Random Music Quotes: 2013

The music world keeps on turning and what was said today may be forgotten tomorrow.  So here is a chance for us to look back on some of the quotes and phrases made by some of the industry's top artists/executives/entrepreneurs.  Hopefully 2014 brings as much excitement to the music industry as 2013 did.  Cheers!

"My dream was to not get a day job but to sleep, wake up and do my music. I want to keep that dream forever."
-Bruno Mars, from Billboard's 2013 Artist of the Year cover story

"I don't talk to old people. That's because even as things are quickly changing, they try to find ways to stay static. Young folks are the ones with the ideas."

-Prince

"For Samsung and mobile in general to be a distribution center for music and a platform for music -- that is the future." 
-Todd Pendleton, chief marketing officer for North America at Samsung

"People like big hits and we've got big hits. If they spill over into other formats that means we've done our job. We've helped expand the country footprint."

-Scott Borchetta, president/CEO of the Big Machine Label Group

"This time feels less about any particular movement, and more about how young people are discovering music."
-Kevin Weatherly, senior VP of programming at CBS Radio

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

-Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber's manager

"I've given the industry a real viable alternative, and if that's my legacy of this job, it's the greatest legacy I could have."
-Randy Phillips on exiting AEG Live


"The last desperate fart of a dying corpse."
-Thom Yorke on Spotify


"The music business has become about the broader entertainment world. If you want to build an entertainment brand, Los Angeles is where you need to be."
-Lucian Grainge, chairman/CEO of the Universal Music Group


"I see this generation loving to be rich and famous with no work. You've got to work."
-Quincy Jones


"When they told me I was gonna get the Legend of Live Award, we were joking ‘LOL,’ you know. I thought ‘OMG, WTF. And BTW,’ I got a lot of people to thank for this."
-George Strait on being named Legend of Live at the 10th annual Billboard Touring Awards


"I'm still old-fashioned. Streaming services aren't suited to me. I still want to own something, even if it's just a download in the cloud."
-Martin Bandier, chairman/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing


"Don't put all your eggs in one basket."
-Tim Leiweke, president/CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (former president/CEO of AEG)


"Avicii's 'Wake Me Up!' has just enough EDM to make you feel like you're cool without trying too hard."
-Tom Poleman, president of national programming platforms at Clear Channel Radio


"Never get an ego and act like you are too cool for someone. The intern could turn into the CEO tomorrow."
-Matt Galle, president of Photo Finish Records; agent at Paradigm; VP of A&R at Interscope Records


"In 2014, brands are going to begin using music more as an overall marketing platform 365 days a year, and not just big promotional windows."
-Russell Wallach, president of media and sponsorships at Live Nation


"The TV has replaced the family stereo as the nexus of music entertainment in the home. So it's right to think about the future of music as being TV-centric."
-Tom Conrad, chief technology officer/senior VP of product at Pandora


"Industries are fearful of legislation. But if you start in the marketplace and forge a solution, you get a lot less resistance - and often a more flexible approach."
-Cary Sherman, chairman/CEO of the RIAA


"You have to be able to go into the finance guys with the argument of 'this is really fucking cool, we’ve got to do it,’ armed with nothing more than enthusiasm. Enthusiasm usually trumps."
-Don Was, president at Blue Note


"We always lead with hits. If you want to have success, you have to be riding a hit."
-Tom Corson, president/COO of RCA Records


"I don’t think that the real enemy of the music industry is illegal downloading; I think the real enemy of the music industry is radio."
-Perez Hilton


"People will buy at the point of inspiration if you make it really easy for them."
-Andrew Fisher, executive chairman of Shazam


"This is still a young man's game, so we have to stay young. Music allows you to do that, especially rock'n'roll."
-Eddie Vedder, from October 2013 Pearl Jam cover story


"Money can't buy time, and patience is probably the most underrated value in the music business."
-Mike Caren, president of worldwide A&R at Warner Music Group

Music News and New Music For December 31st, 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!

Bruno Mars and Rihanna most pirated artists in 2013:

"Musicmetric analysed data from Bit Torrent - the popular method of illegally pirating music - to come up with the figures. It said the 20 most pirated artists were downloaded 64.5m times via BitTorrent over the year."


TRANSATLANTIC release "Shine" Music Video:



Progressive-rockers TRANSATLANTIC, featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas, will release its fourth studio album, "Kaleidoscope", on January 27th, 2014 via InsideOut Music.


RUSH - 40th-Anniversary Reissue Of Debut Album Coming Next Year:

"...the band members are 'very involved' in next year’s 40th-anniversary reissue of the group’s self-titled debut album."


RUSH's 'Clockwork Angels' Album To Become A Comic Book:

"We think RUSH fans are attentive and intelligent. It just gives them the extra thrill of seeing that this isn't just a straightforward story. There's a lot of interconnected things, too.” -Kevin J. Anderson

"Kevin and I had talked for years about combining a novel and an album in some fashion, but I guess the idea had to grow up as Kevin and I did — gaining maturity and confidence in our own separate crafts, while gaining the life experience necessary to give the story its scale and depth." -Neil Peart


Dead Weather Return With 'Open Up':



"'Open Up (That's Enough)' and 'Rough Detective' are unlike anything else the band has ever done and are both ample reminders of the ferocity of this motley collection of low-lifes, grifters and ne'er-do-wells." -Third Man Records


Linkin Park Recruit Bad Religion, Offspring for Philippines Benefit:

Rolling Stone: How did you put together the lineup?

Brad Delson: "Our band responded immediately and we just started making phone calls. We got a lot of responses from groups that couldn’t do it for a lot of reasons, like someone might be on tour. A lot of those groups have donated items and experiences to an auction we’re gonna do, so beyond the Offspring and special guests we have committed for the show there are a lot of groups, like Dave Grohl was super generous in donating something, Thirty Seconds To Mars as well, Green Day, Chili Peppers were really helpful, Rick Rubin was helpful, there are a ton of people to make this thing work. That’s why it’s called Music for Relief, because it’s really a response for the entire music community for this important cause."


NIRVANA To Be Honored In Washington In April:

"They bring great honor, I think as I say, to our entire community. And I think that it's good Kurt Cobain lived in Hoquiam for a little while, but he and Krist Novoselic are part of our community, and I think it's good to honor our sons and their great accomplishments." -Jack Durney (mayor of Hoquiam, Washington)


SERJ TANKIAN - 'Distant Thing' Video:




ALICE COOPER, KISS, VINCE NEIL, ROB ZOMBIE Raise Over $1 Million For Rock & Roll Academy:

"THE Fundraiser showed just how much the rock and roll industry believes in our youth and wants to assist them pursue their musical passions," said Brennan. "Dozens of rock stars from all over the world came to Las Vegas for one incredible night and raised more than a million dollars for these kids. It was, without question, incredible." -Chuck Brennan (founder of the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy)


KISS Wins Fan Vote For ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Induction:

"Look, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is marketing.  You've got a bunch of faceless people in a back room who trademark a name that sounds very official. Well, if you had thought of it first, you would have been the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I am one of the biggest Laura Nyro fans. I still listen to that stuff incessantly. Laura Nyro does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Songwriter Hall Of Fame? Absolutely." -Paul Stanley

"Our awards are under the 'K' section in record stores. Every time somebody goes out and plunks down their hard-earned money — either for a KISS ticket or for an album — that's the award, and reward." -Gene Simmons


WAYNE STATIC's Collaboration With DMC - 'Noise Revolution' Video:



"I have always believed combining different genres of music is a great way to create exciting new sounds.  In fact, I've based most of my career on combining unexpected styles in innovative ways. This collaboration with DMC is a prime example of how we can break through traditional expectations of metal and rap to create a badass new sound, and that is really the theme of the song for me as well. This song is a 'Noise Revolution'!" -Static


The Mahones Ready 'A Great Night on the Lash' Live Album, Plot New Double LP:

"The Mahones are heading back into the studio in 2014 to record our forthcoming double album, The Hunger & The Fight. We’ll be putting this album out on our very own label, Whiskey Devil Records, because we know that doing things ourselves (DIY) is the best way to get as much music as we can to our friends and fans.

You, our beloved fans, have proven time and again that you’re the very best, and we’re asking for your help and support with this new project. In order to cover the huge costs of recording a double album, we’re holding a fundraiser in exchange for some awesome thank you gifts and rare opportunities. Please have a look, buy/donate what you can (in exchange for something fun!), and help us make Irish punk history!

Thanks, and all our love,
The Mahones"


Bruce Springsteen's 'High Hopes' Leaks Early Due to Apparent Amazon Error:

"'High Hopes' isn't due out until January 14 through Columbia Records, but Billboard notes that shoppers had access to purchase MP3 versions of the 12 tracks. These were only available individually, rather than as an entire album package."


Former FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Bassist MATT SNELL Releases Debut MY ACUMEN EP:



"We made a record and we like what we did with it: some songs to find a direction and these songs are our best attempt at being radio friendly, but the newer stuff that we are writing now are definitely more technical and definitely less arranged in the radio format." -Snell


Have music downloads hit their peak, with streaming taking over?:

“This [report] shows for the very first time exactly how much music – in all its guises – contributes to the U.K. economy in terms of GVA [Gross Value Added], exports and employment.  Government has said it wants to support the creative industries, but until now they have not had the precise data to hand. They do now.

A realistic picture of the how the industry is made up will lead to a better understanding of what investment and regulatory environment is needed to help our industry thrive. [Music] is a great U.K. success story, but now it can be even better understood and developed.” -Jo Dipple (UK Music CEO)


I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN: 'Sharks In Your Mouth' Live Video:




IRON MAIDEN Did Not Use BitTorrent And Social Media Data To Plan Its Tours

"This is precisely how Musicmetric's analytics are used by artist managers and labels: to see where their artists are popular and what drives that popularity.  However, the CiteWorld story is sadly not substantiated. It is a follow-up of a Guardian piece and it misrepresents our position by stating that the success was down to use of analytics, which we simply never said nor implied.  Musicmetric never said IRON MAIDEN had used its data to plan a tour — we simply said where the band was popular and stated that BitTorrent data generally, could be useful to see precisely where an act is popular."


Iced Earth Streaming New Song “Among The Living Dead”:



“Plagues Of Babylon“ will be released on January 21st, 2014 via Century Media Records.


Why Does Music Aid in Memorization?:

"The words to a holiday song bubble up to the surface of the brain, even decades since last hearing the tune. Yet recalling a bank-account password can put the mind in a twist. Neuroscientists have long debated the brain mechanisms related to memory, but they agree on one thing: Information set to music is among the easiest to remember. One expert, Henry L. Roediger III, professor of psychology at the Memory Lab at Washington University in St. Louis, explains how songs easily stick in the mind."


Alesana Premiere New Track “Fatima Rusalka”:

Random Music Quotes: King

I've said that playing the blues is like having to be black twice. Stevie Ray Vaughan missed on both counts, but I never noticed. -B.B. King

Honour Crest Streaming New "Spilled Ink" Album In Full!

Forgive me if I don't get around to listening to all the bands you readers indulge in.  I do what I can when I can and this new group from Rise Records is one of them.  Honour Crest recently announced their ink deal with Rise Records (sorry, but not a big surprise) and their debut record "Spilled Ink" shortly following.

Not over glorifying them nor do they deserved to get tossed to the curb, "Spilled Ink" has a good blend of melodic breakdowns, some blistering screams, down-tuned guitars met with equally precise bass and drum work.  All in all it makes for a decent listen and worthy of a spin or two if you're a fan of metal.  With a song name like "Djentle" you kind of have an idea of where the band is going and what sub-genres and age groups they cater to.  Not to stereotype by any means, everyone can be an exception to it.

So 11 songs, hard hitting, good beats, and melodic interludes.  Everything you need for a decent album.  "Spilled Ink" was released on December 10th, 2013 via Rise Records.

Until the ripple they caused fades away

Until the clock they've wound winds down 

No one is ever truly dead

You put your hands on me 

Through empty bottles you speak

I won't forgive you

Time after time you let me down

Just a child with high expectations

These questions seem to have no answers

I can't take these waves on my own

I can't take this on my own

I will never let this go

What have I done thats made it hard for you to see what I have become?

These questions seem to have no answers

Holiday Vacation Alert!

AFGM wishes you all the happiest of holidays in the coming days.  Eat some good food, have lots to drink, enjoy some quality time with loved ones and be sure to crank your favourite music throughout!

That being said, I think I will leave you in the good hands of Megadeth (featuring Jenny Lewis), as they perform some classic holiday standards on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show.  Cheers and enjoy!

Music News and New Music For December 20th, 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!

R.I.P. Toronto Music Blog 'Chromewaves':

"This is not a decision that I've taken lightly. I've basically spent the past year waiting/hoping for the spark of musical discovery and impulse/compulsion to share to reignite, but it simply hasn't. Know that early drafts of this post were very different and very pointed — I planned wonderful rants about commodification, listification, commercialization, devaluation, trivialization, all kinds of -ations — but while therapeutic, were not the note I wanted to go out on. Music and blogging and music blogging have been very, very good to me, but I fear that were I to keep at it that gratitude would further curdle into resentment and cynicism and this thing that I've built, that has defined and directed so much of my life this past decade plus and am very proud of would suffer for it."


COMBICHRIST's 'From My Cold Dead Hands' Lyric Video Released:




Jack White and Brendan Benson Revisit the Raconteurs:

Although Jack White is typically a shoe-in to steal the show whenever he takes the stage, many of Benson other "friends" came close. Georgia hard-rocker and in-demand producer Butch Walker galvanized the crowd on Benson's shuffling folk-pop ditty "What I'm Looking For." The Howlin Brothers opened the show with a spirited rendition of Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Leadbelly's "How Long Blues" that featured accompaniment from Ricky Skaggs and weepy pedal steel lines courtesy of former longtime Bob Dylan sideman Bucky Baxter, a fixture onstage throughout the night. Baxter especially shined while backing Benson and his old boss's son, Jakob Dylan, on a faithful rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup." And  songwriter Jesse Baylin dueted with Benson on his tense tune "Pretty Baby" — one of the more moody moments of the evening.


Within Temptation Release “Dangerous” Single, Former Killswitch Engage Frontman Howard Jones Guests:




Daft Punk Playing Grammy Awards 2014:

"We learned that because they had such a good experience with us when they appeared with Kanye in 2008, they were happy to discuss a performance on this year's show.  Conversations took place over a period of a couple of months, and finally they agreed to be a part of this year's telecast. Details of the performance are still being worked out, but the idea of having the exclusive television performance by this iconic band is something we're very, very excited about." -Ken Ehrlich (Executive Producer)


Steven Van Zandt 'Honored' By E Street Band's Hall of Fame Induction:

"It was good. It's always a bit strange when you're in a conversation with somebody and they assume you're already in. You gotta say, "Well, actually. . ." That little bit of awkwardness will be gone now. And of course, you're honored to be part of the same institution as all of my heroes."


Crazy Town Release Lyric Video For New Song “LemonFace”:




All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter to Play Gregg Allman in New Biopic:

“The film focuses on two major parts of Gregg’s life in music: Gregg’s early struggles through the formation of The Allman Brothers Band and the group’s ultimate explosion on the music scene and Gregg’s struggles to clean himself up from drug and alcohol abuse." -Savin


SLASH Says 16 New Songs 'Worked Up And Completed' For Third Solo Album:

"16 tracks worked up and completed. plus an instrumental? Hard to decide what goes on the record, what will be bonus tracks. It's all cool.  Going to be a heavy record."


STRATOVARIUS' 'Unbreakable' Video Released:




Devil You Know (Ex-Killswitch Engage) Add New Members, Including Bleeding Through Bassist:

“After a period of being so intensely creative writing and recording the album, it’s exciting to finally take it out on the road.  It’s great to have the two new guys. Roy is a great fit. Ryan and I have played tons of shows together in BLEEDING THROUGH and KILLSWITCH and have known each other for years.” -Jones


Megadeth Perform "Kingmaker" on Jimmy Kimmel:




Opening Acts Confirmed For Bring Me The Horizon, Of Mice & Men, Etc. Tour, New Dates Added:

With letlive.:

02/03 Orlando, FL – The Plaza ‘Live’ Theater
02/04 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
02/05 St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
02/06 Jacksonville, FL – Brewster’s Megaplex
02/08 Mexico City, DF – Jose Cuervo Salon
02/10 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
02/11 Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theater
02/12 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
02/13 Denver, CO – The Ogden
02/14 Kansas City, MO – Uptown
02/15 Sauget, IL – Pops
02/17 Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights
02/18 Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
02/19 Chicago, IL – House Of Blues

With Northlane:

02/21 Plymouth, MI – Compuware Arena
02/22 Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
02/23 Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
02/24 Montreal, QC – Metropolis
02/26 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
02/27 Worcester, PA – The Palladium
02/28 New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
03/01 New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
03/02 Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory
03/03 Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore Silver Springs
03/04 Clifton Park, NY – Upstate

With letlive.:

03/06 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
03/07 Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
03/08 Memphis, TN – New Daisy
03/10 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
03/11 Houston, TX – House of Blues
03/12 Mission, TX – Las Palmas Race Park (‘Never Say Never Fest‘)
03/13 San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
03/14 Austin, TX – SXSW
03/15 Grand Prairie, TX – Quik Trip Park (‘South By So What?! Fest‘)
03/16 Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
03/18 El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
03/21 San Francisco, CA – Regency Grand Ballroom
03/22 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Event Center (‘Self Help Festival‘)
03/24 Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market
03/25 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theater
03/26 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
03/28 San Diego, CA – Soma
03/29 Las Vegas, NV – Extreme Thing
03/30 San Diego, CA – Soma
04/02 Honolulu, HI – The Republik (Bring Me The Horizon only)


Northlane Announce U.S. Headlining Dates:

02/07 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
02/08 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues Side Room
02/09 Phoenix, AZ – The Nile Underground
02/11 Fort Worth, TX – Tom Cats West
02/12 Tupelo, MS – Goodtime Charlies
02/13 St Louis, IL – Fubar
02/14 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
02/15 Burnsville, MN – The Garage
02/16 Milwaukee, WI – Miramar Theatre
02/18 Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome
02/19 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre & Ballroom


I THE BREATHER debut new single "The Setting Sun":




Metallica Release 'Freeze 'Em All' Live Album:

1. Creeping Death
2. For Whom The Bell Tolls
3. Sad But True
4. Bass Solo
5. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
6. Master Of Puppets
7. One
8. Blackened
9. Kirk Solo
10. Nothing Else Matters
11. Enter Sandman
12. Seek & Destroy


Abandon All Ships Release Lyric Video For New Song “Reefer Madness”:



Their new album “Malocchio“ will be out February 11th, 2014 via Velocity/Rise.


Dream Theater Reveal Dates For North American ‘Along For The Ride Tour’:

“We are all really pumped and excited to bring our new live show to North America and to take all of our amazing fans ‘Along For The Ride’! Returning to the ‘An Evening With’ format will enable us to deliver the best DT live experience yet with time for lots of music, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you.

With this tour, our goal is for you to be able to step into the world of Dream Theater from the moment you enter the venue. We hope to create an intense and stimulating night both musically and visually and have prepared some really cool things this time around. We’ll be premiering some songs we’ve never played live before, as well as featured tracks from our latest self-titled release and plenty of classic DT songs for all of our long time and hard-core fans. We are all looking forward to a great night of music and super-psyched to kick it all off!” -Petrucci

03/20 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
03/21 Montreal, QC – Bell Center
03/25 Boston, MA – Opera House
03/27 Upper Darby, PA – Tower Theatre
03/28 New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
04/01 Washington, DC – Lincoln Theater
04/02 Pittsburgh, PA – The Palace
04/04 Detroit, MI – Fillmore
04/05 Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
04/06 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
04/08 Minneapolis, MN – Burnsville Performing Arts Center
04/09 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
04/10 Denver, CO – Paramount
04/12 Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
04/15 Salem, OR – Elsinore Theatre
04/17 San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
04/18 Riverside, CA – Fox PAC
04/19 Los Angeles, CA – The Orpheum
04/23 Mexico City, MX – Arena Ciudad De Mexico
04/25 Monterrey, MX – Arena Monterrey
04/26 Guadalajara, MX – Auditorio Telmex


We Came As Romans Premiere “Never Let Me Go” Music Video:




‘The Unconditional Tour‘ featuring Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive, A Skylit Drive, Hands Like Houses and Beartooth Officially Announced:

02/21 Dallas, TX – The Door
02/22 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
02/23 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
02/25 St. Petersburg, FL – State Theatre
02/26 Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
02/27 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
03/01 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
03/02 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
03/04 Philadelphia, PA – The Trocadero Theatre
03/05 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
03/06 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
03/07 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
03/09 Montreal, QC – La Tulipe
03/10 Toronto, ONT – Opera House
03/11 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot Ballroom
03/12 Joliet, IL – Mojoes
03/14 Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights
03/16 Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall
03/18 Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory
03/19 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
03/20 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
03/21 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
03/22 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Events Center (‘Self Help Fest‘)
03/23 San Diego, CA – SOMA
03/26 West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
03/27 Mesa, AZ – Nile Theatre


A Day To Remember Premiere “Right Back At It Again” Music Video:




Helmet’s Page Hamilton To Hold ‘Helmet Band Camp’ In August:

"Dear Helmet Faithful,

It's been 25 years since I took out an ad in the Village Voice, formed Helmet & wrote my first Helmet song. I'm really excited to announce that in August of 2014 we will host the first ever Helmet Band Camp in Big Indian, NY with Music Masters Camps at Full Moon Resort!

I've really enjoyed conducting music/guitar master classes around the world from Tokyo to Brisbane, Los Angeles to Anchorage, Cleveland to Canberra but this camp will provide a unique opportunity for you to play with Helmet and get into how we write and arrange our songs.

We'll have large seminars as well as small group classes for guitarists, singers, bass players & drummers to explore the Helmet chord vocabulary, learn about how we approach rhythm & grooves and develop musical ideas, i.e. writing and arranging your own music.

We'll get into Helmet music theory 101 as I share my approach to playing solos & creating soundscapes for songs as well as the many movies I've played on. 

Thank you for a great 25 years, I hope you can make it!" - Page Hamilton


The Kindred Debut Lyric Video For New Song “Heritage”:

We Butter The Bread With Butter - Goldkinder

Don't let the sad excuse for a band name deceive you...these guys mean business.  We Butter The Bread With Butter came as a surprise to me since I never really invested much into the booming German music business (aside from a few notables such as Heaven Shall Burn, Rammstein).

(Photo courtesy of David Sonntag and WBTBWB Facebook Page)

We Butter The Bread With Butter is:

Marcel Neumann - Guitar | Maximilian Pauly Saux - Bass

Paul Bartzsch - Vocals | Can Özgünsür - Drums

How did I find out about these guys?  I have been on good working relationship with a management company called The Syndicate.  To make a long story short(er), the group sent me a copy of their latest album "Goldkinder" to check out as I was inquiring about other artists and photo passes.  Now I'm not going to lie, it didn't sink in to it's full extent after the first couple of listens.  The first track off the album has been serving as their single as well.  Check out "Alles Was Ich Will" below:



Originally started as a duo, WBTBWB has taken a dramatic turn from their original sound.  With their new release of "Goldkinder" had the group veering towards a more dark and synth metal act, similar to metal titans Rammstein.  A protege?  One might think so.

"Goldkinder" is the band's third full length album and their first one without support from record label Redfield Records.  From the looks of their album promotion and reception, it seems the break away from the label did not phase them, maybe more fuel to the first to succeed in a constant uphill battle such is the music industry.  "Goldkinder" was released on August 13th, 2013 via Visble Noise/Relativity Media.

1. Alles Was Ich Will
2. Meine Brille
3. Pyroman & Astronaut
4. Ohne Herz
5. Super Heiß Ins Trommelfell (S.H.I.T.)
6. Viva Mariposa
7. Fall
8. Mayday Mayday
9. Makellos
10. Das Uhrwerk
11. Krieg Aus Gold
12. Psycho
13. Kind Im Brunnen
14. Makellos [Weiss Schnur Remix] (iTunes Bonus Track)
15. Super Heiß Ins Trommelfell (S.H.I.T.) [Dublyme Remix] (iTunes Bonus Track)
16. Meine Brille [Dublyme Remix] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
17. Alles Was Ich Will [Weiss Schnur Remix] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
18. Alles Was Ich Will [Instrumental] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
19. Meine Brille [Instrumental] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
20. Das Uhrwerk [Instrumental] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
21. Viva Mariposa [Instrumental] (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)

Mixing of "Goldkinder" was done by Stefan Glaumann, who has done previous work with Rammstein, Within Temptation, Sarah Brightman, Therion, and more.  It only makes sense that I got the Rammstein vibe from the group as I continued to listen to the drum tracks!  On the other side of the studio jobs, mastering was done by Svante Forsbäck, who has also done previous work with Lordi, Apocalyptica, Sonata Arctica, and many more.  Album artwork was done by Andrea Schindler.

"I’ve always loved the WBTBWB equation: sick vocals + German-language lyrics + experimental structures + silliness. That’ll keep your tongue wet, even when it’s been parched by all other jams. But from the look of its first three songs, we see that the self-produced Goldkinder will shit extensively on WBTBWB’s past; they now sound like a different band." -Metal Sucks



The album kicks off very strong with some of their first tracks showcase their diversity and not required to throw a breakdown every thirty seconds.  Tracks such as "Alles Was Ich Will", "Meine Brille", and "Ohne Herz" (favourite part of the entire album at the 2:00 minute mark) do the band justice by showing off their melody and synth side of their music, while leaving other tracks like "Pyroman & Astronaut", and "Viva Mariposa" bring the harder side of the band with open chords and guttural vocals.

"We Butter the Bread with Butter has still got the talent and style the future of music needs!! AMAZING album. I've gotta admit that lately all my favorite musicians have been pumping out generic unenthusiastic music lately and so i wasn't too excited about this album. After listening to the first couple songs though, i knew this was going to be a great ride from beginning to end. This is what all you've metal heads have been waiting for. Perfect blend of Electronic and Metal and the fun never seems to stop, always something exciting and holds you in for every song. My only wish was that there was an English version, but maybe it helps to not be able to understand what the singer is saying, sounds like more music to my ears!. Grade A album, more artists should make music with this much enthusiasm!" -Estevan H. (Amazon)

Overall, I feel that [despite the name] the band has something good going here and with a few more tours and solid albums under their belt, I could see them taking the reigns of German metal.  Could we see a Rammstein/WBTBWB tour is in the works eventually?  This guy likes to be hopeful.

AFGM recommended tracks for "Goldkinder" are:

Meine Brille | Viva Mariposa | Ohne Herz | Fall

Northlane @ The Annex Wreckroom, December 12th, 2013

Well I think this was more of a fight to the front than a photo shoot (haha).  Freelance photographer Melyssa Anishnabie was very helpful to AFGM last week when she decided to take photos for Australian metal group Northlane as they invaded Toronto along with Veil of Maya, Struc/tures, Vildhjarta, and Here Comes the Kracken.

"There were a few of us out in the crowd desperately clutching our cameras to our chests in fear. Haha. I was able to get up by the speaker at the front left of the stage but couldn't get close enough to actually get shots without getting thrown into the mosh pit or kicked in the head by crowd surfers or getting water dumped on me."

So that being said, I can understand that photo gear comes first and foremost.  No point in putting your camera in dangers way if you're likely to have it trashed by the crowd surfers and moshers.  Nonetheless, she pulled off some great shots for the limited stage view the Annex Wreckroom has to offer.  Cheers!

"We walk around blinded like children in the dark

So cold and so empty, how did this even start

It’s time to remember what it’s like to feel alive

Feel alive! Set me free! Set me free!"

Music Video Round-Up For December 18th, 2013

Another Wednesday, another stack of videos my playlist has started to overflow with.  From what I have gathered from my co-workers is the winter blues on a Wednesday, wishing it was Friday.  Then what a better way to pass the time than throwing on a couple music videos on the screen and giving yourself a well deserved break from the day job.

So happy hump day to you all.  Now get off your butts, do some stretches and bob your head to some morning grooves.  Cheers!



"Arrivals" (Live) comes off of Silverstein's latest album "This Is How The Wind Shifts", which was released on February 5th, 2013 via Hopeless Records.




"Fool's Holiday" comes off of Fearless Records's holiday album "Punk Goes Christmas", which was released on November 5th, 2014 via Fearless Records.




"Endless Nights" comes off of Chrome Divisions's album "Infernal Rock Eternal", which will be released on January 17, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records.




"The Bond" comes off of Stick To Your Gun's latest album "Diamond", which was released on March 27th, 2012 via Sumerian Records.




"Playing in New York will always feel very special for us, since it was the first city in the U.S. that embraced us. Every time we play there, it marks another step up for us — going from filling up the basement at Webster Hall, to filling up the Bowery to finally play at sold-out Webster Hall. We simply love New York." -A Nameless Ghoul

"Year Zero" comes off of Ghost's (aka Ghost B.C.) latest album "Infestissumam", which was released on April 10th, 2013 via Sonet Records.




"Bloodshed" comes off Soulfly's latest record "Savages", which was released on October 1st, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records.




"I Am Oblivion" comes off Bleed From Within's upcoming third album "Uprising", which is due out in early 2014 via Century Media Records.




"Changing The End" is the debut music video from Red Enemy.  The song will be featured on their upcoming debut release through Mediaskare Records in 2014.




"Badass Rock N Roll" comes off of Anvil's fifteenth album "Hope In Hell", which was released on May 24th, 2013 via The End Records.




"Fight The Silence" comes off of For Today's latest album "Fight The Silence", which is due out on February 4th, 2014 via Razor & Tie Records.




Limp Bizkit's "Lightz" comes off of their upcoming album release "Stampede of the Disco Elephants", which is due out sometime in early 2014.  No official date has been given yet.

Random Music Quotes: Dietz

"Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism." -Howard Dietz

Music Releases For December 17th, 2013

What a dud of a week for music!

Let's clear the air though so that were all under the same impression that I was referring to the quantity of music versus the quality.  Even though the quality is what really matters for most music listeners, but there tends to be less quality when you don't have quantitative options to choose from.  So unless you are fans of either Shaggy, After The Burial, Chelsea Grin, or John Mellencamp then you might want to save your dollars for something in the new year.  This is generally a slow type of month in the music world anyways as most musicians want to spend time around their families and friends...not at a mixing booth.

So the usual folks.  Head to a local record store, online retailer, or other legal source to pick up a copy of these albums and/or songs.  Cheers!

(Sly & Robbie Presents: Shaggy - Out of Many, One Music)

Shaggy revisits that vintage vibe, the essence of the so-called “Reggae Revival”. What is that essence?  Strong story-telling in the songwriting, gaining input from so many different artists and producers, the originality of the one-drop, the accent of the guitar, horns, bubbling organ, live drums, deep bass all setting a perfect table for the singer, and in this case more than one singer to provide delectable soul food - comfortably over the riddim. This is a key aspect of the reggae revival, in a climate so desperate for unity, for teamwork amongst varied producers, incorporating varied styles, just like they had when the original art form was created 50 odd years ago and how it thrived to become what it is today on a global scale. 

Overall, Shaggy and Friends, you ‘gwan great, keep up the vibes, the revival is in session, and the listeners are in for a  soul-quenching surprise. -Reggaeville

(After The Burial - Wolves Within)

AFGM: After The Burial Streaming ENTIRE "Wolves Within" Album

AFGM: After The Burial - Wolves Within

It’s extremely saddening that poor production value is a bigger issue now than ever before despite a marked rise in popularity. It’s even more sad that because this album is marred by lazy production, many fans of the band may overlook the often excellent songwriting and return to form that After the Burial have otherwise delivered on Wolves Within, an album that most fans would have been ecstatic over had it been released in place of In Dreams. At least After the Burial have shown that they have not lost their touch, and they can still be relevant in today’s ever changing music scene. -Heavy Blog Is Heavy

Singles:

(Chelsea Grin - Letters)

The first song to surface online from Chelsea Grin’s 2014 release, “Letters” finds the band further pushing their progressive take on modern metal. The beginning of the track hits you like a shotgun blast to the chest, and as the first verse gives way to the refrain, the song evolves into an even bigger, meaner, and nastier offering of rock goodness. By the time the guitar solos begin you find yourself immersed in a world of sound beyond everything that came before in the band’s discography. -Under The Gun

Box Sets:

(John Mellencamp - 1978-2012)

John Mellencamp 1978-2012 is a boxed set collection covering, for the first time, all of the legendary singer/songwriter's principal studio albums. The collection consists of a total of 19 CDs originally released over a recording career that spans 35 years. The set contains a total of 223 tracks and includes such mythic album titles as American Fool, Lonesome Jubilee, Scarecrow, Cuttin' Heads and the more recent Life, Death, Love and Freedom and No Better Than This and the long out of print original soundtrack to the Mellencamp-directed film Falling From Grace. Thirteen of the albums in the collection were RIAA®-certified as Gold, Platinum or Multiplatinum winners while ten of the albums achieved Top Ten status on Billboard's Top 100 Album Chart. The set includes every one of Mellencamp's thirty Billboard Top 100 singles, from 'I Need A Lover' and 'Jack & Diane' to 'Pink Houses' and 'Rain On The Scarecrow,' as well as classics such as 'Paper in Fire,' 'Hurts So Good,' 'Crumblin' Down,' 'Jackie Brown,' 'Small Town,' 'Wild Night,' 'R.O.C.K In The U.S.A.,' 'Our Country' and,  quite literally, all the rest. There are bonus tracks concluding twelve of the albums, sourced from the 2005 re-mastered versions of Mellencamp's Mercury  releases. -Amazon

Adrenaline Mob - Men of Honor

Alright folks, the Adrenaline Mob is back with vengeance.  The four piece power group have gained a new member and in perfect time for their sophomore release "Men of Honor".  Sadly, we saw the departure of original drummer Mike Portnoy to continue his ongoing work with Flying Colours, as well as main focus Winery Dogs.  That being said, I think AM did a great job at recruiting Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero (who oddly enough I just noticed looks a lot like Jon Favreau during his stint on Friends).  A better fit to get someone a little more seasoned in the music world than a new young drummer coming into their own.  So moving on to the album, "Men of Honor".  The album name came from an unlikely source, as Mike Orlando explains in an excerpt below:

"My dad came up with the title, believe it or not.  We were thinking about names for the record.  And he said, 'Why don't you guys call it Uomini D'onore [Translaton - Men of Honor]?'  I knew that was it.  We're tight like brothers.  This is a musical gang.  The message is to stand string with Adrenaline Mob.  Regardless of what's changed, we are men of honor, and we will honor this entity until we die." -Orlando

"ADRENALINE MOB featuring Russell Allen, Mike Orlando, John Moyer, and new drummer A.J Pero have signed a North American deal with Century Media which connects with their existing ex U.S deal with the label to create a worldwide pact. The initial release in this deal will be the band's second full length album, MEN OF HONOR, which will be released February 18 in North America and February 24 internationally." -Century Media Records

1. Mob Is Back
2. Come On Get Up
3. Dearly Departed
4. Behind These Eyes
5. Let It Go
6. Feel The Adrenaline
7. Men Of Honor
8. Crystal Clear
9. House Of Lies
10. Judgment Day
11. Fallin' To Pieces

A fury of an opening track that would rival the likes of "Eruption" from Van Halen, check out the debut single "Mob Is Back" which showcases new drummer A.J. Pero and his no bullshit double kickers.  It also of course showcases Mike Orlando and his signature guitar solos that made Adrenaline Mob what they are today.



The album features 11 new Allen/Orlando original songs and was produced by Allen and Orlando & mixed & mastered by Mike Orlando. The band will stream a track a week each week, every Tuesday  starting with album opener "The Mob is Back", leading up to the release of the album." -Century Media Records

So working hard to promote the sophomore album, the group have already jumped on another single streaming the net waves.  Check out "Come On Get Up" below:



"I want everyone who listens to this to feel psyched.  I want them to get excited about watching us kick ass live.  At the end of the day, we're a live band.  The album conveys that.  I think it's going to leave everybody with a variety of emotions, and there's nothing better than getting a reaction." -Orlando



"I locked myself in my studio for three weeks and brought Russell 13 ideas afterwards.  We had a really clear visions this time around.  OMERTÀ was material I had been working on for a long while.  I knew exactly where the band had to go here.  It came from playing live and seeing the reactions from the audience.  Everything we love to do musically is on this album.  It's real, heavy, and melodic hard rock." -Orlando



More tracks to be released in the following weeks.  Cheers!

After The Burial Streaming ENTIRE "Wolves Within" Album

For any of you, like myself, who are looking for a down-tuned wake up call and a good way to kick off a Monday morning (especially in a cold morning such as southwestern Ontario got) then look no further.  After The Burial's "Wolves Within" album will be released tomorrow via Sumerian Records and once again the label has decided to give you all a day early preview of the album. Stream the entire album below and if you have any other curiosity towards the band, then you can check out album details over at my previous article. Cheers!

AFGM: After The Burial - Wolves Within

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