Of Mice & Men Streaming ENTIRE "Restoring Force" Album!

Of Mice & Men have not been one to catch my attention in a major way.  While others have been following them for quite some time and have a dedicated fan base, they never really had that instant attraction for moi.  Now that doesn't mean I don't care for them.  "The Flood" was a great release despite the fact it blended in with a lot of other "core" groups with seemingly endless breakdowns plus the back and forth between screaming and singing.  The other reason I strayed from OM&M was the apparent drama between front man Austin Carlile and The Plot In You front man Landon Tewers, plus the other minor feuds between Austin and former members.  This really left a sour taste in my mouth.  No need to get caught up in all that drama that could eventually decide the fate of the band.

Now fast forward a few years.  The dust has settled, the band(s) have gone their separate ways and OM&M went back to the studio to hash out a new album.  Not putting much effort into following the progression of their album, I sort of lost touch with them (minus the few updates I would receive via my source sites).  Call it a jump on the bandwagon [sort of] but hearing many positive reviews of the new album "Restoring Force" that I just had to take a second listen to it.  When you got multiple sites such as Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Loudwire, and others giving it very positive reviews you have to sort of look through the album to hear what they are hearing.  I wouldn't consider these guys are not the top of the genre, but definitely a step in the right direction.  I mean, 1.3 million Facebook fans can't be wrong, can they?

*Insert hip-hop comparison here for sarcastic rebuttal*

That being said, listed below is the ENTIRE new album "Restoring Force" for your listening pleasure.  Drop some comments and thoughts if you have any.  "Restoring Force" was recently released on January 28th, 2014 via Rise Records.

*Give it some time to load, especially if your computer and/or internet are a bit behind with the times.*

Music News and New Music For January 31st, 2014

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 rather 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!

Unsigned Only Music Competition Opens:

"Unsigned Only is a unique music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the “gem” that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package."

All entries must be postmarked/mailed on or before March 13, 2014. If you are entering online, the deadline is 11:59 EST (US) on March 13, 2014.


SOCAN & Audiam Partner YouTube Revenue Deal:

"The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada  (SOCAN) has entered into an agreement with Audiam that will make it easier for SOCAN members to receive additional money from the use of their music in any videos posted to YouTube."


Canadian Music Week Gets M.I.A., City and Colour, Tegan and Sara, Neko Case, Television for 2014 Edition:

Some of the first big names to be unveiled were M.I.A., City and Colour, Tegan and Sara, Television, Neko Case, Ellie Goulding, Walk Off the Earth, Flatbush Zombies, OFF!, Dodos, the King Khan and BBQ Show, Rich Kidd, No Age, Woods, Sleepy Suns, Indian Handcrafts, Maylee Todd, Half Moon Run, the Dirty Nil, Tasha the Amazon, Cheetah Chrome, Comeback Kid, and much more!


The Mahones - "Shakespeare Road" Video:



"Shakespeare Road" is taken from The Mahones' 2012 album "Angels & Devils", which was released on November 13th, 2012 via Whiskey Devil Records.


Last.fm now lets you stream your Spotify music collection too:

"We’ve teamed up with Spotify to bring their entire catalogue, on demand, to the world’s leading music recommendation service. Whether it be your own profile page, artist pages or album pages – if Spotify has it, you can play it and control it on Last.fm via the Spotify playbar at the bottom of the screen. Using your Spotify account (premium or free) you can listen to any track simply by pressing the play button. This will load all tracks on a Last.fm page as a playlist in Spotify."


Fleetwood Mac Reportedly Plotting New Album with Christine McVie:

"According to an interview Jon Woodhouse of Maui News had with Mick Fleetwood right after the Willie K BBQ Blues Festival on Maui on January 11th, Mick again confirmed Christine's return to the band but also added that she's composed new songs and that Christine will begin recording with most of the rest of Fleetwood Mac beginning in March.  Mick also indicated to Jon that the new Fleetwood Mac tour with all five members will begin this fall.  He didn't indicate where the tour would start.

Mick also said that the door to Christine's return all began on Maui in early 2013 when she appeared on stage for the first time in 15 years with him and his blues band at Castle Theater."


4 Ways To Hear More In Music:

Rhythm, Meter, Melody, Harmony, Color, and Texture.  Seems pretty easy right?

"Obviously, this guide isn't meant to replace a more thorough study and grounding (or, more to the point, basic music education in the schools). But our hope is that when you're approaching a piece of music either for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, you might ask yourself a few of these questions as a way of digging into what makes it tick."


Moby to Release New 'Almost Home' Live Package:

"On October 2nd,3rd, and 4th, Moby performed his 11th studio album Innocents live at the famed Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Many of his album collaborators and friends joined him for the performance. Almost Home ? Live at the Fonda is the deluxe 2x CD/DVD package capturing that performance along with tons of bonus material such as music videos and making-of specials. Special guests include Damien Jurado, Mark Lanegan, Cold Specks, Skylar Grey, Greg Dulli."




Beats Music May Look Better Than Other Music Streaming Apps, But Like Your Friends Warned, It's Just Too Shallow:

"There are a few reasons to consider using Beats Music over the competition, such as free streaming and family plans starting at just $14.99, that I couldn't test out since I'm not an AT&T customer. If you are, then these may just be the most compelling reasons to give Beats Music a go. Otherwise, at $9.99 a month, don't bother. It's a looker, but you really shouldn't make any commitments just yet. It has some issues it needs to work through first."


Why is pop music still stuck on the same old song?:

"Every piece of music causing these apparent schisms – from Lorde’s bird-like singing to Daft Punk’s electronic buzzing – is a song, a very simple and codified form. Never does the discussion about the worthiness of each song step outside itself and question the worthiness of songs themselves. No surprise here: Pop music is by far the most conservative art form there is."


Canadian Olympics songs mix music with a message:

"New Brunswick singer-songwriter Roch Voisine is unveiling Living Out My Dreams, an anthem dedicated to Canada's Olympians competing in the Sochi 2014 Games.

Featuring conductor Kent Nagano and the musicians of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra as collaborators, Voisine's tune debuts on iTunes on Tuesday, with profits from its sale earmarked for the Canadian Olympic Foundation in support of emerging athletes."


Kid Rock, Alan Jackson Are the Guys Who'll Play SeaWorld When No One Else Will:

"...A few of those people: Willie Nelson, the Beach Boys, Pat Benetar, Heart, Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Barenaked Ladies, and 38 Special. Each pulled out of the aquatic park's Bands, Brew & BBQ concert series as a result. Good thing Kid Rock and country star Alan Jackson were around to pick up the slack."


“The live music industry is dead” says NSW Police Minister:

“I’m sorry that the live music industry is dead.  You only have to look at the ‘70s and ‘80s to see how prolific it was right across the pub scene. The places were packed to the rafters to go and listen to the music, not packed to the rafters for the grog.” -Mike Gallacher


METALLICA's 'Through The Never' Named 'Best 3D Documentary' At CREATIVE ARTS AWARDS:

"Four years ago, when we got this idea — we had no idea what this move would be — other than we knew that it was going to be in 3D." -Lars Ulrich


Device creates tracks tailored to the mood and rhythm of your favorite sports:

"One-Track taps into your personal library of music, and because it’s still in early beta stage, there’s no telling where it will end up. The company are open to ideas for what the one-track mode will entail, so don’t be afraid to give them some input if it’s the kind of device you could see yourself using."


THERION - 'Adulruna Redivia And Beyond' Trailer:



DVD 1:
1. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
2. Son Of The Sun
3. Midgård
4. Asgård
5. The Wine Of Aluqah
6. Wisdom And The Cage
7. Kali Yuga I
8. Kali Yuga II
9. Kali Yuga III
10. Lemuria
11. Via Nocturna
12. An Arrow From The Sun
13. Typhon
14. Ginnungagap
15. Preludium
16. To Mega Therion
17. Cults Of The Shadows
18. In The Desert Of Set
19. Interludium
20. Nightside Of Eden
21. Opus Eclipse
22. Invocation Of Naamah
23. The Siren Of The Woods
24. Grand Finale / Postludium
25. Adulruna Rediviva
26. Black Funeral

DVD 2:
1. Sitra Ahra
2. The Wine Of Aluqah
3. Typhon
4. Perennial Sophia
5. Hellequin
6. Nifelheim
7. Clavicula Nox
8. Voyage Of Gurdjieff
9. Ljusalfheim
10. Dies Irae
11. Ginnungagap
12. Kali Yuga III
13. Call Of Dagon
14. Siren Of the Woods
15. The Wild Hunt
16. Blood Of Kingu
17. Lemuria
18. Abraxas
19. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
20. To Mega Therion
21. Quetzalcoatl

Bonus DVD 3:
1. 011 - An Adventure with Therion
2. 011 - Documentary And Behind The Scenes
3. Amazing Voice

"Adulruna Redivia And Beyond" will be made available on February 28th, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Our Last Enemy - '10,000 Headless Horses' Video:



"10,000 Headless Horses" is taken from OLE's debut North American album "Pariah", which will be released on March 11th, 2014 via Eclipse Records.


Metalworks Institute Introduces New Digital Music Production Program:

“We are extremely pleased about what this new curriculum has to offer for students interested in a career in digital music.  The music industry is ever-evolving and digital recording technologies are revolutionizing how independent producers are creating and recording music.  Our Digital Music Production program offers students extensive insight and the practical skills necessary to create their own music using the latest digital recording technologies available.” -Craig Titus (Metalworks Institute Academics Director)


METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD Says ORION MUSIC + MORE Festival Has Been A Financial 'Disaster':

"Right now, it seems like metal is struggling a little bit in the States. Obviously, the Orion [Music + More] festival that we had tried to do the last couple of years has really not been… Gosh, it's been a disaster financially, and it's not able to happen again because of that. So it's a bummer. So, you know, we're doing what we can to keep being alive here. And I hope to get out and play in the States. It seems like forever since we've been out and about. You know, we've hit the coasts and we've done TV stuff and things like that. But it will happen again. So hopefully, to get your fix, you're able to get the ['Metallica Through The Never'] DVD and sit there and headbang with your friends." -Hetfield


Mike Vallely Apologizes for "Subpar" Black Flag Reunion with Ron Reyes:

"We feel that, generally, the band fell short in 2013 because of a difference in the philosophies of Ron and Greg – it just led to dysfunction.  It could have been better.  [Black Flag] can be a stronger, more cohesive, tighter band. We want to prove that." -Vallely


PRIMAL FEAR - 'King For A Day' Video:



"King For A Day" is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "Delivering The Black", which was released on January 28th [in North America] via Frontiers Records.


JANE'S ADDICTION To Perform Entire 'Nothing's Shocking' Album During Las Vegas Stand:

"We had a blast performing at our event during the CES show this month so we decided that Vegas would be a great spot for a final celebration of our 25th anniversary.  Jane's is first and foremost always a great live experience. just because we are on break doesn't mean we won't go play a great gig if one comes up." -Farrell


Chiodos To Release New Album In April, Premiere New Song:

1. U.G. Introduction
2. We're Talking About Practice
3. Ole Fishlips Is Dead Now
4. Why The Munsters Matter
5. 3 AM
6. Sunny Days & Hand Grenades
7. Duct Tape
8. Behvis Bullock
9. Looking For A Tornado
10. Expensive Conversations In Cheap Motels
11. I'm Awkward & Unusual
12. Under Your Halo
13. I Am Everything That's Normal

“Devil isn’t something I thought long and hard about. It is something that hit me, and hard. I asked myself if I was brave enough to stand behind such a strong, emotionally evoking word.. and I knew right then, that was it.

This title is not to be confused with the muscled, red horned man surrounded by fire. This is about the temptations of everyday life; the things that become regrets; the moments where you are forced to make a choice that will determine how it is that you look at yourself for the rest of your life. This album is my definition of Devil.” -Craig Owens


CHIMAIRA - 'Wrapped In Violence' Video:



"Wrapped In Violence" is taken from the band's seventh studio album, "Crown Of Phantoms", which was released on July 30th, 2013 via eOne Music.


Cloudkicker’s Ben Sharp Speaks On The Bands Coming First-Ever Tour (With Intronaut As His Backing Band):



“What a crazy week, in both my work life and music life. It’s nice to have a day to hang out with the dog and the wife and have an excuse to be lazy and wear sweatpants because it’s 6 degrees (or -14 C for those outside the US).

I have been in contact with Intronaut since right after Beacons came out. They played a show in Columbus in late 2010 and after [being blown away by] the set I hunted down their bassist, Joe, and offered him a Trader-Joe’s-bag full of CDs and LPs and said something to the effect of “you guys might like this.” According to them, they were so taken by my complete lack of trying to get them to do something for me that they gave the album an honest listen and actually liked it a whole lot. We’ve been in touch since then.

It was either Sacha or Dave or both who floated the idea of using Intronaut as Cloudkicker’s band. I thought it was a nice gesture but didn’t really take it seriously since I figured there wouldn’t be any way to make a live show happen given the distance between us and my work schedule that has me traveling 3-4 days a week. Fast forward to this past fall when they came through Columbus again and we spent the evening discussing what the realities of a tour like that would be.

It was definitely a fun topic to discuss, but moreover I was impressed by their genuine excitement to maybe, one day, have the opportunity to do this. And the fact that they are musicians of such caliber and professionalism made it obvious that there would be no problems handling the music and translating it to a live show with minimal time in the same room rehearsing it, so long as I provided them with appropriate materials with which to prepare.

That night I wrote an email to my company’s HR department asking for the month of April (after Intronaut’s tour with Between the Buried and Me) off as a leave of absence. I framed it as an opportunity to expand a side business that provides our household with a measurable percentage of our yearly income…which it is, in a way. I told the guys that I would keep them posted, but I was almost certain that my request would be denied. It took about three weeks to get a response, and to my astonishment and the astonishment of many of my co-workers I now had April 1 to April 30 totally free. Ye gods!

After that came a lot of talking to people on the phone and emailing people that I’m still not sure what they do and behind-the-scenes planning and “Are you sure you can’t do anything in March?” “Yes, only April” “What about May?” “No just April” and generally being confused about what was actually happening.

In the midst of this, the band and I worked out a set list and I went back and remixed the songs to make it possible for a finite number of band members (specifically guitarists) to play them. I sent this out to everyone as a full-band mix as well as a mix tailored to each instrument. The hope is that when we are ready to rehearse at the end of March, everyone will come together like a puzzle. I’ve been practicing on my own at home and it gives me shivers to imagine being a piece of this puzzle—creating music live that I’ve spent so much time being immersed in by myself, and doing it as one unit in coordination to a room full of people that are as excited to hear it as I am to play it, and then doing that for a month. What a trip.


WITHIN THE RUINS Begins Recording New Album:

“This is the most time we have ever had to focus on writing. There are a ton of new aspects to this material. We are always aiming to create the most interesting and refreshing music that we are capable of, and I think we have finally been able to accomplish that with this album.” -Cocci


Killwhitneydead Stream “Demons Consume” From Upcoming Album:


“Why do we have to wait so long to get it, Matt? Well, we are broke (we were only ever a part time band) and we need your help to raise funds to press all the merchandise YOU want. We spent money out of pocket to record the album, have Jamie King mix it, get all the nifty artwork done and here we are. You pre-order stuff, we get it made. Everyone is happy, well, except for the impatient people in the crowd. We thank you all.” -Matt Rudzinski

Music Video Round-Up For January 29th, 2014

So it's Wednesday.  Its a day where you can decide ultimately whether you are a pessimist or an optimist.  Only two down or two left?  Well, however your mood is going today there is some great music looking to add that soundtrack to your life.  A good mix between Within Temptation, The Used, We Came As Romans, and others will surely have you thinking on the optimistic side of things.

So grab a drink and/or smoke, sit back and stream a few of these gems as they are sure to add some visual stimulation to your day.

Within Temptation - 'Whole World Is Watching' Video:



"Whole World Is Watching" is taken from Within Temptation's latest album "Hydra", which will be released on February 4th, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records.


The Used Premiere “Cry” Music Video:



"Cry" is featured on The Used's upcoming release "Imaginary Enemy", which will be released on April 1st, 2014 via Hopeless Records.


We Came As Romans Release ‘Live’ Music Video For “Ghosts”:



"Ghosts" comes from WCAR's latest album "Tracing Back Roots", which was released on July 23rd, 2013 via Equal Vision Records.


STAM1NA - 'Panzerfaust' Video:



"Panzerfaust" is taken from the band's sixth album, "SLK", which will be released on February 7th, 2014 via Sakara Records.


WINDS OF PLAGUE: 'Left For Dead' Video:



"Left For Dead" is taken from the band's latest album "Resistence", which was released on October 29th, 2013 via Century Media Records.


An older one but always a good one from Tech N9ne (featuring Serj Tankian):



"Straight Out The Gate" is taken from Tech N9ne's latest release "Something Else", which was released on July 30th, 2013 via Strange Music (Tech's own label).

Music News and New Music For January 29th, 2014

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 rather 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!

Corb Lund Maps Out Canadian Dates with the Strumbellas and Harlan Pepper:

04/09 Barrie, ON - The Ranch ^
04/10 Belleville, ON - The Empire Theatre ^
04/11 Montreal, QC - Café Campus ^
04/12 Peterborough, ON - The Venue ^
04/13 Meaford, ON - Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre ^
04/15 London, ON - London Music Hall ^
04/16 Chatham, ON - St. Clair College Theatre ^
04/17 Port Hope, ON - Cameco Capital Arts Theatre ^
04/19 Hamilton, ON - Hamilton Place (Molson Canadian Studio) ^
04/26 Indio, CA - Stagecoach: California's Country Music Fest
05/08 Chilliwack, BC - Chilliwack Cultural Centre ~
05/09 Williams Lake, BC - Gibraltar Room ~
05/10 Quesnel, BC - Quesnel & Seistrick Senior Centre ~
05/11 Salmon Arm, BC - Salmar Theatre ~
05/12 Kamloops, BC - Sagebrush Theatre ~
05/13 Nelson, BC - Capitol Theatre ~
05/14 Kelowna, BC - Kelowna Community Theatre ~
06/25 Ponoka, AB - Ponoka Stampede

^ with the Strumbellas
~ with Harlan Pepper


Les Claypool Is Country-Fried With Duo de Twang:



"This record represents what I personally listen to these days.  Guys like Johnny Horton, Jerry Reed and Vernon Dalhart are the soundscape of my world as I'm boiling up crab in the backyard or working on my old Chryslers, so the notion of 'twangifying' my tunes seemed like a damn good idea." -Claypool


Macaulay Culkin's Pizza Underground Treat Debut to Cassette Release:

The Pizza Underground is a parody rock band from NY who sing about the delicious intricacies of pizza. The Pizza Underground features folks who are staples in the anti-folk scene in NY plus Mack.

The band will have a tour color on CHEESY YELLOW cassette shells while we have our label color on PIZZA SAUCE RED cassette shells. Each tape will come with a download card for a high quality download of the DEMO.

The demo was recorded "live at Macaulay Culkin's house on November 11, 2013". According to The Guardian, the band formed in early 2012 and recently played a Lou Reed tribute at New York's Sidewalk Cafe. Other members include Matt Colbourn, Phoebe Kreutz, Deenah Vollmer, and Austin Kilham.


John Legend Announces "North American" Acoustic Tour:

03/20 Temecula, CA - Pechanga Resort & Casino (Indoor Theater)
03/22 Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino
03/23 San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
03/26 Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall
03/27 Las Vegas, NV - Smith Center for the Performing Arts-Reynolds Hall
03/29 Modesto, CA - Gallo Center for the Arts
03/30 Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach Hall
04/01 Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
04/02 Costa Mesa, CA - Segerstrom Center for the Arts-Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
04/04 Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theatre
04/05 Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Resort & Casino (Showroom)
04/07 Beaver Creek, CO - Vilar Performing Arts Center
04/09 Chicago, IL - Cadillac Palace Theater
04/10 Elizabeth, IN - Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana (Showroom)
04/12 Greenville, SC - Peace Concert Hall
04/13 Charlotte, NC - Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (Belk Theater)
04/15 North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center
04/16 Columbia, SC - Township Auditorium
04/18 Birmingham, AL - Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center (Jemison Concert Hall)
04/19 Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
04/22 Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward Center for the Performing Arts (AuRene Theater)
04/23 West Palm Beach, FL - Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (Dreyfoos Hall)
04/25 Bon Accord Village, Trinidad and Tobago - Tobago Jazz Experience
04/27 Sarasota, FL - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
04/28 Melbourne, FL - King Center for the Performing Arts
04/30 Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
05/01 New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre
05/04 Houston, TX - Cullen Theater at the Wortham Center
05/06 Omaha, NE - Holland Performing Arts Center
05/07 Kansas City, MO - Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
05/09 Indianapolis, IN - Old National Centre-Murat Theatre
05/10 Kalamazoo, MI - Chenery Auditorium
05/12 Kitchener, ON - Centre in the Square
05/13 York, PA - Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
05/15 Westbury, NY - Theatre at Westsbury
05/16 Schenectady, NY - Proctor's Theatre
05/18 Poughkeepsie, NY - Bardavon
05/20 Philadelphia, PA - Verizon Hall
05/24 Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
05/25 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
05/27 Englewood, NJ - Bergen Performing Arts Center
05/31 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Academy of Music
06/02 Worcester, MA - Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts
06/05 Wilkes Barre, PA - Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
06/06 Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
06/07 Newport News, VA - Feguson Center for the Arts


Foo Fighters, Roots, Imagine Dragons Streaming Super Bowl Shows:

"Visit RollingStone.com Thursday at 11 p.m. EST to catch the Roots, who are leading a program they've dubbed "The Roots Present Hip-Hop NYC," which will feature appearances by Run-DMC, Busta Rhymes and more. On Friday, Best Rock Performance Grammy winners Imagine Dragons will perform at 12 a.m. EST (so technically Saturday morning). And on February 1st, Foo Fighters will play their first New York show since 2012."


Gojira Share Tour Photos and Concert Recordings in 'Les Enfants Sauvages' Book/CD/DVD:



This 5” x 7” 60 page hardcover photo book chronicles Gojira’s journey around the world over the last two years. The images were taken around the globe - spanning over 150 shows and 3 continents - and hand selected by Joe and Mario Duplantier. The hardcover book also includes a live CD and DVD capturing last year’s performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London. The set spans the band’s career including tracks from the critically acclaimed 2012 release L’Enfant Sauvage.

As a bonus to the book, Les Enfants Sauvages also comes package with a CD and a DVD, both of which feature a performance at London's Brixton Academy.

1. Intro
2. Explosia
3. Flying Whales
4. Backbone
5. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe
6. L'Enfant Sauvage
7. Toxic Garbage Island
8. Wisdom Comes
9. Jam
10. Oroborus
11. Drum Solo
12. The Axe
13. The Gift Of Guilt




New DIMEBAG Signature Guitar Uses Pieces Of Oak Tree From Late PANTERA Guitarist's Backyard:

"This is a historical, guitar-industry first.

The wood used in the making of this guitar was taken directly from the artist's backyard with the blessing and endorsement of his loved ones!

The 200 guitarists lucky enough to get their hands on this instant collector's piece will forever have a piece of heavy metal and guitar building history, literally in the palm of their hands.

This wood belonged to Dimebag Darrell and now it can belong to you — the Dean Dimebag Darrell Signature Roots ML."


Motley Crue Promise to Never Reunite After Next Tour:

"We always had a vision of going out with a big fucking bang and not playing county fairs and clubs with one or two original band members.  Our job here is done." -Lee

7/2 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
7/4 Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
7/5 Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center
7/6 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
7/8 Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
7/9 Maryland Heights, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/11 Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
7/12 Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
7/13 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
7/15 Cedar Park, TX – Cedar Park Center
7/16 Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
7/18 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
7/19 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
7/21 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
7/22 Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/23 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
7/25 Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
7/26 Ridgefield, WA – Sleep County Amphitheatre
7/27 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
7/29 Wheatland, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
7/30 Chula Vista, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
8/1 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/2 Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
8/3 Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
8/5 Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip
8/6 Sioux City, IA – Tyson Events Center
8/8 Tinley Park, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
8/9 Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/10 Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
8/12 Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
8/13 Burgettstown, PA – First Niagara Pavilion
8/15 Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
8/16 Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
8/17 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
8/19 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
8/20 Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
8/22 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
8/23 Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
8/24 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
8/26 Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
8/27 Allentown, PA – Great Allentown Fair
8/29 Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
8/30 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
8/31 Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
10/10 Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Arena
10/11 The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia W. Mitchell Pavilion
10/12 Bossier City, LA – CenturyLink Center
10/14 Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
10/15 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
10/17 Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Live
10/19 Jacksonville, FL – Veterans Memorial Arena
10/21 Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
10/22 Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
10/25 Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Event Center
10/26 Montville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
10/29 Syracuse, NY – The OnCenter Complex
11/5 Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
11/6 Southaven, MS – Landers Center
11/9 Moline, IL – iWireless Center
11/11 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
11/12 Madison, WI – Alliant Energy Center
11/13 Omaha, NE – CenturyLink Center
11/15 St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
11/16 Fargo, ND – FargoDome
11/18 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
11/19 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
11/21 Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

"Other bands have split up over rancor or the inability of people to get along, but this is a mutual [agreement] among all four original members and peaceful decision to move on to other endeavors and to confirm it with a binding agreement." -Doug Mark (band attorney, Mark Music and Media Law)


(HED)P.E. Signs With PAVEMENT ENTERTAINMENT:

"(HED)P.E. is stoked to become part of the Pavement family.  They are the perfect record label to release our new album, 'Evolution'... 'cause it's heavy as F**K, and the label specializes in heavy music.  I appreciate the fact that Pavement understands (HED)P.E.'s commitment to underground music and art, and I look forward to getting this album out... Very exciting times!" -(HED)P.E.


Demon Hunter Teasing ‘Extremist’:

Taking Back Sunday and the Used Join Forces for North American Tour:

03/14 Dallas, TX - Quiktrip Park (South By So What) *
03/15 San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live *
03/16 Houston, TX - Bayou Music Centre (HWHAP Fest) *
03/18 Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre *
03/21-22 Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue *
03/23 Boise, ID - Knitting Factory *
03/25 San Francisco, CA - Warfield *
03/27 Los Angeles, CA - Palladium *
03/28 San Diego, CA - House of Blues *
03/29 Las Vegas, NV - Extreme Thing *
04/01 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre *
04/02 Omaha, NE - Sokol *
04/04 Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom *
04/05 Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall *
04/06 Detroit, MI - Fillmore *
04/08 Toronto, ON - Kool Haus *
04/09 Rochester, NY - The Armory *
04/11 Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre *
04/12 Boston, MA - House of Blues *
04/13 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre *
04/15 New York, NY - Best Buy Theatre *
04/19 Bethlehem, PA - Sands *
04/22 Silver Spring, MD - Fillmore *
04/24 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle *
04/26 Ft.Lauderdale, FL - Revolution *
04/27 Orlando, FL - House of Blues *

* with the Used, Tonight Alive and Sleepwave

Former NIGHTWISH Singer ANETTE OLZON's 'Shine' Debut Solo Album Pushed Back A Month:

"I am so thrilled to finally release my first solo album," says Olzon. "I've been working on it for a long time by now...

The album is very personal with songs I have started writing already in 2009 but also very recent songs.  The overall message of the album is that life can be really dark and filled with hardship and sadness, but you can always choose to see some light coming through, to make you stronger and full of life — making you SHINE… no matter what."



"Shine" will be released in North America on April 8th, 2014 via earMusic.


At The Gates Confirm New Album Is Coming, Sign Deal With Century Media Records:

Seminal Swedish Metallers At The Gates are back! Following the heat of an ample and highly praised live-reunion, the pioneers of the “Gothenburg style” melodic death metal sound have announced to be working on a comeback studio album in the classic line-up of their latest masterpiece effort from 1995, “Slaughter Of The Soul”, expected to be released worldwide by the end of 2014!

This marks the first release from ATG in 19 years.  The last release from the group was "Slaughter of the Soul", which was released on November 14th, 1995 via Earache Records.


More Dates For Ghost’s U.S. Tour Leak:

04/17 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
04/18 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
04/19 Chicago, IL – The Vic
04/20 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
04/22 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
04/23 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
04/25 Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
04/26 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
04/28 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
05/01 Austin, TX – Emo’s
05/02 Houston, TX – House Of Blues
05/03 Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
05/04 New Orleans, LA – Civic Theatre
05/06 Orlando, FL – The Beacham
05/07 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
05/09 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
05/10 Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
05/11 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
05/12 Ashville, NC – The Orange Peel
05/14 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
05/16 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
05/17 New York, NY – Best Buy Theater

Music Releases For January 28th, 2014

Well slap on that repeat button and let's get Tuesday started!  Hopefully everyone had a good week spinning through a few of last week's releases.  But time waits for no person and the next batch of releases is already upon us.  Good thing too since I am getting a wide range of genres this time around.  From the synth oriented trances of I Break Horses, to the pummeling beats of Periphery's new EP, there should be no reason to not head to a music store sometime this week.

Veteran musicians such as David Crosby, Neal Morse, and Mike Portnoy all have new material surfacing today.  Which goes to show that age makes no difference in composing great music.  Especially since we haven't seen much of those artists (minus Portnoy...he's everywhere) in some time.  The of course the filler tunes (as I like to call them) where there isn't a specific time or place to listen to the likes of Primal Fear, The Gaslight Anthem, You Me At Six, or Of Mice & Men.  All worth checking out nonetheless.

So like I stated previsouly above, I am confident that this week's releases will have you taking an extra few minutes and walking down to your local record shop, or at least an online retailer.  If digital is more your thing, then the legal sources online will certainly help you out.  Cheers and enjoy!

(I Break Horses - Chiaroscuro)

While Chiaroscuro represents an admirable turn from what I Break Horses were doing on Hearts, the problem is that they’re moving in lockstep with their peers; even if Chiaroscuro doesn’t make the quick-strike, short-impact impression of Hearts, it lacks any means of impressing itself on the listener, something to distinguish I Break Horses from the countless electronic pop bands stuck in that vast netherworld between Chvrches’ diamond-cutting, laser-guided melodies and the pitch black abstractions of pure production acts such as the Haxan Cloak or Holy Other. None of this makes Chiaroscuro anything less than pleasant, just a record whose middling between arena aspirations and headphones listening feels less of a fusion and more of a compromise. - Pitchfork

(David Crosby - Croz)

"I wanted to challenge myself. Most guys my age would have done a covers record or duets on old material. This won't be a huge hit. It'll probably sell nineteen copies. I don't think kids are gonna dig it, but I'm not making it for them. I'm making it for me. I have this stuff that I need to get off my chest." -David Crosby

Croz is a mellow, moody record unlike anything else in Crosby's vast catalog and many songs were written while Crosby was touring with Crosby, Stills and Nash. -Rolling Stone

(The Gaslight Anthem - The B-Sides)

The B-Sides seems to function primarily as a way to get these songs to Gaslight Anthem fans who don’t own the recent Singles Collection or the original pressings of those records, and I certainly won’t fault them for that. Fallon and company are great musicians, and I want as much of their music in as many hands as possible. For a diehard fan who has been listening to these tracks for years, however, The B-Sides offers little in the way of incentives for purchasing outside of maintaining a complete collection. -Under The Gun

(Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope)

This album will be the usual food for discussion on prog message boards and Facebook pages but I think if you liked Transatlantic's three previous studio albums then you will like this one too.

This is four great musicians working together in a surprisingly unpretentious way, even the long songs come across as the music being more important than the need for any particular member to shine. Of course the playing and singing is all superb.

If you haven't tried Transatlantic before this is as good a place to start as any. If you have you'll know what to expect and just buy it anyway. -Metal Talk

(You Me At Six - Cavalier Youth)

When you reach the point in your career that you can sell out Wembley Arena, you're going to have some pretty huge expectations placed on you, and such is the case for You Me At Six this time around. Fortunately for the boys, they've gone from strength to strength, and 'Cavalier Youth' is a showcase of that. At a point in their career where they need to make a big statement to stay relevant, You Me At Six have released what will likely be their career-defining album. -Kill Your Stereo

(Of Mice & Men - Restoring Force) 

The promotional run for Restoring Force featured a lot of talk about Of Mice & Men finding a ‘balance’ in their sound with this release. While I am not entirely sold on that being the case, I will say it is the most engaging record in their discography, and it features a number of fantastic surprises that will only serve to further the group’s career in 2014. If true, Of Mice & Men will be one of the few bands from the recent heavy era in alternative music to find life outside the Warped Tour scene, and in my opinion no one could be more deserving. Through lineup changes and the seemingly endless controversy that surrounds frontman Austin Carlile Of Mice & Men have forged ahead with a drive to succeed that is unmatched by their peers. They’ve channeled their struggles into songs that are as memorable as they are abrasive, and as it stands now they are the heavy band to beat in the new year.

Restoring Force raises the bar for heavy bands in alternative music and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Of Mice & Men. It’s without a doubt the best album of their career, not to mention the first great hard rock release of 2014, and I am hopeful it won’t be their last. -Under The Gun

(Primal Fear - Delivering The Black)

This album is a very long one, clocking in at over 50 minutes. Every single minute of the play time is enjoyable, and not even a single second can be termed as filler. All ten tracks in the album do a thorough job in entertaining, while also offering a great deal on variety.

The production is stellar and gives room for the grandeur of every instrument to be heard clearly. The best aspect of this record is that all the ten tracks are incredibly catchy and addictive. The songs are laden with so many vocal and melodic hooks that one cant help but hum away every track of the albums, in just a few listens. There is a fine line between sounding grandly stellar and cheesy. Primal Fear  sound heavy and grand while managing not to cross that line.

This year has barely seen a month go by, and already we have a contender for the title of album of the year, as Primal Fear get ready to release their best album yet. -Axis of Metal

EPs:

(Periphery - Clear)

AFGM: Periphery - Clear

AFGM: Periphery Streaming New "Clear" EP in FULL!

There seems to be much more structure to songs from Clear, and you could even argue that they are perhaps a little more mainstream (as much as we hate to use that word) than where the band started with their first self titled release, but it works damn well. The Periphery boys might have soured a few tastebuds as they’ve progressed musically as a band, but they certainly deserve a good pat on the back for mixing up their style and giving it a slightly new direction, all the while staying true to their sound. If this is a lead up to a taste of a future album from Periphery, there’s plenty to look forward to. If you’re looking for some metal goodness to bring in the new year with, you could certainly do much worse. -Bring The Noise

Why Do We Watch The Grammys?

OK, so let's recap the Grammys.

Keep in mind I watched 0 minutes of these awards where the biggest names in [a few genres of] music meet in one central location to hand out gold [plated] statues for a job well done.  I mean, it took a lot for one of these top 40 artists to do all that work.  They had to get a songwriter, a vocal couch, a good producer, and about 100+ people working in the background to make even one of the tracks a single.  But let's not focus on that, let's put the focus on the face of the song.

So Trent got snubbed from the exit performance of the Grammys.  Now that's not to say he really got snubbed, but more or less had credits rolling during the performance of his song "Copy of A".  Now being a dedicated fan of NIN, I completely understand where Trent is coming from and the lack of attention to his "art".  He puts on great performances, sells out arenas, and has put a few major awards under his belt for scoring some of Hollywood's biggest films.  This lead to a warm thanks from Trent himself...

"Music's biggest night... to be disrespected.  A heartfelt FUCK YOU guys." -Reznor (via Twitter)

I can see from both sides of the coin on this debacle.  Trent, it's a closing ceremony for a televised event.  This isn't an encore performance where the majority of your fans would be clenching to the gate for a chance to hear you close off with some great hits you have produced.  Seriously, nothing is more bittersweet for a show closing than hearing Trent perform "Hurt".  Sadly, this was not the crowd nor the platform.

In Trent's defense though, I can see why they would have some of rock n roll's hit names close off the evening rather than perform during the awards.  NO ONE THERE WANTS TO HEAR ROCK!

I think the CBC put it best here when discussing the opening ceremonies of the Grammys.

"Strappy leotard-clad Beyoncé kicked off the show with a steamy rendition of her tune Drunk in Love, featuring enough chair-gyrating to make people wonder: Rihanna who? The undeniably sexy performance (she was eventually joined by her husband Jay Z) was perhaps a questionable choice to open the show (8 p.m. ET, still family hour!), but it definitely got juices flowing and people talking."

Unless you are cashing in on best rock song of the year, then chances are you are subjected to hip-hop, R&B, EDM and dance music for the majority of this award ceremony.   Do they even broadcast the winner of rock, country, Latin, and jazz anymore?  I must admit that I should be the last person commenting on the Grammys as it's been years since I've laid my eyes of the awards.

"Producer of the year, non-classical: Pharrell Williams."

Who were the challengers?  Rob Cavallo?  Dr. Luke?  Ariel Rechtshaid?  Jeff Tweedy?  I know there is some music that these producers have created that I do enjoy and listen to, but I found the nominations list (or maybe even the criteria) to be a bit peculiar, if not easy solution.

Looking through the entire list of nominees and winners, we do see some diversity in the full list, but how much of that actually makes it to the television screen?  Think of the diversity the Grammys would bring if they decided to spend a few minutes away from the red carpet and fashion experts to focus on some more...I don't know...MUSIC!

I do have to give credit where credit is due though.

"Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons join forces for an energetic mashup performance! Lots of censoring for this one... thanks to Lamar's rap. Lamar is going to have to take a nap after that performance. #TheGrammys tweets, 'Social media has spoken! kendricklamar and imaginedragons is the performance of the night so far!'" -Extra TV

Despite the fact I think this award ceremony is slightly rigged and should have a longer list of nominations to choose from, seeing a few of these artists perform would be nothing short of spectacular.  Collaborations from Ringo & Paul, plus the quote you just read from the likes of Imagine Dragons & Kendrick Lamar do showcase the raw talent these artists have.  I mean, it's not their fault their in an over saturated and over focused genre, is it?

The one section that should be closely followed would be the losses of 2013.  This really shows you what the producers were focused on.  Over the course of reading AFGM or any other music news site for that matter, you will see that the rock and metal industry lost a few greats including a former Grammy winner Jeff Hanneman of Slayer.  For being nominated 5 times and winning once in 2007, you think this would be an easy salute to a fallen comrade.  Unfortunately not.

When questioning why someone such as Hanneman was left off the RIP list, let's recap back to 2011 when National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences president Neil Portnow addressed the glazing over of Paul Gray (Slipknot) and Peter Steele (Type O Negative):

"'In Memoriam' segment is a real connundrum, because we keep a list — and it's a sad job — of when we lose people in our industry, actually, starting this past week [for next year's awards show], because if it's very late, it's not something we can factor in. And this past year [2010] we had over 300 people in the industry pass, and many of them — all of them — important, so we have to, at the end of the day, make a selection, and you can't get everybody there, and we try to have a broad represenation of different genres and generations and so on. We're never happy with how that exactly turns out, [but] we have the list of everybody [who died] in our program book every year."

So Jeff passed in May of 2013.  Was it past the deadline?

Moving past that, apparently some people were married at the Grammys?  "33 diverse couples" is what I read on the recap of the show.  A nice gesture to as we see the faux pas of same sex marriage being brought to the forefront.  Good thing they are doing the ceremony in a liberal place such as California.  I did see a tweet from comedian Wanda Sykes that capped the marriages best though...

"Five years from now. 'Remember when we got married at the Grammy's?'  'How could I forget?  Pharrell wore that awful hat.'" -Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes)

Well played.

So what direction am I going with this article?  Well, it's Monday.  Its cold, were at our day jobs, slightly miserable to get out of a warm bed so I thought a mixed feelings rant would make me feel slightly better to wake up and start the day.  There have been some major improvements over the years in terms of the Grammys, but there are always areas such as the ones I have listed above to be improved and worked on.  Constructive criticism as you would take it.  Then again, my constructive criticism doesn't necessarily get them any extra tweets and points in the top 40 world.

But for what it's worth, here is what I considered to be a top collaboration of the evening (despite the 'interesting' piano arrangement from Lang Lang).  I am surprised they didn't leave this one till the closing credits as well (haha):



"We're not lightening up the song just for him.  We're still hanging onto all the heavy parts and it's gonna be amazing. He's just an amazing pianist, and at one point he's going to be, like, weaving in and out of my guitar solo and playing parts of my guitar solo with me. That's gonna be interesting. I've never, ever experienced that ever before with anyone we've ever played with." -Hammett

This came in as a close second for my expectations.  Kristofferson, Nelson, Haggard, and Shelton?  Very well constructed!

Music News and New Music For January 24th, 2014

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 rather 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!

Neil Young to Release New Album 'A Letter Home' via Third Man:

Third Man Records unearths Neil Young’s A LETTER HOME

An unheard collection of rediscovered songs from the past recorded on ancient electro-mechanical technology captures and unleashes the essence of something that could have been gone forever. — Homer Grosvenor

False Rumours: Neil Young and Jack White are not doing a record of duets as has been erroneously posted on various outlets. We are certain those rumours have no basis in truth. -Neil Young (via Facebook)


AVENGED SEVENFOLD's SYNYSTER GATES Introduces HELLWIN Series Of Amplifiers:



"After years of trying to get all of the tone, playability and versatility I wanted in an amp, I turned to my friends at Schecter and legendary amp designer James Brown. Together we have created Hellwin, a line of amps engineered to sound and perform at the highest level whether you're on the big stage or in your garage." -Gates


A New Beat to Digital Music:

"Beats Electronics, the company behind the very identifiable headphones, intends to pick and play the music you hear through them. Similar to leading competitors Spotify, Rdio and Google Music All Access, Beats Music gives users an on-demand library of over 20 million songs. Having tested the service this week, I was happy to see that the flashy newcomer brings an unusual human- and computer-powered recommendation system to this mammoth catalog. I could easily find new music I actually wanted to listen to."


My Morning Jacket Launch Concert Bootleg Series, Share Live Album from 2011:

"We're kicking off a new archive series today with a special show from December 2nd, 2011 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA." -MMJ

These digital live albums will be sold in MP3 or lossless formats over at LIVEDOWNLOADS.

1. Victory Dance
2. First Light
3. I'm Amazed
4. Outta My System
5. It Beats for You
6. At Dawn
7. Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
8. Heartbreakin' Man
9. Off the Record
10. Golden
11. I Will Sing You Songs
12. You Wanna Freak Out
13. Smokin from Shootin
14. Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. 2
15. Movin Away
16. Dondante
17. Mahgeetah
18. Circuital

Encore:
19. Wordless Chorus
20. The Day Is Coming
21. Cobra
22. Holdin on to Black Metal
23. One Big Holiday




Classical Music Is Not Dead:

"Perhaps there aren’t as many classical musicians; Mr. Vanhoenacker writes that only 2 percent of American adults said they had performed or practiced classical music in 2012.

Yet jazz and classical music have a lot in common, not only because they are genres with small audiences, but because they are often misrepresented by those who wish to write them off as moribund despite that they are doing pretty well—albeit on a small scale."


Swollen Members' Prevail Announces Solo EP 'Born to Rayne':



Tour dates:

01/24 Nanaimo, BC - Spice Lounge
01/28 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
01/29 Breckenridge, CO - three20south *
01/30 Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom *
02/01 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre *
02/07 Edmonton, AB - DV8
02/08 Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret

* with Swollen Members


Eminem Reportedly Returns to the Studio with D12:

"Bass, who has started a label called Motunes Media, says he’s also been mixing new material by the mercurial funk-pop giant Sly Stone with members of the original Family Stone band, along with new D12 tracks, including three with Eminem."


(hed)p.e. Reveal Track Listing For New Album “Evolution”:

"for starters though, here is the track listing for the next album...its about to get mixed, and will be released in June"

1. No Turning Back
2. Lost In Babylon
3. Jump The Fence
4. Too Many Games
5. No Tomorrow
6. Let It Rain
7. One More Body
8. Never Alone
9. The Gateway
10. Pass That Love
11. Nowhere To Go
12. Hold On

Bonus Tracks:
13. Onemorebody (Remix)
14. Maria Gasolina
15. Nothing To Fear


LACUNA COIL's 'Broken Crown Halo' Cover Artwork and Track Listing Revealed:

1. Nothing Stands In Our Way
2. Zombies  
3. Hostage to the Light  
4. Victims  
5. Die & Rise
6. I Forgive (But I Won’t Forget Your Name)
7. Cybersleep
8. Infection
9. I Burn In You
10. In the End I Feel Alive
11. One Cold Day

"BROKEN CROWN HALO" will be released on April 1st, 2014 in North America via Century Media Records.

"What conflict could run so deep that it takes you to the deepest corners of your inner world? Today we are surrounded by a lot of lies, aliases, and people acting like they are wearing an invisible crown!

But you better have thick skin if you want to wear this crown! ’BROKEN CROWN HALO’ is a cinematic album that could be the soundtrack of our days – it is a dark vision of a near future when survival is second nature, and failure is not something to be avoided, but rather cultivated with lessons learned along the way.

We set the bar pretty high with ‘Dark Adrenaline’ and it hasn’t been easy bringing our sound to the next level, but we have lived, learned and grown through a year full of personal issues and changes. We learned to be strong and get stronger, and we felt an inner vibe in this band that we haven’t felt before. We locked ourselves in an age-old studio in Milan, Italy, where history was strong and the past met with our future, vintage gear and the influence of classic Italian horror movies and bands like Goblin meeting the fresh and rough sounds of the modern world with unique and invigorating results. ‘BROKEN CROWN HALO’ is Lacuna Coil introducing a new order, and letting nothing stand in our way…" -Lacuna Coil


Trailer Released For Anthrax’s Scott Ian’s Speaking Words DVD:



Be sure to catch him on his dates in February, including Canadian stops Toronto, Kingston, and Ottawa.

02/20 Chicago, IL – Maynestage
02/21 Detroit, MI – Token Lounge
02/22 Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theatre
02/24 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
02/25 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo
02/26 Kingston, ON – Masion
02/27 Ottawa, ON – Ritual
03/01 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head
03/02 Philadelphia, PA – World
03/04 Boston, MA – The Cavern
03/05 New York, NY – BB Kings
03/06 Syracuse, NY – Lost Horizon
03/07 West Warwick, RI – Manchester 65
03/08 Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall


Junius Share New Song ‘Battle In The Sky’:



Their upcoming album, "Days Of The Fallen Sun", will be released on February 18th, 2014 via Prosthetic Records.


The Music Business Association's Social Network for Music Startups:

"The Music Startup Network is just such a place. A recent creation of the Music Business Association, also known as Music Biz and formerly known as NARM, the Music Startup Network is an easy-to-use, well-designed tool that helps music startups connect with the companies needed to know when starting a business."

Check out more info here.


Protest The Hero, Battlecross, The Safety Fire, Intervals, Etc. North American Tour Announced:

With Battlecross, The Safety Fire, Intervals and Night Verses:
03/01 Buffalo, NY – The Waiting Room
03/02 Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
03/03 Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache @ The Intersection
03/04 Des Moines, IA – Woolys
03/05 Minneapolis, MN – Garage Youth Center
03/07 Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Hall @ Rave
03/08 Joliet, IL – Mojoes
03/09 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theater
03/10 Ft. Collin, CO Aggie Theater
03/11 Grand Junction, CO – Mesa
03/12 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
03/14 Spokane, WA – The Hop
03/15 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
03/16 Reno, NV – Knitting Factory
03/17 Sacramento, CA – Assembly
03/18 Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues
03/19 Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole (Skrappys)
03/21 Lubbock, TX – Jakes Backroom
03/22 Austin, TX – Red 7
03/23 Little Rock, AR – Juanitas
03/24 Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theater
03/26 Tampa, FL – State Theater
03/27 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
03/28 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
03/29 Wilmington, NC – Ziggys By The Sea
03/30 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
04/01 Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall
04/02 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
04/03 Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
04/04 Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
04/05 Cambridge, MA – The Middle East (Downstairs)
04/06 Amityville, NY – Revolution

With Intervals & Motorleague:
04/08 Moncton, NB – The OC Nightclub
04/09 Halifax, NS – The Pavilion
04/10 Halifax, NS – The Marquee
04/11 Fredericton, NB – Lava Vodka Bar
04/12 Quebec City, QC – Dagobert
04/14 Laval, QC – Studio Theatre
04/15 Cornwall, ON – Vu Night Spot
04/16 St. Catharines, ON – Michun Nightclub
04/17 London, ON – London Music Hall
04/18 Windsor, ON – The Dominion House
04/19 Guelph, ON – Vinyl


SEVENDUST To Release 'Time Travelers & Bonfires' Acoustic Album In April:

1. Come Down
2. Under It All
3. The Wait
4. Upbeat Sugar
5. One Life
6. Bonfire
7. Gone
8. Denial
9. Trust
10. Crucified
11. Karma
12. Black

"Time Travelers & Bonfires" will be released in April, 2014 via 7Bros. Records


Comeback Kid Detail 'Die Knowing':

1. Die Knowing
2. Lower The Line
3. Wasted Arrows
4. Losing Sleep (ft. Poli Correia)
5. Should Know Better
6. I Depend, I Control
7. Somewhere In This Miserable...
8. Beyond
9. Unconditional
10. Didn't Even Mind
11. Full Swing (ft. Scott Wade)
12. Sink In



"On this album we tried to take a little bit more of a simplistic approach to the song writing. We really wanted to focus on making it heavy and to the point.  The goal is to really capture the best parts of our live show and put those elements into the new album. This will be the biggest and heaviest sounding CBK album to date." -Andrew Neufeld


Chelsea Grin Preview New Song:




letlive. Begin Reinterpreting “The Blackest Beautiful”:

“”The Blackest Beautiful” can be viewed in a few different ways. Perhaps, a testament to who we are becoming as an outfit. Or even the sonic aggregate of all we have endured, accomplished, and experienced as letlive. arranged in 11 tracks. However you choose to view it is really up to you. Today we’d like to offer up a new way to listen to “The Blackest Beautiful.”

This will be the first installment of an unofficial series we have dubbed “Renditions.” Enlisting some of our favorite vocal performers that we’ve met along our journey courtesy of, well- music. We presented them one song off of our latest album and asked them what they would do with a certain section if I (Jason Aalon) never sang in said section. We asked them to explore with free reign utilizing their particular style and prose.

The point of this was not only to share our gratitude and adoration for other bands/artists, but to work with other artists we appreciate in new methods of collaboration and provide listeners with an exciting approach. In doing this you will hear the same song with different artists providing their artistic signature in the same section. The contrast, we believe, will not negate any single performance, but enhance all of them.

Our first installment today is featuring our great friend and my lyrical superior, Mr. Keith Buckley who performed on the bridge of a song titled “27 Club“. An amazing approach was taken and we are greatly excited to present it to you here.

Thanks, Keith. That’s ll.ove.
Enjoy.

Jason Aalon"




Beats Music Is So Popular, It Has Temporarily Stopped Letting People In:

"Huge thanks to everyone for making our launch day yesterday so successful. We’ve been blown away by the love that made us the #1 Music App in the iTunes Store.

Due to the extremely high volume of interest in our service some users are experiencing issues. Most people are unaffected but our priority is to give everyone a great experience. We prepared for issues like these, have a plan, and are going to hold off on letting more people in while we put this plan in action.

Those of you who got on board yesterday, please keep using Beats Music. New folks, download the app, register, and we’ll drop you a line as soon as possible inviting you back in. Everyone who registers this week will get an additional seven days added to their trial.

For those of you that claimed your name in the lead up to launch, we still have your username reserved and we’ll be in touch with your invite. We appreciate your support.

We’re staying focused on bringing you the best music experience from the people who know what song comes next. Stay tuned, and thanks for being excited about Beats Music."