HIM New Video And EU Tour

By Elric on 7:20 AM 30 November 2007

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HIM has premiered their new music video for "Bleed Well" off their new album "Venus Doom", for the HIM fan club on Heartagram.com!

Imeem featured the world premiere of the video on Tuesday, November 27th. The band filmed the live footage for the new video at their Los Angeles shows on November 14th and 15th at the Orpheum Theatre. The live footage from the shows will also be used for HIM's upcoming Live DVD, to be released in 2008.

In additional news, Paradise Lost will be the special guests on HIM's European tour starting in Berlin, Germany on Saturday, February 16th thru Wednesday, March 12th in Prague, Czech Republic.

Check the tourdates below.

Paradise Lost Supporting HIM

16.02.2008 Berlin (D) @ Tempodrom
17.02.2008 Mannheim (D) @ Mozartsaal
18.02.2008 Munchen (D) @ Elserhalle
20.02.2008 Leipzig (D) @ Haus Auensee
23.02.2008 Dortmund (D)@Westfalenhalle 2
24.02.2008 Koln (D) @ Palladium
26.02.2008 Hamburg (D) @ Docks
27.02.2008 Hamburg (D) @ Docks
28.02.2008 Amsterdam (NL) @ Paradiso
29.02.2008 Tilburg (NL) @ O13
03.03.2008 Madrid (ES) @ La Riviera
04.03.2008 Barcelona (ES) @ Espacio Movistar
06.03.2008 Milan (I) @ Alcatrazz
07.03.2008 Florence (I) @ Saschall
08.03.2008 Modena (I) @ Vox
10.03.2008 Zurich (CH) @ Xtra
11.03.2008 Wien (AT) @ Gasometer
12.03.2008 Prague (CZ) @ Lucerna


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Bolt Thrower Refuses Wacken

By Elric on 7:26 AM 29 November 2007

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Bolt Thrower have since issued the following update regarding the poll they have launched via their official site to determine whether they should perform at next year's Wacken Open Air:

"Thanks a lot to the 17,484 people who voted in the poll, it was very much appreciated! Check the poll results

As you know, this time we decided not to decline the Wacken Open Air offer as usual, but to have a poll and hear your views on it firsthand, before making our decision. Obviously we realised that a lot of people who would be voting would not necessarily be into Bolt Thrower, but we were very interested in the comments you would send. In the end we received hundreds of comments, and the huge majority confirmed what we were already thinking, that WOA 2008 is not the right festival for Bolt Thrower.

We would like to thank the WOA organisers for their very unique offer and wish them every success, and for those of you going to WOA 2008, and who voted in favour of us playing there, we hope you have a great weekend.

We will soon be deciding and confirming which festival Bolt Thrower will be playing next summer.

Thanks again to all of you who participated in the poll.

Cheers,
Karl, Jo, Baz, Gav & Kiddie "

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Led Zeppelin Concert Halls At Google Maps

By Elric on 6:49 PM 28 November 2007

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According to NME.com, Led Zeppelin's greatest landmarks have been added to Google Maps and Google Earth.

Fans can now tour virtually around sites that were pivotal in the group's history, including Olympic Studios and Jimmy Page's Scottish mansion Boleskine House.

Also included are the O2 Arena and drummer John Bonham's grave.

A handful of locations in the U.S. are also pinpointed, including Madison Square Garden, where the group filmed their concert documentary "The Song Remains The Same" in 1973.

Go to Google Maps to view the Led Zeppelin landmarks.

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Draconian To Release New Album

By Elric on 7:37 AM

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Draconian have completed their new album. Entitled "Turning Season Within" it was recorded at Fascination Street Studios by producers Jens Bogren and David Castillo (Opeth, Katatonia).

On their lastest output, Draconian continue to uniquely unite Doom and Gothic Metal. Thus, "Turning Season Within" comprises more up-tempo parts, an enhanced heaviness, and the band΄s most personal lyrics to date. "Failing and breaking releationships, the resulting pain, and the art of dealing with it is an essential theme", says vocalist Anders.

Belgian artist Dennis Sibeijn will express the band΄s vision graphically.

Turning Season Within will be released on February 29, 2008.

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Quiet Riot's Singer Found Dead

By Elric on 7:26 AM 27 November 2007

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Kevin DuBrow, lead singer for the popular 1980’s heavy metal band Quiet Riot, was found dead inside his Las Vegas home on Sunday. DuBrow was 52-years-old.

According to the website TMZ.com, one of Dubrow's neighbors found the singer Sunday around 5:20 PM. The Clark County Coroner confirms to TMZ that they are currently examining Dubrow's body to try to determine the cause of death.

Born on Oct. 29, 1955, young DuBrow grew up in Hollywood, California, before settling in the Los Angeles suburb of Van Nuys at age 13. By the time he was in his mid-teens he had developed an appreciation for a number of British rock acts including the Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, Rod Stewart and Humble Pie. It was the latter of those influences that would leave the biggest impact on DuBrow and act as a compass in his musical career.

The eccentric singer formed the band DuBrow in 1980 shortly after original band mate Randy Rhoads left the group to join Ozzy Osbourne. In 1982 DuBrow changed the name of the band to Quiet Riot and their debut album Metal Health hit number one on the charts, the first metal band to accomplish that feat with a debut album.

While the band enjoyed the success of their initial album with headlining tours, they never achieved the same level of popularity with their later releases. Despite the decline in record sale DuBrow continued to record music with Quiet Riot and the band released their most recent album, Rehab in 2006.

No cause of death has been released.

Comment from fellow bandmate, Frankie Banali:

"I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow. I'm at a loss for words. I've just lost my best friend. Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won't comment further. There's going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won't add to that. I love him too much."

Comment from Kelly Garni, who was one of the founding members of Quiet Riot

"I ask this to all of you not only for myself but for other friends and family. I ask that no one here offer any speculation or opinions, theories or other things that could be construed as negative or, and I'm sorry for this, even sympathetic, right at this immediate time. I am already within hours of this having to deal with untrue rumors and speculation and that only adds fuel to that. There is a tendency for the subject of Kevin to incite flames on every board and now is not the time for that. I will explain to everyone here the facts and the truth in the next 24 to 48 hours as I realize this will effect us all. So please, until then, be patient. All details and other pertinate info will be passed on to you here when it becomes available to me.

Thank you."

Quiet Riot bassplayer Chuck Wright offers these comments:

"I'm completely shocked and devastated. I've truly lost a brother and it's a very sad loss for the world of rock n' roll. I'm so very fortunate to have been a part of his life these past 26 years. I have so many fond memories and it's a blessing that these recent few years have been so great with the band. There is no reason to say "I wish we could have ...we did!" I still can't believe I won't be sharing the stage with his larger than life presence ever again. The man left a mark wherever he went and I'm heartbroken that he is no longer
with us."

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DJ Devious - Pretty Picture (2007)

By Elric on 4:51 PM 25 November 2007

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When I first saw Pretty Picture from DJ Devious I felt a little strange. What the hell a work from DJ doing in a metal/rock eZine ? When Pretty Picture start playing the answer come immediately from the first song.

The album starts with a series of powerful and fast song. Furious Styles is a combination of Anthrax and Public Enemy. “Dirty” riffs and heavy drums with scratches in the background. All of Heaven, Drifter and Pretty Picture follow the same pattern. In the following songs the style of the album continually changes. From the dark The Hole the album changes to the more dancy (!?) Op:Unseen and next to the ironic soft rock Loud Bitch From Hell, which reminded me the Valley Girl from Zappa.

Unfortunately, it is really hard for a single person to write the music for 15 tracks. As a result the ablum has a huge hole. Not Now, Now He’s a Pervert and Lucy the Depraved Monkey are all on the same style: “happy” soft punk with DJ effects. In the last part, music is accelerating again with songs like Drive, Chasing Song and Fast Getaway

In general Pretty Picture has many references to Beastie Boys. Heavy music, samples, DJ effects and dirty riffs. The bad thing is that some ideas are repeated over and over again and as a result the album, although is good, in some parts becomes tired.

Rating: 67/100

Tracklist
  1. Furious Styles
  2. All of Heaven
  3. The Hole
  4. Drifter
  5. Op:Unseen
  6. Loud Bitch From Hell
  7. Pretty Picture
  8. Not Now
  9. Now He's a Pervert
  10. Lucy the Depraved Monkey
  11. Another City Tale
  12. Drive
  13. Chasing Song
  14. Fast Getaway
  15. It Only Takes 1

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Metal Hall Radio Part II

By Elric on 12:03 AM

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Here comes Metal Hall Radio... Part II. If you want to listen some music while you are browsing just click the play button on the sidebar. Although there is a bug that I'm working on it. Each time you load a new page a new song is loaded.

So, the best way to listen to the radio is to click where it says "Click Here To Listen..." and the radio will load on a pop-up window and it will play until you close it.

Happy browsing and listening.

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Destruction Statement on Tour Management

By Elric on 8:41 PM 24 November 2007

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Destruction have released the following statement after the recent tour of the UK:

"All three bands really want to thank all of the fans who turned out to support us on our recent Tour of the UK., but we also wish with hindsight, to apologise to some of you that you had to see us in circumstances that were not ideal, at some venues which sometimes should not have even been included on the schedule. This is solely down to the work undertaken by the booking agent we opted to use, Jon Knight of HAGP Music and we would like to draw the attention of all other bands and the fans to this person because we are most disappointed that charlatans like this continue to be in positions of power in the industry we all love – that of Metal!"

Destruction frontman Schmier adds:

"After 24 years of playing Metal on a professional level, working with this Concert agency was the worst and most unprofessional experience we’ve ever had in Europe! I wanna thank all the faithful fans that made this tour a success. Our loyal crew & our brothers in Onslaught and Amenti who suffered the same circumstances as well, (Sorry mates!!) but, we all really deserve better than this HAGP Music guy, surely?! No catering on most of the gigs, no posters & advertisement for the shows and the technical rider, which we did send to the UK several months ago, all just seemed to have evaporated or been ignored!

Some of this tour was an insult to METAL! A bloody fuckin´ shame, but because the fans had waited so fuckin´ long, we did not want to disappoint any of you. I really hope that the of the lack of professional equipment at some of the venues will not harm any of the bands in the future or take away from the fact that we know many of you supported us to the hilt on this tour. WE found solutions to go on and did not lose a single show on this chaotic horror trip! The replacement gig (Nottingham, Old Angel) for the cancelled show (in Liverpool) came with local assistance and from within the touring family, not from HAGP Music, who then decided also to stop talking to our management and ignoring our email requests for assistance?

Realistically, several shows on this tour should never have been booked in the first place. HAGP Music didn’t care about contracts, venues, the fans, the bands, not even his local guys who were making the best of it sometimes. To have shows announced as being cancelled without our knowledge, to not have the right equipment or have even researched the venues at all etc., caused dreadful tumult to everyone on the tour and required us ourselves to go on to Metal Forums telling people that the gigs would go ahead. How unprofessional is that? Without the long held experience of our combined band and crew and the great support shown by the Onslaught and Amenti blokes, this tour wouldn’t have survived! I publicly thank every single one!

It's scary how losers like this guy, Jon Knight, can be in charge of representing us to the fans. I’m posting this, to WARN OTHER BANDS, DO NOT work with this liar! He calls himself a concert agent, but he is no more than a shady amateur!

Thanks again to the fantastic UK & Irish FANS; Onslaught, Amenti and the locals that made the gigs possible! METAL doesn’t need this guy, and I can only discourage everybody to not work with him if you don’t wanna lose your ass! Be warned!!!"

Destruction’s European Booking Agent, Dragon Productions add:

"In the beginning, Jon Knight (HAGP Music) left a great and professional impression on us. His offer was good so we decided to commit to this tour. Then, when time came to fix the contracts etc., the original offer broke down to only 50%. And this left the band without income, only payments for crew, flights etc. covered.

The band decided to do the tour anyway; they didn't want to let their fans down, but our feelings got worse and worse. The closer the tour became, the more questions we had, and the less Jon responded. He brought in a Tour Manager who tried to save the chaos, but of course, this guy was fighting a losing battle as the tour progressed because this was a disaster just waiting to happen caused by the lack of professionalism at its base. That tour manager left during the tour and Destruction’s sound engineer took this job on as well. If band and crew hadn’t been such a brilliant team, this tour could never have been finished. No one should work with dreamers like HAGP Music, simply look for the professionals.

We will not make this mistake again as I’m sure won’t others who we are told have also worked with HAGP Music. We’re hopefully the last who will suffer this?"

Signed: J..Dusedau (Dragon Productions), Schmier (on behalf of Destruction), Mike Exley (UK Press Representative to AFM)

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Dark Tranquillity UK Tour

By Elric on 8:00 PM 23 November 2007

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Dark Tranquillity have issued the following update:

"Given the great response at the recent UK/Scotland shows, we decided to book a headline club tour in order to be able to play real full length sets to the ever growing legions of British fans.

These are the currently confirmed dates. More shows will most likely be added, and support acts will be announced in the near future."

GREAT BRITISH FICTION TOUR 2008:

Feb. 2: Cardiff - Barfly
Feb. 3: Liverpool - Barfly
Feb. 4: Birmingham - Barfly
Feb. 5: Aberdeen - Barfly
Feb. 6: Glasgow - Barfly
Feb. 7: York - Fibbers
Feb. 9: London - Barfly

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Prong European Tour

By Elric on 10:00 AM 22 November 2007

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Prong have announced the following European Tourdates to promote thei latest album Power Of The Damager:

Prong Tour

09.01.2008 (GB) LONDON / Underworld
10.01.2008 (F) PARIS / Locomotive
11.01.2008 (B) ANTWERP / Hof Ter Loo
12.01.2008 (CH) PRATTELN / Z7
13.01.2008 (I) MILAN / Alcatraz
15.01.2008 (D) MάNCHEN / Backstage
16.01.2008 (A) GRAZ / Orpheum
17.01.2008 (D) STUTTGART / Rφhre
18.01.2008 (D) ESSEN / Turock
19.01.2008 (NL) HELLENDOORN / Lantaarn
20.01.2008 (NL) DEN BOSCH / Willem 2
22.01.2008 (D) HAMBURG / Markthalle
23.01.2008 (D) SAARBRaCKEN / Roxy
24.01.2008 (D) WIESBADEN / Schlachthof
25.01.2008 (CH) LAUSANNE / Le Docks
26.01.2008 (F) LYON / Ninkasi Kao
27.01.2008 (F) RENNES / Ubu

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Scar Symmetry To Record New Album

By Elric on 8:36 AM

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Scar Symmetry have issued the following update:

"We're back home from the "Live Consternation" North American tour, together with Katatonia, Insomnium and Swallow The Sun. It's been an amazing month and we've had nothing but the best of times. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for coming out each night,
checking us out, buying our merch, hanging out, sharing their beer with us and so on. Thank you all for being the coolest ever and for your kind support!

Special thanks to our crew, "Brian" (our stage-tech), "Vicky" (our merch-girl), "Spud" (our tour-manager) and "Walter" (our buss-driver), and to all our new friends in Katatonia, Insomnium and Swallow The Sun, for all making this trip a blast. It's been a hell of ride!

As goes for what the future holds, live-wise, we've been confirmed for the 2008 edition of the House Of Metal Festival, to be held in Ume, Sweden, between the 15th and 16th of February. For more info, please check the live section at : www.scarsymmetry.com !

In the meantime, we will begin recording our third album, starting december 1st. So far we have thirteen songs written, but we're aiming to have another three or four done, before we start sifting through the material, deciding which songs to include on the album. The new disc will go under the name of "Holographic Universe" and it will most likely see its release in the late spring of 2008, through Nuclear Blast Records.

Also, out now is the Nuclear Blast All-Stars album part II, "Out Of The Dark", written by Peter Wichers (ex-Soilwork) and featuring Christian lvestam among other singers. It's the second and last one of two albums to be released in support of Nuclear Blast 20th anniversary. Check it out!

More news as it happens!

/The Scars"

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Grosskopf To Release A Non-Guitar Rock Album

By Elric on 7:24 AM 21 November 2007

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Frontiers Records will release the debut album from Markus Grosskopf's (Helloween) Bassinvaders, entitled "Hellbassbeaters", on January 25, 2008.

Bassinvaders was a creation of Markus' while sitting in a bar and enjoying a few drinks. It was there that he got inspired to produce a heavy rock record without any guitars at all. He presented this concept in early 2007 to Frontiers Records, which was intrigued by the idea and gave it a go.

According to a press release, "Hellbassbeaters" contains all the basic elements of a heavy rock record "and so much more. You got the strong vocals, rhythmic bass, intoxicating drums and even bass and twin bass solo parts. What you hear is what you get: 100% genuine heavy rock record with absolutely no discordant guitar note on it at all." To guarantee a great variety of different influences, Markus invited some well-known singing bass players from the German metal scene to join the band, including Destruction's Schmier, Sodom's frontman Tom Angelripper and Rage's Peavy. He also managed to get a few of his bass heroes to lay down solos on some of the tracks, including Billy Sheehan, Rudy Sarzo and DD Verni.

Guest musicians include:

Bass:

Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai, ex-Mr. Big, ex-David Lee Roth)
Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-Ozzy Osbourne, ex-Whitesnake, ex-Quiet Riot)
Lee Rocker (Stray Cats)
Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, ex-Whitesnake, ex-Ted Nugent)
DD Verni (Overkill)
Wyzard (Mother's Finest)
Dirk Schlochter (Gamma Ray)
Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, ex-Anthrax)
Stig Pedersen (D.A.D)
Nibbs (Saxon)
Tobias Exxel (Edguy)
Jens Becker (Grave Digger, ex-Running Wild)
Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69)
Peter Baltes (Accept)
Jan S. Eckert (Masterplan)
Michael Moller (Jaded Heart).

Vocals:

Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind, Time Requiem, Evil Masquerade, Majestic)
Jesper Binzer (D-A-D)

Drums:

Andrι Hilgers (Rage, Axxis, Silent Force)
Stefan Arnold (Grave Digger).

01. Awakening the Bass Machine
02. We Live
03. Armageddon
04. Romance In Black
05. Godless Gods
06. Empty Memories (Breaking Free)
07. Boiling Blood
08. Far Too Late
09. The Asshole Song
10. Dead From the Eyes Down
11. Razorblade Romance
12. Voices
13. Eagles Fly Free (Helloween cover)
14. To Hell And Back (bonus track for Europe)

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Brainstorm New Album Info

By Elric on 12:06 AM

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Brainstorm are back with a bang! After celebrating "Ten Years Of Brainstorm" with the re-releases of their first two efforts ("Hungry" & "Unholy") and the release of their first ever 2-DVD set "Honey From The B's", Brainstorm are launching another powerful rocket: "Downburst" is ready to strike and Brainstorm are back stronger than ever before, with songs that range from fast, hard and double-kick-driven bastards to epic soundscapes to melodic metal hymns!

Being perfectly brought into shape by producing team Sascha Paeth and Miro, "Downburst" is ready to strike every nerve of the listener with its variety and pounding heaviness!

"Downburst" will be released as a regular jewelcase as well as in a limited edition jakebox (100% plastic-free) including 2 bonus tracks!

Tracklist:

01. Falling Spiral Down
02. Fire Walk With Me
03. Stained With Sin
04. Redemption In Your Eyes
05. End In Sorrow
06. How Do You Feel
07. Protect Me From Myself
08. Surrounding Walls
09. Frozen
10. All Alone

Bonustracks Limited Version Europe
11. Crawling In Chains (Bonus)
12. Hold Tight (exkluisver Europe-Bonustrack)

The album will be unleashed on January 25th (G/A/CH/I) | January 28th (Europe) through Metal Blade Records.


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Vicious Rumors Parts Ways With Rivera

By Elric on 7:25 AM 20 November 2007

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Vicious Rumors have issued the following update:

"Vicious Rumors would like to thank all the fans and friends who supported the band over the last year on the World War Tour. We had a great time with everyone at all the shows in the USA, Europe & Japan. As the Warball tour ends the band is now in pre production for a new studio CD to be released next year.

Even though the band has gone through many changes over the years VR has maintained a solid force in US power metal over the last 25 years. VR has already written several new songs for the new CD to follow up Warball . Due to artistic differences singer James Rivera is no longer in VR. James was let go after the European tour in Sept '07. Recently James Rivera has issued a statement saying VR was Broken up after his departure with a list of other personal problems. We understand that Helstar is his true love and passion and wish them all the best.

VR moves forward to next year with a new CD and a new lineup. After 25 years, 12 Cd's & countless tours in no way has Vicious Rumors split up. You cant kill rock n roll..

Look for VR on tour with a new CD in 2008. "


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Rotting Christ - Invitation To The DVD Recording

By Elric on 12:08 AM 19 November 2007

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"Rotting Christ invites you to their DVD recording concert on 8th of December.


You are all welcome from all around the world to celebrate with the band the 20 years of their existence with events before and after the show, So if you want to come to Greece to attend a gathering of Rotting Christ fans from all over the world please ask for further pieces of information via dvd@rotting-christ.com

You have to send via mail:

1. Full Name
2. Date of your arrival and departure

Your confirmation will give you ticket for the concert, full information about your trip and confirmation for a hotel in the centre of Athens.

We are looking forward to see all of you!!! Just say yes and let us guide you to a night full of surprises!"

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Led Zeppelin To Tour ?

By Elric on 12:23 AM 16 November 2007

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Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are saying different things about a possible full-fledged Led Zeppelin tour.

While Plant is saying a one-off show is all that the 70's rockers will treat their fans too, Jimmy Page, Zeppelin's famed guitarist, has told Guitar World Magazine that their may be more dates in the work because of the big demand big reunion tour.

"It's a bit silly (for only one date) because there is such a massive demand. It is a bit selfish to do just one show. If that is it we probably shouldn't have take the genie out of the bottle," he says in the his interview with the magazine that will hit store shelves next week.

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Iron Maiden - Live After Death DVD

By Elric on 6:50 PM 13 November 2007

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EMI Records are proud to announce the release of the Double Disc DVD of Live After Death, the legendary recording of Maiden's four night stand at Long Beach Arena, California, in 1984. In the shops 4th February 2008 (5th in the US), the release will coincide with the start of the band's "Somewhere Back In Time World Tour" on which they will recreate many of the aspects of this original and spectacular show.

Disc one contains the recording of this full 90 minute concert. Originally filmed on 35mm, the footage comes alive on DVD resulting in a visually stunning film that far outstrips the usual live video of the '80's. The disc carries two sound options - the original concert audio specially mixed into 5.1 Surround Sound by Kevin Shirley, Maiden's producer since 1999, plus the original stereo sound track by Martin Birch, the band's producer from 1981 to 1993.

Disc two has Part 2 of the 'History of Iron Maiden', continuing on the Maiden story from "The Early Days" DVD, along with rare and unseen bonus footage in the form of Behind The Iron Curtain, Rock In Rio '85, and 'Ello Texas, all in all giving a total running time of well over three hours. Plus of course the photo galleries, relevant promo videos, artwork galleries, tour dates, tour programme and other features which all combine to make Maiden DVDs a very special and utterly comprehensive treat for their fans.

Manager Rod Smallwood explained:

"The original video of Live After Death has not been readily available for a long time so its good that we finally got around to this. lt was one of the first full concerts to be filmed after the advent of video and of course the live album, recorded on a different night to the video, has long been considered to be one of the seminal Metal live albums and has sold millions since. Fans have been begging us to do this DVD for some time now but we wanted to wait until we were able to recreate that whole tour to go with it and also to make it part of a series of DVDs that we are putting together around the band's history. And of course we are making sure that now we have got to it we will be giving the fans everything we can find from that period!!"


FULL LIST OF CONTENTS

Disc 1 -- LIVE AFTER DEATH
Live After Death concert with Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio (90 minutes)

Disc 2 -- DOCUMENTARY / BONUS CONCERT FOOTAGE

1.The History of Iron Maiden -- Part 2 (60 mins) -- Documentary.
Band members, crew, friends and associates talk about the period in the band's career which saw the writing, recording and release of the Powerslave album, and later Live After Death, and the subsequent massive touring. And not just the serious side!!

2. Behind the Iron Curtain ( 57 mins approx) Documentary and Live -- shot during Maiden's historic tour of Poland and other parts to the Eastern Bloc in 1984 featuring interviews, live and offstage footage capturing the atmosphere of this remarkable journey behind the Wall at the height of the Cold War.

3. Live Footage - Rock in Rio '85 (50 mins approx)
The full Maiden set supporting Queen on the first day of the first Rock in Rio in front of 300,000 manic metal fans. A bloody and stirring performance!!
Songs performed include Aces High, 2 Minutes to Midnight, The Trooper, Revelations, Powerslave, Iron Maiden, Run To The Hills, Running Free

4. Ello Texas -- 15 minutes -- Interview and live. Caught by a film crew in 1983 at the Alamo and sound checking their show in San Antonio.

5. Artwork Gallery, Tour Programme, Tour dates and photo gallery

6. Promotional clips for Aces High and 2 Minutes to Midnight


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Become The New Producer Of Lamb Of God

By Elric on 11:09 AM 08 November 2007

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Industry pioneers Lamb Of God have crossed the line… literally. The Grammy-nominated metal band are breaking down the smoke and mirrors and allowing - for the first time in music history - fans and professionals alike the revolutionary opportunity to produce and/or remix the entire Sacrament audio CD. All of the studio audio tracks (guitar, vocals, drums & bass) from the entire Sacrament album have been isolated, separated and prepared for use by music fans everywhere in ANY Mac or PC, so it is very user-friendly.

Remix the album any way you want to hear it. More bass? Your call. Less drums? Your call. Dub remix? Your call. New vocals? Good luck!

Track and add your own effects, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and anything else you can imagine! Isolate tracks to help learn or to play/sing along. Create your own new unique songs or loops by cutting apart, rearranging or mixing up tracks or even entire songs. The possibilities are endless and the tools are now in your hands.

Let your inner-producer shine! We dare you! Share your Lamb Of God creations online and check out the creative adventures of other new producers. You are the beginning of a revolution in music as we know it.

To hear samples of the release go to www.lambofgod.tv.

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Iron Maiden Special Show In L.A.

By Elric on 10:01 AM

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Iron Maiden announced a one off show at the Los Angeles Forum on Tuesday February 19th as part of the first leg of the 'SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME WORLD TOUR 2008'.

The band will fly in especially for this one show from Tokyo two days before and depart for Mexico the day after on a specially commissioned and customized Boeing 757, flown by Astraeus Airline Captain and Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson. The 757, decked out in Maiden and Eddie artwork, will carry the band, road crew and other personnel of around 70 people plus over 12 tons of equipment.

This first leg of the 'SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME WORLD TOUR' opens in Mumbai India on February 1st, and continues through Australia and Japan before arriving in LA. For tourdates check www.ironmaiden.com.

The entourage then fly to Mexico and into Latin America for the band's first ever concerts in Costa Rica and Columbia, and on to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rica and New York, before finishing in Toronto, Canada, on March 16th.
Over the 45 day period it is anticipated that Maiden will play to well over 400,000 fans in 21 cities in 10 countries, flying close to 50,000 miles in the specially refitted plane.

Comments Bruce Dickinson:

"I have been flying commercial passenger jets for Astraeus Airlines for a few years now and we are commissioning an Astraeus Boeing 757. It will go in for overhaul, painting and conversion in November which will then give us time to ensure we have all the necessary safety documentation, especially with regard to fire safety. It also means it could possibly be flying commercial air routes decked out in Maiden colours for a couple of months before we start!

"Looking at the list of places we would like to play we have always had problems joining up the dots. With sea containers in various places it slows down the whole touring process, which is fine if you want a holiday but not if you want to play.

It's great to see places but we don't want to sit around for a week waiting for gear to get from, say Australia to South America, so this way we can get to more fans in more places en route in the same time period"

To tie in with forthcoming 2008 releases on DVD of the classic 'Live After Death' concert video (full details coming soon) this tour, aptly entitled 'SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME', will revisit the band's history by focusing almost entirely on the 80's in both choice of songs played and the stage set, which will be based around the legendary Egyptian Production of the 1984-85 'Powerslave Tour'. This will arguably be the most elaborate and spectacular show the band have ever presented, and will include some key elements of their Somewhere In Time tour of 1986/7, such as the Cyborg Eddie.

Steve Harris comments;

"The last time we played California was the Verizon last October and it was a fantastic gig, sold out well in advance so the fans were well up for it. It was as good a crowd reaction as we have ever had in LA. It was also our last show on that US Tour and really ended up a night to remember. It will certainly be the first time we have played LA by flying in, doing the show and flying straight out again - we usually like to hang around there for a few days!! We will have to make up for it next time!!

"l always loved the Powerslave show which I think was arguably our most spectacular ever, so bringing it back to LA - where we originally filmed the show at Long Beach Arena for our 'Live After Death' video - has got to be special and we are very much looking forward to it".

The Iron Maiden fan club have arranged an exclusive first access pre-sale for members to buy Tickets to the show on Tuesday November 6th, before tickets go on sale to the public on 10th November.

To allow fans to be right up close to the band, the fan club will also be running a special draw whereby 60 winners and friend at each show will be given first access to the venue enabling them to be first to the stage barrier. Full details can be found on www.ironmaiden.com.

The promotion is also open to all Iron Maiden fan club members !!!!

The second leg of the Tour will take place mid May to mid June with further concerts in North America, followed by the third leg European Tour, extensively covering most of Europe in Stadiums and major Festivals.
In total the band are expected to play to well in excess of one and a half million fans during the entire tour.


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Sirenia Part Ways With Singer

By Elric on 10:14 PM 07 November 2007

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Sirenia have parted ways with singer Monika Pedersen. Read the band's statement below:

"Due to musical disagreements singer Monika Pedersen and Sirenia has decided to part ways.

As a result of these circumstances Sirenia will have to pull out of the planned European tour with Therion. The show in Athens will be postponed until may 2008. You have our apologies for this, Sirenia will be back on the road next year. We will use the coming months to find a new singer, as well as composing music for our next album."

Here is Monika's statement:

"After much consideration I have chosen to leave Sirenia, but I will continue with music. The reason is, that we have too many musical differences, and I don't feel like it's the right band for me. I have had a great time in the band, lots of good experiences and only wish the best for the band in the future.

I want to send a big "Thank You" to all the fans for your support – you haven't heard the last of me!"

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Ronnie James Dio - Interview

By Elric on 7:40 PM 04 November 2007

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Ronnie James Dio needs no introduction. From his work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and with his own band Dio, and now with Heaven and Hell, Dio is a musical legend.

Mike Elliott: You’ve just got off tour with Alice Cooper and Queensryche in America. How has that gone for you?

Ronnie James Dio: It was great. It was wonderful. You are talking about 3 headline acts there. It was quite a show. It was very and enjoyable and went very well.

ME: You worked with Queensryche last year on the Operation Mindcrime II album. Was it good to get out on the road with them?

Dio: The very first European tour that they did, they supported us, so I’ve known them for ages and ages. It was great to have them out there because they are friends, plus all the Alice guys as well, we are all friends. It was very enjoyable because there was no animosity at all.

ME: That’s got to be good when you are out on the road.

Dio: Oh yeah. It’s great to see familiar smiling faces for a change.

ME: So you are heading to the UK tomorrow. What can the UK fans expect from the Heaven & Hell show?

Dio: It’s visually a very good show. We have production with us and it’s done very well. It’s very interesting, we don’t try to blow up the world or anything, we try to do that musically. That’s where people will be the most satisfied. I mean the band is just so good, it just never lets up. There has not been one bad show in the almost 9 months that we have been on the road. Not even close to a bad one. They’ve all just been absolutely stunning. Each one of them.

If people do have expectations of seeing something good and listening to something that is really amazing then I think that is what they are going to get.

ME: They are going to get a full on musical experience?

Dio: Absolutely yeah. These are songs that we haven’t even touched for fifteen years. They are a hundred times better than they were ever played before or ever done before. It’s been a real revelation.

ME: Do you think that is because coming back to the music fifteen years later technology has improved, sound equipment has improved. Do you think that has played a part in that?

Dio: No not one bit. It’s all down to how good everyone is and how we had probably forgotten how good the songs were all those years ago. How much more intricate they are than we remembered, and how satisfying they are to play. Because each song is an adventure in this kind of music and a departure in what most people do. It’s just been absolutely wonderful to play these songs because everyone is so good in what they do and everyone has the same attitude. We just refuse to be bad!

ME: And go out there and have a good time night after night.

Dio: Absolutely

ME: I think that’s really important. You put out Live At Radio City Music Hall recently, and it’s just been certified gold in America, have you been impressed with how that has turned out?

Dio: Oh yes, extremely impressed. I thought that the people who shot the show did a wonderful job. They captured the show very well and I think that their editing, their camera movement and what they did with the finality of it was wonderful. I was very happy with the musicianship and what it sounds like.

It’s a great product and from what I’ve heard from everyone else so far, fans especially, then it’s probably correct. It was a great show, and it shows the band in such a good light, and shows us for exactly what we are, and that we enjoy what we do and that the audience enjoys it with us.

ME: And captures the live feel of what you do in the arenas?

Dio: Yeah it really shows the band at the level that it’s supposed to be at. And once again the performances are pretty flawless.

ME: So with it having gone gold there has been talk of maybe a new studio album from Heaven & Hell next year. Is that something that could happen?

Dio: Yes, we have decided to do that. When it would be, I couldn’t tell you. This is the last part of the tour after about 9 months on the road. It’s time for us to take a little breather. When the time is right we will get together and start writing for the next album, but as far as the release date goes it will probably be later next year.

ME: Does that mean that you won’t be going back to the solo Dio stuff for a while then?

Dio: I will. I plan on doing some touring around March or April. Sometime like that. I want to keep a hand in on that one. I love this band that I play with as well, and it’s another career, another career with a lot of great music as well.

You will see that a lot in the shows that we do play. When people ask if we are going to be doing any Dio material. That’s always a nice compliment. But of course we don’t. It would be wrong to do that.

It’s nice to know though that people don’t forget and it’s something that they want to hear again so much like we are doing with Sabbath now those songs live forever and they become kinda classics of their own. There is always that path to go down and I will.

ME: With touring with Dio, the band, and recording another album next year does that mean there is unlikely to be another Heaven & Hell tour next year?

Dio: I don’t know if there will be one next year. It depends on how long it takes us to do what we do. When you do an album you have to tour with it. When it is I don’t know but I’m sure we will.

ME: So it will be a tour when the album is ready?

Dio: Yeah. When we have that all finished and we can take our time and do a proper job of it then touring will certainly be in the offing.

ME: Taking time and getting things just right is obviously important to you?

Dio: Oh yeah. We are always on top of that anyway. We refuse to play badly in concert and we refuse to put out a bad album as well. What we write will be what makes us happy, and usually what makes us happy is what people want to hear from us. I don’t know how much time we will need. Sometimes you can take too much time. You can just wallow around and all of this should be perfect and that should be perfect. You have to have the ability to know when naturalness has to take over because everything isn’t perfect, because if it’s too perfect then that is what it sounds like. It has no heart. It has no soul.

So we know very well how long it will take us and how long it should take us to do it. We are not going to go for the perfectionist, but we do have enough time certainly to give ourselves some choices.

ME: I think that’s very important. If you write things that are too perfect then people won’t respond to it in the right way.

Dio: That’s right.

ME: We talked earlier about Queensryche. How did the collaboration on Operation Mindcrime II come about with you playing Dr X?

Dio: Well Geoff called me and said “We are doing Operation Mindcrime II. Please come and sing and play the part of Dr X”. And at that time I had the time to do it. I was between things, luckily.

So knowing Geoff as long as I did and knowing him as well as I do it was really a no-brainer for me to say “yeah ok, I’ll do it”. And you know Mindcrime I was such a great piece of work, and to be included on the second part of that was really flattering for me. So it was something that I wanted to do. Especially for Geoff, and the rest of the guys as well, but especially Geoff, who is such a good friend.

ME: You had the one live performance in L.A. with them that appeared on their DVD. Is that something that you would like to reprise at some point perhaps?

Dio: Well I could at some point. They have released it now so everyone has seen it. I don’t know how much more important it could get. Unless we played on the moon or something! Other than that, as far as reprising it goes, you know, if it was the right situation, and it was important to the guys to do it, then I would. It was really a lot of fun to do that with them live. It was like a magical kinda night.

ME: When Tenacious D put out their debut album they had a song that was dedicated to you. How did you feel about that at the time and more so now?

Dio: Well I was very flattered. I was a fan of Jack’s anyway, certainly as an actor. I had not heard their material and someone told me that this band, Tenacious D released a song that was about me and told me that it was time for me to retire. They kinda put it in a very negative way and as always I thought I’ll listen to it myself and I thought it was great.

I knew exactly what they were talking about, and of course when I met Jack and spoke to him about it he was very reverential and very respectful about it. He said I hope you’re not mad and I thought it was great. So he was very happy about that and I was very flattered that Jack cared. A guy of Jack’s stature cared enough about me, you know, a singer.

ME: That’s superb. Just one more question for you. You’ve had press recently regarding Vivian Campbell. Is that something that you are quite passionate about?

Dio: No I’m not passionate about it. I think that the lowly vermin that captured that on his cell phone at a moment when you are saying something that perhaps you would never say to the press, or something that you didn’t really mean that much, but you know, sometimes situations dictate what you say. And once again that was something that was completely off the record.

Apparently I said something bad about the band as well, about Def Leppard, and once again all of things that were said were said in the heat of the moment. No reference to them at all, and I would like to apologise to those guys. I like them. It wasn’t fair to them, but as far as Vivian goes, all I can say is check out the source, and then see what that source has been saying and sometimes you reply. Most of the time I have been taking the high road on all of it and I have not said anything on it. I have praised Vivian so much and I think that he deserves praise for as great as he played, but you know that was just a retort to the things that he had said about me first, and once again in an unguarded moment, I feel that I was very unfair, but I said what I said.

But I am not passionate about hating him, no. I have better things to do with my life than to think about revenge or being a horrible person. Of course I don’t want him to die! What I said was, once again a heat of the moment thing. Those thing can not be explained unless you speak to the source which is me I guess, like you are doing. So no, I have no passion about that whatsoever.

ME: I wasn’t sure how you would take it but I thought it was worth asking. To sort of clarify it.

Dio: Well if I say something I will certainly explain what my motive was and what my method is. So thanks for giving me the opportunity to say it.

ME: Your very welcome. Thank you very much for talking to me.

You can catch Ronnie fronting Heaven and Hell this November in the UK. The bands schedule takes in the following shows:

4th - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
6th - Glasgow SECC Hall
7th - Sheffield Hallam FM Arena
9th - Manchester Evening News Arena
10th - London Wembley Arena
11th - Brighton Centre
13th - Birmingham NEC
14th - Cradiff International Arena
15th - Nottingham Arena
17th - Plymouth Pavilions
18th - Bournemouth BIC

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Led Zeppelin Reunion Shows Postponed

By Elric on 9:33 AM 02 November 2007

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Led Zeppelin have postponed a one-off comeback concert in London because guitarist Jimmy Page has broken his finger, the promoters said on Thursday.

The concert will now take place on December 10 and all tickets for the original concert on November 26 will be valid, a statement said.

The injury happened last weekend and Page will not be able to play guitar for three weeks, a statement quoted a specialist as saying.

"I am disappointed that we are forced to postpone the concert by two weeks," said Page, 63.

"We feel that this postponement will enable my injury to properly heal and permit us to perform at the level that both the band and our fans have always been accustomed to."

Led Zeppelin split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham and last took the stage 12 years ago at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The concert venue takes up to 20,000 fans and many die-hard Zeppelin fans had organized trips from around the world to attend the concert this month.

Tickets were allocated by ballot and more than 1 million fans registered for a chance to see the legendary rock group.

Page will be joined by singer Robert Plant and bassist John Paul Jones, and Bonham's son Jason will be the drummer.

The show will be a tribute to the late founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun, who signed the group in 1968.


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MSG New Album

By Elric on 11:30 AM 01 November 2007

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"Hi Everyone,

Hope all is well with you guys and that you are not too confused yet.

We are currently working on a new Web Site due to improvement and it will be up and running very soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Also, we are preparing for a New MSG Studio Album. It will be an album with great well known Musicians (the choices are Fantastic), followed up by a World Tour. More about it later. In between, I may be doing some Live Shows with Michael Schenker & Friends.

As you probably have already heard, I am giving guitar lessons. These lessons can ONLY be booked through:

Goott Records
e-mail: msguitarlessons@earthlink.net
phone: 00447504150200
Location: North London
200 (1 hour)
Keep in mind that the line is only open from 10am till 7pm UK time.
This is a booking line only.

Goott Records is also opening a new management office for
Michael Schenker Businesses only, such as:
Concert Bookings
Various Projects
Recording Sessions
Fan Club
Guitar Lessons
Distribution
Merchandise and more.

Thank You 5 will be released soon. This time it may involve a rhythm section. Other events and projects are Movie Sound Tracks and some Concerts with Siggi Schwarz.

Thats all for now.
More soon.

All the best,
Michael"

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