The Shred Report – June 2010
In this report: (Click on a picture to go straight to news about that band)
The Firstborn
Steel Panther
Warpath
Anthrax
The Venting Machine
Burning The Memory
Alice Cooper
Violet Sun
Sangre
Blind Guardian
Drown Mary
70,000 Tons of Metal
The world of hard rock and heavy metal was dealt a cruel blow last month with the passing of Ronnie James Dio, widely regarded as "The Voice of Heavy Metal" and the man responsible for introducing the sacred (yet oft bastardized) devil horns hand symbol. I'm not going to take up a lot of space talking about him here because I've already done that at Metal Review (scroll down to find my entry). Suffice to say, I'm still in mourning and not a day passes that my thoughts don't drift his way or that his vocals echo through my mind.
What I will tell you here is that as the "official statements" and tributes continue to flow, a couple of artists are taking it to the next level viagra. First announced was Jorn Lande's upcoming album Dio, scheduled for a July release viagra. This will feature covers of tracks from throughout Dio's career, from Rainbow to Black Sabbath to his solo work. It will also include "A Song For Ronnie James," a tribute song that will warm even the blackest of hearts generic viagra.
Next, we'll see a similar effort from Manowar, who have begun work on Magic - A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio, part one of a two-part tribute. It is tentatively planned to include signature tracks "Holy Diver," "Heaven and Hell," and "Catch the Rainbow buy cialis." In addition to Manowar, it will feature performances from Holyhell, Metalforce, Awaken, Avigal, Crosswind, Dean Cascione, Harlet, and more.
It’s just a shame that it’s taken his passing for this outpouring of love and respect to materialize. Thanks to his musical legacy, Dio will never die - and if the man himself has anything to say about it, neither will the metal genre, as he set forth in what is believed to be his final recording, released by his cousin (and former Elf bandmate) David "Rock" Feinstein cialis deals.
http://www.jornlande.com/
http://www.myspace.com/realjorn
http://www.manowar.com/
http://www.myspace.com/manowardefendersofsteel
The Firstborn are currently in the studio recording their follow-up to 2008’s The Noble Search, entitled Lions Among Men. Hailing from Portugal, this progressive metal band that uses a sitar in addition to the standard weapons of metal, explores the Buddhist philosophy in both sound and lyrics.
In 2005, they released The Unclenching of Fists, which was a concept album based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, then followed up with The Noble Search, an even more experimental concept in sound and theme with the exploration of the multiple paths to nirvana (no, not the crappy grunge band). I personally am looking forward to the release of Lions Among Men to see where they take this one. Taking a small break from the recording of the new album, they will be playing the Vagos Open Air Festival in Portugal alongside Carcass, Amorphis, etc. Killer!
http://www.myspace.com/unclenchedfists
It looks like Steel Panther may soon be invading your homes on a weekly basis. Comedy Central has ordered a pilot of "a loosely scripted docu-reality show" created by comedian/metal addict Brian Posehn and "Jackass" creator Jeff Tremaine. The show is said to follow Steel Panther as they attempt to bring back heavy metal. I can't help, but think that this will be an interesting combination of "Metalocolypse" and "This Is Spinal Tap," only with a lot more hairspray, spandex, and euphemisms for penises and vaginas. In other words, it could be a hit.
http://www.steelpantherrocks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/steelpantherkicksass
Warpath, a thrash band from the UK who has won Terrorizer Magazine’s Reader’s Poll for best unsigned band for the last 2 years, have donated a track to the upcoming Beast Selects compilation CD that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They are joining Kickaxe, Tommy Vitali, Warmachine, Skew Siskin, Angel of the Nightfall, Autumnis and others on this comp to raise funds for the MDA Worldwide. 100% of the proceeds will go to MDA.
Digital downloads of this comp will be available through the typical outlets or you can order an actual CD from The Revolution Music label. Pre-order is available at this link: Revolution Music Records.
http://www.myspace.com/warpathuk
By now, most of you metal types should know that YOU have actually not been selected to be Anthrax's new vocalist. No, that honor has gone to... [drum roll]... previous vocalist Joey Belladonna. That was somewhat of a surprise. More surprising though was the reaction to the announcement. I took an informal survey afterwards and found that exactly zero people were excited, some were angry, and most were indifferent.
One good point that was raised was that this decision may have been due to the upcoming "big four" (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax) tour/shows happening in Europe and that the promoter may have been putting pressure on them to reunite with the vocalist from the era in which all the bands involved broke out to give the event more of a classic feel. It’s not beyond a promoter to do something like this to squeeze more cash out of an event and certainly not beyond Anthrax to make a similar move. Don't be surprised if this latest "reunion" is short-lived because anything else just wouldn't be very Anthrax-y.
http://www.anthrax.com/
http://www.myspace.com/Anthrax
The Venting Machine, out of Oakland, CA, have announced that a new bass player has joined their ranks. According to their latest blog, Louis Barillas came to the US 5 years ago with his backpack and his 6-string bass, joined a few local projects, but has finally settled in with TVM. The band is wrapping up their new EP and will be getting back on the show circuit very soon, so stay tuned.
http://www.myspace.com/theventingmachineband
Burning The Memory, from Long Island, NY, are set to release their follow-up to their debut So Long The Dreamer. The EP, which is entitled Affirmations, includes cover artwork by Mike D’Antonio (Killswitch Engage). Track listing and artwork can be viewed at their myspace page, along with their shows coming up on the east coast.
http://www.myspace.com/burningthememory
Here goes a huge chunk of street credibility: I have never heard Alice Cooper's album Welcome to My Nightmare. That's something that I should probably remedy, and quickly, because looming on the horizon is Welcome to My Nightmare 2. The "shriekquel" reunites Cooper with producer/songwriter Desmond Child and producer Bob Ezrin and is part of a much bigger deal. I'm not here to talk about the deal or anything more about the in-process album.
I'm here to take issue with the continuing trend of bands making sequel albums years after the first one was released. Meat Loaf, Queensryche, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Rob Zombie... when will it end? Much like in Hollywood, the sequel rarely, if ever, lives up to the original and the whole thing comes off as an attempt to cash-in on previous successes following an extended period of less success (some would say irrelevance). If you're gonna do it, make sure the idea is solid and try to get it out as a true follow-up, not revisit the theme years later.
http://www.alicecooper.com/
http://www.myspace.com/officialalicecooper
Violet Sun, a gothic metal band from Italy have released a new album entitled Loneliness in Supremacy and the whole shebang can be streamed on their myspace page. The band has had a hard time getting a label to release the album due to being told it was "unclassifiable," but they are sticking to their guns and not changing their sound for anyone just to sell some CDs. Good for them! If you are a fan of Nightwish, I think you will dig this band. And no, their tune "Dust in the Wind" is NOT a cover of the Kansas classic. I was kinda bummed about that!
http://www.myspace.com/violetsunofficial
Sangre from So Cal is currently on tour along the west coast, central valley, as well as dates in Texas and Vegas. You can check them out on their myspace page for upcoming dates and go fuck shit up with ‘em. They have also mentioned that there is some big news that they will be announcing soon, so go add them as a friend on myspace and find out!
Years of waiting will finally come to an end next month when Blind Guardian releases At The Edge of Time, the follow up to 2006's A Twist In The Myth. Vocalist Hansi Kürsch has stated, "This will be our most bombastic and epic album so far." Now that's saying something for a band that has made a career out of bombastic and epic albums. "Each and every song has a completely different approach in comparison to each other and one complements the other in a perfect way." All I have to say is, bring it on and bring on the US tour!
http://www.blind-guardian.com/
http://www.myspace.com/blindguardian
Drown Mary from Everett, WA, has been invited to play on the Jagermeister Music Tour stop in Medford, OR, as well as the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival in Auburn, WA, this month, which is pretty awesome. You have to check these guys out, as I would recommend their song “Girlfriend in the Woodchipper.”
The band has also finished up a music video for their tune “Last Chance Given” and the song “Policy of Loss” is in regular rotation on Sirius Satellite radio channel Liquid Metal. You can also buy their shit on iTunes. Sounds like some exciting things are happening for these guys.
http://www.myspace.com/drownmary
How much metal can you handle? If your answer was "70,000 tons or more," then you just might have what it takes to participate in what is being called "The World's Biggest Floating Heavy Metal Festival" - 70,000 Tons of Metal! The four-day event departs January 24th, 2011 from Miami, FL and will travel to Cozumel, Mexico and then return to Miami on January 28th. Only 2000 tickets are available at the appropriate price of $666 (+ $249 taxes and fees) - that includes all entertainment, all meals, and "non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks." Bands confirmed so far include Amon Amarth, Death Angel, Epica, Exodus, Finntroll, Forbidden, Moonspell, Obituary, Raven, Saxon (performing two unique sets), Sodom, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Swashbuckle, Testament, Trouble, Uli John Roth, and Witchburner. I know what I'm asking Satan Claus for this year.
Buy me a shot! [CLICK HERE]
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