Music News & New Music for March 27th, 2013

Northern rappers land record deal with message for change:

"When people look at rap music and stuff they think it's all gangster and that's all they think it's about.  But when they hear us they have a different point of view on it, and we're trying to widen the horizon." -Galveston Barnaby

HEADSTONES - Love & Fury Artwork, Tracklisting Revealed:

"Your pledge has not only helped us kickstart the band and make a killer record, it has now created an opportunity for us to have our music heard around the world! Because you guys got us to make this record, Frostbyte/Universal Music heard it, love it and want to release it worldwide. You folks are responsible for this success, and for that we thank you from the bottom of our blackened little hearts.

Now, in order to make this all work and to ensure the best possible results for you and us, the timing of our release date has changed (yes we know, change is hard). On April 16th, the single, 'Long Way To Neverland' will be made available for digital download. The complete album, both physical and digital, will be released May 14th.

'Long Way To Neverland' is going to Canadian radio stations next week. Please call and request.  Thank you for your understanding and dedication, we could not have done this without you.

P.S. check out the album cover and tracklisting…"

ANTHRAX Honored With Jerseys At Yankee Stadium:

METALLICA: 'The Complete Illustrated History' Book Due In November:

"In this book, the first complete illustrated treatment of the band, acclaimed heavy metal journalist Martin Popoff leads a roster of respected heavy metal writers to take on METALLICA's entire history, analyzing each of the group's ten studio albums (including 2011's 'Lulu' collaboration with Lou Reed) and providing a complete discography. More than 300 images complement extensive band stories: their formative years spent woodshedding in the clubs of Los Angeles, tragedies like the death of founding bassist Cliff Burton, the triumphs of multiple platinum recordings, personnel changes like the departures of Dave Mustaine and Jason Newsted, and tours covering the world over. Live-performance and candid off-stage photographs are accompanied by a stunning selection of memorabilia, including gig posters, concert tees, picture sleeves, backstage passes, buttons, ticket stubs, and more."

Former BLACK SABBATH Drummer Bill Ward Remembers YES' Peter Banks In Poem:

"Because of the seemingly bleak circumstances and limited information about the death of Peter Banks, I reacted quite sadly to the news and felt driven to write this poem."

New Daft Punk Album, 'Random Access Memories,' Coming Out in May:

Official website has been modified for the new album release at http://randomaccessmemories.com.

Deftones Unveil Cover Art For “Live: Volume 1 – Selections From Adrenaline”:

Full Listing Of 2013 ‘Record Store Day’ Releases Posted, Rob Zombie, Lamb Of God, Deftones, Etc. To Participate:

All That Remains – “Fall Of Ideals” (12″)
At The Drive-In – “Relationship Of Command” (‘Record Store Day‘ exclusive reissue) (12″)
Avenged Sevenfold – “Live In The LBC & Diamonds In The Rough” (12″)
Avenged Sevenfold” – “Carry On” (12″ picture disc)
Between The Buried And Me – “Parallax 1 & 2” vinyl boxset (12″)
Between The Buried And Me – “The Anatomy Of” (12″)
Botch – “American Nervoso” (deluxe 2xLP) (12″)
Cave In – “Until Your Heart Stops” (12″)
Coheed And Cambria – “The Afterman: Descension (Big Beige Demos)” (12″)
Deep Purple/Type O Negative – “Side By Side: Highway Star” (7″)
Deftones – “Live: Volume 1 – Selections From Adrenaline” (12″)
Dio – “Magica” (12″ picture disc)
Dio/Killswitch Engage – “Side By Side: Holy Diver” (7″)
Earth Crisis – “Firestorm” (12″)
Katatonia – “Buildings” (7″)
Lamb Of God – “New American Gospel” (grey marble edition) (12″)
Linkin Park – “Hybrid Theory” (12″)
Mad Season – “Above” (expanded edition vinyl)
Misfits/The Lemonheads – “Side By Side: Skulls” (7″)
Puscifer – “V Is For Vagina” (12″)
Silverstein/August Burns Red – “Four Minutes Being Cool” (7″)
Snapcase – “Steps” (7″)
Soundgarden – “King Animal Demos” (10″)
Testament – “Dark Roots Covers” (picture disc) (7″)
Rob Zombie – “Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown“/”Teenage Nosferatu Pussy” (10″)

Rare Beatles Shea Stadium Photos Sell for Nearly $47,000 at Auction:

"I just blended with everybody there.  I had a method of operation; I just acted like I belonged. Anybody in authority, I would look the other way." -Marc Weinstein

Pussy Riot Member: 'What Happened to Us Is Unacceptable':

Lesley Stahl: Did you ever consider begging for forgiveness, throwing yourself at the mercy of the court?

Katya Samutsevichl: No. The whole process was so unfair to us from the beginning. It's strange when you're innocent. Are you supposed to ask for forgiveness from the judge who's ready to put you away for several years? No, this wasn't even discussed.

Local H Cancels Dates After Singer Was Attacked in Russia:

First Morrissey, then Animal Collective, and now this......After weighing all of our options, it looks like we're going to have to cancel the first 3 dates of the Local H tour - that's March 21, 22, and 23. We don't take this decision lightly and we're deeply sorry for it. 

Here's what happened : A month ago, after a date in Moscow, I was assaulted and robbed. The attacker came up from behind and put me in a chokehold until I passed out. When I came to, I was in a stairwell with all of my pockets empty. No phone, no wallet, no cash, and (worst of all) no passport. Nothing. Even my hat and glasses were gone. It wasn't until I found someone to ask for help that I realized something else was gone - my voice. When I opened my mouth to ask that person to call me a taxi, nothing but a scratchy croak would come out. I touched my throat and could feel that more damage had been done than I initially thought. A purple bruise began to form. I was having trouble swallowing. Russia...........

When I got back to the states, I just figured that resting my voice and taking it easy would allow everything to return to normal. I'd lost my voice before and I knew the drill : shut the fuck up (basically). But it soon became apparent that this time my voice wasn't going to just heal itself and I had to see someone. The folks at MusiCares hooked me up with a voice doctor who found that one of my vocal cords had been damaged. How badly damaged, we're not sure yet - we need a second opinion. But the doctor said if they had to go in and POP(!) the cord back into place, then we have a limited window for that until the damage becomes permanent.

Which means there's really no way I could make the show in Grand Rapids without worrying about the long term effects - never mind the fact that my voice would totally suck. We feel horrible about this. As some of you out there may already know - we don't believe in canceling shows (and in reference to the above : if you somehow happen to be a fan of Morrissey, Animal Collective, AND us - then we're truly sorry to be piling on). So, yes - this fucking blows. But please believe that we're doing everything we can to correct this situation and to make sure we don't miss any more dates than absolutely necessary. Please stay tuned and we'll keep you up to date.

Again - we're so sorry.

Scott from Local H

Elton John biopic on the way:

'Michael [Gracey] has an innovative, imaginative and compelling vision for the film. We want to create an experience that surprises and moves audiences and knew immediately that he was the perfect director to take them on this journey.'

Michael Bublé: I only write drunk:

"I have always written these songs about love, or loss or longing. I just sat down at the piano and I started to work on this tune and the lyrics just came right out. I was drunk, that's the truth.  I have never written anything sober in my life. I think if I tried to write sober.  I thought this is a great concept, I am going to write this song about a guy whose girlfriend thinks she's the greatest and dumps him. And he realises that once she is gone, his life gets so much better."

Tool’s 21st Anniversary Reissue Of “Opiate” Presales Go Live, Pictures And Hefty Price Tag Revealed

The Secret's Out! What's In IRON MAIDEN's Trooper Premium British Beer?

Massey Hall federal grant earmarked for foundation, loading dock

Win Pink Floyd’s 'Dark Side of the Moon' Immersion Box Set

NIGHTWISH - Imaginaerum Returning To Germany's Movie Theaters By Popular Demand

Willie Nelson Celebrates 80th Birthday With 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' - Song Premiere

Music News and New Music For March 26th, 2013

For all those who can't hit the websites as much as I do, check out some of the latest headlines around the music world:

JOHN 5 Signs With Dean Markley USA:

John 5 is undoubtably one of the hottest shredders on the planet right now. His impressive resume includes working with frontmen such as Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, Dave Lee Roth and his current gig as the right hand man for Rob Zombie. -Dean Markley (website)

ANVIL Tribute Album Track Listing Revealed:

* CRYSTAL VIPER (Poland) - "Metal On Metal"
* CAYM feat. Tyler Reiner (Canada) - "Winged Assassins"
* SINISTER REALM (USA) - "Forged In Fire"
* STORMZONE (Ireland) - "Heat Sink"
* DESTRUCTOR (USA) - "Bedroom Game"
* SKELATOR (USA) - "Cut Loose"
* BREAKER (USA) - "Concrete Jungle"
* SAVAGE BLADE (Canada) - "School Love"
* CONVIXION (Greece) - "Hard Times - Fast Ladies"
* DEXTER WARD (Greece) - "Free As The Wind"
* SATANICA (Japan) - "666"
* MAVERICK (Japan) - "Ooh Baby"
* IRON KOBRA (Germany) - "Mothra"

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA To Enter Studio Next Month:

"For me, I definitely feel a little bit of a carry-over from 'Dead Throne', particularly because it was a very cool record for me learning, for me learning to write better and that was working with a new [producer] … working with Adam for the first time and having [A DAY TO REMEMBER's] Jeremy McKinnon working on some of the songs with us, and I feel I took a lot from that. On 'Dead Throne', there were better vocal parts and everything was more cohesive and understandable and made for better song structure and everything and that had had a big impact on me creatively and so it's definitely carried over into this."

People Still Buy Music: A whole lot of people are ponying up for Justin Timberlake's new record:

Justin Timberlake is probably going to sell a lot of copies of his new record, The 20/20 Experience. According to Billboard, music industry sources are estimating the album will sell somewhere between 750,000 and 800,000 copies in its first week.

Q&A: Stephen Stills on Huge New Box Set:

So many of your contemporaries have done books, but you haven't. Is this your equivalent? Is this your biography?

This is probably my book. I doubt I will write one of those – most of them are insufferably boring. You know, first about getting high and hanging out, then about chicks and learning an instrument, going to high school, then recovery and the great new life they have with their new wife. It's the same story, and it's not exactly mine – there is a lot more to it, but that seems to be the M.O. I liked Keith [Richards]'s book because it sounds like him. But the rest of them – I'm sorry, but they bore the shit out of me.

VEXT: Another New Song Available For Streaming:

Transmogrify - http://snd.sc/ZZtuuE | Maid of Gold - http://snd.sc/Y6cO7I

STILL REMAINS STILL REMAIN, LAUNCH KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN FOR NEW ALBUM:

So here's whats up.  We love our fans and we want you guys to be able to hear our new music as soon as possible, however we need a hand from everyone to make that happen.  We have families and lives that we can't leave behind for months at a time to tour anymore.  This pretty much means getting any label to fund a record that a band can't tour full-time to support is a pretty tough sell.  This is why we're turning to our fans to help us finish what we've already started and get this record out to you guys!

Vote For The Band Who Opens The SUMMER SLAUGHTER Tour 2013:

Abiotic | As They Burn | Dark Sermon | Erra | Fit For An Autopsy | Howl | Intervals | Into The Flood | King Conquer | Last Chance To Reason | My Bitter End | Nekrogoblikon | Rings of Saturn | Syqem | Soreption | Vektor | Today I Caught The Plague | Thy Art Is Murder


Signed Copy of the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' LP Rockets Past Predicted Auction Price:

Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said Friday that bidding for the 1967 album has reached $110,500 and could surpass $150,000 by the March 30 auction. Heritage originally estimated the album would go for around $30,000.


SYSTEM OF A DOWN Drummer Discusses The Possibility Of A New Album:

We are going to make a new album at a certain point, it's just a matter of when the four of us decide it's the right time to make it. We don't want anyone to go in there and do it because the rest of us want to do it. We all want to do it because it's the right thing to do for everybody. I wouldn't want to go in and make an album that doesn't represent the best that we have to offer. If you force someone in the studio ahead of when they're ready for it, then you're probably going to make something mediocre. -John Dolmayan


THE CONTORTIONIST Parts Ways With Singer:

"Making songs with the band and then performing them in front of the best fans has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wouldn't trade the perspective I've found in the past few years for anything. I got to meet so many amazing people and see a good chunk of the world. I absolutely intend to keep creating and playing music in the future, albeit in a more personal pursuit.

I will miss seeing everyone in the THE CONTORTIONIST family very much.  I wish the best to all of my band buds and everyone who supports live music and all this heavy banger music we've been making. I feel very excited for my future with the love of my life and our pups, and our little one on the way.

Music has always been one of my passions and that's what drew me to this band in the first place. The music comes first, and I know that the talent of the band will rise above this member change and they will find a new arrangement that will blow your minds." -Jonathan Carpenter


SCORPIONS Members Attend LED ZEPPELIN's ECHO Awards Ceremony In Germany - "Jimmy Page Is Still My Hero":

Canadian Music Week: The unpretentious, the unenchanting and the unforgettable

Sigur Rós announces its seventh very Sigur Rós-y record, Kveikur

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES Premiere New Song ‘This World’ Online

Queens Of The Stone Age Reportedly Sign With Matador Records

Peter Jackson - 18 to Life

Now this is something that caught my attention right off the bat after reading the headline.  I don't usually talk about rap artists.  Not for any biased reason, I just generally don't care for the lyrical content that they offer (coughyouastupidhoecough).  I know that kind of sounds stereotypical (pun intended) to think all rap artists are the same, but here is a chance to redeem myself on this genre I have fallen out of touch with.

So going through the feeds I see a headline of "Skid Row's 18 to Life covered by rap artist".  Thinking very little of the effort thus far, I clicked play in what I assumed was going to be another over the top bass track with some Skid Row hooks in toll.  What I got was much more passionate, original and fresh.  Toronto based rap artist Peter Jackson really took the song to a whole new level and even had Canadian music artist Lukas Rossi provide the melodies for the track.  Here is the final product:



Peter Jackson is often referred to as “The hardest working rapper in Canada”.  Known for his intense work ethic both in the studio and on the road, Jackson has spent the last several years touring Canada. In November of 2008, Jackson took part in the “Never Say Never Tour” which included performances by D12, Royce da 5’9, Joe Budden & Classified. This inaugural tour was followed up with numerous cross country tours with artists including hip-hop legends Naughty By Nature. Subsequent tours in 2010 in support of his first album release, “In My Life”, included stops opening for Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse, Pharoahe Monch, Digable Planets. Jackson spent 2012 touring with, French Montana, Ghostface Killah, DBlock and Slaughterhouse. Jackson has also co-headlined  various shows alongside the likes of Akon, Snoop Dogg, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Kurupt, Das Efx, Cali Swagg as well as Canadian acts Maestro, Kardinal, JRDN, Karl Wolf & others.

Peter Jackson gained international recognition with his single “Miss Right” featuring Jamaican reggae star Sizzla Kalonji. Back home in Canada, Jackson’s song “#1 Fan” featuring Karl Wolf hit number one on HipHop Radio in Winnipeg and is in heavy rotation in Vancouver, Saskatoon and Toronto. Jackson has received press in over 500 major Hip-Hop and music publications.  He was recently nominated for Hip Hop artist of the year at the Independent Music Awards.  Jackson is currently preparing to tour the United States with DBlock before heading overseas in 2013.  His sophomore album is set to be released in November 2012 featuring appearances by Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Sizzla Kalonji, Classified, and more.

Mind you, I will stay reserved for other tracks hat I have come across, featuring the same stereotypical lyrical content (taken from PJ's "Can't Get Enough") such as:

Ice is so cold, but this bitch is like the perfect hottie
Dance for me, as a matter of fact dance for my men for me
Think of girl, of everything you’re doing in my pants for me!

But that's not to say that this guy is going to be a bigger name as time will have it.  Peter Jackson has been fighting for year in the music scene of Durham/Oshawa where it more likely to run into a metal or punk band (coughsum41cough).  Some of his other tunes such as "Help" shine a little brighter than other tracks.


The world cold and everybody a tabloid
I make them recite the wall, pink floyd
They think they know it all, 
But I don’t think they know enough

For those that keep an eye on the rap industry and especially Canadian artists, this will be one to hear about, if you haven't already.  His new album "Fresh Start" was released on November 13th, 2012 and features a slew of notable rap artists.  Cheers!

1. Fighter (Feat Micheal Mazze)
2. I Dont Give A Fuck
3. Fresh Start (Feat Krizz Kaliko)
4. Hustle From Born [Hustler] (Feat Trinity Chris)
5. Cant Get Enough (Feat The Lox and Jay Vado)
6. Goodbye (Feat JRDN)
7. 18 2 Life (Feat Lukas Rossi)
8. Hundred Miles
9. Help (Feat Joe Budden and Emerson Brooks)
10. #1 Fan (Feat Karl Wolf)
11. O.M.G. [On My Grind] (Feat Sheek Louch)
12. My Brothers Keeper (Feat Hardbody P Dollaz Breet Williams Zaze Flex K-Stu Bandit and G5)
13. Last Call (Feat Aleesia)
14. Here I Go Again (Feat Classified)
15. Bubble For Me (Feat Sizzla Kalonji)

Music Releases For March 26th, 2013

Well talk about a great batch of music coming out this week.  From the old to the very old (haha), there are some real gems coming out today.  Of course we have Tool and their highly anticipated re-issue of "Opiate", which (from what I read) can only be purchased through their official site.  We also see a great set of comeback albums from Suicidal Tendencies (not that they ever really went anywhere), Depeche Mode, Stryper and Iron Maiden (once again, not really gone anywhere).  Mode's new album has been helmed as one of their greatest of the last two decades, which easily peaked my interest to get my hand on the album.  The Strokes and Sevendust have [respectively] kept the same course of action as they pump out new material to add to their discography.

So the legal plea...head to your local record shop, favourite online retailer or other legal source to grab a few of these albums.  Chances are we will all be fighting for a copy of Tool's re-issue, as well as the deluxe versions of Depeche Mode, so game on!

California thrash punks Suicidal Tendencies appeared in the early '80s with a unique take on the emerging skatepunk sound and no end of aggressive, angsty lyrics and controversial subject matter. Thirty years after their debut, they return with 13, their first album of new material in 13 years and coincidentally their 13th album. Produced by Suicidal frontman Mike Muir, the album includes 13 tracks of the type of petulant, cathartic, thrashy hardcore the band is known for and includes cameos by Larry Linkogle and Jimmy Fitzpatrick of Metal Mulisha as well as a gang of professional skaters adding their voices to the track "Show Some Love... Tear It Down." -All Music

AFGM: Depeche Mode - Delta Machine

What’s good about it?
As the name suggests, Delta Machine is intended as a mix between (Delta) blues and electro – and for the most part it works brilliantly. From the throbbing opener ‘Welcome To My World’, which has Gahan promising to ‘penetrate your soul’, to the bluesy closer ‘Goodbye’, Delta Machine hums with dark invention and soulful emotion.

In short it’s exactly the album Depeche Mode fans would have hoped for – featuring brooding and atmospheric electro monsters like ‘Angel’ and ‘Soft Touch / Raw Nerve’, expansive bluesy stompers like ‘Secret To The End’ and ‘Soothe My Soul’ and tender, introspective moments like the beautiful The Child Inside. -All Noise

To sum up, throughout the album Michael Sweet sings in a lower key than on the original recording, but it is not so conspicuous. STRYPER didn't loose the energy they had on the original material. They picked up their favorite songs which are the heaviest and classiest, containing a Heavy Metal spirit, and show that they are multitalented musicians. The twin axemen teamwork of Oz Fox and Michael Sweet is one of the best results that the guitar world has ever known. They brought something else in comparison to giants as IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST with their harmonic leads, something original that you will know that this is STRYPER. Beside the lyrics that glorifies Christianity, and even if not everyone would feel the connection, the music speaks by itself. You will definitely notice that they still got it, and did a great job on the "Second Coming". -Metal Temple

That human element is by far the best attribute of Comedown Machine. Producer Gus Oberg, who worked alongside the band with their last effort, is no Gordon Raphael, but he’s mixed an agreeable balance here. (It also helps that Casablancas opted to record with his bandmates, too.) It’s comparable to the itchy sheen on 2003′s Room on Fire, only there’s a laidback vibe to the whole construct that’s somewhat new to The Strokes. True to the album’s title, it’s comfortable and less persuasive. The risks feel warranted, even if it doesn’t result in something that’s sticky or punchy. This might explain why the album doesn’t carry a single hit.

At this point, they don’t need it. Last gasp or new beginning, The Strokes have zero commitments to anyone and that’s the overall thesis behind Comedown Machine. They’re not looking to win anyone over; instead, they’re keeping it casual and that shouldn’t be surprising. After all, it was Casablancas who won over millions of fans some 12 years ago by demanding they “take it or leave it.” Now he’s calling their bluff. -Consequence of Sound

Melodic songs such as ‘Dead Roses,’ ‘Dark AM,’ ‘Picture Perfect’ show off Witherspoon’s soulful vocal abilities, while ‘Got a Feeling’ is one of the most heartwarming and touching surprises on the record. On the latter track, Clint Lowery provides soft vocals in the beginning which work together with Witherspoon’s vocals in the chorus. The riffs feature a southern twang that’s identifiable with the band’s Georgia roots.

The album goes out with a bang, as ‘Murder Bar’ is Sevendust to the core. The track boasts explosive and ferocious vocals mixed with a groovy vibe that fans will certainly bounce to in concert.

Throughout the entire album, stellar riffs are provided by guitarists John Connolly and Clint Lowery, while bassist Vinnie Hornsby keeps things steady with forceful on the low end. Meanwhile, drummer Morgan Rose pounds vigorously behind the skins and offers up some of those killer banshee screams that Sevendust fans crave. -Loudwire

(CD/DVD)

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this live release from the British Heavy Metal maestros recorded in November 1988 at the Birmingham N.E.C. Arena during the band's Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son tour. This edition includes the full and complete release of the entire show (including previously unreleased encores), which had been edited when initially released. Also includes two tracks from the main show that were cut due to time constraints. -Amazon

(Tool - Opiate: 21st Anniversary Edition)

The 21st anniversary edition is limited to 5,000 copies and features art direction by Jones, illustrations by legendary artist Adi Granov and design packaging by Mackie Osborne, who has collaborated with Tool on many albums including 10,000 Days, Lateralus and Salival, as well as posters and merchandise.

The 5,000 copies will be broken down into five variations (each 1,000 pieces) with each set featuring a slight alteration of the exterior graphics and included bonus items which include a new stereoscopic image for fans to use with their glasses from the 10,000 Days packaging.

(The packages will only be available via Tool’s website (www.toolband.com) on Mar. 26 with the band setting aside a small number of packages (200 of each variation) for Toolarmy members.  Toolarmy members will be able to purchase on Mar. 22 via Toolarmy.com.) -Revolver

Evile - Skull

Damn if this didn't make for a good ol thrashy Tuesday morning.  "SKULL" is the new album titled selected by Evile for their 4th album, due on May 27th in Europe on Earache Records and in North America via Century Media/Earache Records.  After being a very large fan of their previous album "Five Serpent's Teeth", I was very excited to hear of a follow up.  Another band on the radar I have yet to catch live, but from what YouTube and other social media outlets have shown, they would not be a show to miss.

The band has already pushed out 3 studio albums since their inception in 2004 and seem to be moving with great momentum to their fourth album.  Consistently improving their originality and sound, the four piece from  West Yorkshire, UK have quite the reputation to precede, being that 5ST had a very high rating across the board from various music review sites.

"We'd like to extend our thanks to Eliran Kantor for his amazing artistic representation of our original concept, which we'll reveal further details of in the coming weeks.  Our fans can expect this album to be a return to our thrashier roots, as well as exploring new ground in typical EVILE form." - Ben Carter

Skull was recorded with producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England. The artwork for the album was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED).  This is the same producer and studio as their previous release "Five Serpent's Teeth".

"'Skull' is not what you think. 'Skull' is not where you think. 'Skull' is a mythical void in the deep fathoms of space." -Ol Drake

1. Underworld

2. Skull

3. The Naked Sun

4. Head Of The Demon

5. Tomb

6. Words Of The Dead

7. Outsider

8. What You Become

9. New Truths Old Lies

"We've always said we want to progress and move forward in everything we do, and this album is no exception.  We're so amazed with everything Russ Russell and ourselves have produced, and can't wait for it to be released upon the masses!" -Carter

"We are proud to release the first full track from our upcoming album, 'Skull', for you to wrap your ears around. Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what's in store for you all come May 27th.

'Underworld' is a title I've wanted to use for a very long time but hadn't found the right song for it; it's named after the venue in London of the same name as it's been one of my favorite places to play for years now. The song itself isn't directly about the venue, but it's definitely dedicated to it. The song is inspired by a short sci-fi story I read about the earth's surface becoming uninhabitable and people being forced to live deep underground. It ties in to one of the overall themes of the album which is about things being hidden, be it thoughts, feelings, motivations or truths. At the same time it's about something else but I don't want to give everything away all at once; it's better if you make up your own mind!" -Matt Drake


For more info on these guys, keep checking back as this page will be updated as the info comes in.  Fpr now, you can also check out my previous article about Evile.  Cheers!

AFGM: In Memoriam - New Music From Evile!

Music News and New Music for March 22-24, 2013

So keeping the momentum going with these posts.  They seem to be hitting off quite well with you readers and are great little tid bits of info to keep you informed on music news and not have to troll through all the BS articles that some newspapers and websites publish.  This is what I normally do during the day anyway.  not just write but also to indulge in what others have to say.  And trust me, there's a lot of it (haha).

Drake raps about Toronto's Danzig Street shooting

"Told you no guns and you didn't listen/ Life is so heavy with that on your soul/ Dedicate this to Shyanne and Josh/ And pour something out for the lives that they stole," raps the locally reared rap star, who ends the verse by calling out Toronto's three-digit area code: "416."

Incubus Guitarist Mike Einziger To Guest On New Pearl Jam Album

"In the studio with my girl and Eddie Vedder, recording strings for Pearl Jam's new album."

Dave Grohl Asked PJ Harvey to Cover Nirvana with Sound City Players

"Every once in a while we talk about it. For the Sound City gig here in London we were thinking about musicians that we could invite because Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty couldn't make it. Someone came up with the idea of doing a Nirvana song with PJ Harvey. Kurt loved her and we love her and we thought, 'Yeah, what would we do?' I said: 'God, what if we were to do 'Milk It' from 'In Utero' with Polly singing?' We all looked at each other like, 'Woah, that would be amazing…' and then she couldn't do it!"


Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith Lobbies for Music Education in Washington

"Right now, [music education] is in jeopardy, and they have the power to change it and do something good here for everybody and every kid.  If I didn't have music education in school, I probably would have ended up in jail or dead. And instead I ended up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Roger Waters Calls for Boycott of Israel:

David Cronin: Do you think the campaign for a cultural boycott of Israel is having an impact?

RW: I’d like to think that it was.

My experience when I speak to people to and say “don’t go” is either they reply “that sounds good” or they say “don’t you think it’s better to go there?”

Well, no, I fucking don’t.

I think that the kind of boycott that was implemented against the apartheid regime in South Africa back in the day is probably the most effective way to go because the situation is that the Israeli government runs an apartheid regime in Israel, the occupied territories and everywhere else it decides. Let us not forget that they laid waste to most of Lebanon around the time I started getting involved in this issue. They destroyed airports, hospitals, any public buildings they could.

They are running riot and it seems unlikely that running over there and playing the violin will have any lasting effect.


OZZY OSBOURNE 'Would Die A Happy Man' If He Could Collaborate With ADELE:

“I’d die a happy man, I think she’s fucking great. She’s not fucking botox-faced, she’s a normal, healthy girl who speaks in her native accent.”

Tool’s “Opiate” Reissue To Feature ‘Golden Tickets’, Adam Jones Once Again Talks New Material

“We’re older guys now. The band has changed drastically. We’re very distant people now and have our own lives. It’s always been like that. It’s been a collective perspective even from the start, but now it’s much more diverse. And I’m not saying that’s bad. It’s just different.

So writing is a different perspective now. It’s taken a little longer. And besides that, we’ve had a couple major setbacks that we’re recovering from. I’m calling March “March Madness” because I’ve been really trying to kick ass and focus on this thing and get it to a point where we’re all happy. I really love those guys. And people grow and they change; it’s just like a relationship.

You just have to compromise and respect each other. It’s just like life. It’s like anything else. That’s where it’s at.”


Mindless Self Indulgence Set May Release Date For New Album (May 14th release date for "How I Learned To Stop Giving A Shit And Love Mindless Self Indulgence"):

“We invented our own sound 15 years ago and stuck with it and persevered like The Cramps or The Ramones. When you want MSI, you come to MSI and we give you MSI. We don’t give a shit what you think and we love our job… and THAT is why the album is titled How I Learned Not To Give a Shit And Love Mindless Self Indulgence… It’s very self-referential.”


SCOTT WEILAND Is 'Definitely Not' Closing The Door To Working With STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Again

"They’ve done it before, and they can do it again. They’re good players. I respect them. Every band has issues. I just think sometimes people say things before they really think about it. I know that I’ve done that in the past. I was guilty of it with Velvet Revolver after myself and [drummer] Matt [Sorum] got into an argument backstage before an encore. That led me to say that I wasn’t going to play any more shows with those guys. So I think that the fact this tour was doing so well was a reactionary thing on their part. But it actually isn’t quite so simple."

EP Review: ANTHRAX Anthems

Otherwise, there isn't much else to say about Anthems, other than the fact that the production is fantastic, making it one of the more crisp releases I've heard lately. But for the most part, this is one for Anthrax fanatics who want to have the full discography.

Album Review: INTRONAUT Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)

I can say that Habitual Levitations represents the band's most successful alchemy to date of their early, sludge-heavy groove and the later, more textural work. The physical and the intellectual are finally at one here. Is it Intronaut's best album? I tend to shy away from such comparisons, especially for bands with a unique palette and singular vision… it's an unfair analogy since it's impossible to recapture the revelation of witnessing that previously untapped combination of sounds and influences for the first time. It's doubly hard for an ensemble like Intronaut, who  arrived fully formed with seemingly little room for improvement, instrumentally or otherwise. 


ALTER BRIDGE To Release Box Set In May

TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Working On Long-Awaited Sophomore BEYOND FEAR Album

SLASH Begins 'Demo Process' For Next Solo Album

Vext Streaming New Song “Transmogrify”

LENG TCH'E Complete Pre-Production For New Album

PETER DOLVING Releases Thieves & Liars Album


Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel Recordings Added to Library of Congress

Bush had fame, but with Razorblade Suitcase, it wanted credibility


First-Ever JIMI HENDRIX Pop Store Announced

Lennox to get honorary Berklee degree

Beatles Guitar Going Up for Auction


Fans To Celebrate 40th Anniversary Of PINK FLOYD’s Dark Side Of The Moon By “Darkening The Moon”

***

Music News and New Music for March 21st, 2013

So going to try a new thing here.  I do quite a bit of posting on Facebook in regards to worthy music news, videos and tours but doesn't really bring you back to AFGM Blog.  I get a lot of information from these articles and here's hoping you do too:

Incubus' Brandon Boyd Records Solo Album With Producer Brendan O'Brien

ROB ZOMBIE Says 'Venomous Rat' CD 'Was Conceived As A Concept Album'

FLYING COLORS Working On Concert DVD, Blu-Ray

Mormon Church puts ad in Toronto musical program

New Dashboard Confessional Live Mini-Documentary

ORIANTHI - "The First Few Shows With ALICE COOPER...

CLUTCH Is Streaming Their New Album, Earth Rocker In Full

Austrian Death Machine Claim ‘Arnold’ Will Be Guesting On “Triple Brutal”

TARJA TURUNEN Renews Deal With earMUSIC; "Exciting Set Of Releases" Coming Over Next Few Years; New Studio Album Due In August/September

August Burns Red & Silverstein Ready Covers For New ‘Record Store Day’ Split

Filter Reveal June Release Date For New Album, Offer Free Download Of New Song

Reign Supreme Streaming New EP “Sky Burial”

Victory Records Preparing Earth Crisis, Snapcase, Etc. Releases For ‘Record Store Day’:

Earth Crisis – “Firestorm” (7?) (900 pressed on solid red vinyl)
Snapcase – “Steps” (7?) (900 pressed on solid white vinyl)
Grey Area – “Fanbelt Algebra” (900 pressed on solid white vinyl)
Bayside – “Live At The Bayside Social Club” (2xLP) (900 pressed on solid white vinyl)
Straylight Run – “Prepare To Be Wrong” (900 pressed on solid red vinyl)

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes At Ocean Way

WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF REX BROWN’S MEMOIR “OFFICIAL TRUTH, 101 PROOF: THE INSIDE STORY OF PANTERA”

Thirty Seconds To Mars Are Out of This World

Bleed From Within Streaming New Album “Uprising”

10 Most Influential Heavy Metal Albums: The Entire Countdown

5-year-old B.C. piano prodigy gets Carnegie Hall debut

Fall Out Boy Reveal 'Save Rock and Roll' Album Artwork

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine To Appear With San Diego Symphony In 2014:

“Dave Mustaine will be a featured soloist with the San Diego Symphony in April, 2014, in a program that will include Wagner‘s “Ride of the Valkyries” from “Die Walküre“, Vivaldi‘s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (the “New World” Symphony). Executive director Edward “Ward” Gill said it’s all about reaching new audiences, while music director Jahja Ling said he had a good meeting with Mustaine, and he may conduct the concert himself (no conductor is listed at this point, and Mustaine‘s exact involvement is still being worked out).”

JOE SATRIANI - Unstoppable Momentum Album Details Revealed; Pre-Order Launched:

http://www.satriani.com/

Children of Bodom - Halo of Blood

As soon as I read that Children of Bodom were eyeing a new release on June 11th, the memory instantly sent me back a few years when I saw them in London, ON as part of the Gigantour series (alongside Megadeth, In Flames and more).  What a performance these guys put on!  Their sound was top notch and the cool melodies got everyone grooving, enough at least to send my buddy Matt crowd surfing for the first time at his first ever concert.  Haha ohh the good memories indeed.

It's not all rainbows and sunshine though.  I do have to give slight criticism to the last few CoB albums "Blooddrunk" and "Relentless Reckless Forever".  Die hard fans ached for the new albums where as I did not seem to find that emotional connection with the albums.  I was much more comfortable with their previous releases of "Hate Crew Deathroll" and "Are You Dead Yet?"  Both albums were colossi of their time; maybe that was the reason I held them a little more near and dear than other albums.  Don't get me wrong, there were a few tunes I could pick off any of their albums to rock out to.  I just found more hits and more versatility with the two albums I stated earlier.  To each their own right?

Well I am hoping that CoB come back with yet another great album as they announce "Halo of Blood".  The June 11th release date will be via Nuclear Blast Records.  The cover art was created by Sami Saramäki, who was responsible for the artwork on previous CoB albums such as "Follow The Reaper", "Are You Dead Yet?" and "Hate Crew Deathroll".

"We wanted to have a winter scene. Somehow it fits well with the atmosphere of the music and the composing session. It could be Lake Bodom, actually, frozen, with people trapped under the ice. Very Finnish looking scene. We were really happy how Sami created the whole imagery!" -Henkka Seppälä

1. Waste Of Skin

2. Halo Of Blood

3. Scream For Silence

4. Transference

5. Bodom Blue Moon (The Second Coming)

6. The Days Are Numbered

7. Dead Man’s Hand On You

8. Damage Beyond Repair

9. All Twisted

10. One Bottle And A Knee Deep

"'Halo Of Blood' is the eighth studio album from CHILDREN OF BODOM, and believe it or not, but we still managed to keep it fresh and new while still maintaining the elements that make COB sound recognizable. It's got the fastest and the slowest song we ever made and lyrics wise there are themes we had never had before. It's 10 new songs of pure Nordic metal and whether you enjoy it with a beer or a glass of water, I’m sure you will have a good time." -Alexi Laiho

More info as it comes in!  For now...

Dead Letter Circus - This Is The Warning

So first time I heard of these guys came as a surprise to me.  I was getting a goody package of new releases (Make Me Famous, Veil of Maya, Betraying The Martyrs, etc.) from Sumerian Records to review when I came across a relatively no name band (to me at least) called Dead Letter Circus.  Gauging what Sumerian Records had been producing recently, I assumed it was going to be an initial release form a down tuned, breakdown style band.  What I got instead was a gorgeous blend of melody, large vocal range and an album that I could easily play from start to finish.  That album was the Queensland band's debut record "This Is The Warning".

1. Here We Divide
2. One Step
3. Big
4. The Space on the Wall
5. This Long Hour
6. Cage
7. Reaction
8. The Drum
9. The Design
10. Next in Line
11. Walk
12. This Is the Warning

(*Alternate cover)

A gem in the rough is what I can ultimately describe this album and band.  A nice change of pace from what I am usually used to hearing from heavy based labels.  Not knocking Sumerian Records at all since they have hooked me up with press passes and great albums.  It was just a nice change of pace is all.

So back to the album.  Me thinks Melodic.net hit the familiar chord when they called the album "refreshing, uplifting and incredible".  I can agree to an extent with this review as these buzz words surrounded my brain as I ran through songs like "Here We Divide", "Big", and "Reaction".  A vocal range that hit notes I could only wish to do with this low baritone range I have.  Mimicking vocal favorites of mine such as Geddy Lee, Eliot Coleman or Perry Farell.  I think this type of vocal style is well encompassed with a song such as "One Step", where we can hear Benzie belt out "One step away from here and just a moment to go".

Rock Edition: Did any specific events inspire the lyrics on the album?

DLC: Yeah. War over oil fields and stuff like that. The disgrace of certain governments. Everyone can probably guess which governments we're talking about. The larger Western world. The way that they go about obtaining what they need from the poor countries, everything from Iraq to Africa. You kill many people so you can run an oil pipeline through their country. 9/11 -- that whole time was so surreal. It really shaped our world.

Dead Letter Circus consists of:

Kim Benzie – Vocals | Stewart Hill – Bass | Luke Williams – Drums, Vocals | 

Tom Skerlj - Guitar, Keyboard and Percussion | Clint Vincent - Guitar

So the band has only released one LP and one EP since being introduced to the international music industry, but with persistence and continual touring I could see these guys making quite the name for themselves in this sea of bands we now refer to as the music world.  They band has already done a great job establishing themselves online with multiple music videos with great visuals.  Check out a few of them below for the tracks "One Step", "Cage" and "Big":



"Is it ok if I close my eyes?  As we go further.  I want escape from the compromise..."

"I feel something's not right.  We're living in circles.  With no break in sight yet, Why can I not live this life the way I feel I choose, know that is right.  I wanna push this wall till it breaks"

"The faster that we go round, The tighter I'm holding.  I know that we fall down.  Part of me is still silently hoping.  Hold on, soon we'll be gone.  You will follow me one day.  In time, our time."

So I decided to take a review from a website called All Music that I tend to hold in higher regard, just simply by the quality of reviews they put out.  They have done exceptional jobs in the past for reviews (as you can see in my music releases) and felt that their opinion conveyed a few of the same ideas and thoughts I felt towards the album:

Though tagged an alternative rock band, Dead Letter Circus actually get close to post-rock on their debut full-length, and even if it was not a conscious decision, it's a good sign. The band starts off by going for that angsty but catchy brand of rock developed by the likes of Jimmy Eat World, adding a dash of the U2 adaptation that Angels and Airwaves promised to revolutionize music with, and didn't -- but the youthful earnestness is channeled into arrangements rather than histrionics here (though the music is still quite emotive). Delay-based guitar textures are interlaced with subtle synth undercurrents, creating complex patterns out of a set of simple rhythms without cutting down on melody, and the whole thing is executed with a surgical precision that recalls the incarnation of Krautrock promoted by Maserati -- while the sheer intensity brings to mind God Is an Astronaut more than My Chemical Romance. The record isn't comprised of instrumentals, but the vocals do serve, rather, as an additional instrument, blending into the mix without overshadowing it, and anyway, more important is that while typical mainstream rock relies on catchy riffs and hooks, This Is the Warning is mostly a wall of sound -- also catchy, but too elaborate to hum in the shower. The record could still use more irony, and it's easy to single out individual pop elements the band uses to build up its sweeping drive, but at least this is a highly evolved sort of pop with aspirations going far beyond the usual 15 minutes of fame. -All Music



Be sure to keep an eye out on the horizon for their next album it is currently in the works.

"I think we’re kind of in a cyborg half-human, half-robot stage at the moment. Yeah, I definitely think we could (be going in an electronic direction). We’re leaning toward a bigger, fatter sound, rather than just the guitars.  Most of the next one’s going to be a bit of the after-effect: "how can you combat things like that (not feeling in control of your own life)? How can small people deceive world bankers? The answer will actually be everyone — what everyone does within their individual bubble, how we choose to act, and if that will butterfly effect out." -Benzie

Music Releases For March 19th, 2013

Ugh!  Do I HAVE to go back to Toronto for work?  Had some great love for Boston and the Dropkick Murphys, but back to business folks.  There is some interesting albums dropping today.  Did not realize that The Walking Dead released their first soundtrack for their show.  After three seasons (I myself only seen the first so far) I figured there would be tons of material.  But either way, better late than never.

Mr. Timberlake dropping his album and by no means needs AFGM for approval or promotion, but rather inform.  Not a die hard fan of JT but can appreciate the vocal talent he has, even if it is hip-hop.  Clutch and Anthrax are already some standards in the playlist and have been streaming their albums from various sites like Revolver, Alt Press and more.  They are albums to definitely check out.  I am also interested in what Tear Out The Heart, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Reign Supreme have in store (considering I have previous albums of BRMC and RS).  

And of course we have Intronaut's new album "Habitual Levitations" (haha).  Found out about these guys during their support for Tool and their Valley of Smoke album.  A great band forging their way into their own sound and has shown on the latest ones.  A gem to pick out.

So as the standard goes, head over to your local record shop, favourite online retailer or other legal sources to grab this week's latest and greatest.  Cheers!

Original soundtrack to the hit AMC TV series' third season. Two incendiary tracks debuted in the first half of Season 3: Emily Kinney and Lauren Cohan's powerful Folk elegy "The Parting Glass," and Baby Bee's guitar-heavy zombie blues jam "Love Bug." Jamie N Commons' "Lead Me Home" will figure prominently in Episode 12, followed by Fink's "Warm Shadow" (Dactyl Remix) in Episode 13, and Voxhaul Broadcast's "You Are the Wilderness" in Episode 14, all leading up to the album's release date. In addition, the compilation includes previously unreleased material including "Sinking Man" from multi-platinum selling Icelandic alternative Folk sensation Of Monsters And Men, an UNKLE remix of composer Bear McCreary's "Main Title Theme Song," Delta Spirit's "Running" and more. Just like the show, the soundtrack remains a dynamic powerhouse replete with unforgettable moments. -Amazon

The tracks that succeed still don’t necessarily merit their extended lengths, but given that they are such fantastic examples of Timberlake working at the height of his powers, it’s easier to ignore. Album opener “Pusher Love Girl” is just an expertly-crafted pop-soul jam, layering horns, string sections and a legion of falsetto-sung harmonies over a simple bumping beat. First single “Suit & Tie” could do without the clunky opening vignette, but possesses the most nuanced production on the album thanks to Timbaland’s penchant for piecing together a small symphony of syncopated percussion parts. Album centerpiece “Tunnel Vision” is the crown jewel of 20/20, the one instance where the ambitious track length sustains the intrigue laid down by the intoxicating, dense funhouse production, and Timberlake’s lurid plot of lovelorn obsession. On all three songs (and most of the album for that matter) Timberlake’s vocal performance remains unimpeachable; a boyish croon that can drift between cool, limber, coy, soulful and straight-up sexy from one line to the next. -Idolator



In terms of other notable highlights on ‘Specter At The Feast’, ‘Fire Walker’ is a moody and atmospheric opener which features a typically grungey and well paced riff and some dreamy, contemplative vocals from Been. ‘Lullaby’ is a soft and gentle ditty that recalls the best bits from their 2005 album ‘Howl’ while in ‘Hate The Taste’ BRMC play to their strengths to create a powerful blues-rock anthem – the chorus refrain of “I wanna ride with you” can only become a live favourite in the coming months. ‘Rival’ carries on where ‘Hate The Taste’ left off, bringing in tattoo drums and heavily distorted guitars into the mix, before the album hits top gear with the quite brilliant ‘Teenage Disease’ – which is the kind of snarling and defiant rock song only Black Rebel can do properly.

Barring those five songs though, the rest of the album kind of passes you by in a swirling swamp of sludgy down-tempo tracks – which mostly try to conjure up Spiritualized-esque levels of mysticism and soul, but fall short. ‘Some Kind Of Ghost’ does nothing but interrupt the flow of the album, while the hymnal ‘Sometimes The Light’ lacks substance. -All Noise



Clutch have been labelled more times than a sofa in the DFS Sale. Part of this is due to their ever-changing musical output, but they’ve always retained that rock and roll edge. With ‘Earth Rocker’, the band has crushed these sub-genre labels into the ground. Clutch are a rock and roll band, and ‘Earth Rocker’ is a rock and roll album. Just imagine a whole CD full of songs like ‘The Mob Goes Wild’ from their 2004 masterpiece, ‘Blast Tyrant’. That’s what this album is; it’s just hit after hit. It’s possibly the most immediate album that Clutch have ever recorded, proving itself to be up there with the classics such as ‘Pure Rock Fury’ and ‘Robot Hive/Exodus’.

This could be your favourite Clutch album. Ever. -Stereo Board



Anthems is Anthrax's love letter to the music that shaped them into the band they are today. Despite being only six songs in length it packs a powerful punch. While you may wish the band chose different songs, you can't deny after listening to this record that the band does a stellar job on the tracks they've chosen. They've made these songs Anthrax songs, and when you're talking about bands like Rush, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Journey, and Boston, that's saying a lot. If you love Anthrax, Anthems is a must listen. Definitely check it out. -Examiner

There were some moments that I personally felt weren’t up to par with the rest of the record, such as the sludgy and slightly repetitive “Daeodon”, but the pros significantly outweigh the cons on Entrench. KEN mode has given us an album that is truly lethal and expansive. From start to finish Entrench journeys through gigantic, harsh soundscapes and riffs straight from the mind of a manic depressive. I am a huge fan of the chaotic/metallic/whatever the hell you want to call it-hardcore style that KEN mode have been categorized under and I can safely say that this is one of the better records to come from a band of their caliber in recent years. I will go out on a limb to say that Entrench is KEN mode’s Jane Done, their We Are the Romans, and even their Sgt. Pepper if you will. If you pass up on this album you are living life completely wrong. Check out KEN mode. -American Aftermath

Reign Supreme’s Sky Burial is a release I was not expecting, and I am genuinely impressed by how much I like the record. While at heart this is still a metallic hardcore album, Sky Burial has a lot to offer that will definitely bridge the gap between fans of metalcore and hardcore. I’m going to keep this record on rotation for a while, and it’s one that will probably induce me to mosh at work on a regular basis. -Under The Gun

Polyrhythmic pyrotechnics explode in the skies of the organic production as the track summons prog metal, modern jazz and smoky jamming. The usual comparisons come to mind such as Isis, tesseracT, and Kylesa, but Intronaut has smoked itself up to a higher plain on Habitual Levitations.

The ribbons of textured guitar, spun like brilliant glass around skin-tight beats, seem to use melody as streamers of color and collision. Fret not as heaviness never throws its cape over it face and hisses off into the dark. There’s metal in every track, some brass, some gold and a lot of uranium. Danny Walker and Joe Lester have arc-welded themselves together into a jazz-metal monster of a rhythm section. -About.com

Iron Reagan’s Worse Than Dead is a fantastic debut album for such an interesting and talented group of musicians, and sounds exactly like what you’d expect from these two bands, bringing out the best in each of them. A great album for fans of high energy hardcore punk, as well as listeners looking to hear the folks in Municipal Waste sound a bit more serious, and a whole lot more heavy. -MXDWN

(*not sure how I feel about this album but since reviews for it were limited, I went with the best one I saw fit for the album rather than diving into it myself*)

If you were a fan of Tear Out The Heart’s “Hell Is Empty” EP, then you will be a fan of “Violence”. A little under 40 minutes of heart stopping metal is packed into “Violence”. I did find some tunes to be a bit more stale than others, but still made enough of an impression and were still enjoyable. The songs that I had kept putting on repeat were ‘Dead By Dawn’, ‘Crucified’, ‘Undead Anthem (which features Caleb Shomo of Beartooth, ex- Attack Attack!), and ‘Feed Me A Stray Cat’. If you are a fan of metalcore, then Tear Out The Heart would be an ideal addition to your musical library. Please note: Tear Out The Heart is not responsible for any heart attacks you may receive while listening to “Violence”. -Real Metal Reviews

Box Sets:

Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective comes housed in your standard issue box, modestly illustrated to somewhat resemble a guitar case. Nothing too fancy, but still effective. The discs themselves come in thin paper sleeves, which would be my lone complaint about the packaging (note to label: paper tends to cause discs to scratch). 

Extras include a Skydog bumper sticker and a Duane Allman guitar pick (nice touch), as well as a generous booklet with notes on every track, and liner notes from Duane's daughter Galadrielle (who also served as a co-producer for the project). -Seattle Pi