

The bands have been chosen, the tour has been named and the dates are in full swing.  I am speaking in regards to a hot tour emerging in April of 2012, The Mass Chaos Tour, featuring Godsmack, Staind and Halestorm.

(From left to right: Godsmack's Sully Erna, Staind's Aaron Lewis and Halestorm's Lzzy Hale)

Dates for the tour, so far, are:

April 13 Augusta, GA @ James Brown Arena
April 15 Estero, FL @ Germain Arena
April 17 New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
April 18 Lafayette, LA @ Cajundome
April 19 Bossier City, LA CenturyLink Center 99 X Fest
April 21 Lubbock, TX @ Lone Star Amphitheater
April 22 Belton, TX @ Bell County Expo Center
April 24 Beaumont, TX @ Ford Pavilion
April 25 Laredo, TX @ Laredo Energy Center
April 27 Phoenix, AZ @ Quail Run Park 98 KUPD UFEST
May 1 Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amphitheater
May 2 San Antonio, TX @ Illusions Theater
May 4 Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
May 6 Evansville, IN @ Ford Center
May 9 Battle Creek, MI @ Kellogg Arena
May 11 Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
May 12 Huntington, WV @ The Big Sandy Superstore Arena
May 15 Syracuse, NY @ Oncenter
May 16 Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
May 18 Bangor, ME   @ TBA

More dates will be announced shortly.  For now, head to Ticketmaster to grab the first bunch of tickets when they go on sale.


Godsmack

“We’re very excited to get back out with our Massachusetts brothers again.  It’s been a pinch too long, and all hell is about to break loose!” -Sully Erna


Staind

“Going on tour with Godsmack was a no-brainer. Our fans are in for one hell of a rock show.” -Aaron Lewis

Halestorm

“I am stoked to be supporting Godsmack and Staind on this tour! To be touring with the two bands of my generation that paved the way for modern rock is an honor! This line up will crush your skulls!” -Lzzy Hale

Now as for a tour poster, the Mass Chaos Tour has made it a little more interesting and asked fans to design the tour poster.  First place winner will be chosen by the three bands and will receive $500, as well as a pair of tickets to one of the stops on the tour.

"Godsmack, Staind and Halestorm, some of the most respected names in heavy alternative rock, are co-headlining the Mass Chaos Tour this Spring and want you to design the official tour poster. Godsmack and Staind have outlasted imitators and set the standard for hard rock music over the last decade and a half. Halestorm has been consistently active, writing and performing original music since 1998. Channel the high-energy live presence of Staind, Godsmack and Hailstorm to create an epic tour poster for the Mass Chaos Tour Tour that fans will want to buy at the show and frame to display for years to come.


Both Staind and Godsmack had a busy 2011, with solo projects, sold-out live shows and multiple number one singles. Following frontman Sully Erna's highly-acclaimed solo tour, Godsmack is mixing a live album this January and will also record a few cover songs that inspired them for the disc. Last year, Staind released their self-titled, seventh studio record, returning to their roots with one of their heaviest albums to date. Halestorm is well known for their non-stop touring, often performing as many as 250 shows a year." -CreativeAllies.com

You can make your way to the Creative Allies official site for more contest information, other prizes and rules for the contest.  Good luck to all!

NAMM 2012

Another successful year for the NAMM show that took place over the weekend in Anaheim, California.  Many musicians, vendors and sponsors flooded the Anaheim Convention Centre (800 West Katella Avenue) for a look at the latest and greatest, both clinics and gadgets.

So for those that are unaware or have never heard of this, the National Association of Music Merchants takes place every year over the course of one weekend.  Fans can get a chance to be up close and personal with some of their favorite musicians, endorsing the latest and greatest instruments, gadgets, software and pretty much anything else you can think of to do with music.

"NAMM Defined:


NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global music products industry. Our association—and our trade shows—serve as a hub for people wanting to seek out the newest innovations in musical products, recording technology, sound and lighting. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages.


The Model for Industry Growth—The History:


Before there was an industry or an association, there was a belief...in music. That belief led to a mission: to unify, lead and strengthen the global music products industry and increase active participation in music making.


More than a century later, that mission has attracted a growing, thriving worldwide community of thousands of deeply passionate, talented companies that make, buy and sell the instruments that allow millions of people to make music. That community is called NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry.


NAMM is able to support the association's mission with a business model based on a circle of benefits that promotes industry growth. The circle begins with the revenue derived from NAMM's trade shows, which is channeled back into the industry through the NAMM Foundation's funding of industry charities and in the form of advocacy and market-building programs and initiatives, further increasing public awareness. This leads to increased demand of music products, growing the industry and, ultimately, promoting trade show growth, which completes the circle. To support individual Members, NAMM offers industry education through NAMM University, publishes valuable one-of-a-kind statistical reports, and brings the industry together at events and global meetings.


Founded in 1901, NAMM has been the engine driving the music products industry, enabling both large and small businesses to maximize productivity and reduce the costs of doing business. With more than 9,000 Members in the United States and 100+ other countries, NAMM is ultimately dedicated to expanding the market and giving people of all ages the opportunity to experience the proven benefits of making music." -NAMM.org

***

So who/what were some of the highlights from NAMM 2012?  Check out some great video footage below:


Devildriver - NAMM Clinic


Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N Roses, Vigier Guitars)

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N Roses, ENGL Amps)


Tim "Ripper" Owens Interview (ex-Jusdas Priest, Dio Disciples)


Lita Ford Interview


David Ellefson (Megadeth, Jackson Showcase)


Warren DiMartini (RATT, Seymour Duncan Pickups)


Fieldy Interview (Korn)


Munky Interview (Korn)


Alex Skolnick (Testament)