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AROUND THE HORN
 This Topic was created by [Kendall aka JudasRyche] Messages per page: 20 50 [100]
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Featuring the unbridled wit and wisdom of some of the metal world's brotherhood and keeping it REAL !!





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[Bazookajoe_666] Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:16:26 PM 
Here's a little update for you all.

MISSIONMETALLICA.COM IS A WASTE OF TIME
Don't go there if you want to hear samples of the songs for free, you can't. They say you can when you sign up, but when you click on the Riffs and Excerpts section, it tells you to update your account, total fucking bullshit.
[Healer] Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:25:27 PM 
Turkey's leading 24-hour news channel NTV aired a 10-minute report on JUDAS PRIEST's July 13, 2008 visit to Instanbul, including clips from the band's performance as well as an interview with four of the five members of the group (all but drummer Scott Travis). Watch the report below.

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

JUDAS PRIEST will perform at Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square on Monday, August 4 as part of syndicated broadcast personality Eddie Trunk's event to celebrate his 25th anniversary in radio broadcasting. Trunk, who broadcasts his weekly radio shows, "Friday Night Rocks" on Q104.3 in the New York City listening area and "Eddie Trunk Live" on XM Radio (satellite radio), shared details of the exclusive invitation-only event and instructions on how to win tickets during his live show on Q104.3.

[Healer] Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:05:23 PM 
Woo Hoo! Painkiller
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Monday, July 14, 2008 8:49:22 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, July 14, 2008 8:49:22 PM 

Rock Band 2 Looking Good!

Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks, along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc., today revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit new features for the next evolution of the groundbreaking music platform, Rock Band 2. With the original Rock Band title providing millions of players with a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 builds upon its core band foundation to offer an unparalleled, deeper, dynamic gameplay experience.

Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

* Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community

* World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff

* Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*Internet connection required)

* Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)

* Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode

* Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills

* Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part

* Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date

* Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay — the first time ever in videogame history!

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including:

* The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs — with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall .

* Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and Emerging rock acts including PEARL JAM, METALLICA, ALLMAN BROTHERS, MOTÖRHEAD, DEVO, JANE'S ADDICTION, MEGADETH, PARAMORE, MODEST MOUSE and more.

* Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, "Let There Be Rock"

* After 14 years since GUNS N' ROSES last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track, "Shackler's Revenge" from the highly anticipated album "Chinese Democracy"

* For the first time ever, music from American music icon Bob Dylan is featured in a video game with "Tangled Up In Blue"

With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year's end!

From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.

Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.

* Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.

* Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.

* Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.

Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third party instruments from Mad Catz:

* Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.

* Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.

* Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.

* Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.

Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:

* ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.

Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year. Rock Band 2 will be available for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems and Wii later this year.

As previously revealed today, Rock Band will ship with an exclusive launch window on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Benelux July 24, and on other platforms this Fall.

The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 16 million paid downloads since the game's launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase, the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

"Rock Band 2" track listing:

01. AC/DC - Let There Be Rock
02. AFI - Girl's Gone Grey
03. ALANIS MORISSETTE - You Oughta Know
04. ALICE IN CHAINS - Man in the Box
05. ALLMAN BROTHERS - Ramblin' Man
06. AVENGED SEVENFOLD - Almost Easy
07. BAD COMPANY - Shooting Star
08. BEASTIE BOYS - So Whatcha Want
09. BECK - E-Pro
10. BIKINI - Kill Rebel Girl
11. BILLY IDOL - White Wedding Pt. I
12. BLONDIE - One Way or Another
13. BOB DYLAN - Tangled Up in Blue
14. BON JOVI - Livin' on a Prayer
15. CHEAP TRICK - Hello There
16. DEVO - Uncontrollable Urge
17. DINOSAUR JR. - Feel the Pain
18. DISTURBED - Down with the Sickness
19. DREAM THEATER - Panic Attack
20. DURAN DURAN - Hungry Like the Wolf
21. ELVIS COSTELLO - Pump It Up
22. FLEETWOOD MAC - Go Your Own Way
23. FOO FIGHTERS - Everlong
24. GUNS N' ROSES - Shackler's Revenge
25. INTERPOL - PDA
26. JANE'S ADDICTION - Mountain Song
27. JETHRO TULL - Aqualung
28. JIMMY EAT WORLD - The Middle
29. JOAN JETT - Bad Reputation
30. JOURNEY - Anyway You Want It
31. JUDAS PRIEST - Painkiller
32. KANSAS - Carry On Wayward Son
33. L7 - Pretend We're Dead
34. LACUNA COIL - Our Truth
35. LINKIN PARK - One Step Closer
36. LIT - My Own Worst Enemy
37. LUSH - De-Luxe
38. MASTODON - Colony of Birchmen
39. MEGADETH - Peace Sells
40. METALLICA - Battery
41. MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES - Where'd You Go
42. MODEST MOUSE - Float On
43. MOTÖRHEAD - Ace of Spades
44. NIRVANA - Drain You
45. NORMAN - Greenbaum Spirit in the Sky
46. PANIC AT THE DISCO - Nine in the Afternoon
47. PARAMORE - That's What You Get
48. PEARL JAM - Alive
49. PRESIDENTS OF THE USA - Lump
50. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Testify
51. RATT - Round & Round
52. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - Give it Away
53. RISE AGAINST - Give it All
54. RUSH - The Trees
55. SILVERSUN - Pickups Lazy Eye
56. SMASHING PUMPKINS - Today
57. SOCIAL DISTORTION - I Was Wrong
58. SONIC YOUTH - Teenage Riot
59. SOUNDGARDEN - Spoonman
60. SQUEEZE - Cool for Cats
61. STEELY DAN - Bodhitsattya
62. STEVE MILLER BAND - Rock'n Me
63. SURVIVOR - Eye of the Tiger
64. SYSTEM OF A DOWN - Chop Suey
65. TALKING HEADS - Psycho Killer
66. TENACIOUS D - Master Exploder
67. TESTAMENT - Souls of Black
68. THE DONNAS - New Kid in School
69. THE GO-GO'S - We Got the Beat
70. THE GRATEFUL DEAD - Alabama Getaway
71. THE GUESS WHO - American Woman
72. THE MUFFS - Kids in America
73. THE OFFSPRING - Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)
74. THE REPLACEMENTS - Alex Chilton
75. THE WHO - Pinball Wizard

[Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:19:45 PM 
Woo! Makeup n shit!

A 10-minute Japanese TV interview with JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford (vocals) and Glenn Tipton (guitar) can be viewed below. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

Halford on the new JUDAS PRIEST album "Nostradamus":

"That's what all of us love about 'Nostradamus' — it seems as that though everything that we've been doing in metal since we began from our first recording, 'Rocka Rolla', everything's been leading up to this moment, all of the experiences of writing, of performing on stage, of recording, everything has led us, given us all the ability to come to this point. We were also always thinking about the time when we will be able to go out on tour and play 'Nostradamus' in its entirety, play the whole record, so we're always thinking about that. Especially when I'm singing and when I'm writing lyrics, I can imagine the stage set, I can imagine the costume I'm gonna wear, I can imagine the lighting effect. That's just part of the theater of JUDAS PRIEST; it's very unique to the world of JUDAS PRIEST metal. I think we wanted to maybe, not exaggerate, but amplify that type of thing. That's what I like about the last track on 'Angel of Retribution' — 'Loch Ness' is almost like leading into 'Nostradamus'. The drama of 'Loch Ness', telling a story and… It's as though even before [JUDAS PRIEST manager] Bill Curbishley told us that this would be a good possibility, a 'Nostradamus' concept record, we'd already experienced a little bit of something with 'Loch Ness'. It's really strange, the connection."

"You go into character, because when he was in exile, you try to imagine, how would this feel? To have to leave your house, to have to go into the valleys and the fields, be totally alone. How would you feel? So you try to put that emotion into the performance. And the same for Messenger of Death — you assume the cloak, the character of what death represents; 'Conquest', it's joyous, it's uplifting, it should be sung with a lot of feeling of victory, feeling of success. I think I've always tried to do that in my lyrics, but I love it. I love being the painkiller, I love being the ripper, I love being the sentinel — for me, it's just part of a different way that I can use my voice to express myself. And I think that's just another extension of my love of movies, of theater. I mean, if I'm in Japan, I'm watching kabuki on TV and all these types of theatrical expressions. You just have to think about the feeling of where would your emotional level be at this point — the feeling of 'Pestilence and Plague', which is very sad; 'Lost Love' — very, very plaintive, sincere feelings; the final song, where he's about to pass over, even though he's becoming very old and very fragile and very frail and very weak, he still has strength to give his last explanation of, 'You'll remember me when I'm gone,' and 'Make what you will of my prophecies.' It's wonderful for me — I mean, I just love it. It's the perfect role for me as a singer, and I can't wait to get out on stage and put on the cosumes and the makeup and take on that role. I love doing that. That's just part of what makes me love my life in metal as the singer for JUDAS PRIEST. I can only do it in JUDAS PRIEST. [Laughs]"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq0_TduRmI8&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=100830
[Healer] Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:46:03 AM 
JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford has told Decibel magazine that he remains optimistic about how the band's latest album, "Nostradamus", will ultimately be perceived by the band's hardcore fan base. "I think our reaction is one of basically, if you're a hardcore PRIEST fan, and you've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this moment to happen — waiting for a concept release — you're gonna give it the time that it needs," he said. "Much like if you're a basketball fan, you watch four quarters — you don't leave at halftime. Or if you're watching a great movie, you don't walk out three-quarters of the way through. And that's what it's about: It's a great musical adventure that's telling a story. And we have no worries or fears or concerns about it, because we believe so strongly in the music and the way that it really draws you in and captures your mind and imagination."

Encouraged to imagine himself gazing into the crystal ball on the cover of the latest issue of Decibel magazine (see below), Halford said, "I do predict that 'Nostradamus' is going to be embraced. I can see it being performed by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. I also think I can see a little bit of a Grammy in there."

"Nostradamus" has sold 63,000 copies in the United States since its June 17 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

[Healer] Friday, July 11, 2008 1:10:29 PM 
JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton will be the featured guest on the "Rock 'n' Roll Breakfast" show on Friday, July 18 between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. PST.

You can listen to the program live via the Internet at this location.

Glenn Tipton was interviewed at the Graspop Metal Meeting (June 27-29) in Dessel, Belgium by "Whiplash", a weekly metal show on Belgian national radio Studio Brussel, hosted by AFTER ALL guitarist Dries Van Damme. Listen to the chat in streaming audio at this location.

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

JUDAS PRIEST will perform at Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square on Monday, August 4 as part of syndicated broadcast personality Eddie Trunk's event to celebrate his 25th anniversary in radio broadcasting. Trunk, who broadcasts his weekly radio shows, "Friday Night Rocks" on Q104.3 in the New York City listening area and "Eddie Trunk Live" on XM Radio (satellite radio), shared details of the exclusive invitation-only event and instructions on how to win tickets during his live show on Q104.3.
[Healer] Thursday, July 10, 2008 7:20:17 PM 
Born in my very own state! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONNIE
[Vaillant 3.0] Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:19:09 PM 

****HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RONNIE JAMES DIO!!!!!!!!!****



[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:23:56 PM 
Get Thrashed! On September 16th!

Lightyear Entertainment will release of the award-winning and critically acclaimed music documentary "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" on September 16, 2008. The film covers the evolution, cultural impact, and musical influence of thrash metal , an extreme form of heavy metal which burst on to the scene in the early-to-mid-1980s. Told first-hand by members of bands such as METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX, as well as using raw, original show footage, writer/director Rick Ernst (MTV, VH1) demonstrates how and why many of these bands emerged from playing local parties and small clubs to headlining major arenas and stadiums. The film is a roller coaster ride of extreme music and personalities, starting with the most famous thrash metal pioneers METALLICA and highlighting other genre defining bands like MEGADETH, SLAYER, EXODUS and more. The documentary features interviews with over 50 artists, including past and current members of METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, SLAYER, PANTERA, EXODUS, LAMB OF GOD, TESTAMENT, SHADOWS FALL, IN FLAMES, KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, HATEBREED and many more. The artists discuss the groundbreaking music of the thrash metal scene, the culture surrounding it and includes raw, live concert footage depicting mosh pits, stage diving, head-banging, partying and the over-the-top antics that went along with the thrash metal movement. The movie breaks down how the thrash metal scene grew from its DIY beginnings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, then reached the East Coast, conquered Europe, and even took root in countries like Brazil and Australia. "Get Thrashed" highlights the similarities and differences in each region while illustrating how the seeds that were planted by thrash metal gave rise to the modern day breed of extreme heavy metal and hard rock. The film features wall-to-wall music from METALLICA, MEGADETH, PANTERA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, EXODUS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and many more, and contains over 90 minutes of bonus footage, featuring thrash scenes and bands from around the world. The DVD offers more than three hours of content, including director's commentary by Rick Ernst and associate producer Rat Skates (ex-OVERKILL drummer), plus liner notes from legendary EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt.

"Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" has appeared in over 20 film festivals, highlighted by invitations to the prestigious Silver Lake Film Festival (LA), Oldenberg Film Festival (Germany), Athens International Film Festival (Greece) and Raindance Film Festival (London). The film's year-long run on the film festival circuit saw the documentary screen to packed houses and sold-out theaters around the world while picking up awards including Best Documentary (2007 Seattle True Independent Film Festival, Backseat Film Festival, New York International Independent Film & Video Festival), SAFILM Grand Prize Award (2007 San Antonio Underground Film Festival), Best Soundtrack (2007 Backseat Film Festival) and Best Director (NYIIFVF).

Film running time is 100 minutes; DVD running time is 193 minutes.

"Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" is distributed by Lightyear Entertainment and will be released September 16, 2008 through Warner Home Video. Pre-order date is August 12, 2008. For more information please visit www.lightyear.com or www.whvdirect.com or www.myspace.com/getthrashed.



Watch the "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" trailer below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urDF7vgOaFg&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

San Antonio cult TV show "Robb's MetalWorks" conducted an interview with Rick Ernst — the director of "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" — on June 23, 2007 after the film was honored with the SAFILM Grand Prize Award at the San Antonio Underground Film Festival. Watch the 10-minute chat below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib8qml5XJI8&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Painkiller87] Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:05:54 PM 

Oops article malfuntion. LOL. Sorry about that, it was just something about Testament letting two songs be on Rock Band 2 coming out later this year. They were "Electric Crown" and "Souls of Black". I have a link instead: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=96532

[Painkiller87] Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:02:42 PM 

Edited at: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:03:06 PM
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:25:03 PM 
Judas Priest Interview

Metal-Rules.com has posted a transcript of the JUDAS PRIEST's press conference at the Sweden Rock festival, which was held in early June in Sölvesborg, Sweden. A couple of excerpts follow.

Q: A few years ago, Dave Holland, your former drummer, was imprisoned for sexual harassment and more or less at the same time you were re-releasing your old material in the form of a box set, and you erased Holland from all the album liner pictures. Why did you decide to act in this way towards your old bandmate and the drummer who was a member of the band for 8 years?

Rob Halford (vocals): Well, I think there's an enormous respect for Dave and what he did for the band. As you know, we've had many drummers, we're almost like the living "Spinal Tap" in some respects. The drumming for any band is absolutely vital, it's the anchor, and it's what keeps the band locked together. So after going through 3 or 4 drummers we finally found the best man for the job, Scott Travis and he's been with us for how many years, Scott? He doesn't want to remember…

Scott Travis: 19, I think.

Rob: Since "Painkiller", so we're talking 18 years now. So there's a reflection of thanks to all the drummers who we've worked with for doing great work but it's important to reinforce that Scott Travis is the exclusive drummer for JUDAS PRIEST.

Q: There were two unofficial biographies about you released recently, one called "Heavy Metal Painkiller" and then there's another called "Defenders of the Faith". Did you get a chance to read these, and if so, what was your opinion about them?

Glenn Tipton (guitar): These are the unofficial books, right? We haven't read them, because they're unofficial. We are in the process now of doing an official JUDAS PRIEST book where everything that is recorded in there will be the truth. I think in the unofficial books there's a lot of things said that actually didn't happen or were embroided on the truth, so I personally haven't read them, I don't know if any of the other guys have. It's important to read official books opposed to unofficial books on any band, so that's all I'd say, really.

Rob Halford: I think once people start writing books about you you've reached an important level — there's a curiosity about what makes the band get to that particular stage. And again, like Glenn I haven't bothered to waste my time reading these books. We would ask the fans to wait for the official release where you will actually get the truth. A lot of these books are just made up of interviews and things that are from the past so they're not really giving the fans what they really want. But as Glenn said, we are in the process of putting one together, so when it's ready we'll make it happen and it'll tell you things you'll only find from the band itself.

Q: A lot of other metal acts have conceptual storylines about Nostradamus. Are you aware of this and did this affect you when you were in the writing process of your new album?

Rob: It doesn't matter, because we're doing it for the first time ourselves. To some degree everything's been done once — a type of a book, a type of a movie, it's all been covered. When you do it for the first time yourself, it becomes your exclusive property, and so we feel that what we've done with "Nostradamus" is very special, it's unique to JUDAS PRIEST, no one will have made the life of Nostradamus this way before. And that's the way it should be. When you're covering something that's well known, that has been tackled by other people, that doesn't really become part of the equation. You're doing it for the first time and that's the most important thing.

Q: What's JUDAS PRIEST's opinion on downloading and what do you think can be done about it?

Rob: Well obviously we're still fighting the battle against illegal downloading, we think its wrong — we think it is stealing, that's the fact of the matter. I remember when cassette duplication came into the business and I wondered how that was going to affect the music industry. And at the end of the day that's who it is — it's not just JUDAS PRIEST, it's everybody, it's every band. It's a difficult thing to try and get through but at the end of the day if you're a fan of a band and you want to support your band you're going to get the official release, you're going to get the official merchandise, and the vast majority of PRIEST fans are that way with us — they support what we do. So even thought it's been a thing for us to get our heads around and understand we obviously appreciate the value and importance of the internet when it's used in the right way. All we ask is: please don't steal our music. And that's not about money, it's just the basic fact that you don't take something for nothing, it's not the right thing to do. You don't walk into a store and help yourself to clothes or food or whatever, it's the same principle if you think about it. You can't say "Oh they've got millions of dollars;" that's not the point. But fortunately our fans are real hardcore, they want the real deal, especially with "Nostradamus", it's the multi-packaged, wonderful experience that you can get in a deluxe box set with three pieces of vinyl, a 48-page book, posters — you can't get that on the download, you've got to really be there and hold it physically. It's a treasure to add to your JUDAS PRIEST collection. So we support the Internet when it's used in the right.

Glenn: But I think it's worth mentioning that one of the biggest disasters is really that Internet downloading creates it that it totally robs the new bands of any opportunities to come through. Because if the record companies are not selling records, they can't do — I mean, we were quite fortunate, it was hard work for us to get ahead in our day but eventually we found a record company that would put some money behind us and support us and do justice to our records but now it's definitely the younger bands that will get the most heavy downloads because people will try them out first. Obviously, established bands like our selves can still sell records in the stores but for the younger bands it has definitely had a catastrophic effect.

Read the entire transcript at Metal-Rules.com.
[Vaillant 3.0] Tuesday, July 08, 2008 10:43:17 AM 
DEEP PURPLE Keyboardist To Embark On Solo Tour: Dates Announced - July 7, 2008
DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey will embark on a European tour this fall in support of his recently released solo album, "A Light In The Sky". So far the following dates have been released:

Sep. 26 - Spirit of 66 - Verviers, Belgium
Sep. 27 - Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Sep. 28 - Bosuil - Weert, Netherlands
Sep. 29 - Musiktheater Rex - Lorsch, Germany
Sep. 30 - [to be announced] - Prague, Czech Republic
Oct. 01 - Metropolis - München, Germany
Oct. 02 - Black Horse - Cermenate, Italy
Oct. 03 - Sottotetto Sound Club - Bologna, Italy
Oct. 04 - Mühle Hunziken - Rubigen, Switzerland
Oct. 05 - [to be announced] - Nancy, France
Oct. 07 - Lindenbrauerei - Unna, Germany
Oct. 08 - [to be announced] - Innsbruck, Austria
Oct. 09 - [to be announced] - Köln, Germany
Oct. 10 - [to be announced] - London, UK
Oct. 11 - JB's - Dudley, UK

For "A Light In The Sky", Airey gathered together a different set of collaborators (though Laurence Cottle of Sting/ Eric Clapton/ Brian Eno/ Bill Bruford fame once again contributes precision bass-playing), though naturally Don provides the record's central creative thrust — an entertaining mixture of instrumental and vocal songs, from the "Bladerunner"-style "Ripples In The Fabric Of Time" to the hook-laden hard rock of "Shooting Star".
[Vaillant 3.0] Tuesday, July 08, 2008 10:39:24 AM 
JOE SATRIANI: North American Tour Dates Announced - July 8, 2008

Joe Satriani has announced the North American leg of his current world tour. Joe returns to North America opening in Calgary October 3 and ending November 15 in California. The tour will play 30-plus cities, including Chicago, New York, Boston, Toronto, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Los Angeles, with more dates to be announced shortly. Satriani's tour will feature very special guest MOUNTAIN with Leslie West.

The dates are as follows:

Oct. 03 - Jack Singer Concert Hall - Calgary, AB
Oct. 04 - Edmonton Event Center - Edmonton, AB
Oct. 06 - Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg, MB
Oct. 07 - State Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
Oct. 08 - Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL
Oct. 09 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI
Oct. 10 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 11 - Palace Theatre - Greensburg (Pittsburgh), PA
Oct. 12 - University At Buffalo - Buffalo, NY
Oct. 14 - Orpheum Theater - Boston, MA
Oct. 15 - Centre in the Square - Kitchener, ON
Oct. 16 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON
Oct. 17 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
Oct. 18 - United Palace - New York, NY
Oct. 19 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA
Oct. 22 - Ram's Head Live - Baltimore, MD
Oct. 23 - Warner Theatre - Washington, D.C.
Oct. 25 - Carolina Theatre - Durham, NC
Oct. 31 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Nov. 05 - Austin Music Hall - Austin, TX
Nov. 06 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Nov. 07 - Plaza Theatre - El Paso, TX
Nov. 08 - Kiva Auditorium - Albuquerque, NM
Nov. 09 - Dodge Theatre - Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 10 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Nov. 12 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Nov. 13 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 14 - Silver Legacy Casino - Reno, NV

Satriani released his 13th solo album "Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock" on April 1.

"Professor Satchafunkilus" was produced through the creative envisioning of Satriani and John Cuniberti; guiding the musical talents of longtime drummer/percussionist Jeff Campitelli and renowned bassist Matt Bissonette. A special addition to the album's artist list is Joe's own son, ZZ Satriani, playing the tenor sax.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking album "Surfing with the Alien" and was commemorated with new expanded edition in a meticulously restored two-disc set including the newly remastered album and a never-before-seen live show filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1988.
[Vaillant 3.0] Tuesday, July 08, 2008 10:37:05 AM 
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN: More UK Signing Sessions Announced - July 8, 2008

Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen has scheduled the following in-store appearances during his UK tour:

July 10 - Professional Music Technology in Birmingham (2-3 p.m.)
July 12 - Professional Music Technology in Manchester
July 14 - GuitarGuitar in Newcastle (2:30 p.m.)

According to HMV Japan, Yngwie Malmsteen will release his new studio album in Japan on August 6. The LP's limited edition will feature the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD players) plus a bonus DVD containing interviews with Yngwie Malmsteen discussing the songs on the album and more.

Yngwie Malmsteen recently told Guitar World magazine that his forthcoming solo album will feature his strongest lineup ever: Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) on vocals, Bjorn Englen on bass, Michael Troy on keyboards, and Patrik Johansson on drums. "It's going to come down like a fucking atom bomb!" Malmsteen said. "We've already recorded 39 songs. I went full out. I've got strings from Istanbul, and the drums are the heaviest I've fucking heard. Ripper conveys the lyrics I write like no one else. I'll write something like 'divide and conquer' and when Ripper sings it, it really comes out that way. It's like Sparta!"

A recent interview with Yngwie Malmsteen conducted by Guitar Jam Daily is available for download in two parts: Part#1, Part#2.
[guitardude] Saturday, July 05, 2008 4:00:22 PM 
Looks like Ford did sell off Jaguar after all according to the article,now that`s news! Jagaur had been Fords  ball and chain for years and extremely unprofitable. But I agree with Ian,the best brit cars have gone by the wayside. I had a friend that had an MG for years and to this day regrets selling it! Now the bike Industry hasn`t down as bad,but triumoh are the only real English bike makers left there. Since I have a Triumph,I`m a little biased,but there are some rumors of Norton coming back,though I don`t think the new company is owned by a Brit at the moment.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Saturday, July 05, 2008 11:55:04 AM)
[Vaillant 3.0] Saturday, July 05, 2008 11:55:04 AM 
Ian Hill and his ride!!!
Motor Trend reports: Ian Hill, founding member and bassist for pioneering heavy-metal band JUDAS PRIEST, drives a 2004 Mercedes ML 500. But he would prefer to own more cars made by a British-owned company.

"I sort of mourn the British car industry that's now owned by foreign concerns," Hill said, from Luxenbourg, during the band's European leg of the tour to promote their new album, "Nostradamus".

He wistfully recalls growing up in the Midlands region, where the heart of the British motor industry once was. The British Motor Corporation had such marques as the Austin, Austin-Healey, and MG and made the popular Austin Minis in the 1960s.

"At one time, the British Motor Corporation, was one of the world's leading manufacturers of everyday cars," Hill said. "It was technologically streets ahead of the opposition. But because of bad management and communist union leaders who seemed to be striking over the slightest little things, it went under. Which is a great shame."

Read the entire article at www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0807_ian_hill_celebrity_drive/index.html

Edited at: Saturday, July 05, 2008 11:58:55 AM
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:50:11 PM 
Ahhhh yes that's what I'm talking about right there.  ANYTHING helps with news haha, if anyone wants to chip in and get stuff from other sites that I miss that'd work too haha.

I think I'll start posting news again in a day or two.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:27:12 PM)
[Vaillant 3.0] Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:27:12 PM 
Here's a piece of Heavy Metal news :

From DIO's Official Myspace Site!!:

Black Sabbath - Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice - will sign copies of their new box set Black Sabbath: The Rules of Hell* at Vintage Vinyl on Saturday, August 2nd from 3pm-4pm. Vintage Vinyl's address is 51 Lafayette Road - Fords, NJ 08863 - ph# 732-225-7717. Please contact the store for details.


*due to time constraints, the band will only sign copies of The Rules of Hell box set or Heaven and Hell: Live from Radio City Music Hall (DVD/CD)
[Healer] Sunday, June 29, 2008 9:28:40 AM 
An eight-minute audio interview with JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill conducted by Norway's Metal Express Radio has been posted online at this location.

JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", has registered the following first-week chart positions around the world:

#3 - Croatia
#3 - Czech Rep
#3 - Finland
#4 - Hungary (international chart; #12 overall)
#5 - Germany
#5 - Sweden
#6 - Europe
#9 - Canada
#11 - USA
#12 - Norway
#12 - Switzerland
#13 - Austria
#16 - Australia
#17 - Denmark
#26 - Italy
#26 - Spain
#30 - UK
#31 - New Zealand
#38 - France
#50 - Netherlands

"Nostradamus" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marks the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after shifting close to 4,000 units.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", premiered with 58,000 copies in the U.S. back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

Fan-filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST performing the classic song "Breaking the Law" on June 24, 2008 at Zenith in München, Germany can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "z4128").
[Healer] Sunday, June 29, 2008 9:27:16 AM 
QUEENSRŸCHE, SAMMY HAGAR, ALICE COOPER, TWISTED SISTER and BRET MICHAELS are among the confirmed artists for the Rock The Bayou festival, set to take place August 29 – September 1 on the Rock The Bayou Grounds, located between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, where AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park (the former theme park has been transformed into a hundred acre playground for music lovers and rock enthusiasts).

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Friday, August 29:

QUEENSRŸCHE
RATT
SKID ROW
Y&T
LYNCH MOB
GILBY CLARKE
JETBOY

Saturday, August 30:

SAMMY HAGAR
DOKKEN
GREAT WHITE
ENUFF Z'NUFF
BULLETBOYS W/ STEVEN ADLER
BRITNY FOX
LITTLE CAESAR

Sunday, August 31:

ALICE COOPER
WARRANT
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
SLAUGHTER
DANGEROUS TOYS
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
BLACK 'N BLUE

Monday, September 1:

BRET MICHAELS
TWISTED SISTER
FIREHOUSE
BROKEN TEETH

For more information, visit RockTheBayou.com.
[Healer] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 7:01:01 PM 
Well I would have posted news but everytime I would go post I noticed you had already posted.  But here, Just for you Metal Jesus:

A brand new ALICE COOPER track, Vengeance Is Mine, is available for streaming on his MySpace page. The song comes off the rock legend's forthcoming album, "Along Came A Spider", due on July 29 via SPV Records.

"A dark and menacing album for dark and menacing times" is perhaps the most fitting description for Alice's 25th studio album overall, as a chilling conceptual thread runs through the songs, which are told through the voice of a serial killer named Spider — one that Alice describes as "an arachnophobic psychopath" (in the song "Catch Me If You Can"). Alice, the master storyteller, weaves a web of danger, intrigue and death that rivals his best work.

Co-produced by Danny Saber, Greg Hampton and Alice himself, "Along Came A Spider" manages to marry both vintage and modern-day Alice. As theatrical as ever, the album is a sonic combination of familiar Alice musical elements from albums as diverse as "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Brutal Planet", with the storytelling of "Welcome To My Nightmare", capturing the historic dark side of Alice in peak form, an instantly recognizable presence that will be welcomed by his fans. Joining Alice on the album are members of his touring band — longtime Alice drummer Eric Singer, bassist Chuck Garric, and guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, with additional contributions from others, including Saber, Hampton, and renowned backing vocalist Bernard Fowler. Slash also lends some guitar style to "Vengeance Is Mine".

Saber and Hampton co-wrote several of the album's songs with Alice, while others were collaborations with Alice's band members. Danny Saber, best known for his role as member and producer of BLACK GRAPE, has also worked with many other artists, including THE ROLLING STONES, OZZY OSBOURNE, and DAVID BOWIE, while Greg Hampton's been working on a new album project teaming up Buckethead and Bootsy Collins.

Who else but Alice Cooper, with "Along Came A Spider", would create a "love story" about a serial killer named Spider? His trademark is wrapping his victims in silk, and his victims are specifically chosen to feed his hunger to kill. But, upon meeting his (possibly) last victim, he falls in love with her and cannot kill to complete his plan. That could be his demise.

Though it is often said about artists with as rich a history as Alice that their newest albums capture the essence of their greatest work, it may honestly be proposed that "Along Came A Spider" does exactly that. It's got hard rock with hooks, an Alice trademark ("Vengeance is Mine", "I Know Where You Live"), classic balladry, another Alice trademark ("Killed by Love", "Salvation"), and always with an overtone of evil, yet another Alice tradmark. Throughout the album, Alice BECOMES Spider, telling the story of a cold-blooded killer to life vocally, as if this were the soundtrack to an as-yet unmade horror film.

"Along Came A Spider" track listing:

01. Prologue/I Know Where You Live
02. Vengeance Is Mine
03. Wake The Dead
04. Catch Me If You Can
05. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side
06. Wrapped In Silk
07. Killed By Love
08. I'm Hungry
09. The One That Got Away
10. Salvation
11. I Am The Spider/Epilogue


  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Tuesday, June 24, 2008 4:33:30 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 4:33:30 PM 
Here everybdy, I'm getting tired of posting news again, I NEED A VACATION HAHA!

So here everyone who wants some news, take a look and post some too if your feeling generous and have nothing better to do.

www.blabbermouth.net
[Painkiller87] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:19:11 PM 

That Keith Bergman better be talking about his opinion because it is obvious that:

1. He has no taste, and is closed minded. (What I mean is that he doesn't broaden his horizon and see the other genres of metal)
2. Needs to get his facts straight. (Avantasia's albums are epic, and thats about it. Nothing about Nostradamus in any of it like he assumes: "in fact, no one seems to want to tell Rob, Glenn, K.K., Scott or Ian that the band AVANTASIA did this exact same concept album a few years back.")

  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:21:05 PM)
Edited at: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:19:52 PM
[Healer] Monday, June 23, 2008 6:29:52 PM 
Love the Priest interview.  I would love to hear or see an interview where they break down every song.  Would be so cool to know what they were all feeling with each song.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Monday, June 23, 2008 3:29:50 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, June 23, 2008 3:29:50 PM 
As Mean As Axl Is, What He Said Was Pretty Funny Haha.

RollingStone.com recently spoke to Sebastian Bach to gain some insight into where his pal, GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose, stands with the extremely delayed "Chinese Democracy" LP. Here's Bach recalling what happened the time he suggested Rose just put out "Democracy":

"There's only a couple of times he's ever gotten mad at me. One of them was when I let Ron Jeremy in his dressing room. He didn't like that at all. 'Why the fuck did you let Ron Jeremy in my dressing room?' I was like, 'Dude, he was begging.' That wasn't a good time for me. Axl goes from zero to 60 faster than any hemi engine, I'll tell you that. When we were first hanging out in 2006, we were just standing around a bunch of people. I go, 'Axl, do you think you might get the record out? It would be a great time, now that we're on tour and everything.' He goes, 'Oh. Great! Everybody! Sebastian has a great idea here, man. Guess what? Sebastian, should I put out a record? Maybe it would be a good idea for me to put out a fucking record! Hey everybody, listen to this! I never thought of that! That never came to me! Oh, great idea, dude.' I felt like Fred Flintstone in Mr. Slate's office."

Read more from RollingStone.com. 


FIrst Motley Crue Show

MÖTLEY CRÜE played its first show in a year yesterday (Sunday, June 22) when it headlined the second day of the Heavy MTL festival in front of 22,500 fans at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Kickstart My Heart
02. Wild Side
03. Shout at The Devil
04. Saints of Los Angeles
05. Sick Love Song
06. Live Wire
07. Don't Go Away Mad
08. Same Ol' Situation
09. Primal Scream
10. Looks That Kill
11. Girls Girls Girls
12. Dr. Feelgood
---------------
13. Home Sweet Home

Check out photos at HeavyMTL.com. A couple of the pictures are being displayed below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's new album, "Saints of Los Angeles", is available for streaming in in its entirety at IHeartMusic.com.

Due on June 24, the album is loosely based on the band's memoir, "The Dirt", which was published in 2001. The CD will be the first to feature all four original members of the CRÜE since 1997's "Generation Swine".

"Crüe Fest" will kick off on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida, hitting 40 cities before wrapping up in late August.

Photos displayed from HeavyMTL.com:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJj1FIqnHOY&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NOP7hqgXOo&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRL3w8NiPso&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Judas Priest Interview

JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford and guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton sat down with WAXQ (Q104)/New York's Ian O'Malley to discuss the group's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", as part of FMQB's radio special, "Inside Judas Priest: Nostradamus". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

FMQB: There has to be a different approach when you're dealing with something as monumental as a concept album compared to a normal PRIEST album. How did you approach this?

Tipton: It was different in a way, but we always write in the same way. We work on ideas individually and then we get together and pool the ideas. In this case, the ideas had to be related to this type of project with the mystique and vibe it was giving off. So we did the same thing, and we usually mess around with some ideas until the room lights up and then we know we're onto something. The only difference in this case was we wrote lots of ideas, and then we had to piece them together. At that point Rob decided lyrically the way the story was going to go and which pieces were appropriate, because we wanted it to flow through Nostradamus' life. The project is really about his life. It touches on his predictions, but it's about his life. So in this case, we had to write chronologically. We discarded a lot of things that weren't appropriate. It all had to musically make sense. So that was the only difference from making a normal PRIEST album — piecing it all together.

FMQB: How did this open up your musical capabilities in the sense that you have a broader canvas when you're dealing with this story? How did it affect your playing?

Downing: It was like having something new happen. We had a license to go into the territories of classical music. But the big curio was, "Would it work mixing it with JUDAS PRIEST metal?" I think Rob, in the early days, said "This is going to be the first metal opera." From the offset when we were putting ideas down, it was always in the back of our minds to incorporate and merge different musical elements to this extent.

FMQB: Did you find that you got a fresh start with your guitar playing by writing this kind of music?

Tipton: Yes, it enabled us to explore areas that we normally wouldn't go into on a JUDAS PRIEST album. Not particularly classical — because we've often used classical passages in PRIEST songs — but more operatic and more dramatic. That was the main difference. Guitar wise, it pushes you to new heights because it's a completely different thing. The funny thing is, when it's all done and put back into the story, it's still very much JUDAS PRIEST, which amazed us. It's like it was meant to be.

FMQB: Speaking of the operatic aspect of things, what was it like doing the vocals on this album?

Halford: It was an absolute joy for me because I love getting lost in the characters. I've been the "Painkiller", "The Sentinel", "The Sinner" and "The Ripper", and when you become somebody else, you're able to do things that ordinarily you wouldn't do. Every day when I'd go to work, all I'd listen to was classical music, just to get the mindset. I'd also listen to a lot of movie soundtracks — "Pirates of the Caribbean", "Star Wars" — to get into the right frame of mind. We're all metalheads and metal musicians, but if you open your mind to other areas of music, it's tremendous how the inspiration kicks in that ordinarily you wouldn't think about. For me as a singer, I think I had more pleasure and satisfaction in a performance sense than I've ever had before. It's continuous — it's being Nostradamus on every single track, as opposed to previous recordings. So I had a blast. We looked at all the vocal recordings afterwards, and the amount of multi-tracking was unbelievable. It was a joy to do.

FMQB: If you look at what PRIEST is doing now, and then you look back at "Screaming For Vengeance" and those years, what comes to your mind when you think of the progression of the band?

Downing: I think it's fair to say that we have been quite versatile with our material, lyrics and subject matter, all throughout our careers. But I think we've always maintained that JUDAS PRIEST connection somewhere along the way. It would be curious to see if the music from "You've Got Another Thing Coming" could've been on "Nostradamus", or if some of the songs from "Nostradamus" could have been on that album. I think we've always maintained continuity somewhere, but as I've said we've always managed to be versatile too.

FMQB: There's talk of you guys performing the album in its entirety in 2009. You have always been known for your live show, and with something like this, the sky is the limit for what you could do.

Tipton: We've got a great idea for what we can base the whole event around, but of course it's a secret. We can't do it this year because we're doing a summer tour and people will want to hear PRIEST classics, although we'll be doing two or three tracks from the new album. But next year, once we've had a rest, our intention is to perform it in its entirety. We're also hoping to select interesting venues around the world and make it an event each time. The idea we've got for the stage show should be absolutely amazing.

Read more at www.fmqb.com. 


Matt Sorum Interview

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum has told Joe Bosso of MusicRadar.com that he thinks GUNS N' ROSES will get back together. "I'm sure it'll happen eventually," he said.

Sorum isn't so sure about his involvement in a reunion, however. "They could be having meetings about it right now. They could be in a bomb shelter, with Axl [Rose, vocals] and Slash [guitar] and Duff [McKagan, bass]. And Izzy [Stradlin, guitar]! Maybe Steven Adler [original GUNS N' ROSES drummer] — I don't know. I'd probably be the very, very, very last guy to get the call."

As for the status of VELVET REVOLVER's search for a new lead singer following the departure of Scott Weiland, Sorum said, "We are looking. We are actively looking. We rehearsed for a couple of weeks. We tried out a couple of guys. We have a guy right now that we're still… let me see, what would be the correct word… massaging, as you will — sort of checking it out, feeling it out, letting him work with us. [The guy Sorum is referring to is rumored to be the former THE PANIC CHANNEL/SKYCYCLE singer Steve Isaacs — Ed.] I'd rather not [say who it is] — just because I don't want it to get out that he might be the guy. I mean, we like him, he's awesome… It's really weird because [chuckles] Slash and Duff and myself — especially the three of us — we were kind of like, 'Wow, this guy shows up to a rehearsal on time, he's really nice, he's easy to get along with,' and it actually kind of scared us, 'cause we thought, 'Is this possible?' God, I was worried for a minute that it was almost like, you know, when you get in a relationship with a girl, or a guy gets in a relationship with a girl, or a girl gets in a relationship with a guy, and maybe they're really, really, really nice, but for some reason you don't really like them. [Laughs] I'm kind of worried that we might be so used to the drama. [Laughs] I kind of looked around at the guys. I said, 'Man, this guy is a super-nice dude. You think we can go with that or what? [Laughs]'"

The entire 17-minute audio interview with Matt Sorum conducted by Joe Bosso of MusicRadar.com is available for download at this location.

THE PANIC CHANNEL's video for the song "Why Cry" featuring Steve Isaacs, the rumored frontrunner for the VELVET REVOLVER singer position and the person Sorum is supposedly referring to in the above interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ48ln1eAr8&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:51:43 PM 

Pro-Shot Priest!

Scuzz TV has posted a three-and-a-half-minute clip featuring professionally filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST's performance at this year's Download festival, which was held June 13-15 at Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK. Also included is interview footage with the group's singer Rob Halford and guitarist K.K. Downing. Watch the clip below.

According to Hits Daily Double (the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS), "Nostradamus" is poised to sell around 50,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release for a likely Top 10 debut on The Billboard 200 chart. If "Nostradamus" does in fact crack the Top 10, it will give the band its highest-ever career chart position in the U.S.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijqb2Ma5734&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

[Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:21:05 PM 
BLABBERMOUTH.NET CD/DVD reviewer Keith Bergman discussed his controversial opinion of JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", last night (Saturday, June 21) on "The Classic Metal Show". Keith spoke to hosts Neeley and Chris Akin and took calls from listeners for almost an hour.

"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard live every Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net.

According to Hits Daily Double (the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS), "Nostradamus" is poised to sell around 50,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release for a likely Top 10 debut on The Billboard 200 chart. If "Nostradamus" does in fact crack the Top 10, it will give the band its highest-ever career chart position in the U.S.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.


Al Atkins Interview

Stalker magazine recently conducted an interview with original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

Stalker: What band were you in prior to the formation of JUDAS PRIEST?

Atkins: Late 1968, I was in a band I named THE CHAPTERS OF LIFE, but our agency thought the name was too long and retitled us JUG, and has they were supplying us with our gigs I didn't object. One night at a gig we were playing with SPOOKY TOOTH and SLADE, I was approached by another band named EVOLUTION who were managed by BLACK SABBATH's manager Jim Simpson, and they asked me to go on a three-month tour to Morrocco, which appealed to me, and so I left JUG. Not long after joining up with them, Jim Simpson told me apart from singing in EVOLUTION I also had to drive their tour bus, so I told him to stick it, "I'm a singer not a fucking roadie," I told him. By then my old band had split up, so I formed another one with some members that I had played with before, like John Perry (guitar) Bruno Stapenhill (bass) and John Partridge (drums). This was the beginning of JUDAS PRIEST.

Stalker: When did JUDAS PRIEST form? How long were you with the band?

Atkins: JUDAS PRIEST formed in 1969. It didn't get off to a very good start because John Perry (aged 18) commited suicide. We auditioned for another guitarist, and one young guy who came along was K.K Downing — or Kenny, as we new him by then — but he lacked experience and didn't get the job. It went to a lad name Ernie Chataway. We toured the UK and did some recording demos of some of my songs and landed a three-year contract with Immediate Records in London, but not long after signing the contract they went bust. We eventually split up and I formed JUDAS PRIEST MK2 in 1970 with a bit more experienced by now KK (guitar) and Ian Hill (bass), on drums was John Ellis. After touring up and down the motorways and opening up for bands like BUDGIE, STATUS QUO, BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY — to name just a few — and going through three drummer changes, which was Alan Moore and Chris Campbell, I eventually left them in May 1973 and was replaced by Rob Halford.

Stalker: Essentially you were the dominant force behind the classic album "Rocka Rolla". What were your ideas for the recording of these classic tracks?

Atkins: I was the main writer in the band and some of the songs like "Winter" came about from touring Scotland in the freezing winter of '70 and getting stuck in a snow storm at night on a mountain and having to be dug out the following morning. "Caviar and Meths" was our big finishing 10-minute finale when we played live and was just about two peoples different lives, one had all the luck and money, the other had a hard life with none. PRIEST cut it short on "Rocka Rolla" but I don't know why. I recorded the full version on my "Heavy Thoughts" solo album. "Never Satisfied" is just about our ever-changing lives. I wrote this in '72 and Rob recorded it live at the Crucible a few years ago. It was also covered by L.A. band ARMORED SAINT but I haven't heard their version. K.K. was writing his first ever song when I left them in '73 called "Run of The Mill". On "Sad Wings of Destiny" was two more of mine — "Dreamer Deceiver" and "Victim of Changes". "Victim" was made up of two songs, mine was "Whiskey Woman" and Rob's was "Red Light Lady" which the band joined together and retitled it and it is now an all-time classic.

Stalker: Did you like the cover versions of your songs by STEEL PROPHET and ARMORED SAINT and others?

Atkins: Yes they were brilliant covers of my old songs that JUDAS PRIEST had made famous over the years.

Read the entire interview at Stalker.

Al Atkins recently completed work on his autobiography, titled "Dawn of the Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest and Heavy Metal". The book, which was was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil's book "The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith" (Omnibus Press) — will tentatively be released before Christmas via Iron Pages.


Bad and Good Covers

According to the UK's Daily Mail, Celine Dion's cover version of the AC/DC track "You Shook Me All Night Long" has been voted the worst cover song.

Dion, 40, has never released the song as a single but performed the "musical offense" at a Las Vegas concert six years ago.

A SUGABABES and GIRLS ALOUD version of "Walk This Way", which had been a huge hit for AEROSMITH and rappers RUN DMC, came second.

Experts also delivered a verdict on the most successful cover versions.

JIMI HENDRIX's cover of the BOB DYLAN song "All Along the Watchtower" topped the list, with the GUNS N' ROSES' version of the WINGS' song "Live and Let Die" and NIRVANA's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" by DAVID BOWIE also in the top five.

The list is published in the July issue of UK's Total Guitar magazine.

Worst Cover Songs:

01. CELINE DION - You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)
02. GIRLS ALOUD/SUGABABES - Walk This Way (RUN DMC and AEROSMITH)
03. WESTLIFE - More Than Words (EXTREME)
04. WILL YOUNG - Light My Fire (THE DOORS)
05. THE MIKE FLOWERS POPS - Wonderwall (OASIS)

Best Cover Songs:

01. JIMI HENDRIX - All Along The Watchtower (BOB DYLAN)
02. THE BEATLES - Twist And Shout (THE TOP NOTES)
03. GUNS N' ROSES - Live And Let Die (WINGS)
04. NIRVANA - The Man Who Sold the World (DAVID BOWIE)
05. MUSE - Feeling Good (ANTHONY NEWLEY and LESLIE BRICUSSE)

Dion covered the AC/DC classic "You Shook Me All Night Long" as a duet with Anastacia on the VH1 CD/DVD release "Divas Las Vegas 2002", out via Sony Music. Watch video footage of the performance below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONt47Z0KZg&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

GIRLS ALOUD vs. SUGABABES covering "Walk This Way" (RUN DMC and AEROSMITH):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWY0030g68s&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
Edited at: Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:25:33 PM
[Head banger] Sunday, June 22, 2008 12:52:59 AM 
thanks, good to know.
now we are all still in the dark about kyuss
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by guitardude from Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:40:11 PM)
[spapad] Saturday, June 21, 2008 11:05:05 PM 
OOppps! missed a bit there. the missing bit is there was nothing but disco crap around on the radio.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by spapad from Saturday, June 21, 2008 11:02:56 PM)
[spapad] Saturday, June 21, 2008 11:02:56 PM 
Eddie Money. Wow have not heard that name in a long time. He was sort of a Kid Rock for the mid seventies when all there was to listen to unless you played only LPs was radio.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by guitardude from Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:40:11 PM)
[guitardude] Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:40:11 PM 
HB
Robin Trower is a classic rocker from the early 70`s.  Kind of a Eddie Money type but slightly heavier,or I guess harder would be the proper description for that era.                                                                                                                        I guess I was about 10 and an older cousin had some of his 8-tracks to play in his Ford Maverick(Grabber Edition),no kidding.Must have been good as this memory really stands out in my mind!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Friday, June 20, 2008 5:55:31 PM)
[JayDee  Jepsen] Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:09:08 PM 
Speaking of HARD ROCK CAFE, I've been to many HR's around the world,collecting the guitar pins, and I have never seen any Priest memorbila in any of the HR cafes..............not one picture,guitar, album-nothing!   Has anyone else noticed this???  Maybe JP's in the NY HR Cafe but if they're not I would be very embarrassed as an HR owner to have them there and not one shred of memorbilia.
[Bazookajoe_666] Saturday, June 21, 2008 4:25:21 PM 
Priest At Hard Rock Café

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will perform at Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square on Monday, August 4 as part of syndicated broadcast personality Eddie Trunk's event to celebrate his 25th anniversary in radio broadcasting. Trunk, who broadcasts his weekly radio shows, "Friday Night Rocks" on Q104.3 in the New York City listening area and "Eddie Trunk Live" on XM Radio (satellite radio), shared details of the exclusive invitation-only event and instructions on how to win tickets last night during his live show on Q104.3.

The ticket contest will take place over the next several weeks. Eddie's web site, the ticket contest and event ticketing are being managed by Paid Inc. celebrity services, which also coordinates Eddie's fan club and brand management.

There will be no tickets sold for this event. The only way to get in is to win tickets at EddieTrunk.com, If you are planning on being in New York City on August 4 and would like to win a pair of tickets to the event, all you have to do is fill out the entry form at this location. Each week between now and August 4, Paid Inc. will randomly choose several entrants to win. Winners will be notified by e-mail or you can bookmark this page at EddieTrunk.com to see if you've won.

JUDAS PRIEST's Metal Masters tour — also featuring HEAVEN AND HELL, MOTÖRHEAD and TESTAMENT — will kick off on August 6 at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey.

The tour, produced by Live Nation, will be PRIEST's first thorough sets of U.S. dates in nearly three years, and will be in support of the group's new "Nostradamus" release. 




This Is The Guy Who Gave Nostradamus A 5/10

BLABBERMOUTH.NET CD/DVD reviewer Keith Bergman will discuss his controversial opinion of JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", on "The Classic Metal Show" tonight (Saturday, June 21) at 10:00 p.m. EST. Keith will take calls from listeners who are welcome to offer their views on PRIEST's latest effort.

"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard live every Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net.

HEAVEN AND HELL drummer Vinny Appice and members of the band HATCHET will also appear on tonight's program.


Purple Rainbow

PURPLE RAINBOW is a new project featuring a lineup of musicians who were part of several of the most influential bands in hard/classic rock: from DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW to BLACK SABBATH and DIO.

PURPLE RAINBOW is:

Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Vocals
Bobby Rondinelli (RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH) - Drums
Tony Carey (RAINBOW, PLANET P. PROJECT) - Keyboards
Craig Goldy (DIO) - Guitar

Keyboardist Tony Carey explains: "Now the members of PURPLE RAINBOW have fulfilled a personal and professional dream and stepped into the spotlight to present the music that is our passion. Driven by our love of performing and their desire to revive the golden years of hard rock, we're staging a return to authentic music that comes from the heart and soul."

The list of memorable songs from their collective discographies is never-ending and includes "Man on the Silver Mountain", "Stone Cold", "Stargazer", "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll", "Street of Dreams", "Smoke on the Water", "Highway Star", "Burn" and many more.

The band is currently looking to book concerts in 2009. 
[Head banger] Friday, June 20, 2008 5:55:31 PM 
I have heard meshugga on sirius 27, some generic sounding thrash band
kyuss, no idea
and who the fuck is 
ROBIN TROWER
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by soylentgreen4u from Friday, June 20, 2008 5:34:33 PM)
[Soylentgreen4u] Friday, June 20, 2008 5:34:33 PM 
WHAT THE HELL IS A KYUSS AND MESHUGGA?...NOT KNOCKING THEM, JUST CURIOUS...
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Friday, June 20, 2008 5:09:22 PM)
[Head banger] Friday, June 20, 2008 5:09:22 PM 
ok, that 25 band list, honestly I have never heard of a few of those.  WTF?  I know I am not the most knowledgable around, but seriously, I would have heard of the top 25 bands in metal. at least priest made the list
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Friday, June 20, 2008 4:04:17 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Friday, June 20, 2008 4:04:17 PM 
New Girlschool Album Is Gonna Fucking Rock!

Guitarist/vocalist Kim McAuliffe of the veteran British all-female hard rock band GIRLSCHOOL has reportedly told Classic Rock journalist Dave Ling that the band's upcoming 30th anniversary album will feature a plethora of special guests, including Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH), Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO), Lemmy and Phil Campbell from MOTÖRHEAD, "Fast" Eddie Clarke (FASTWAY, ex-MOTÖRHEAD) and a couple of members of TWISTED SISTER.

GIRLSCHOOL guitarist Kelly Johnson passed away on July 15, 2007 after a six-year battle with cancer of the spine. Along with Johnson, the classic lineup of GIRLSCHOOL included Kim McAuliffe (guitar), Enid Williams (bass) and Denise Dufort (drums). The band was an integral and major force in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, beginning with the release of its debut album, "Demolition" (1980), and continuing with the follow-up efforts, "Hit 'n' Run" (1981) and "Screaming Blue Murder" (1982). 


Kerry King Interview

UK's Terrorizer magazine recently conducted a short interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King. A few excerpts from the chat follow.

Terrorizer: This is the third leg of the Unholy Alliance tour. Will this package just run and run?

King: "It could keep coming as long as there are interesting bills to put together. I think there will be a time when it keeps coming and we're not a part of it. If it becomes a yearly thing we won't do it anymore because then you become married to it, and we don't want to have to make time for anything like that."

Terrorizer: You've been touring on and off for almost twenty years. How long have you got before you throw in the towel?

King: "On the last run Tom [Araya, bass/vocals] said we might be coming to the end sooner rather than later. I wasn't tired in the first place. I'm ready to go. Seeing people like Dio and Halford that are much older than me just go out there and rip shit up. I don't think I'll be playing as long or until as old as they are, because our show is more physical but inspiring to see people like that just kick your arse.

Terrorizer: Other than the Unholy Alliance tour, what new music do you recommend thrash fans to go and see live?

King: "MUNICIPAL WASTE, you can't go wrong with them if you like thrash! I wish I could have seen AIRBOURNE yesterday. They're supposed to be like AC/DC, and I love AC/DC. I haven't heard anything but good things about them."

Terrorizer: What are you most looking forward to about the tour?

King: "I'm looking forward to anything, I've been home for ten months. For the first time in twenty years. The weird thing is I didn't talk to the guys in nine months. We got home and we scattered. There wasn't like a big fight or anything, we just got home. The other guys get burned out more than I do, probably because I work out more."

Terrorizer: There were rumours of a feud between SLAYER and MARILYN MANSON when you toured together last summer. Are they true?

King: "I was the only guy who hung out with him! I'm sure Tom had his issues. When we do a tour like that with two big established bands, we don't throw our dick around, so to speak. He's got his own personal body guard and stuff. The second and third day of the tour he did a sticker on the laminates thing so you couldn't go certain places. And I threw a fucking fit. Not to him, not to any of his staff. I went to my manager and asked why I couldn't go through that door. That shit didn't come from Manson, and that was their fucking security guards. A lot of times we'll play with MAIDEN and I'll finally get through to Nicko [McBrain, drums] or somebody and he'll be like, 'Where you been?' and I'll be like, 'I couldn't get to you!'"

Terrorizer: Do you any plans to work with anyone outside of SLAYER? Any side-projects?

King: "If anyone is going to work with anybody it is going to be me I think. I've got more outlets. I mean I've got so many friends in the biz and I hang with people. Everyone else is kind of to themselves. But I wouldn't want to take time away from SLAYER because it takes us so long to put a record together. If I had the opportunity to play a song with Zakk Wylde, I'd be all over it."

Terrorizer: Would you ever consider straying away from thrash?

King: "I'm just a metal kid. So I wouldn't know where else to go. Or how to do it."

For more information, visit www.terrorizer.com. 


WAR Released

MTV2's Headbanger's Blog is hosting the premiere of JUDAS PRIEST's new video, "War". According to a posting on the site, the clip "features witches practicing magic then being burned at the stake, a tyrannical ruler exerting fascist control, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse storming through the sky, fire spreading across the earth, winged beasts reigning destruction and lots more imagery that would have make Hieronymus Bosch giddy with delight."

According to Hits Daily Double (the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS), JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is poised to sell around 50,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release for a likely Top 10 debut on The Billboard 200 chart. If "Nostradamus" does in fact crack the Top 10, it will give the band its highest-ever career chart position in the U.S.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.


25 Who Made Heavy Metal (Pssst, I think this guy is retarded

Yahoo! Music writer Rob O'Connor has compiled a list of what he claims are "the 25 performing outfits who have made heavy metal what it is." His pick for the top spot, BLACK SABBATH, "mastered the art of the powerchord and the downward spiral . . by keeping it simple and focusing on the most elemental elements," he writes. Meanwhile, METALLICA, which comes in at No. 6, was "once the lord of a new generation" whose "'Master Of Puppets' [LP] remains one of the sacred treaties and the self-titled black album is that one metal album that non-metal people own and pull out to prove they 'like' heavy metal," according to Rob.

The 25 performing outfits "who have made heavy metal what it is," according to Yahoo! Music's Rob O'Connor:

01. BLACK SABBATH
02. LED ZEPPELIN
03. AC/DC
04. VAN HALEN
05. JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
06. METALLICA
07. JUDAS PRIEST
08. AEROSMITH
09. MOTÖRHEAD
10. IRON MAIDEN
11. SLAYER
12. DEEP PURPLE
13. SPINAL TAP
14. RUSH
15. ROBIN TROWER
16. DIO
17. KISS
18. GUNS N' ROSES
19. KYUSS
20. THIN LIZZY
21. PANTERA
22. URIAH HEEP
23. ALICE IN CHAINS
24. MERCYFUL FATE
25. MESHUGGAH

Read O'Connor's explanations for each pick at this location. '


Neil Peart Update

RUSH drummer Neil Peart has posted a lengthy update on his official web site. An excerpt follows.

"People often ask, 'What's next for the band?' but we learned long ago that when you're in the middle of a big job, you don't need to talk about another one. So, in the middle of a tour, we never talk about making another album, and in the middle of recording, we never talk about another tour. One job at a time, even in your own head, is easier to deal with — you don't need another burden if you can keep it 'in storage' for a while.

"For fifteen years people have been saying to me, 'I hear this is your last tour' (I've been saying it myself since 1989), but subjects like that don't even get raised among the three of us. Certainly after the last two summers of heavy touring, which will eventually add up to well over a hundred shows, there will be no more of that for a while.

"(I adopted my current motto, 'What cannot be altered, must be endured,' around New Year's, and actually found it useful in such occasions as, say, flight delays. Only much later did I realize that the reverse was equally true, in a less passive way: 'What cannot be endured, must be altered.')

"Some fresh challenges await me, no doubt. Later this year, I have agreed to take part in another big-band project, a Buddy Rich tribute concert in October, and that will be a huge occasion to try to rise to. I'm thinking a lot about that these days."

Read Neil's entire message at this location. 

  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by spapad from Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:24:53 PM)
[spapad] Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:24:53 PM 
25 years since Kill "Em All? I know I have been a Priest fan forever but that just added a new demension of time to the whole experience. Does not seem like Metallica could be that old.
Oh well, what the hell, Im old and I dont care! As long as I can still do things I could do so many years ago I'm not really old. Just a number.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:31:25 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:31:25 PM 
25th Anniversary of Kill 'Em All

Metal Blade Records owner and CEO Brian Slagel recently conducted interviews with METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the band's debut album, "Kill 'Em All". Watch the six-and-a-half-minute clip below.

Released on July 25, 1983 on Megaforce Records, "Kill 'Em All" (original working title: "Metal Up Your Ass") was recorded in only two weeks on a small budget. Only 1,500 copies were initially printed, but it has now been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of three million copies in the U.S. alone. "Hit the Lights", the album's opening track, was the first song that Hetfield and Ulrich worked on after forming METALLICA. Early versions of the track can be heard on 1982's "Metal Massacre" compilation of emerging thrash metal bands, as well as its subsequent reissue, both of which were released by Metal Blade Records. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auwtNUvepzw&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 19, 2008 3:17:34 PM 
Poison Sueing Record Company

TMZ.com reports that '80s hard rockers POISON have filed a lawsuit against their record label for breach of contract.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed today in L.A. Superior Court, the band claims Capitol Records underpaid them royalties for years. They also claim they were shortchanged by EMI Music Marketing over a deal they made in 2005 for their greatest-hits album, "The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock", which featured a new cover of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's "We're an American Band".

They're seeking damages in excess of $25,000.

Check out the court documents at this location (PDF file).

In a recent interview with The Morning Call, POISON frontman Bret Michaels revealed that he was against the making of POISON's 2007 album of cover tunes, "Poison'd". "I literally gave in to the band," he explained. "They had wanted to do a cover record, and I got outvoted and I lived with it. But I was a man and I stood up there and I took it and I did the best performances I could. I said 'Guys, didn't we get into this to make our own music?' And no offense, I love doing one cover song on an album. I don't want to do albums of cover material. No offense, but I got into this to write music. That's what I do." 


Nostradamus To Crack Top 10?

According to Hits Daily Double (the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS), JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is poised to sell around 50,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release for a likely Top 10 debut on The Billboard 200 chart. If "Nostradamus" does in fact crack the Top 10, it will give the band its highest-ever career chart position in the U.S.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

The following are the peak U.S. chart positions for the PRIEST catalog:

#13 - "Angel of Retribution" (2005)
#165 - "Demolition" (2001)
#82 - "Jugulator" (1997)
#155 - "Metalworks" (1993)
#26 - "Painkiller" (1990)
#31 - "Ram It Down" (1988)
#38 - "Priest Live" (1987)
#17 - "Turbo" (1986)
#18 - "Defenders of the Faith" (1984)
#17 - "Screaming for Vengeance" (1982)
#39 - "Point of Entry" (1981)
#34 - "British Steel" (1980)
#70 - "Unleashed in the East" (1979)
#128 - "Hell Bent for Leather" (1978)
#178 - "Stained Class" (1978)

JUDAS PRIEST's most successful album to date is 1982's "Screaming For Vengeance", which spent 53 weeks on the Billboard charts, receiving gold RIAA sales certification on October 29, 1982, platinum on April 18, 1983 and double platinum October 16, 2001. The album included the band's only U.S. top 100 hit single, "You've Got Another Thing Comin'".

Other million-seller RIAA certifications for JUDAS PRIEST are "Priest Live" (October 29, 2001), "Turbo" (July 24, 1989), "Defenders of the Faith" (September 26, 1988), "British Steel" (August 9, 1989) and "Unleashed in the East" (November 10, 1989).

JUDAS PRIEST also has gold albums certifications (500,000 sales) for "Stained Class" (November 10, 1989), "Hell Bent For Leather" (November 10, 1989), "Point of Entry" (November 10, 1989), "Ram It Down" (July 18, 1988) and "Painkiller" (January 2, 1991).

In the band's home country of the U.K., 1980's "British Steel" remains their most successful outing, peaking at No. 4 in the charts and launching three hit singles: "Living After Midnight", which peaked at No. 12; "Breaking The Law" No. 12 and "United" No. 26. 
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:33:18 AM 
More GNR Songs Leaked

Jonathan Cohen of Billboard.com reports that nine purported "mastered, finished" tracks from GUNS N' ROSES' 14-years-in-the-making album "Chinese Democracy" were leaked online yesterday (June 18) by the web site Antiquiet.com, prompting a quick cease-and-desist from the band's handlers and the removal of the links.

Six of the songs have already leaked in one unfinished form or another: "Better", "The Blues", the title track, "Madagascar", "IRS" and "There Was a Time". The three previously unheard songs are "Rhiad and the Bedouins", "If the World" and a track whose title is unknown.

"Chinese Democracy" has reportedly been in the works since 1995, with singer Axl Rose the only original member still in the band. According to a report published two years ago by the New York Times, Rose had allegedly burned through $13 million in the studio by that point.

Although a revamped GUNS lineup toured successfully in 2006 and Rose tentatively promised that the record would be out in March 2007, it never materialized and little has been heard about it since.

In a recent interview, British rock magazine Mojo asked former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash what his feelings were about getting snubbed by Dr. Pepper as part of the drink manufacturer's "Chinese Democracy" promotion. (Dr. Pepper has vowed to give everyone in the U.S. a free can of the drink if GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", is released this year. Everyone, that is, apart from Slash and Buckethead [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist 2000-2004].)

"Yeah, someone sent me a text about that at 3:00 a.m. last night," Slash replied. "I thought, 'What kind of left-field shit is that?' It's pretty funny, actually. I guess Buckethead and I will just have to make do with Coca-Cola." 


Iron Maiden Accepts Metal Hammer Awards

British metal legends IRON MAIDEN picked up two awards at the sixth Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards ceremony in the form of "Best UK Band" and the coveted "Icon Award" for their longstanding mascot Eddie. Being on tour in Canada, MAIDEN wasn't able to appear at the Golden Gods — which was held Monday, June 16 at London, England's state-of-the-art Indigo2 complex — in person, so they filmed their acceptance videos while on the road. Watch the footage below.

The annual awards bash, which is owned by Future's Metal Hammer magazine, celebrated the great and good from the international world of rock and metal as well as playing host to five of the loudest bands on the planet to an audience of 1,500 frothing and frenzied kids. Metal legends TESTAMENT shared the stage with avant-garde Finnish quartet APOCALYPTICA — featuring a guest appearance by Cristina Scabbia of LACUNA COIL on vocals — metal titans CHILDREN OF BODOM and IN FLAMES and U.S. rockers DISTURBED who played exclusive sets to an audience of peers as well as the lucky competition winners. Undisputed king of heavy metal, SLAYER's Kerry King, was honored with the evening's most prestigious accolade, the "Golden God" award, which was presented to him by close friend and tattoo artist Kat Von D. The star of the TLC reality series "L.A. Ink" and MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's current girlfriend flew in from the U.S. especially to present her friend and hero with his long-overdue award before heading to London nightspot Sin with Kerry and company for the official awards aftershow party. Having previously picked up multiple nominations and awards as part of his pioneering thrash metal band SLAYER, this is the first time that Kerry has been honored as an individual. Responsible for shaping the lives of many of last night's guests, Kerry King has been a constant inspiration to rock and metal bands across the world and continuously pushed the boundaries of metal. Elsewhere in the awards, Roadrunner Records snatched an impressive four awards Monday night, including the "Best Metal Label" gong alongside awards for MACHINE HEAD ("Best Live Band"), ex-SEPULTURA legends Max and Igor Cavalera ("Spirit of Hammer") and "Best Debut" for Aussie rockers AIRBOURNE and their "Runnin' Wild" debut album, which was released last year.

IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson accepting the award for "Best UK Band" on stage in Edmonton:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45aBbd6ZhUY&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

Eddie ropes in MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain to help him accept his "Icon Award":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9QE71WGkzE&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Ozzfest Will Be A Travelling Festival Again In 2009

Sharon Osbourne called in to the "Opie and Anthony Show" on Tuesday (June 17) to promote the new season of "America's Got Talent", and in the course of the discussion, voiced her displeasure with many of today's celebrity reality shows, including "Hogan Knows Best" and "Keeping Up With The Kardashians". Jim Norton (who is one of Ozzy Osbourne's biggest fans) dominated most of the interview with his encyclopedic knowledge of Osbourne trivia.

Listen to the 17-minute chat at opieandanthony.com.


Joe Elliot! STILL A complete deuche bag!

David Dunn of The Star reports that DEF LEPPARD have defended their decision to do a co-headline tour amid suggestions they haven't got what it takes to fill major UK venues on their own anymore.

Ahead of Monday's show at Sheffield Arena with WHITESNAKE, singer Joe Elliott described it as simply a "great value ticket".

"This is not like the GLITTER BAND, Mud and Suzi Quatro on the bus playing BUTLINS, this is DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE, both with new albums, both acts more relevant than ever, playing arenas," said the Sheffield frontman.

Read the entire article from The Star. 


Glenn Tipton Comments

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton recently spoke to Chris Harris of MTV News about the band's latest effort, a double-disc concept album based on the mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet Nostradamus.

"After the last album, [2005's] 'Angel of Retribution', we wanted to do something different," Tipton told MTV News. "We've never rested on our laurels and made the next album the same as the last but with different lyrics, which a lot of bands, I think, have fallen into the trap of doing, knowing they'll sell X amount of records per year. We really wanted to try doing a concept album, and we'd been talking about it for a while. Our manager, Bill Curbishley, suggested Nostradamus."

Tipton continued, "We're asking people not to put one or two tracks on, but to step into the world of Nostradamus. That's the way we wrote it, so that the listener could step out of this world and go on this journey with Nostradamus. The album's full of light and shade, blood and thunder, and it's got a lot of melody. A couple of the tracks are very different from what we've done before, but it's still PRIEST. With this album, we want people to see that there's more to heavy metal than burning babies."

Read the entire article from MTV News.

Fan-filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST performing the new song "Prophecy" on June 16, 2008 in Bratislava, Slovakia can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "Lirub").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYUIBQ4XB60&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Kerry King

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King has revealed to UK's Total Guitar magazine that watching TRIVIUM guitarists Matt and Corey shred inspires SLAYER to play better themselves.

King said he's looking forward to tearing up British venues alongside TRIVIUM when they co-headline this fall's UK tour.

Although he admits a degree of bafflement when it comes to the co-headlining status of the two bands in the UK, when SLAYER are the sole headliner everywhere else ("I just don't get it," he shrugged), Kerry revealed he definitely admires the guitar skills of Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu.

"They're just about the last of the new wave of guitar bands that we haven't toured with yet," he told Total Guitar's Joel McIver. "I'll be at the side of the stage watching them. Great players like that make us want to do better." 
[Bazookajoe_666] Wednesday, June 18, 2008 4:00:21 PM 
Kerry King Interview (Side note, the interviewer is a fucking idiot! So fucking what if Dio and Halford aren't playing thrash! FUCK YOU!)

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King gave writer Joel McIver (Total Guitar, Metal Hammer) an update about the next SLAYER album and the band's future in general. Excerpts from the chat follow.

McIver: SLAYER have just had an extended break.

King: I didn't speak to the other guys for nine months. For the first time in our career, we just scattered. The last thing we did was the MARILYN MANSON tour in America. In all that time, I must have played the guitar 25 times. I got home right at the beginning of the American football season, and I haven't seen a whole season in six or seven years, so I enjoyed the hell out of that. And then once you take four or five months off, it's easy to take the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth month off!

McIver: Is there a new SLAYER album on the way, or are you going to make us wait another few years like you did with 2006's "Christ Illusion"?

King: We're supposed to have one ready at the end of the year! There's been talk of all kinds of odd things, because the record industry changes every day. We've talked about maybe putting out a couple of songs from an upcoming record through iTunes, so we can play something new on the Unholy Alliance III tour. You know, that's not so far outside the realm of possibility. As far as how much we're gonna get done by the end of the year? I have no idea.

McIver: Are any new songs ready to go?

King: Jeff [Hanneman, guitar] has a couple of things. I've got ideas that I've never finished, so I wanna get back to working on those. Some of them are really cool. I haven't recorded anything yet because I want to finish the songs first — I like them to have a beginning and an end before I demo them.

McIver: Tom [Araya, singer] said that after the next SLAYER album, you guys would have to discuss your future as a band, because he's reaching an age where it might no longer be viable.

King: I haven't even heard that. He hasn't talked to me about it. But after taking 10 months off, I bet you he's recharged and ready to rock. As far as I'm concerned, I look at people like Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford and I think, "Shit, maybe I'm not done!"

McIver: Yes, but Dio and Halford aren't playing thrash metal.

King: They're not, but they still belt it out on stage. They sound like the fuckin' record to this day, and it's inspiring. I've got great ideas for songs, and musical ideas that I want to try to achieve. I couldn't see myself doing a solo album, though. I have a lot of friends in the business, so I could pull it off, but I don't want to take my ideas or my time away from SLAYER.

McIver: Has Dave [Lombardo, SLAYER drummer] recovered from his thyroid problem?

King: Yes, that was when he was all bony! But we came back from our 10-month break and he's the heaviest I ever saw him. I was like, "Whoa, dude — what have you been doing!" He surprised me with how ready we was to play, because I thought we'd all suck. But he was ready to go.

McIver: Do you ever discuss Dave's future in the band with him?

King: Not really, I just assume he's there. He always [renews] the deal. I don't see why he'd want to leave. What's he gonna do, go and play in FANTOMAS for the rest of his life?

A picture of King with McIver's new book, "The Bloody Reign Of Slayer", can be seen below. The book has been widely praised in the rock and metal press and can be ordered from Amazon. More info: www.joelmciver.co.uk.

For Kerry's thoughts on SLAYER's forthcoming Unholy Alliance III tour with TRIVIUM, visit Total Guitar magazine's web site.




New Gorgoroth Dvd

GORGOROTH first-ever DVD, entitled "Black Mass Krakow 2004", featuring video footage of the band's infamous February 1, 2004 concert in Krakow, Poland, has entered the Norwegian Music DVD chart at position No. 4.

GORGOROTH drew the attention of the international media in early 2004 after their show in Krakow. They were accused of "offending religious feelings" during the gig, as well as suspected of breaching Polish law concerning the protection of animal rights by using severed and impaled heads of sheep as part of their stage design. The controversial concert in Poland resulted in the group being investigated for the possible breach of Article 196 of Polish penal code concerning offense of religious feelings (the maximum penalty for breaching this article is five years in prison).

The Norwegian band, which is widely known for its antichristian ideology, had promised on its web site that the Polish concert would be an "amazing show with lots of pyro, gallons of blood, live crucifixion and nude models." Despite this, the employees of the Krakow branch of TVP claimed that they had no knowledge of what the musicians and the promoters had in mind until they saw the actual performance. The concert, which was recorded at the studio of a TV station in Krakow, "was never meant to reach the media," according to the band’s vocalist Gaahl. "Producers Metal Mind Productions bought the sheep heads at a butcher shop. We weren't involved in animal torture of any kind."

In one of the band's first interviews after this controversial concert, Infernus told Canada's Unrestrained! magazine, "We didn't plan to really have an outcome like that, our only intent was to go there and film the DVD. All the chaos and media reaction that came from this was a surprise of sorts." Asked if they "were worried when the authorities were called," Infernus answered, "Not worried, really. I mean, what was the worst thing they could do? Destroy the tapes? I don't think they would do that and I don't think they could really do any harm to us, though they might be able to put the Polish producer away in prison for a few years. For us, this will probably help us sell a few more records. As of now, I can only think that the DVD will be put out eventually. It would be almost like they are stuck in the Middle Ages in Poland if they destroyed the tapes by burning them. I hope to get them back one day… I hope."

The "Black Mass Krakow 2004" DVD contains the Krakow show as the main feature. Additionally, it includes bonus video material performance footage recorded live at the With Full Force festival in Leipzig, Germany in 2000, biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images, weblinks, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and more. The DVD is available in two versions: as a standard DVD and as a very unique star metalpack DVD edition limited to 5,000 copies.

"Black Mass Krakow 2004" (cover artwork) track listing:

Live in Krakow, February 2004:

01. Procreating Satan
02. Forces of Satan Storms
03. Possessed (by Satan)
04. Bergtrollets Hevn
05. The Rite of Infernal Invocation
06. Profetens Apenbaring
07. Of Ice and Movement...
08. Ødeleggelse og Undergang
09. Blood Stains the Circle
10. Unchain My Heart!!!
11. Revelation of Doom
12. Destroyer
13. Incipit Satan

Bonus video:

Live at With Full Force Festival, Leipzig, 2000 (bootleg)

01. Destroyer
02. Incipit Satan

Also includes:

* Biography
* Discography
* Photo gallery
* Desktop images
* Weblinks
* Logo
* Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Check out photos from the gig at this location.

"Procreating Satan" from GORGOROTH's DVD "Black Mass Krakow 2004":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrfprD6NOGs&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

Polish TV report on GORGOROTH's Krakow concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LqILCIvxs&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Iron Maiden Tribute

As a tribute to IRON MAIDEN, UK's Kerrang! magazine has persuaded 15 of its favorite bands to record unique covers of MAIDEN's greatest anthems for an exciting free CD entitled "Maiden Heaven".

The track listing and details for this world-exclusive release will be revealed next week and the CD will be available free only with the July 19 issue of Kerrang!

The "Maiden Heaven" cover artwork, which was designed by Kerrang! reader Felipe Franco of Bogota, Colombia, can be viewed below.

Franco, who wowed the judges with his contest-winning entry which depicts Eddie as a fallen angel, stated, "This is the best news! This is the second IRON MAIDEN artwork contest I've won! I won a competition earlier this year, commemorating IRON MAIDEN's first Colombian concert at Bogota's Simon Bolivar Park on February 28." He added, "Thanks for coming up with contests like this. It promotes art in the metal scene, something that goes hand-in-hand with our way of life. Up the Irons!"

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on April 27, progressive-metal giants DREAM THEATER have recorded a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "To Tame a Land" for the "Maiden Heaven" CD. Also expected to appear on the album is MACHINE HEAD with its interpretation of the MAIDEN classic "Hallowed Be Thy Name".



MACHINE HEAD covering IRON MAIDEN's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" at Rock In Rio in Lisbon, Portugal – June 5, 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnTXeXXLsOE&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Head banger] Tuesday, June 17, 2008 6:12:22 PM 
interesting, so Rob only pretended to be interested in writing...
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Tuesday, June 17, 2008 5:30:47 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, June 17, 2008 5:30:47 PM 
Ian Hill Interview

Arthur Karras of Australia's Beat magazine recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

On the "Nostradamus" concept album:

"It's a massive piece of work for us. After the 'Angel Of Retribution' album we were glad to have Rob Halford back in the band after a decade away. He is JUDAS PRIEST. As a band we started to write new material, when our manager came up with the idea of a concept album on the life and times of Nostradamus. We all kind of laughed initially, but K.K., Glenn and Rob really got stuck into the project and it was like watching them go back to school. The research was exhaustive.

"We haven't all come out of it devotees to the man, and I still think a lot of it is possibly a load of crap, but as a story of a man, it's an immense one and musically it's been such a challenge and progression for us. After all these years in this business it's great to have that feeling. Oh… by the way the world ends in 2014, so don't bother paying off any mortgages or debts — go and have the time of your life."

"There are 14 definitive songs over the two albums, but there are several links and orchestral passages and the albums are designed to be listened to as a body of work. It's not a pop album with three hit jingles, it's a massive body of work designed to be listened to in one sitting. Fans might hear some things they haven't heard before with the choral pieces, the orchestration, but make no mistake about it, this is still a JUDAS PRIEST record and, of course, it's still going to be heavy."

On whether it's true he discovered Rob Halford by dating his sister:

"I was definitely dating his sister many moons ago. She told me she had a brother who wanted to sing and after a few trials and tribulations K.K. and I decided to check out this Rob guy, purely as a favour to my girl at the time. I did more than date her, I ended up marrying her. Although we're divorced now, we do have a beautiful son in his 20s called Alex."

On why he doesn't bother writing songs anymore:

"I leave it to the trio of core songwriters. I used to write in the early days and some of my songs made it onto the albums. I think Glenn, K.K. and Rob form a great writing relationship and I don't want to upset the apple kart. Even on this project I didn't really get too heavily involved. I waited for them to tell me what bits I needed to play and off we went. Even Halford showed up pretending he's interested, but left most of the work to K.K. and Glenn who were immersed in the project."

On being part of a band that has defined a genre and spawned countless imitators:

"We are very proud of what we have achieved. When I formed this band way back in 1970 I had no grand plan. K.K. Downing and I were just mates from school that wanted to play some music. We have a great family among us and like family we have our good and bad days, but without sounding nostalgic, yeah, it's pretty cool what we have achieved." 


Metal Hammer Award Winners

The true spirit of rock 'n' roll was unleashed yesterday — Monday, June 16 — at London's state-of-the-art Indigo2 complex, when the sixth Metal Hammer Golden Gods opened its doors to some of the biggest and most notorious rock stars in the world. The annual awards bash, which is owned by Future's Metal Hammer magazine, celebrated the great and good from the international world of rock and metal as well as playing host to five of the loudest bands on the planet to an audience of 1,500 frothing and frenzied kids. Metal legends TESTAMENT shared the stage with avant-garde Finnish quartet APOCALYPTICA — featuring a guest appearance by Cristina Scabbia of LACUNA COIL on vocals — metal titans CHILDREN OF BODOM and IN FLAMES and U.S. rockers DISTURBED who played exclusive sets to an audience of peers as well as the lucky competition winners. Undisputed king of heavy metal, SLAYER's Kerry King, was honored with the evening's most prestigious accolade, the "Golden God" award, which was presented to him by close friend and tattoo artist Kat Von D. The star of the A&E reality series "L.A. Ink" and MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's current girlfriend flew in from the U.S. especially to present her friend and hero with his long-overdue award before heading to London nightspot Sin with Kerry and company for the official awards aftershow party. Having previously picked up multiple nominations and awards as part of his pioneering thrash metal band SLAYER, this is the first time that Kerry has been honored as an individual. Responsible for shaping the lives of many of last night's guests, Kerry King has been a constant inspiration to rock and metal bands across the world and continuously pushed the boundaries of metal. Elsewhere in the awards, Roadrunner Records snatched an impressive four awards tonight including the "Best Metal Label" gong alongside awards for MACHINE HEAD ("Best Live Band"), ex-SEPULTURA legends Max and Igor Cavalera ("Spirit of Hammer") and "Best Debut" for Aussie rockers AIRBOURNE and their "Runnin' Wild" debut album, which was released last year. British metal institution IRON MAIDEN picked up two awards in the form of "Best UK Band" and the coveted "Icon Award" for their longstanding mascot Eddie, who sent a video message from the States where he's currently on tour with the band.

The Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2008 winners are as follows:

* Best Breakthrough: APOCALYPTICA
* Best Underground Band: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
* Best UK Band: IRON MAIDEN
* Metal For The Masses: WILLIAM GLEDHILL
* Best Live Band: MACHINE HEAD
* Best Video: DIMMU BORGIR "The Serpentine Offering"
* Best Metal Label: Roadrunner Records
* Spirit Of Hammer: Max and Igor Cavalera (SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY)
* Best Debut: AIRBOURNE "Runnin' Wild"
* Icon Award: Eddie
* Dimebag Darrell Shredder Award: Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM)
* Event Of The Year: Hard Rock Hell
* Riff Lord: Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH)
* Best Album: TESTAMENT "The Formation Of Damnation"
* Revolver Best International Band: IN FLAMES
* Golden God: Kerry King (SLAYER) (presented by Kat Von D) 
[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, June 16, 2008 5:47:26 PM 
Maiden "Haunted" By Sharon

Video footage has surfaced of the power outage that occurred during IRON MAIDEN's performance last night (Sunday, June 15) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. According to one BLABBERMOUTH.NET user who attended the concert, "halfway through the song 'Powerslave', the power died to the sound system, and MAIDEN were onstage with full lights, shrugging their shoulders. [See clip at this location; power dies around the 5:48 mark.] I was right behind the soundboard, and there was never any problem at that end. In fact, [cycling star] Lance Armstrong and [actress] Kate Hudson were standing beside the mixing board making out, which made the whole situation even weirder. Who's the MAIDEN-head in that celebrity family? Anyway, obviously this was a high point of their set, and within a minute after the stalls the band produced a soccer ball on stage and began kicking it around to entertain the fans while the technical nightmare continued. After about ten minutes of silence, Bruce Dickinson picked up one of the Egyptian sarcophagi and began using it as a shield to play soccer. He was pretty good with it, too! This entire time, the lights were fine, and the soundboard was perfectly okay and didn't appear to be reset. There was definitely no panic at the board. Suddenly and happily, Steve Harris's galloping bass reappeared in the monitors, and the band regrouped and moved onto the next song. My friends and I were joking that this was a long-distance dedication from Sharon Osbourne, and evidently Dickinson thought the same. As soon as his mic worked, he muttered dramatically something like: 'The revenge of Sharon...the wicked witch of the west rises again!' Strong words, preached to a crowd of 18,000. MAIDEN had spent the whole night, and indeed the past two years, proving themselves leagues above the egg-throwing spat at Ozzfest 2005. Evidently, they are still sensitive to the long-reaching powers of the Sharon. Why would he even joke about that if he didn't think it was possible?"

Footage of IRON MAIDEN kicking around a soccer ball on stage and Bruce Dickinson addressing the audience (note reference to the "ghost of Sharon") while the technical issues were being dealt with at last night's concert can be viewed below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzA5RbcZ2xg&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Extreme!

Frontiers Records has set an August 1 European release date for "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge"), the first studio album in thirteen years from the reunited Boston hard rockers EXTREME. The European version of the album will include a bonus track, the "Americocaine" demo from 1985, the very first studio recording of EXTREME.

"Saudades de Rock" will be released in the U.S. on August 12 on Open E Records and distributed by Fontana.

The iconic rock foursome — vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo — recorded their fifth studio offering at NRG Studios in Los Angeles with Bettencourt at the helm as producer and mixer. "Saudades de Rock" boasts 13 tracks, including the infectious roar of "Star" (available for streaming on the band's MySpace page), the groove-laden, swagger of "King Of The Ladies", a raw funk rock anthem called "Learn To Love", and the expressive ballad "Ghost".

"'Saudades' was always a beautiful word to me," Bettencourt explains about the Portuguese album moniker. "It expresses a longing; an underlying sadness for something or someone that's been missing in your life, and never quite sure if it will ever return. In this case, for us, it's rock and roll. Saudades de Rock."

Gary Cherone adds, "I like how it expresses that longing we've been feeling to play for our fans and be together again."

"Saudades de Rock" track listing:

01. Star
02. Comfortably Dumb
03. Learn To Love
04. Take Us Alive
05. Run
06. Last Hour
07. Flower Man
08. King Of The Ladies
09. Ghost
10. Slide
11. Interface
12. Sunrise
13. Peace (Saudade)
14. Americocaine (1985 demo; European bonus track)

The Boston-bred band's 2008 "Take Us Alive" world tour gets underway on July 29 at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and will be anchored by a hometown gig two days later at the Bank of America Pavilion. In advance of the tour, EXTREME will be a co-headliner on July 11 at the five-day Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, OK.

Open E Records is a new label that is distributed by Fontana. A portion of Open E Records' profits will be donated to Music Drives Us, a foundation created as a way to support music in New England. The foundation also gives scholarship money for individuals who desire to continue their musical education.

Bay Area Backstage has posted video footage of EXTREME performing a private show at this year's winter NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show on January 18, 2008 at the Hilton in Anaheim, California. Watch the 13-minute clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGlqSkOd12A&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[TIMBONI] Saturday, June 14, 2008 10:39:41 PM 
The part that caught my ear was " if you go to Judas Priest . com ".  I, for one, owe them one hell of an apology.  So maybe they don't come around, crack a beer and shoot the shit with all their fans like a local garage band would but they are keeping an eye on this place and they do care about what we are thinking and saying. 
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:58:26 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Saturday, June 14, 2008 10:28:58 PM 
New Metallica Album Title Revealed

METALLICA has announced the title of its new album — "Death Magnetic" — by posting the finalized/complete version (see below) of the image that originally appeared on the band's official web site on Tuesday (June 10) under the headline "???." The CD is due out in September.

A short video clip revealing the new album title and featuring an audio sample of a brand new song can be viewed below.

Just one day after several UK web sites posted early reviews of six new METALLICA songs that were previewed for them in London in early June, the reports were all taken down, reportedly at the request of the band's management. METALLICA has since issued a statement blaming a management "error" for the move and has apparently asked for the reviews to be re-posted.

METALLICA performed a "secret" show Thursday night (June 12) at The Basement in Nashville, Tennessee in front of an estimated 175 people. The band played Tennessee's Bonnaroo festival Friday (June 13) and is scheduled to perform at the one-day Ozzfest in Dallas on August 9, with a full North American tour in the works for the fall.

Latest image displayed via Metallica.com:



"Death Magnetic" announcement video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH1hYJmmm7I&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Bazookajoe_666] Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:58:26 PM 
Trust me, you'll be the first to know when something comes up for ACDC.

Rob Halford Interview

Metal Hammer chatted with JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford at this year's Download festival, which is being held June 13-15 at Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK. They talked about "Nostradamus", avoiding nostalgia and returning to the home of heavy metal. Watch the six-minute clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vTyZyTRkY&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST performed right before headliners KISS on the main stage at the Download festival 2008 at Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK Friday evening (June 13). Check out photos at this location.

Dressed in a body-length studded leather jacket, singer Rob Halford told the crowd, "It's great to see you all at Donington again! We've been making metal for over three decades now, and next year is a bit of an anniversary. The name JUDAS PRIEST first came about in 1969, so that will be 40 years!"

According to NME.com, the group's setlist was as follows:

01. Dawn of Creation
02. Prophecy
03. Metal Gods
04. Eat Me Alive
05. Between The Hammer And The Anvil
06. Devil's Child
07. Breaking The Law
08. Hell Patrol
09. Death
10. Dissident Aggressor
11. Angel
12. Hellion/Electric Eye
13. Rock Hard, Ride Free
14. Sinner
15. Painkiller
16. Hell Bent For Leather
17. Another Thing Coming 

  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by MEDALGODDESS from Friday, June 13, 2008 11:14:59 PM)
[Maple Syrup] Friday, June 13, 2008 11:40:41 PM 
Image hosting by TinyPic
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Friday, June 13, 2008 11:14:59 PM 
Still no word on my other fav Band..        

I am searching for word on this album/cd.. and the farewell tour.. Hopefully something will be said soon!!!!!!!!! LOL
[Bazookajoe_666] Friday, June 13, 2008 10:09:28 PM 
More Priest Interviews!

MTV's Headbanger's Blog has posted the third and final segment of its three-part video interview with British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST. Gathered at the bar of The Bourgeois Pig, a restaurant in New York’s East Village, singer Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing talk more about their new album and discuss the prophecies of Nostradamus, revealing how the guy was buried standing up and how he insisted his corpse contain an ornament with the date he claimed grave robbers would dig him up. They also talk about the early years of the band and the dues they paid, which contributed to their determination to succeed and, ultimately, their longevity.

In the latest edition of the Kerrang!'s exclusive Download festival 2008 video podcasts from Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK, Kerrang!'s Nick Ruskell talks to JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing. Watch the six-and-a-half-minute clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L9W9L-7x-g&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Motorhead Footage!

NME.com has posted video footage of MOTÖRHEAD's Download Festival press conference, which was held earlier today (Friday, June 13) at Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK. Watch it in two parts below.

MOTÖRHEAD will release its new album, entitled "Motörizer", through SPV Records on the following dates:

USA: August 26
Germany: August 29
Rest of Europe: September 1

The follow-up to 2006's "Kiss of Death" was recorded in part (drums only) at FOO FIGHTERS frontman/ex-NIRVANA drummer Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Cameron Webb, who also worked on "Kiss of Death" and 2004's "Inferno".

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFwCqmKYhfs&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWmWPNYDm0k&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Roy Z Shredding

FPE-TV has posted video footage of guitarist/producer Roy Z (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, JUDAS PRIEST, SEBASTIAN BACH) shredding his Flying V axe. Watch the two-and-a-half-minute clip below.

Asked in a 2005 interview with L.A. Weekly what he picked up from playing live with HALFORD, Roy said. "It was a good experience, because later on I was able to use that information I got from playing live. The things I saw that got the crowd reaction, I was able to transform into songs that I knew would work in front of a crowd — certain chord structures with melodies crescendoing at the right time, those little things that you just don’t pick up on listening to a record or even watching a band live. "

On the topic of whether anything about PRIEST surprised him, Roy said, "I was really blown away by the chemistry that they have. To be around that was like, 'So this is it, this is what other bands are missing.' And the tolerance — I think very few American bands have that. The British have a way of speaking their mind without totally going overboard like they do here. They’re very civilized in telling each other off.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N23GNG49gIM&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Little Indian Angel] Friday, June 13, 2008 8:57:20 PM 
Hahahahaha!!! If you get caught stealing his boots just say ( You didn't see anything).....then slowly creep out the window
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by MEDALGODDESS from Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:24:12 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Friday, June 13, 2008 3:26:50 PM 
Glenn Tiption Interview

A three-minute video interview with JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton conducted earlier today (Friday, June 13) at the Download festival — which is being held June 13-15 at Donington Park, Leicestershire, UK — can be viewed below.

JUDAS PRIEST's forthcoming double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is available for streaming in its entirety on VH1.com's The Leak.

"Nostradamus" is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thx6Ruc3Wk4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Motorhead Aren't Intimidated

NME.com reports that MOTÖRHEAD have declared that they are more than a match for Download Festival headliners KISS and fellow metal veterans JUDAS PRIEST.

The trio, who are due to appear ahead of their metal heavyweights on the Main Stage this afternoon (June 13), said they don't feel "intimidated" by their peers.

"We're not intimidated at all," said guitarist Phil Campbell. "We're gonna do our best and have a great time. It'll be a lot of fun.

"If it was just a KISS and tour they could have called it 'Kiss My Ass'. No seriously though there's something for everyone at this festival, it's a lot of fun. There are so many bands playing and it's early summer."

The metal veterans also revealed that there will be no new material, and the band will stick to a greatest hits set.

Read more at NME.com. 

According to NME.com, MOTÖRHEAD covered a THIN LIZZY classic during their raucous set at the Download Festival this afternoon (June 13).

Frontman Lemmy Kilmister dedicated the track "Rosalie" to late singer Phil Lynott on the Main Stage at Castle Donington.

"This song is for a good friend of mine who is no longer with us. Who remembers THIN LIZZY?" he asked the crowd before he was greeted with mild cheers. "Come on, motherfuckers, it's THIN LIZZY. Don't make me come down there."

MOTÖRHEAD will release its new album, entitled "Motörizer", through SPV Records on the following dates:

USA: August 26
Germany: August 29
Rest of Europe: September 1

The follow-up to 2006's "Kiss of Death" was recorded in part (drums only) at FOO FIGHTERS frontman/ex-NIRVANA drummer Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Cameron Webb, who also worked on "Kiss of Death" and 2004's "Inferno". 


Updated Image Again


Jason Bonham Up For Zeppelin Tour

Gigwise.com reports that Jason Bonham, the son of LED ZEPPELIN's original drummer John Bonham, has said that he would tour with LED ZEPPELIN "in a heartbeat."

Bonham took over his late father's drum seat when the band reformed for a one-off reunion show in London last year.

The concert, at the O2 Arena, was watched by 20,000 fans, although over a million people registered for tickets for the event.

Since the concert, rumors have been rife as to whether the band will announce any more shows.

Frontman Robert Plant is currently promoting "Raising Sands", his album with Alison Krauss, on a U.S. tour.

Speaking to the BBC, Bonham said: "It's up to them but if it was up to me, I'd love to."

Bonham, who said the reunion show was "better than I could have imagined," said he hoped to be “put into the loop” regarding more shows.

"My fingers are crossed and I would do it in a heartbeat," he said. 


British black metal pioneers VENOM have made their new album, "Hell", available in a digipack edition via Nuclear Blast's mailorder featuring two bonus tracks — "In League With Satan" and "Burn In Hell" — and an inverted cross. Limited to 333 copies, it can be ordered here.

A complete track from "Hell" has been made available for streaming on the band's official web site. Check out the song "Straight To Hell" at this location. Streaming audio samples of eight songs from "Hell" are available here.

VENOM will perform at the Hellfest (June 20-22) in Clisson, France. More shows will be announced soon.

A brand new VENOM band photo can be viewed at this location.

VENOM last year parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has been drafted in to replace Mykvs.


[Healer] Friday, June 13, 2008 2:45:29 PM 
Ooh, these are great.  Love the 4 horseman tee, and definitely will have to pick up a tank
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:50:21 PM)
[Painkiller87] Friday, June 13, 2008 2:06:50 PM 

That's a wicked album cover!

  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:36:33 PM)
Edited at: Friday, June 13, 2008 2:07:11 PM
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:24:12 PM 
yeah I  see about 4-5 things I want allready..  I need a new b-steel t-shirt .. I will take a nostradamus tank top.. and I like the blk/wht t-shirt..lol  

WHere the hell are KK's boots..... lol  Oh thats right I have to raid his closet when I go to the UK...LOL

I cannot wait to go shopping at this venue..........lol 
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Little Indian Angel from Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:59:05 PM)
[Little Indian Angel] Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:59:05 PM 
WOW!!!!! Nice JP merch
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:50:21 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:17:30 PM 
Yeah probably the UK somewhere haha, that's where they are now.

KK Checks In

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing has issued the following update:

"It is a fact that however much you rehearse for a world tour, there is nothing like having the first gig under your belt.

"As most of you are aware, Helsinki [June 3] was the first stop for us on this very special tour and I can only say that we are much relieved that everything went according to plan and thanks to the fans who seemed to sing everything — even lead breaks and cheer throughout! It is thanks to them that we felt our confidence brim over, which enabled us to pull out all of the stops that led to an incredible evening.

"Needless to say straight after the gig it was right down to business with the Millworkers so all we had to do was find a good pub, a perfect way to end a great evening that was to be the launch of the JUDAS PRIEST 'Nostradamus' world tour!"

MTV's Headbanger's Blog has posted the second segment of its three-part video interview with British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST. Gathered at the bar of The Bourgeois Pig, a restaurant in New York’s East Village, singer Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing discuss their upcoming Metal Masters tour with HEAVEN AND HELL, MOTÖRHEAD and TESTAMENT, and offer their views about the psychology and sociology of today's metal scene.


  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by hellrider 31038 from Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:05:27 PM)
[hellrider 31038] Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:05:27 PM 
wow man.thats awesome.where is that picture taken from.looks like in uk someware
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:50:21 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:50:21 PM 
I WANT A NOSTRADAMUS SHIRT!!


[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:36:33 PM 
Lemmy Interview

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. An excerpt from the chat follows.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: How's the new album coming?

Lemmy: We have all of the tracks done. It's just vocals and guitars now, really.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: With this being your 20th album, was a challenge to find inspiration? How did you keep it fresh?

Lemmy: Not really, we just do what we always do. We've got it down to a fine art now, you know? We know how to do that now.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: You recorded parts of the album at Dave Grohl's studio?

Lemmy: Just the drums were done up there. The rest of we did in L.A.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Who produced it?

Lemmy: Cameron Webb. The same as who did the last two.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Are you looking forward to the tour with JUDAS PRIEST?

Lemmy: Yeah, but we've got festivals to do in Europe first. So, I'm just looking at those at the moment. Yeah, we're going out with JUDAS PRIEST in August.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Do you still enjoy playing the festival shows in Europe?

Lemmy: Yeah. It's a big event. There's not just one band.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: You recently taped an appearance on "Californication". Did you enjoy that?

Lemmy: Well, I've never seen the show myself (laughs). So, someone asked and I said, "Yeah." (laughs) I don't know what the fuck it is. I just said a couple of things.

Read the entire interview at Pop-Rock Candy Mountain. 


Legendary hard rock band MOTÖRHEAD will release its new album, entitled "Motörizer", through SPV Records on the following dates:

USA: August 26
Germany: August 29
Rest of Europe: September 1

The follow-up to 2006's "Kiss of Death" was recorded in part (drums only) at FOO FIGHTERS frontman/ex-NIRVANA drummer Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Cameron Webb, who also worked on "Kiss of Death" and 2004's "Inferno".

Check out what appears to be the "Motörizer" album artwork below.

"Kiss of Death" entered the national album charts in the following countries: Germany: #4, Norway: #9, Sweden: #13, Austria: #20, Switzerland: #26, U.K.: #45, Denmark: #53. The CD was recorded at the Paramount studios in Los Angeles and includes guest appearances by POISON guitarist C.C. Deville and ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez.

As previously reported, the life and career of MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister is being celebrated in a new documentary, tentatively titled "Lemmy" and slated for release in 2009.

The film promises fans more access than ever before to Kilmister's life, and includes interviews with past and present bandmates and such peers/admirers as Slash, Dave Grohl, THE CLASH's Mick Jones, Alice Cooper, Steve Vai and wrestling superstar Triple H.

Directors/producers Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski (both of whom have contributed to Billboard) are shooting the film on a combination of HD video and super 16 mm film. Other giants from the world of metal and hard rock will appear in the film as well, with details to be announced. "We haven't heard the word 'no' yet after any interview request," Olliver says.

Read more at Billboard.com.

Watch a "teaser" for the movie below.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg0mjnFkeqw&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:05:57 PM 

Lita Ford Interview

Jesse Capps of Rock Confidential conducted an interview with Lita Ford earlier this week. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

Rock Confidential: The word is out that you're making your return and that's the first thing people want to know — what have you been up to these past few years?

Lita: Oh boy. I married Jim Gillette (NITRO) about 14 years ago and we pretty much checked out of the U.S. We moved to the Caribbean and have lived there for quite a long time. That's why nobody knows where I am. Literally, we're on a deserted island. Like Nihm's Island — that movie with Jodie Foster. We've been living in the islands and I had two kids and we've just been raising our sons. That's it.

Rock Confidential: That still sounds like a pretty cool gig.

Lita: It is! We just bought a house in Miami so we're back in civilization.

Rock Confidential: It probably felt great to get away and recharge the batteries for a while, too.

Lita: The music scene got so weird I just didn't know what the heck I was doing. It was almost like anything from the 80s was a dirty word. I thought it was good time to check out.

Rock Confidential: At that time the music industry was going all to hell — especially for artists that were popular in the '80s. Did that solely influence your decision to step away and start a family or was it just good timing to do both?

Lita: It was definitely the icing on the cake, Jesse. The music scene isn't so wacky today as it was a few years ago. Everything was so different. Rock 'n' roll just went completely out the window.

Rock Confidential: When you knew you were going to step away did you have an idea of how long you'd take a break? Did you ever think you may not come back?

Lita: Not really. I didn't think I'd give it up. I was wondering when the right time to step back in was going to be. My kids were young. I didn't want to leave them. We don't do babysitters. We home school them. I didn't want to take a little baby on the road. I wanted to watch the music scene and see what was going on. There's a lot of rock 'n' roll bands out there now and they're doing good. Things are changing and I'm really happy to see that.

Rock Confidential: Your fans are really looking forward to seeing you on the road. There are rumors of special appearances at a few select warm-up gigs…

Lita: And I've got a really good, kick-ass band. We just put our toes in the water. We've only been together for about a week. We'll be writing some music, doing some new recordings.

Rock Confidential: Did you keep up your licks during your break?

Lita: Nah. I didn't. I just checked out completely. I think one of the hardest gigs in the world is being a parent. It takes all of me. It also takes all of you to be in a rock band. I just couldn't do both. When I had my kids they were priority over everything else. My kids are getting older and they're starting to rock! My son got a gold top Les Paul for his 11th birthday. My other son is playing QUEEN on the drums and he's only six. They're ready to rock! They want me to rock. When they were after me to play I knew it was time!

Rock Confidential: Do you think that some of the '80s bands confused their fans by changing their direction too much?

Lita: I don't know. There's more to life than rock ‘n roll. You've gotta try different things. I know Bret Michaels did some country stuff. That's OK. If the fans are truly fans of the artist then they'll follow them no matter what. I think some bands are just trying to fit in to the wacky music business these days. It's not easy.

Rock Confidential: How does your passion for music differ now that you're a mom?

Lita: I've got to teach it to the kids. We start with the ABCs. "A stands for AC/DC. B stands for BLACK SABBATH. C is for THE CULT. D is for DEEP PURPLE. E is for EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER!" (laughs) My kids already want to do a remake of "Youth Gone Wild" by SKID ROW! I thought that would be really fun and it really fits them. They're insane!

Read the entire interview at www.rockconfidential.com.


Iced Earth Tour Dates

ICED EARTH has confirmed sixteen North American tour dates for the fall of 2008 that will take the band to all corners of the United States, including New York, Florida, Oregon, and California. Joining the band as special guests are INTO ETERNITY and SAVIOURS.

For the dates listed below, ICED EARTH will be offering a very limited number of fans the opportunity to attend the show as the band’s guest VIPs.

Fans who purchase a "Child of the Wicked" VIP package with www.icedearth.com will receive the following:

* A ticket to an ICED EARTH concert
* VIP meet-and-greet with ICED EARTH
* Autographed item from ICED EARTH
* Limited-edition ICED EARTH t-shirt
*- VIP commemorative laminate

The VIP packages are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis via the ICED EARTH web site. The VIP package cost is $65, including the concert ticket. VIP packages and ticket sales via www.icedearth.com will be available starting June 13. Regular tickets sales via Ticketmaster and all other outlets will not begin until June 20 and will be subject to local service fees.

To learn more about the tour and how to purchase the VIP package and tickets for the shows below, visit the official ICED EARTH website at www.icedearth.com.

The dates are as follows:

Sep. 21 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
Sep. 22 - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, Ontario, CAN
Sep. 23 - Le Medley - Montreal, Quebec, CAN
Sep. 24 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Sep. 25 - 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
Sep. 26 – Amos' Southbend - Charlotte, NC
Sep. 27 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA IX. Atlanta, GA**
Sep. 28 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Sep. 29 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Sep. 30 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 14 - The Norva - Norfolk, VA
Oct. 15 - The Palladium - Worchester, MA
Oct. 16 - Nokia Theater - New York, NY
Oct. 22 - Hawthrone Theater - Portland, OR
Oct. 23 - Regency Center at The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Oct. 24 - The Avalon - Los Angeles, CA

**VIP package not available at ProgPower USA. The festival is sold out.


Mystery Image Update

[Bazookajoe_666] Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:52:30 PM 
Tony Iommi Interview

Sam Ash Music recently conducted an interview with legendary heavy metal guitarist Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN AND HELL). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

Sam Ash Music: What's your writing process like? Does it differ depending on your collaborators?

Iommi: Yeah, I generally come up with the riff first and we build it from there… if that's suitable for Ronnie [James Dio]… make a chorus and just build the song up. We change it around and try different things to experiment.

Sam Ash Music: Was it the same way writing with Ozzy [Osbourne] or in the past with Ronnie?

Iommi: In a way, I suppose. Back then we just jammed and played loud (laughs). Now, it's in a control room either at my house in England or Ronnie's house. At the moment we're at Ronnie's house… in L.A., sitting in the control room (Geezer, myself and Ronnie) coming up with the ideas. It's a bit different. It's better like this, you can hone in more on what you're doing. We seem to get more done this way.

Sam Ash Music: I notice there's a lot more lead work and improvising with HEAVEN AND HELL than there was with Ozzy. What is your take on that?

Iommi: Absolutely. It's been great. To me, that's what we're all about. And we always used to do that with the original SABBATH in the old days. We would just jam. But unfortunately, it got too regimental towards the last tours, doing the Ozzfests and everything. You couldn't improvise that much. It more or less became straight, one song after another because of the time factor and everything else. With Heaven and Hell, it allows more looseness. You can jam around and try different ideas, make something up on any given night, which is great and I like that. It keeps you more stimulated.

Sam Ash Music: Are there any songs that you've written and recorded and now cringe at in hindsight?

Iommi: Well, I think you always get that. If you didn't get that, you probably wouldn't be progressing. The way the industry changes, the way the gadgets change, going from tape to computers. Effect pedals are changing. Everything is changing. There's always something better around the corner and you say, "Oh god, I could have got a better drum sound," or, "I could have got a better guitar sound," but that's always going to be the way. And you think later on, "Oh I could have done that better." That's the way it is and you have to accept it for that time, the way you did it.

Sam Ash Music: Who has been your favorite collaborator over the years?

Iommi: Geezer is really great to work with. Ronnie is always great as well. It's great to bounce ideas off of them both. It has been really good. We can just swap ideas. Geezer can say, "I like that" or Ronnie will go "I like that."… You need that, you know, otherwise you would be sitting on your own playing stuff thinking, "Well, do I like that?" or, "Is that good?" It's nice to have a response from somebody. The chemistry between myself, Ronnie and Geezer is great. We started off at my house in England and Ronnie came over and we wrote some ideas there, which are really good. And now we're here, in L.A. at Ronnie's and it's been great as well. Geezer has been involved. I am really pleased with the stuff we have been coming up with.

Sam Ash Music: When is a potential date for everyone to hear the new HEAVEN AND HELL music?

Iommi: Well, we really haven't put a time on it. We will be going on tour in August. We're really looking forward to that. It'll be nice because we're doing the tour together with JUDAS PRIEST, who are old friends of ours and, of course, MOTÖRHEAD. After the tour, that's when we'll probably be thinking of heading into the studio.

Sam Ash Music: If you could assemble a dream band of any artists living or not, who would be in your super-group?

Iommi: I have always liked, and I don't know why, but Tom Jones (laughs), I always wanted to do something with him. I just like his voice. He has a great voice. But I think I played in a lot of my dream bands. I played with people who I wanted to play with. In fact, even my solo album was a good thing for me because I had different singers and musicians. It was interesting to do, with so many different people. It was very enjoyable.

Sam Ash Music: After Ozzy went solo he's had a number of guitarists cover your songs. Do you have any memories of your first time hearing Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee or Zakk Wylde playing your compositions and solos in their own styles?

Iommi: I remember hearing bits… but to be really honest, I can't remember it now. I haven't heard them in so many years. But no, I didn't mind them playing what I did. I mean, I noticed on a couple of things, they weren't right. But as a player you will notice that. I think I remember one now, hearing Brad Gillis playing the riff wrong (laughs), but there we go (laughs)…

Sam Ash Music: You've been going strong for 40 years. What's the secret for keeping it all together for so long?

Iommi: It's the belief in it, wanting to do it, and enjoying it. I think the time when I don't enjoy it anymore will be when I don't do it anymore. At the moment, I am really enjoying it and it's been really good and I don't want it to end. It has been great playing with the Ozzy lineup and it has been great playing with the Dio lineup. I've been fortunate to do the two, which has been just marvelous. I think that is the ultimate kind of thing for me.

Sam Ash Music: What have been the biggest changes you've seen in the music industry over the years?

Iommi: Well, I think the computer age… using ProTools has been a real help in a lot of ways. But in other ways, you sort of miss the old style of recording. I like the technology to a point. If you can use it like that, I think it's really helpful. The change is certainly about how quick you can do things now and having the availability of things. If you wanted to get a sound years ago, you had to make it. Now, it's there on the computer. You know, what I found strange… in L.A., we went down to try and find a record store, and we couldn't find one. Tower Records, gone. Virgin Megastore, gone. Where the hell did it go? We ended up going to Borders to find a bloody DVD. It's peculiar. I just didn't know where to go. It is very sad and becoming a real shock that a lot of record stores are going out of business. The whole business has changed as far as the record label is concerned as well. Who would have thought many years ago that record labels would be going out of business?

Read the entire interview at www.samashmusic.com. 


Mysterious Metallica Image Updated

METALLICA has posted an updated version (see below) of the image that originally appeared on the band's official web site yesterday (Tuesday, June 10) under the headline "???." There is still no word as to what the image represents or whether it will form part of the cover artwork for the band's much-anticipated new studio album.

The CD is due out in September, with the title expected to be announced soon through the new Mission: Metallica web site.

METALLICA will play Tennessee's Bonnaroo festival on Friday, June 13, and the one-day Ozzfest in Dallas on August 9, with a full North American tour in the works for the fall.

Just one day after several UK web sites posted early reviews of six new METALLICA songs that were previewed for them in London last week, the reports were all taken down, reportedly at the request of the band's management. One site, The Quietus, told Blinded By The Hype that its reporter at the listening session was not asked at the time to hold back from reporting on what he heard or sign a non-disclosure agreement. The site itself was later contacted and asked to remove the article, which it did to "protect the professional interests of the writer concerned."

A representative for METALLICA's management had no comment on the matter, according to The Pulse of Radio.

Latest image displayed via Metallica.com:




Slash Solo Album

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has told Spinner that he is keeping himself busy putting together a solo album. "I'm working on it pretty aggressively right now while I have the time 'cause as soon as VELVET finds its singer [to replace the recently departed Scott Weiland], then it's going to be off the races with that," he told Spinner. "I'm using this little period to be able to do as much on my solo record as possible. I'm not sure exactly when it will come out, but hopefully it will come out before the [next] VELVET record."

"It'll be my first solo record," he continued. All the other ones were just me putting other bands together and going out and just jamming. This will actually be a little bit more personal."

Read more from Spinner. 


More Global Metal

Directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Banger Films Inc. — creators of the critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" and its soon-to-be-released follow-up "Global Metal" — were interviewed for this week's "The Metal File" podcast from Montreal's CHOM-FM. Download the segment as an MP3 file at this location.

"Global Metal" is said to be a feature documentary that takes audiences to unexpected corners of the world — from Indonesia, Japan and China to India, Israel, Dubai and Brazil – to check out the international flavors of what turns out to be a most universal music — heavy metal.

"I guess 'Headbanger's Journey' for us was like a 101 — like a defense for metal," Dunn tells ChartAttack.com. "Obviously, we didn't want to do something similar, like an obvious sequel that just had interviews with all the guys we didn't get to in the first film.

"We actually wanted to do something that was different, which related to the first film but could stand on its own. So looking at metal within the theme of globalization and how it has spread around the world and what it means to kids growing up in different cultures seemed like a different enough approach to take to the second film.

"We wanted to go to countries that had an interesting story about how metal had arrived and what kind of impact it made. Obviously, there were lots of countries we couldn't go to, but the ones that we chose we felt gave a broad overview of Muslim countries, Christian countries, Buddhist countries and kids growing up in different economic environments. That was important, to touch on that diversity."

From the genre-blending sound of visual kei artists X JAPAN to the mix of metal and traditional Jewish folk of Israel's ORPHANED LAND, "Global Metal" shows that despite our many differences, we are in many ways very much the same.

"It's a tribe," Dunn tells ChartAttack.com. "No offense to jazz fans, but I got a feeling that jazz fans don't have this international feeling of brotherhood and camaraderie.

"It's like, you're wearing a SLAYER shirt, I'm wearing a SLAYER shirt. You're from Indonesia, I'm from Brazil... but it doesn't matter. We weren't sure if that kind of feeling of brotherhood in metal would extend beyond the places we knew like Wacken [Open Air festival in Germany], but we found that it does. The loyalty to metal sometimes supersedes our alignment with a particular culture or religious belief or political view.

"After coming back from travelling to all these countries, we kind of realized there is a lot more that we have in common than we think. I think right now the media paints this picture of everyone being in conflict with one another. But at the end of the day, we realized people just want to listen to music and enjoy what they want to do, and that's pretty common."

Read the rest of the ChartAttack.com interview at this location.

Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn were interviewed by George Stroumboulopoulos on "The Hour" on May 21, 2008. The 11-minute segment, which originally aired on CBC in Canada, can be viewed below.

For more information, visit www.globalmetalfilm.com.

Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn on "The Hour":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV6BKILcx3g&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

"Global Metal" trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiOqGIWlFx8&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Judas Priest interview

MTV's Headbanger's Blog has posted the first segment of its three-part video interview with British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST. Gathered at the bar of The Bourgeois Pig, a restaurant in New York’s East Village, singer Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing discuss the life of French prophet Nostradamus, and how the events in his life acted as musical cues for the creation of the band's new heavy metal opera, "Nostradamus". They also talk about the largely animated video for "War", which will debut next week on "Headbanger's Ball". Lastly, the band addresses the inclusion of their music in the video game Guitar Hero and how that has helped spread its sounds to a new audience.
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:41:15 PM 
Ask Dragonforce A Question! My Question: Why are all the songs about the same damn thing!? HAha

British extreme epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE will release their new album, "Ultra Beatdown", on August 25 via Roadrunner Records.

The UK office of Roadrunner is giving the fans the chance to put their questions to the band about what they can expect from the album and anything else that has puzzled them about DRAGONFORCE.

E-mail your question to [email protected], titling your email "DF Q&A," and then popping your question in the main body of the email. The best questions will be put to the guys and the resulting video interview will be posted on the Roadrunner Records UK web site.

"Ultra Beatdown" track listing:

01. Heroes Of Our Time
02. The Fire Still Burns
03. Reasons To Live
04. Scars Of Yesterday
05. Heartbreak Armageddon
06. The Last Journey Home
07. Inside The Winter Storm
08. The Warrior Inside

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman stated about the group's new material, "It's not going to be majorly different. But hopefully the melodies will be nicer, the guitar solos will be better, the production will be better. You just try to improve in every area." Vocalist ZP Theart added, "There isn't much to change, but yet there is. The last three albums have been very much guitar-orientated, and this one probably will be as well, but I want to try to do some extra coloring in with the vocals."

Asked if the songs will be faster, guitarist Herman Li replied, "Bands always say, 'Our new album is faster and heavier,' and then it's never true, so we're not gonna say that. But playing fast just works for us. People who say we play too fast are probably right, but guess what? There's a million other bands that play slow. People listen to DRAGONFORCE and go to the show because they know that we're doing something other bands aren't doing."

DRAGONFORCE will head Stateside in late June for the start of the inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem touring festival. The package kicks off in early July and is headlined by Roadrunner labelmates SLIPKNOT.

DRAGONFORCE's last album, "Inhuman Rampage", is still romping out of stores on both sides of the pond, thanks in part to the inclusion of lead track "Through The Fire And Flames" as the "advanced" level on the top-selling Guitar Hero III computer game.

DRAGONFORCE guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman recently launched their new signature guitars at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California. You can check out the details over at www.ibanez.com. 


ICED EARTH's official web site. IcedEarth.com, has posted the cover art (see below) for the band's forthcoming full-length studio album, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", which continues where their 2007 release, "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)" left off. "The Crucible of Man" features the return of frontman Matt Barlow who was mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer's original voice of choice to introduce the "Something Wicked" saga back in 1998 as a trio of songs which concluded their album, "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

While the 1998 album provided a general overview of the story Schaffer has been conceptualizing for well over a decade, the saga is being fully brought to life with the release of the back-to-back conceptual albums "Framing Armageddon" and "The Crucible of Man". While both albums provide answers to mysteries the previous releases would create, the timeliness of the story in today's world is guaranteed to keep people thinking and guessing. Schaffer's ability to convey the central themes and events of the story without always revealing exactly "why" characters' decisions are made and "how" events come to pass, will keep fans of the saga coming back as future mediums for the "Something Wicked" storyline are revealed.

A finalized tracklisting for "The Crucible of Man" and audio interview with Jon Schaffer covering the new material will be featured at IcedEarth.com later this month. The band will begin rehearsals next week for a run of dates in June as direct support for JUDAS PRIEST in Europe, as well as the Hellfest, Bang Your Head!!!, Graspop and Gods of Metal European festivals.

"The Crucible of Man" is due for a late August or early September release on Steamhammer/SPV. The release will then be followed by a North American tour that kicks off in September and features an appearance as headliner for the ProgPower USA IX festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 27. The North American dates will be announced at IcedEarth.com when they are confirmed.

The single from the new album is titled "I Walk Among You" and is being released worldwide this week by Steamhammer/SPV and features the new track "I Walk Alone" as well as three additional songs from "Framing Armageddon" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. All tracks can be listened to in their entirety at both the band's official web site and MySpace pages with exception of the track "A Charge to Keep" which is an iTunes exclusive. 



ICED EARTH played its third show with vocalist Matt Barlow back as the group's frontman on May 11, 2008 at the Rock Hard Festival at the Gelsenkirchen Amphitheatre in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below.

"Watching Over Me":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtfhAOGUjhg&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=1
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:22:15 PM 
The first 2 shows....
Scott Ian Interview

Metal Maniacs' Liz Ciavarella recently spoke with ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian and singer Dan Nelson for the June/July issue about the recent acquisition of Nelson as the band's fourth vocalist. Excerpts follow.

Metal Maniacs: Where do Dan's vocals fit? Are they more Belladonna? More Bush? A new thing completely?

Scott Ian: I've compared him to John Bush on steroids because he definitely comes from more of that tone, but also because he's only 31 or 32 years old. He listens to the more extreme side of heavy metal. He was in a lot of bands that were certainly more extreme than ANTHRAX so he's able to take what he has a lot further. That's not to say you're going to hear an ANTHRAX record with death metal or hardcore vocals or anything like that. The guy's a singer and a great singer at that. I'm just saying that he's already got this really powerful singing voice and he's able to take it to a level we've never explored before. We have a bunch of spots on this record where it really works.

Metal Maniacs: Was everything already prewritten for him or did he come in and write some of his own lyrics and melodies?

Scott Ian: Before Dan, we had ideas for maybe two songs and not even any lyrics yet. Once Dan got involved, that's when the light bulb went off over my head. I wasn't writing anything because I had no focus as far as who was actually going to be singing this stuff. Once I had Dan's voice in my brain it totally opened the door for me writing-wise. It's been really collaborative since then. We all get together, listen to the music and work on the melody lines until everybody is happy. We have two songs done. There's a song called "Revolution Screams" which is a straight-up thrash tune. There's another called "Fight 'Em Til You Can't" which sounds like ANTHRAX from 1987 but in 2008. It's total old-school thrash. We could go play those songs tomorrow. I'm totally stoked on them!

Metal Maniacs: It must be cool knowing he's such a big ANTHRAX fan in the first place.

Scott Ian: Yeah, it is. He didn't have to go and learn a bunch of shit; he already knows it. To have a guy walk in and already know 20 songs definitely makes our life easier.

Metal Maniacs: So Dan, did you geek out a little when you got there for the initial "tryout?" Here's a band you grew up loving and there you were, accidentally auditioning to join.

Dan Nelson: I'm not trying to sound cool or anything because normally I would have, but going through the experience I went through with my wife getting sick and almost dying [Nelson's wife underwent emergency heart surgery some months back], I can honestly tell you, I was more determined than anything. Even Scott said to me, "I've never seen a human being more poised and determined for something he should be shitting his pants for." I was ready; I was in the mindset. I said, "OK, I'm gonna make this happen. I'm gonna be the singer of this band. It's do-or-die time."

Metal Maniacs: Did they hire you on the spot?

Dan Nelson: Well, [drummer] Charlie [Benante] has a funny way of doing things. They tell me now that they knew I was in the band after the first song but I didn't know until about a month later when the rest of the world found out [via the Internet]. As long as I'm in the band. I don't really care [laughs].

Metal Maniacs: How do you see your vocals? Are you better suited for the Neil Turbin/Joey Belladonna era or John Bush?

Dan Nelson: If I had to pick among the three, it would definitely be John Bush. Most people who've heard me [sing with ANTHRAX] say it's like a John Bush meets Phil Anselmo meets Chris Cornell type of sound. But that's not me saying that. I just like to say that I love to sing and hopefully I can be Dan Nelson. Obviously, as you can hear, I have a gruffer and deeper voice. I have more of the John tones going on but I can hit Joey's notes.

The June/July issue of Metal Maniacs is on sale now.

For more information, check out www.metalmaniacs.com.

Fan-filmed footage of ANTHRAX's May 31, 2008 performance with Dan Nelson at the second of the two shows the band played with IRON MAIDEN at Irvine, California's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater can be viewed below.

"Only"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0jc7N1JIDs&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=3

"Caught In A Mosh"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7iTG6TsF1M&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=3

"Madhouse"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEQLAx7kLeI&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=3

"I Am The Law"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktiuzwq8gzo&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=3


Matt Sorum!.... I dunno I didn't read it.

During this past weekend's (June 7) edition of "Camp Freddy Radio" — the weekly radio show on Los Angeles' Indie 103.1 station hosted by members of the "jam" supergroup CAMP FREDDY — co-hosts Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer) and Dave Navarro (ex-JANE'S ADDICTION/RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist) discussed VELVET REVOLVER's search for a new frontman following the recent departure of Scott Weiland. An excerpt from the discussion follows.

Navarro: Did Perry Farrell [ex-JANE'S ADDICTION] come up as an option [for the new VELVET REVOLVER singer]?

Sorum: Someone mentioned it to me. You go on Blabbermouth…

Navarro: Yeah, yeah, yeah… Don't read those comments, by the way.

Sorum: The people there on Blabbermouth… What is wrong with them?

Navarro: Dude, welcome to my life, by the way.

Sorum: Do you get on there and read that?

Navarro: No, not anymore.

Sorum: My old lady, she makes me shut that stuff off. Some mean, mean, weird people are on there.

Navarro: Yeah, it's horrible.

Sorum: What are they doing out there?

Navarro: Nothing. I'll tell you what they're not doing, Matt. They're not making records and selling millions of them and affecting the lives— [gets cut off by Matt]

Sorum: [Raising his voice] Yeah, talk about that on Blabbermouth!

Navarro: —affecting the lives of millions of people like you. So don't listen to them because they're NOT doing that, I guarantee you.

Sorum: Yeah. When me and Weiland got into that pissing match a little bit…

Navarro: Were there sides? Did people take sides?

Sorum: Oooo… Oh, God…

Navarro: Were people against you?

Sorum: Oh, man…

Navarro: Really?

Sorum: I got on there one night and started scrolling down…

Navarro: Oh, don't scroll down. [Matt bursts out laughing.] Read the story and call it a day. Trust me.

Sorum: And it sort of… like those bad reality shows, it sucked me in.

Navarro: No scrolling, please. [Laughs]

Sorum: I've gotta say it to you, people, man… You didn't affect me at all. Screw you. [Laughs] I say, go get a life.

To download an MP3 file containing the entire 110-minute June 7, 2008 episode of "Camp Reddy Radio", click here (46 MB). (The above exchange can be heard around the one-hour, six-minute mark.) 

Possible New Metallica Album Cover?

METALLICA has posted a mysterious image (see below) on its official web site under the headline "???," leading to speculation that this is the cover of the band's much-anticipated new studio album.

The CD is due out in September, with the title expected to be announced soon through the new Mission: Metallica web site.

METALLICA will play Tennessee's Bonnaroo festival on Friday, June 13, and the one-day Ozzfest in Dallas on August 9, with a full North American tour in the works for the fall.

Just one day after several UK web sites posted early reviews of six new METALLICA songs that were previewed for them in London last week, the reports were all taken down, reportedly at the request of the band's management. One site, The Quietus, told Blinded By The Hype that its reporter at the listening session was not asked at the time to hold back from reporting on what he heard or sign a non-disclosure agreement. The site itself was later contacted and asked to remove the article, which it did to "protect the professional interests of the writer concerned."

A representative for METALLICA's management had no comment on the matter, according to The Pulse of Radio.

Image displayed via Metallica.com:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymxHZkeOMmY&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2


Entire New Album Available For Streaming
JUDAS PRIEST's forthcoming double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is available for streaming in its entirety on VH1.com's The Leak.

"Nostradamus" is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

Long in the works, "Nostradamus" takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet.

Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.

As with all new PRIEST releases, the group — singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis — will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of "Nostradamus".

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppMA7Vh6Sf4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=1


Details For "Along Came A Spider"

There are only a handful of rock artists that have proven to be as enduring and influential as Alice Cooper has over the years. Name just about any hard rock artist, and they've probably borrowed a thing or two from Alice. And on his latest studio recording, "Along Came A Spider" (issued via SPV Records on July 29), Alice has returned with a concept album with a sinister streak.

"A dark and menacing album for dark and menacing times" is perhaps the most fitting description for Alice's 25th studio album overall, as a chilling conceptual thread runs through the songs, which are told through the voice of a serial killer named Spider — one that Alice describes as "an arachnophobic psychopath" (in the song "Catch Me If You Can"). Alice, the master storyteller, weaves a web of danger, intrigue and death that rivals his best work.

Co-produced by Danny Saber, Greg Hampton and Alice himself, "Along Came A Spider" manages to marry both vintage and modern-day Alice. As theatrical as ever, the album is a sonic combination of familiar Alice musical elements from albums as diverse as "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Brutal Planet", with the storytelling of "Welcome To My Nightmare", capturing the historic dark side of Alice in peak form, an instantly recognizable presence that will be welcomed by his fans. Joining Alice on the album are members of his touring band — longtime Alice drummer Eric Singer, bassist Chuck Garric, and guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, with additional contributions from others, including Saber, Hampton, and renowned backing vocalist Bernard Fowler. Slash also lends some guitar style to "Vengeance Is Mine".

Saber and Hampton co-wrote several of the album's songs with Alice, while others were collaborations with Alice's band members. Danny Saber, best known for his role as member and producer of BLACK GRAPE, has also worked with many other artists, including THE ROLLING STONES, OZZY OSBOURNE, and DAVID BOWIE, while Greg Hampton's been working on a new album project teaming up Buckethead and Bootsy Collins.

Who else but Alice Cooper, with "Along Came A Spider", would create a "love story" about a serial killer named Spider? His trademark is wrapping his victims in silk, and his victims are specifically chosen to feed his hunger to kill. But, upon meeting his (possibly) last victim, he falls in love with her and cannot kill to complete his plan. That could be his demise.

Though it is often said about artists with as rich a history as Alice that their newest albums capture the essence of their greatest work, it may honestly be proposed that "Along Came A Spider" does exactly that. It's got hard rock with hooks, an Alice trademark ("Vengeance is Mine", "I Know Where You Live"), classic balladry, another Alice trademark ("Killed by Love", "Salvation"), and always with an overtone of evil, yet another Alice tradmark. Throughout the album, Alice BECOMES Spider, telling the story of a cold-blooded killer to life vocally, as if this were the soundtrack to an as-yet unmade horror film.

"Along Came A Spider" track listing:

01. Prologue/I Know Where You Live
02. Vengeance Is Mine
03. Wake The Dead
04. Catch Me If You Can
05. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side
06. Wrapped In Silk
07. Killed By Love
08. I'm Hungry
09. The One That Got Away
10. Salvation
11. I Am The Spider/Epilogue




WARRANT got its fill of "cherry pie" in the '80s and '90s, but apparently that was not enough to squelch the band's hunger. With the return of its original members for the first time in almost 15 years, WARRANT will storm back to the stage this summer for a massive tour with CINDERELLA, a featured slot on Rocklahoma and a handful of other dates.

For the first time since 1994, original WARRANT members Jani Lane (vocals), Joey Allen (lead guitar), Jerry Dixon (bass), Erik Turner (guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums) will grace stages across the land together. They'll deliver a brand new and exciting stage show encompassing material from their first two multi-platinum albums "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich" and "Cherry Pie", plus the gold album "Dog Eat Dog", including such unforgettable hits as "Cherry Pie", "Down Boys", "Heaven", "Sometimes She Cries", "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and many more.

"Are you kidding me?!! We are chomping at the bit to get out this summer and rock!" says Jani Lane, lead singer and songwriter of WARRANT. "The original WARRANT has mucho grande chemistry! When we did the first rehearsal in 14 years I just stepped back in awe and thought...'Man, now this is WARRANT!!' I think fans will have a similar experience this summer!!'"

Their summer-long trek kicks off with a show with MÖTLEY CRÜE in Montreal June 22 at Parc Jean Drapeau and then on their own in Toronto June 23 at the Phoenix Concert Theater. Next, from July 2 until August 16, they'll hook up with CINDERELLA, LYNCH MOB and LYNAM for a national tour. They'll round out the summer with a closing show with ALICE COOPER August 17 at the Fortune Bay Casino in Tower, MN.

Check out WARRANT on tour this summer:

+ Indicates show with MÖTLEY CRÜE
* Indicates shows with CINDERELLA, LYNCH MOB and LYNAM
** With ALICE COOPER

Jun. 22 - Montreal, QC - Parc Jean Drapeau +
Jun. 23 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Concert Theatre
Jul. 02 - Stockton, CA - Stockton Arena *
Jul. 03 - Alpine, CA - Viejas-Concerts in the Park *
Jul. 04 - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheater *
Jul. 05 - Henderson, NV - Sunset Station *
Jul. 07 - El Paso, TX - El Paso County Coliseum *
Jul. 08 - Odessa, TX - Dos Amigos *
Jul. 11 - Amarillo, TX - Azteca Music Hall *
Jul. 12 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
Jul. 13 - Wichita Falls, TX - Kay Yeager Coliseum *
Jul. 16 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues *
Jul. 17 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater *
Jul. 19 - Cleveland, OH - Time Warner Amp at Tower City *
Jul. 20 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater *
Jul. 21 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre *
Jul. 22 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six *
Jul. 25 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum *
Jul. 26 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater *
Jul. 27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live *
Jul. 29 - Springfield, MO - Ozark Empire Fair *
Jul. 31 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino *
Aug. 01 - Clearfield, PA - Clearfield County Fair *
Aug. 02 - Asbury Park, NJ - Convention Hall *
Aug. 03 - Farmingville, NY - Brookhaven Amphitheater *
Aug. 06 - Columbus, OH - The LC Pavilion *
Aug. 08 - Grand Rapids, MI - Deltaplex *
Aug. 09 - Oshkosh, WI - Leach Amphitheatre
Aug. 10 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair
Aug. 15 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheater *
Aug. 16 - Winter Park, CO - Hawgfest *
Aug. 17 - Tower, MN - Fortune Bay Casino **

Fan-filmed video footage of WARRANT's May 17, 2008 concert at the Wildhorse in Nashville can be viewed below (courtesy of artzpot).

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Down Boys
02. DRFSR
03. All My Bridges Are Burning
04. Sure Feels Good To Me
05. 32 Pennies
06. Heaven
07. Bed Of Roses
08. Hole In My Wall
09. Mr Rainmaker
10. I Saw Red
11. Song & Dance Man
12. Machine Gun
13. Uncle Tom's Cabin
14. Big Talk
15. Cherry Pie

"Uncle Tom's Cabin":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKEpgGvqvDQ&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=1
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Monday, June 09, 2008 5:53:34 PM 
which show are these from?  lol
[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, June 09, 2008 5:46:37 PM 

[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, June 09, 2008 5:35:34 PM 

 

 

 

[Bazookajoe_666] Monday, June 09, 2008 4:23:22 PM 
Free Priest Tickets?

While supplies last, when you purchase any configuration (regular CD edition, limited edition-deluxe hard-bound version and limited-edition deluxe box [3LPs, 2 CD, book and poster] available only at Best Buy) of the initial pressing of JUDAS PRIEST's double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus" (release date: June 17), specially marked CDs will contain an insert with a exclusive code inside the CD package for one free lawn ticket to see JUDAS PRIEST on select dates of the Metal Masters tour this summer, courtesy of Live Nation (see below for a complete list).

Visit www.judaspriest.com for details on this special offer.

This seemingly too-good-to-be-true offer will be good while supplies last. Also, this offer will not pertain to all the dates of the Metal Masters tour (see below for complete list of dates that the offer is good for).

The Metal Masters tour will undoubtedly be the top metal concert attraction of the summer. In addition to a headlining performance by JUDAS PRIEST, fans will also be treated to sets by HEAVEN AND HELL, MOTÖRHEAD and TESTAMENT.

"As ever, we look forward to screaming out loud with our METAL maniac fans when we hit the road," enthuses PRIEST singer Rob Halford. "The PRIEST is back!"

The tour, produced by Live Nation, will be PRIEST's first thorough sets of U.S. dates in nearly three years, and will be in support of the group's aforementioned "Nostradamus" release.

Offer good only for one of the following shows, while supplies last:

Aug. 06 - Camden, NJ
Aug. 07 - Bristow, VA
Aug. 09 - Holmdel, NJ
Aug. 16 - Pittsburgh, PA
Aug. 19 - Chicago, IL
Aug. 22 - Dallas, TX
Aug. 23 - Houston, TX
Aug. 24 - San Antonio, TX
Aug. 27 - Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 28 - Phoenix, AZ
Aug. 30 - San Bernardino, CA
Aug. 31 - Mountain View, CA

JUDAS PRIEST - "Rock Hard, Ride Free" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_614FqX0VRc&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


This summer, reunited Boston hard rockers EXTREME will release "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge"), their first studio album in thirteen years which will coincide with their first world tour in over twelve years. "Saudades de Rock" will be released on August 12 on Open E Records and distributed by Fontana.

The iconic rock foursome — vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo — recorded their fifth studio offering at NRG Studios in Los Angeles with Bettencourt at the helm as producer and mixer. "Saudades de Rock" boasts 13 tracks, including the infectious roar of "Star", the groove-laden, swagger of "King Of The Ladies", a raw funk rock anthem called "Learn To Love", and the expressive ballad "Ghost".

"'Saudades' was always a beautiful word to me," Bettencourt explains about the Portuguese album moniker. "It expresses a longing; an underlying sadness for something or someone that's been missing in your life, and never quite sure if it will ever return. In this case, for us, it's rock and roll. Saudades de Rock."

Gary Cherone adds, "I like how it expresses that longing we've been feeling to play for our fans and be together again."

"Saudades de Rock" track listing:

01. Star
02. Comfortably Dumb
03. Learn To Love
04. Take Us Alive
05. Run
06. Last Hour
07. Flower Man
08. King Of The Ladies
09. Ghost
10. Slide
11. Interface
12. Sunrise
13. Peace (Saudade)

The Boston-bred band's 2008 "Take Us Alive" world tour gets underway on July 29 at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and will be anchored by a hometown gig two days later at the Bank of America Pavilion. In advance of the tour, EXTREME will be a co-headliner on July 11 at the five-day Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, OK.

EXTREME "Take Us Alive" world tour 2008 dates:

Jul. 11 - Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma *
Jul. 29 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Jul. 31 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
Aug. 01 - Farmingdale, NY @ Brookhaven Amphitheatre
Aug. 02 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head
Aug. 04 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Aug. 05 - Lancaster, CA @ Chameleon Club
Aug. 06 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Aug. 08 - Detroit, MI @ Emerald Theater
Aug. 09 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Aug. 10 - Cincinnati, OH @ Union Center Blvd Bash
Aug. 12 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
Aug. 13 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
Aug. 15 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Aug. 16 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Aug. 18 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Aug. 19 - Houston, TX @ Meridien
Aug. 20 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Aug. 22 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee
Aug. 23 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Aug. 25 - San Francisco, CA @ Filmore
Aug. 26 - Los Angels, CA @ House of Blues
Sep. 13 - Milan, Italy @ Rock of Ages Festival

More dates to be added.

Open E Records is a new label that is distributed by Fontana. A portion of Open E Records' profits will be donated to Music Drives Us, a foundation created as a way to support music in New England. The foundation also gives scholarship money for individuals who desire to continue their musical education.

Bay Area Backstage has posted video footage of EXTREME performing a private show at this year's winter NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show on January 18, 2008 at the Hilton in Anaheim, California. Watch the 13-minute clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGlqSkOd12A&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
[Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, June 08, 2008 9:17:54 PM 
FINAYLL!!! Someone asked about news haha. See this is what I want everyone else to do too because it gives ME something to do when posting news haha.

To answer your question, No haha.
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Sunday, June 08, 2008 7:01:23 PM 
Has anyone heard any new's on AC/DC.. ? 

I know the were recording a album in Canada. And were planning a farewell tour? I was wondering if anyone might have read any new  ( News ) on the progress..  

Love this guy too...LOL

[Bazookajoe_666] Friday, June 06, 2008 4:55:08 PM 
Journey!

Singer Arnel Pineda of the legendary rockers JOURNEY was interviewed on the June 1, 2008 edition of TFC's "Adobo Nation" program. Watch the chat in two parts below.

The European version of JOURNEY's new album, "Revelation", includes an exclusive original bonus track entitled "Let It Take You Back".

A three-disc "Revelation" CD and DVD package is being sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

The first disc consists of 11 re-recorded classics, the second is filled with 11 new songs, and the third is a live, in-concert DVD. All of the music on "Revelation" was produced by Kevin Shirley (who previously worked with JOURNEY on their platinum-certified "Trial By Fire" album).

"Revelation" is the first JOURNEY album to feature the angelic voice of Pineda. Schon says about him, "We feel reborn. I think there's a lot of chemistry between the five of us. The new stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone's so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel."

"Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to JOURNEY," continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. "His personality is very well-suited to our music. He's a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel's soaring tenor, JOURNEY returns to our heritage sound."

JOURNEY kicks off a series of UK dates on June 17 London in London at the Apollo Hammersmith. They'll hit the road in the U.S. with HEART and CHEAP TRICK on July 9 in Englewood, Colorado at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre.

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbx5O7gW0Ko&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY1Ip42HhEI&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Kirk Hammet Interview

David Fricke of RollingStone.com recently conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

RollingStone.com: You have been working on the new METALLICA album for almost three years. How do you know which riffs and solos to keep and which to throw out?

Kirk: I know whether I'm cutting it or not. And I always try to make a solo the best it can be. I recorded over 100 solos for one track on this album — and the solo is only 25 seconds long [laughs]. But it's apparent when the solo works that it's all there. It's either "Wow!" — or it's not good enough. It's that black-and-white.

RollingStone.com: How would you describe your role in METALLICA's two-guitar sound?

Kirk: James [Hetfield] and I have always been complementary. We've never gotten into guitar squabbles, like a lot of bands with two guitar players do. His approach is primal — rhythmic and percussive. Mine is more technical and fluid. I see the guitar as a bunch of scales and tones. I write riffs and arrange chords to make sure they fit tight harmonically. On a lot of the albums we did in the Nineties, I was doing orchestration, looking for something that fit over a certain part to make it more exciting — a texture, a chord, a little lick here, a chug there. We've strayed from that. We've gotten back to the one-voice guitar thing we did in the Eighties. The album we're working on now is about METALLICA as a single thing — a locomotive coming to mow you down.

RollingStone.com: Is there a solo on the early albums that was a breakthrough in your playing?

Kirk: When the other guys heard the solos on "Creeping Death" and "Ride the Lightning" [both on 1984's "Ride the Lightning"], it was a different aspect of soloing than they were used to. [Original lead guitarist] Dave Mustaine played fast all the time. I play melodically. And I play parts, different sections that make the solo as hooky as possible. Although I've always been very flashy. I admit it.

RollingStone.com: How did you write the riff in "Enter Sandman" [on 1991's "Metallica"]? It's up there in instant recognition with "Smoke on the Water" and "Whole Lotta Love".

Kirk: My friend has a guitar store, and there is a big sign in there that says "No Enter Sandman" [laughs]. SOUNDGARDEN had just put out "Louder Than Love". I was trying to capture their attitude toward big, heavy riffs. It was two o'clock in the morning. I put it on tape and didn't think about it. When [drummer] Lars [Ulrich] heard the riff, he said, "That's really great. But repeat the first part four times." It was that suggestion that made it even more hooky.

Read the entire interview at RollingStone.com. 


Oh Jesus.... Just RETIRE!

Video footage has surfaced (see below) of KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons and the group's longtime manager, Doc McGhee of McGhee Entertainment, confirming what has been some fans' biggest fear for some years now — that Simmons and KISS co-founder Paul Stanley are indeed planning to keep KISS running and touring long after they decide to take off the make-up for good.

During a familiar rant by Simmons about how KISS could go on forever, Stig Karlsen of Norway's NRK asked jokingly if the band would consider looking for replacements for Simmons and Stanley in a TV show, similar to programs like "Rock Star" and "American Idol".

"The answer is yes. The deal has just been signed," Simmons replied. "It's coming soon."

In a separate interview, Stanley was apparently not very happy to hear about his bandmate's statement regarding KISS' future.

"There is no signed deal," Stanley said. "Again, when we are both aked the same question sometimes, you get different answers," Stanley added, "What will happen, we'll see as we go along. But is something going to happen next week? Is something signed? No. But am I opposed to the idea of going out and trying to find new KISS members through the television? Of course not."

In the one-and-a-half-minute clip, which is part of a one-hour-long KISS special which will air on NRK in September, McGhee can be seen stating, "I believe that KISS can go on forever. I believe that there is a way — and we are talking to people and we're pretty close to getting it done — about finding the four new members of KISS."

According to NRK, Stanley said that the members of VELVET REVOLVER were planning a similar stunt to find the replacement for lead singer Scott Weiland, who was fired at the end of the band's European tour earlier this year. However, in the end the band decided not to do it, according to Stanley, because of VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash's wish to remain "cool" and credible to his fans.

"I don't have to be that cool," Stanley reportedly told NRK with a smile.
[Bazookajoe_666] Thursday, June 05, 2008 4:03:10 PM 
New Yngwie Album Coming Along Great

Acclaimed heavy metal singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has sent the following update to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"I have finished my vocals on the new YNGWIE CD and it's gonna be a killer CD. I had a blast in the studio with him… good times! We will be starting a world tour real soon (in a few weeks). I have also been real busy myself. I've been locked away working on songs the last month or so, and before that I flew out to Los Angeles and worked on some songs there as well! I also just got back from John Comprix's [BEYOND FEAR guitarist] house where we worked on a few tunes! So things are rolling along...I will have some kick-ass info real soon,

"Also... I get asked about the new PRIEST and ICED EARTH all the time. Let me say this, GREAT JOB to both. I have only heard a few tracks but they sound kick-ass. Good luck to both of them and I hope to see you on the road for a beer! (Ken and Glenn, I will take a Carling.)

"I would also like to throw in a great job to Matt [Barlow; current ICED EARTH singer] on that PYRAMAZE CD [Matt sings on the new PYRAMAZE CD, 'Immortal' — Ed.]. Man, I heard a few tracks on that as well; those are some kick-ass vocals. Nicely done!"

Denise Grollmus from the Cleveland Scene has written an extensive article on Tim "Ripper" Owens featuring quotes from a number of Tim's associates from the Ohio metal scene. Read the entire article at www.clevescene.com.

According to CDJapan.co.jp, Yngwie Malmsteen will release his new studio album in Japan on July 9. The LP's limited edition will feature the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD players) plus a bonus DVD containing interviews with Yngwie Malmsteen discussing the songs on the album and more.

Yngwie Malmsteen recently told Guitar World magazine that his forthcoming solo album will feature his strongest lineup ever: Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals, Bjorn Englen on bass, Michael Troy on keyboards, and Patrik Johansson on drums. "It's going to come down like a fucking atom bomb!" Malmsteen said. "We've already recorded 39 songs. I went full out. I've got strings from Istanbul, and the drums are the heaviest I've fucking heard. Ripper conveys the lyrics I write like no one else. I'll write something like 'divide and conquer' and when Ripper sings it, it really comes out that way. It's like Sparta!"

BEYOND FEAR performing "Scream Machine" live in 2005:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-hNQJH9QYc&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Van Halen Tour Ended

Ray Waddell of Billboard.com reports: Though not without setbacks, the VAN HALEN reunion tour ended up a massive success, wrapping June 2 in Grand Rapids, Mich., with a total gross of more than $93 million and close to one million in attendance from 74 shows.

The tour featured founding members David Lee Roth, and Eddie and Alex Van Halen, along with Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen.

The shows marked the first time Roth had performed with the band in more than 23 years. VAN HALEN's handlers say it was the top-grossing tour in the band's history. 

VAN HALEN has posted an end-of-your phot gallery on the band's official web site.

Nearly a million fans journeyed from all over the world to witness the landmark VAN HALEN tour, which kicked off in September of 2007 in Charlotte, NC and wrapped up June 2, 2008 in Grand Rapids, MI. VAN HALEN, featuring Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen, delivered their bombastic live assault performances to legions of loyal fans at 75 arena concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Performing live with Roth for the first time in more than 23 years, VAN HALEN proved its timeless catalog of hits still packs the punch it did decades earlier. Each night, the band treated the capacity audiences to a dream set list of more than two hours of VAN HALEN gems plucked from their original era. Favorites including, "Jump", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", "Panama" and more, received a jolt of vivacity and spirit.

"We send our thanks to the countless new and lifetime fans that helped make this tour our most successful," said VAN HALEN in a joint statement. "We also send special gratitude to the tireless efforts of the VAN HALEN touring crew, Live Nation and the media, as well as opening acts Ky Mani Marley and Ryan Shaw," the band went on to say.

Now that the final bits of confetti have fallen, VAN HALEN has their sights set on bright horizons with exciting developments on the way. 


Japan Tour Announced!

Concert promoter UDO Artist Inc. has announced the details of JUDAS PRIEST's Japanese tour via the July 2008 issue of Burrn! magazine.

The dates are as follows:

Sep. 24 - Public Hall, Nagoya, JPN
Sep. 25 - Festival Hall, Osaka, JPN
Sep. 26 - Festival Hall, Osaka, JPN
Sep. 28 - National Convention Hall, Yokohama, JPN
Sep. 29 - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JPN

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off its world tour Tuesday night (June 3) at the Icehall in Helsinki, Finland. The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Intro: Dawn of Creation
02. Prophecy
03. Metal Gods
04. Eat Me Alive
05. Between the Hammer and the Anvil
06. Devil's Child
07. Breaking the Law
08. Hell Patrol
09. Death
10. Dissident Aggressor
11. Angel
12. The Hellion / Electric Eye
13. Rock Hard, Ride Free
14. Sinner
15. Painkiller
---------------
16. Hell Bent for Leather
17. The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)
18. You've Got Another Thing Coming

Check out fan-filmed video footage from the show below.

JUDAS PRIEST's next concert will take place tonight (Thursday, June 5) at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg.

JUDAS PRIEST's double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

Long in the works, "Nostradamus" takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet.

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

JUDAS PRIEST - "Rock Hard, Ride Free" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_614FqX0VRc&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2

JUDAS PRIEST - "Angel" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPJ9g6EUizQ&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2

JUDAS PRIEST performing "Dissident Aggressor" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6BdgxWRvx0&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2


Rob halford Interview

Simon Milburn of Australia's The Metal Forge recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.

On the group's just-launched world tour:

"I'm in the rehearsal facility just outside of Birmingham. We're playing every day and just putting the set list together and getting the metal order together because we really haven't played for a couple of years obviously having been in the studio making 'Nostradamus'. We're just kicking the tires and everything and getting everything in shape and it's sounding brilliant."

On "Nostradamus":

"I think there are probably a number of our fans that have known of our talk of wanting to make a concept record for many, many years and there was probably a feeling that it was never going to happen. But lo and behold, here it is. Some three decades later, we've finally got around to doing it. For any concept record, you need a very strong base of ideas to launch your quest on, and having a bloke like Nostradamus to talk about was just an absolutely brilliant moment for us. I mean, concept records have been done on many different subjects, haven't they, over the years. So, we really, when our manager Bill who came up with the idea, we really thought, 'This is fantastic!' because everybody knows about the man and everybody knows about his prophecies and some of the other things they may not be very familiar with we've been able to talk about them with the music. So it's been a fantastic adventure trying to get the story of his life put out by PRIEST style of metal. . . He's just a fascinating guy really apart from his prophecies. There's an enormous amount of information that anybody can find on the Internet, in books, in movies, in documentaries and everything and I think, for me personally, he's a very intriguing man. To be able to have that ability to do what he did, and for his prophecies to still be talked about 500 years later all around the world, is just quite remarkable. There are very few historical figures that can do that. So overall, he's just a controversial… people know of him all over the planet which is another important aspect because he's been researched and people have been trying to find out things about him in many, many different countries. That was also another cool thing that we realized that we got — that people in Australia know about him, South America, North America, everywhere people know about this guy. That was another important issue that we weren't dealing with something that was a bit remote or that people were not very familiar with him. Everybody knows about this man."

On early reactions to the "Nostradamus":

"Well, so far, as you know, we've had a couple of songs that were released recently on LiveNation and JudasPriest.com and it's been fantastic. I mean, you've only got to look at what people have been saying about it on the message boards on the Internet and everybody's just waiting for it. They can't wait to get an earful. I think it's gonna be really well received. I mean, from our perspective it's thirteen major tracks and it's all linked together seamlessly and flows through and it's still thirteen solid PRIEST tracks that are very typical of the kind of thing we do. There are a lot of cool things going on in terms of the embellishments that we've used but essentially, we can take that and put it into the live performance like we do in here. We're rehearsing some of the 'Nostradamus' material that we'll put into the set list and it sounds absolutely colossal when it's played live."

On the challenges of making a double-disc album with a total running time of just over 100 minutes:

"I suppose it's just the dimension of the work really and to do it justice. I mean, I think it's very easy to get confused and lost and to maybe dilute things if you're not really able to focus and concentrate on the job at hand. We've had 35 years of practice to be able to do this and get this right. I think if it had happened any earlier, it may have turned out differently. It just seems as though everything has been slowly directing itself to this moment. It was a strong record to make. I don't recall any major, major problems getting lost or confused or getting stuck. The material, when it was being written, was very constant and flowing. We've got the chronological thing for us as well. The music was somewhat dictated by the things that he went through. It wasn't as though we were having to invent something out of thing air. We were just trying to follow the significant things that happened to him in his life. So that did make it a little bit easier, because you could look at a section of his life and go, 'OK, well, how would you be feeling at that point?' and that relates to the style of the music you're gonna create — the tempo, the emotion, all the other things. Those were almost predetermined by what he was going through at that certain point when he was alive. Having said that, it is hard work. You have to work really hard to get it right and make every moment important and have a degree of separation so you get distinctive tracks coming out and nothing's bumping into each other."

Read the entire interview at www.themetalforge.com.
[joedraper] Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:19:31 AM 
Ha! thank you for brightening up my day Metal Jesus, not only is there an influx of excellent new exciting priest news but.... Alice is back too!! June and July are going to be fantastic months for me music wise... I've got my credit card up and ready to let loose on amazon!!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:48:51 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:36:12 PM 
Head on over the Shrine to download the ENTIRE Helsinki show.

http://www.judas-priest.com/
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:03:11 PM 
Sinner...  yeah yea yea yea 
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:59:07 PM)
[Bazookajoe_666] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:59:07 PM 

 Judas Priest Start World Tour

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST kicked off their world tour Tuesday night (June 3) at the Icehall in Helsinki, Finland. The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Intro: Dawn of Creation
02. Prophecy
03. Metal Gods
04. Eat Me Alive
05. Between the Hammer and the Anvil
06. Devil's Child
07. Breaking the Law
08. Hell Patrol
09. Death
10. Dissident Aggressor
11. Angel
12. The Hellion / Electric Eye
13. Rock Hard, Ride Free
14. Sinner
15. Painkiller
---------------
16. Hell Bent for Leather
17. The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)
18. You've Got Another Thing Coming

Check out fan-filmed video footage from the show below.

JUDAS PRIEST's next concert will take place on June 5 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg.

JUDAS PRIEST's double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

Long in the works, "Nostradamus" takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet.

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

JUDAS PRIEST - "Between the Hammer and the Anvil" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJLHvmLtsn4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2

JUDAS PRIEST - "Hell Patrol" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I16bXu7THvU&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2

JUDAS PRIEST - "Rock Hard, Ride Free" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_614FqX0VRc&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2

JUDAS PRIEST - "Electric Eye" live in Helsinki, Finland June 3, 2008 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyrb38WNonc&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/index.aspx?PageNum=2


[Bazookajoe_666] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:48:51 PM 
Ripper Stuff!

Denise Grollmus from the Cleveland Scene has written an extensive article on singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), featuring quotes from a number of Tim's associates from the Ohio metal scene. A couple of excerpts follow.

On trying out for JUDAS PRIEST:

Owens was driven to a studio in Wales. "I was so starstruck. They were just sitting there, eating breakfast, hanging out, playing music. It was surreal."

The band told him to relax, that he wouldn't have to sing until the next day. But Owens demanded to perform then and there. "I was so freaked out," he says. "I hadn't sung JUDAS PRIEST in months, and I just wanted to get it over with."

He launched into "Victim of Changes", a complex song with incredibly high notes. "Whiskey woman, don't you know that you are driving me insane," Owens sang in his perfect falsetto.

The band offered him the job before he'd finished. But Owens insisted on singing one more tune, "The Ripper", a JUDAS PRIEST classic. "That's how I got my nickname," he says.

On his split with PRIEST:

"Everyone thought it was a sad day," Owens says. "But it wasn't. I never would have quit PRIEST, but it was the right thing for Halford to come back and for me to move on."

On ICED EARTH:

While Owens was comfortable being bossed around, he wanted to tour more. He also didn't like [ICED EARTH mainman Jon] Schaffer's constant derogatory comments about his time in JUDAS PRIEST. "He hated that I was called the Ripper," Owens says. "He said that my era of PRIEST just sucked and that the songs were bad. It was tense."

After one more album, Schaffer replaced Owens with [his predecessor], just last year. "It was two weeks before Christmas, and he sent this press release out," Owens says. "I didn't even know he was going to announce it. I was pretty upset by how it was handled."

Read the entire article at www.clevescene.com. 


Great White Tour Dates

California rockers GREAT WHITE have lined up the following dates:

Jun. 05 - Waukesha, WI @ A Taste of Summer Festival
Jun. 06 - Beaver Dam, WI @ Club 208
Jun. 07 - Celina, OH @ Romers at Westlake Buy Tickets Here
Jun. 08 - Madison, WI @ Dry Bean
Jun. 13 - Santa Fe, NM @ Camel Rock Casino
Jun. 14 - Anthony, TX @ Wet N Wild Water Park (with DOKKEN)
Jun. 19 - San Juan Capistrano, CA @ Coach House
Jun. 20 - Los Angeles, CA @ Crash Mansion
Jun. 21 - Agoura, CA @ Canyon Club
Jun. 27 - Balingen, Germany @ Bang Your Head Festival
Jul. 10 - Oswego, NY @ Scriba Town Inn
Jul. 11 - Walker, MN @ Moondance Jam
Jul. 12 - Glendale Heights, IL @ Summerfest
Jul. 23 - London, Ontario @ Harris Park
Jul. 24 - Heyward, WI @ LCO Casino
Jul. 25 - Eagle River, WI @ High Pines Amphitheater
Jul. 26 - Toledo, OH @ Toledo Harley Davidson
Aug. 15 - Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
Aug. 16 - Santa Fe, NM @ Sky City Casino
Aug. 23 - Greenwood, IL @ Gait Airport
Sep. 12 - Boone, IA @ The Venue
Sep. 20 - Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn Peak

GREAT WHITE will perform live on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Wednesday, August 13 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with GREAT WHITE by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

GREAT WHITE released a new album in July 2007 entitled "Back to the Rhythm" via Shrapnel Records. Frontiers Records issued the CD in Europe on August 31 via in a lavish digipack edition. The record — which also marks GREAT WHITE's 25th anniversary — features original members Jack Russell (vocals), Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar/keyboards) and Sean McNabb (bass).

"Back to the Rhythm" was mixed, produced, and engineered by guitarist Michael Lardie with all members contributing to to the final mix.

Fan-filmed video footage of GREAT WHITE performing in Barcelona, Spain earlier in 2008 can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "cruehead699").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43hDdctIp1g&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Metallica's New Album Reviewed
UK's Rock Sound and Metal Hammer magazines have posted separate reports on the listening session for the new METALLICA album, which took place earlier today (Wednesday, June 4) in London.

Rock Sound writes: "On first impressions and just one listen, Rock Sound can confirm that the songs we've heard sound very much like classic METALLICA in vibe, harking back to the days of 'Master Of Puppets', '…And Justice For All' (but with bass) and the [self-titled 'black'] album — without sounding dated or tired.

"Of the six tracks Rock Sound heard this afternoon, only one had a working title — 'Flamingo'. With a slow intro, the song was reminiscent of 'Battery' in vibe, with two guitar solos and an undercurrent of melody and groove.

"The first single is an epic power rocker in the vein of 'The Unforgiven', 'Nothing Else Matters' and 'Sanitarium', with a mid-tempo, head-banging section and some THIN LIZZY-esque twin guitar riffage.

"Another song features the lyrics, 'Into abyss, you don't exist, you can't resist the Judas kiss'; another features an almost RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE-esque drum 'n' bass undercurrent and lyrics about 'suicide' and 'cyanide'; while the final song we heard, dubbed 'The Song', clocks in at under five minutes and is a galloping thrash attack with quirks, and a sniff of TESTAMENT about it!

"We suspect other song titles could include 'Die Hard', 'Show Your Scars', and 'My Apocalypse' — but we cannot be held responsible if none of these titles or lyrics are accurate!

"Thankfully — there are plenty of Kirk Hammett traditional guitar solos and a decent drum sound. Hetfield's voice sounds in fine form too. All of the songs have many different parts to them, giving the impression that the quartet is revisiting the epic vibe of the band's 'classic' period."

Metal Hammer reports: "What do the songs sound like? Track one, which is only known by the cryptic working title 'Flamingo', opens up on thunderous rolling drums as lead guitar meets them head on, a flaring up in stop-start motion before it pulls itself together in rushes forward in classic thrash style, all crunching 'Fight Fire With Fire' riffs and drilling beats. It takes at least two minutes for James Hetfield's vocals to come in, and while they sound furious, this isn't the grittiest he's ever sounded, more open in tone, but while there's still a memorable vocal line for the 'chorus,' and there is so much going on in the song, and so many ideas thrown in and discarded for the next one that it's hard on first listen to pick out one riff that you're going to remember it by. But with galloping riffs and the return of guitar breaks rising up from out of the grooves you can hear the true METALLICA spirit, even though its as if reflected in mirrored mosaic.

"Track two is at heart an anthemic ballad that recalls 'Fight Fire With Fire' and 'Nothing Else Matters', with a chiming guitar intro, airy vocals and some slightly convoluted, progressive-style bridges that mutate into urgent riffing, more galloping riffs and guitar solos. Again, the song has a number of different sections, but it still sounds massive.

"Track three kicks off on a stop-start riff flecked with Eastern touches, as other bustling guitar lines play off each other and Hetfield's vocals retain the power of old, like some monolithic prophet overlooking events as mid-paced, chugging riffs come in, sounding like an army on the march, methodically shooting anyone in their path.

"Track four is reminiscent of 'Master Of Puppets' with more than a touch of heads-down SLAYER pacing thrown in. After an artillery-lobbing drum-led intro, it quickly sets off on marching, thrash mode, Hetfield's spat vocals taking melodic digressions, as he roars 'Bow down, surrender unto me.' The song's groove carries you along as it opens up into guitar atomospherics that bring LED ZEP to mind. It isn't quite the kind of irresistible monster they've created before, but METALLICA still prove they can still sound lean and epic at the same time, and when the track drops out into the grove mid-way though, you can imagine the chants coming from the crowds live.

"Track five has another strong opening, with an uncharacteristic bouncing groove not a million miles away from RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE making appearances throughout setting off sharp riffs that come up against an irregular barrage of percussion that sets it off briefly on a more melodic path and builds up once again into a thrilling riff-fest mayhem.

"Track six is the 'song', considerably shorter than the others, but full of clinically sharp riffing, more SLAYER-esque parts and galloping grooves, all hustle and bustle with a tinge of Eastern melody thrown in once more.

"Initial impressions is that this is an album that's going to get our blood chugging, but whether it's all we hoped for is going to take more plays to answer. Ultimately we're hugely relieved and pretty damn thrilled, and we can't fucking wait to hear the rest."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxbSIwrn7U&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM9No2_FKl4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x521L1hKEBw&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Lita Ford Touring Lineup Announced

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford has announced her "current lineup for touring and recording." It is as follows:

Stet Howland (W.A.S.P.) - Drums
Teddy Cook (DIO) - Bass
Michael T. Ross (HARDLINE, ANGEL) - Keyboards
Tom Cavanagh (ALMOST QUEEN, BENT PUSSYCAT) - Guitar

As previously reported, Lita Ford will play at least a couple of warm-up shows for her upcoming Rocklahoma appearance. Ford is apparently being billed as the Lita Ford "tribute" act KISS ME DEADLY for these special performances, which will kick off in early July. So far the following dates have been announced:

July 06 - Famingdale, NY @ Club Loaded at The Crazy Donkey
July 07 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

A date at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, New York is expected to be added to the above list.

Lita Ford recently signed a deal with Coallier Entertainment, the New York-based company whose list of clients includes such artists as TWISTED SISTER and SEBASTIAN BACH.

In a statement released in late March by Lita Ford stated regarding her comeback performance at Rocklahoma: "It's been way too long since I've rocked a crowd. Broke out my axe and turned it up loud. Always in my heart — forever in my soul. On July 11th I'm gonna rock 'n' roll. At Rocklahoma I'll hit the stage with thousands of you maniacs. Close My Eyes — Kiss Me Deadly — can't forget the leather pants!"

Rocklahoma festival will be held July 9-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. TRIUMPH and EXTREME are among the bands reuniting with all or most of their original lineups for this year's festival, which will also feature sets from NIGHT RANGER, CINDERELLA, Bret Michaels, TESLA, ARMORED SAINT, L.A. GUNS and many more. More than 85 bands in all will perform on three giant stages throughout the five days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD9viOfFxZM&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Rock legend ALICE COOPER will release his new album, "Along Came A Spider", through SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: July 25
Rest of Europe: July 28
North America: July 29

Check out the CD artwork below.

"Along Came A Spider" was co-produced by Greg Hampton and Danny Saber in Los Angeles. It reportedly features guest appearances by Ozzy Osbourne, who plays harmonica on a track he co-wrote with Cooper, and Slash, who plays guitar on the record as well.

Alice recently told Billboard.biz that his forthcoming LP is "a real 'Alice' album. Conceptually, it's going to be pretty interesting."

Cooper wouldn't reveal too many details, but said the album is based on a fictional serial killer named Spider, who wraps his victims in a silk web. "Every song is sort of a letter to the police," he explains. "They think they're investigating it from the outside, but he's actually woven them into the whole thing."

"Along Came A Spider" track listing (in alphabetical order):

01. Catch Me
02. Hungry
03. I Am The Spider
04. I Know Where You Live
05. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side
06. Killed By Love
07. Salvation
08. The One That Got Away
09. Vengeance Is Mine
10. Wake The Dead
11. Wrapped In Silk



[\m/ Metal Maniac \m/] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:45:25 AM 
I kinda figured they would play this song, and I'm glad they did. It's truly a classic. I'm happy they're not doing the typical greatest hits anymore, that setlist seemed very fan-oriented. Good for them!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:51:52 PM)
[Kendall aka JudasRyche] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:23:15 AM 
rob sound great on this very recent clip.....great looking out on this one MJ!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:51:52 PM)
[Kendall aka JudasRyche] Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:21:39 AM 
that property is simply breath taking!   [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Monday, June 02, 2008 5:59:31 PM)
Edited at: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:22:02 AM
[Bazookajoe_666] Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:51:52 PM 
Between The Hammer And The Anvil Live - 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJLHvmLtsn4
[guitardude] Monday, June 02, 2008 7:22:32 PM 
Holy crap!!! I just happen to have my house for sale right now with a potential buyer!! Now if that was a current ad.............I would be all over it!!(as if) Nice place though.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Monday, June 02, 2008 5:59:31 PM)
[~ MG_Metalgoddess~] Monday, June 02, 2008 6:01:41 PM 
LOL Lets Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Monday, June 02, 2008 5:59:31 PM)
[Vaillant 3.0] Monday, June 02, 2008 5:59:31 PM 
Glenn is selling his home in Spain!!!!!!!!!



property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/overseas/article743276.ece
Edited at: Monday, June 02, 2008 6:00:56 PM
[Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, June 01, 2008 3:50:36 PM 

Nostradamus ...Phone!.... Stuff!.... I think...

According to a posting on JUDAS PRIEST's official web site, PRIEST's UK fans will have a chance to grab three official ringbacks and mastertones from the band's forthcoming album "Nostradamus" starting next week. The featured songs are "Nostradamus", "Visions" and "War".

JUDAS PRIEST will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline", hosted by Bob Coburn, on Monday, July 21 at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. PST. Fans can talk live with JUDAS PRIEST by calling 800-344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you or to listen to the show live via the Internet, go to www.rocklineradio.com.

JUDAS PRIEST's double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

Long in the works, "Nostradamus" takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet.

Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.

As with all new PRIEST releases, the group — singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis — will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of "Nostradamus". 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppMA7Vh6Sf4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Def Leppard Frontman Interview

UK's The Observer recently conducted an interview with DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott for the publication's "Travel" section. A fewe excerpts from the chat follow.

To get around on tour…

"We used to have our own plane with the band's name on the side. It was a dream come true. You drive to a local airport. There's none of this checking in stuff; you just get on the plane. It was only a little 12-seater — it wasn't like a LED ZEPPELIN Boeing 757 that we'd hollowed out and put condom machines and stripper poles in. It was Elvis' old plane, a G1, the only one that he physically flew. It was still in service so we rented it. You don't buy a plane if you're going to be on the road; you rent it. It was painted black and had purple trim with DEF LEPPARD on the side, which is a bit cheesy but you've got to do it."

We gave up on the plane...

"After we went through a bit of turbulence and the plane shot 1,500 feet into the air in a second and a half and the propellers were about to freeze, so the pilots had to nose-dive the plane. That gave us zero gravity for about a second and a half so everything in the plane started to float, including us, and when we got gravity back we shot backwards at 220mph into a toilet door. Three of the band decided after that they didn't want to fly any more. I took it as a glitch and would still like the plane, but the majority vote wins. When we went back to buses we split into three different units. You've got a veggie bus, a family bus and the attack bus, which is the one with the drinking and the music that I'm on."

It took us 10 years...

"To do well in Britain. We started in 1977 and didn't have a hit here until 1987 but at the same time we were almost outselling MICHAEL JACKSON in the States. Touring over there was great, much easier than going round Europe because of the lack of borders. Here you would get to the German border and the Gestapo would have your hubcaps off looking for dope and keep you there for three hours just because you had long hair. Six weeks of that and you never want to go back."

The best audience in the world ...

"Much as I'd rather say Sheffield, it is Montréal. Why, I do not know. I mean, they're half-French, for Christ's sake, but they get it. It's weird."

Read more from The Observer.

DEF LEPPARD performing "Nine Lives" in Atlantic City:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENOq67-RBcM&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Eddie Doesn't Play Guitar... It Submits To His Will!!

John Sinkevics of The Grand Rapids Press reports: In the kingdom of rock guitar, few people get as close to "the hand of God" most nights as Grand Rapids native Tom Weber.

As guitar technician for the revered Eddie Van Halen, Weber not only prepares the musician's arsenal of eight guitars every day on tour, but gets to watch the rocker ply his craft from just off stage.

"Ed is a force of nature. I understand the math behind how a guitar works. Ed does things on the guitar that defy the math," raved Weber, a 1975 graduate of Ottawa Hills High School.

"I've sat with him and watched him do things that you can't do. Ed doesn't play guitar; the guitar submits to Ed's will. It's truly an amazing thing. It's a very inspiring place to be."

Read the entire article from The Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa8XhJoVA9o&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Lita Ford Is Back!

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford will play at least a couple of warm-up shows for her upcoming Rocklahoma appearance. Ford is apparently being billed as the LITA FORD "tribute" act KISS ME DEADLY for these special performances, which will kick off in early July. So far the following dates have been announced:

July 06 - Famingdale, NY @ Club Loaded at The Crazy Donkey
July 07 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

Lita Ford recently signed a deal with Coallier Entertainment, the New York-based company whose list of clients includes such artists as TWISTED SISTER and SEBASTIAN BACH.

In a statement released in late March by Lita Ford stated regarding her comeback performance at Rocklahoma: "It's been way too long since I've rocked a crowd. Broke out my axe and turned it up loud. Always in my heart — forever in my soul. On July 11th I'm gonna rock 'n' roll. At Rocklahoma I'll hit the stage with thousands of you maniacs. Close My Eyes — Kiss Me Deadly — can't forget the leather pants!"

Rocklahoma festival will be held July 9-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. TRIUMPH and EXTREME are among the bands reuniting with all or most of their original lineups for this year's festival, which will also feature sets from NIGHT RANGER, CINDERELLA, Bret Michaels, TESLA, ARMORED SAINT, L.A. GUNS and many more. More than 85 bands in all will perform on three giant stages throughout the five days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD9viOfFxZM&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/


Bruce Dickinson Interview

Ben Wener of The Orange County Register recently conducted an interview with IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson. A few excerpts from the chat follow.

Orange County Register: How would you characterize metal now?

Bruce Dickinson: It's kinda come full circle. Except, of course, that now more than ever the audience own the music, because of the Internet and downloads and things like that. Audiences have such a choice now. But because of that, it's really heartening when you see your ticket sales going through the roof. And with no radio advertising, no TV — we don't even have a record out. Well, we do now …

Orange County Register: But it's a greatest-hits record ("Somewhere Back in Time: The Best of 1980-1989").

Bruce Dickinson: Yeah, and it's designed — completely designed — to capitalize on people that are new to the band, who need some kind of reference to know what to dip into first. In effect, what we're looking at is a global phenomenon that is caused by word-of-mouth, and it's pretty unprecedented.

Orange County Register: It does seem that way. When I saw you at the Forum, I noticed the crowd was astonishingly young. To see 15-, 16-, 17-year-old kids … other bands who have been around as long or longer than you don't draw like that. What accounts for it?

Bruce Dickinson: The heartening thing is that it's happening in America now. This is what's been going on in Canada for ages, and it's what we expect in Europe and South America. When we go into a country and 45,000 people show up in Colombia, 30,000 in Costa Rica … we don't even have a record company in Costa Rica. These are not old, die-hard fans. These are people who are seeing us for the first time.

And a lot of them are very, very young, which is great, because with all respect to old rockers, they don't put out like 16-year-old kids. You know, they sit there and nod their heads sagely and ruminate – and they enjoy it for sure. But they don't really start leaping up and down and head-banging and taking their clothes off and sweating buckets. They'd end up in hospital.

But with kids and us … it's like feeding the hurricane. You need those warmer-temperature waters to keep the hurricane fed. We get our energy from the audience, and we fire it right back at them.

Orange County Register: Some of why you're so popular with younger listeners must have something to do with older brothers and even parents handing down records. But I think a lot of it also has to do with metal now bearing so much of your influence.

Bruce Dickinson: Yeah, I think a lot of the bands that are around now will all name-check us as being a major influence. Because, you know, we went out and we did things our own way. We went, "Screw the Establishment, we don't care about radio, we just want to rock the way we want to do it."

Orange County Register: You continue to do that.

Bruce Dickinson: Exactly. But the thing I'm really proud of is that the stuff we've been doing really stands up to scrutiny. So many of the bands now — the young bands coming up — are much heavier than we are. We don't have a problem with that — we're not gonna try to out-heavy them or anything else like that. We just do what we do.

Orange County Register: Yeah, but you outsing the majority of them. I think there's good new metal, fine, but there's also just a lot of growling and screaming now.

Bruce Dickinson: Look, I'm not gonna diss people's choices. People choose to sing that way, and audiences choose to buy it. They enjoy it. My son is in a band, and he's a singer, and his vocals … they're screaming-growling stuff … and he's got a pretty reasonable voice. Yet he practices really hard to get the screaming-growling thing without losing that voice every five minutes. So I'm, like, "Hats off to you." And then I go along to see him at gigs, and I'm like, "OK, I get this." It's not how I would sing it. But I get it, within the terms of reference.

At the same time, all the kids in his band are really into MAIDEN. They love it because of what it represents and its heritage, but also because of what we do right now. So many of these kids who are into the band now have gotten into us during the last five years. Effectively, that means that they've been listening not only to our heritage albums — if even that — but to the new stuff we've been putting out.

Orange County Register: Perhaps, but they must be hoping to recapture some part of your past, too.

Bruce Dickinson: Oh, one of the main reasons this tour has seized young people's attentions in particular is that they have no idea what it was like when MAIDEN played "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" back then — but they would have given their eyeteeth to have been there.

And now we're offering them that opportunity. Not by doing kind of a pastiche or facsimile of the World Slavery Tour. But we are bringing those songs back to life with more experience than we did in 1984. Everything in 1984 sounded like we were really in a hurry to get to the end, 'cause we were just excited, and still pretty young. We'd come on stage and play everything at twice the speed.

Now, as we've gone down the slippery slope of doing this for umpteen years, we have the confidence to give our songs the power they really deserve. A lot of bands along the way lose the excitement level, 'cause they've been doing it for years. So they get really good at delivering music that kids are gonna look upon and go, "Yeah, but they look kinda bored." (Laughs.)

Orange County Register: You look anything but bored.

Bruce Dickinson: We figured this out a while back. How do we stop this happening to us? 'Cause all of us would be really disappointed with ourselves if that happened. And we thought, well, don't play too much. Treat this as a huge privilege. Treat it like when kids get together and they're in a band, and they've got their first three or four gigs — each gig is just like the first time you do a world tour, 'cause it's so exciting.

So to keep that excitement, we just, you know, play a bit less. And we leave gaps in between. That gives us time to recover physically, but more importantly, mentally. It keeps that excitement level there.

Orange County Register: That also helps keep a mystique going.

Bruce Dickinson: Of course, once you go out, like when we did the initial part of the tour and we played in L.A. and we played in New York … I mean, you could tell the sort of seismic ripples that went through on the Internet after we played L.A. That went all the way through North America. Kids were e-mailing going, "God, you should have seen it, it was awesome, they were fantastic." The business on this tour … we've never done business like this for years and years and years in North America. It's really, really cool.

Read more from The Orange County Register.


The first fan-filmed footage has surfaced of ANTHRAX performing with its new singer Dan Nelson as the support act for IRON MAIDEN. The two clips below were shot on Friday (May 30) at the first of the two shows ANTHRAX played with MAIDEN at Irvine, California's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Indians
02. Got The Time
03. Caught In A Mosh
04. Madhouse
05. Antisocial
06. Room For One More
07. Safe Home
08. Only
09. I Am The Law

Photos from the May 30 concert can be viewed below (courtesy of Flickr user garrydolley).

ANTHRAX remaining spring 2008 tour dates:

May 31 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (w/ IRON MAIDEN)
Jun. 22 - Montreal, QC - Parc Jean-Drapeau (Heavy MTL festival)

ANTHRAX played its first show with new singer Dan Nelson this past Wednesday (May 28) at Double Door in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the band's classic hits from its 25-year career, ANTHRAX for the first time ever performed brand new material from its current writing sessions.

Rock photographer Chad Lee has posted photos from the Chicago concert at www.rockconcertfotos.com.

ANTHRAX is currently writing material for its new album. This will be the band's first studio release since 2003's "We've Come For You All", and also its first LP with Dan Nelson on vocals. 

"Madhouse":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU5rs3WokII&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/

"Only":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJmuJ1qqgs&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/
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