'Headbangers Ball: The Year In Metal': Entire Episode Posted Online

By Elric on 5:37 PM 28 December 2010

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For more than twenty years, thrashers have tuned in to the "Headbangers Ball" and on December 18, MTV2 once again honored the biggest tours, craziest stories and top metal releases of the year with the "Headbangers Ball: The Year in Metal". The half-hour special, which kicked off at midnight, was hosted by national radio personality Jose Mangin. The can't-miss half-hour special presentation featured some of the biggest names in metal, including ANTHRAX, Max Cavalera, IN THIS MOMENT, OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson and editors from Revolver and Decibel magazines, who were all on hand to look back at 2010's defining moments of metal. If that wasn't enough, the show also provided viewers with VIP access to an exclusive performance from Brooklyn's own LIFE OF AGONY.

The entire episode has now been posted online and can be viewed below. (Note: Video stream may not be available to some non-U.S. residents.)
Jose Mangin, who is described in a press release as "one of the most passionate and knowledgeable metalheads on the planet," started his career in radio in Arizona as Metal Director for the University of Arizona's college radio station in Tucson. While attending Pharmacy graduate school in Memphis, he landed a job in radio and ended up choosing a life of rock 'n' roll over medicine. In 2000 Jose moved to New York City and began his job as a national radio Program Director and on-air personality.

"It's been a lifelong goal and dream to be a part of the holy 'Headbangers Ball', a show that gave me my metal wings when I was a little kid," said Mangin. "I'm far beyond honored to be hosting 2010's 'Year in Metal' special with a team that dominates and has the same goal I do — to infect the world with heavy metal music! As our godfather Ozzy Osbourne always says… 'Let's go f'in CRAZY!!!'"

Since 1987, "Headbangers Ball" has been the heshest and gnarliest horror show on air and online. There's a ton different kinds of metal — from black metal and death metal to industrial metal and speed metal and everything in between — and they're all on "Headbangers Ball". On top of ripping through the most absurdly, obscenely raw and perverse videos in the history of darkness, "Headbangers Ball" also goes one-on-one with the bands, drawing out the secrets of their sinister worlds.

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Escape The Fate - City Of Sin - Video

By Elric on 10:30 PM 26 December 2010

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"City Of Sin", the new video from Las Vegas, Nevada-based post-hardcore band Escape the Fate, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed last month at the group's raucous record-release party at famed Los Angeles strip club Crazy Girls and it showcases Escape the Fate at its incendiary best flanked by sexy lingerie-clad dancers.
Escape the Fate has scheduled a massive amount of North American headlining tour dates that begin on January 20 in Tucson, Arizona and extend all the way into March, finishing on the 12 of that month in San Diego. The announcement of the "Dead Masquerade" tour followed the news that the group pulled out of a European trek with Bullet For My Valentine that was supposed to begin last month so that bassist Max Green could enter rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.


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Psychotic Waltz Frontman Discusses Reunion, Future Plans (Video)

By Elric on 7:14 PM

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Reini of Austria's Stormbringer.at webzine recently conducted an interview with vocalist Devon Graves (a.k.a. Buddy Lackey) of Psychotic Waltz, the reunited cult early 1990s progressive metal band from El Cajon, California. You can now watch the chat below.

Guitarist Dan Rock recently rejoined Psychotic Waltz. The group, whose lineup now includes all five original members, will embark on a European tour as the support act for Nevermore and Symphony X in February/March 2011.

Psychotic Waltz's current lineup is :

* Devon Graves (a.k.a. Buddy Lackey) - Vocals
* Brian McAlpin - Guitar
* Dan Rock - Guitar
* Ward Evans - Bass
* Norman Leggio - Drums

Commented Devon Graves: "I am blown away by the response over [the reunion of] Psychotic Waltz. I am really looking forward [to it]! In the meantime, please don't overlook my other band, THE SHADOW THEORY. My intention is to be in both bands for the future. Enjoy THE SHADOW THEORY while Psychotic Waltz writes the new album. You have time."
 
Psychotic Waltz's last studio album, "Bleeding", was released in 1996. Scott Burns engineered the effort, which was mixed by Dan Rock and Woody Barber.

In the years that followed Psychotic Waltz's demise, Rock recorded two instrumental albums with his project DARKSTAR. In the meantime, Norm Leggio and Steve Cox created the band TEABAG, while Buddy Lackey launched his own group, DEADSOUL TRIBE, where he performs using his real name, Devon Graves.



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Fear Factory To Kick Off U.S. Tour December 29

By Elric on 10:50 AM 25 December 2010

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Fear Factory will return to the stage later this month as part of their ongoing Fear Campaign tour. The short string of U.S. dates will kick off in Tempe, Arizona on December 29 and conclude 9 days later in San Diego, California on January 8.  Fear Factory -- guitarist Dino Cazares, vocalist Burton C. Bell, bassist Byron Stroud and drummer Gene Hoglan -- spent the greater part of 2010 touring in support of their critically-acclaimed Mechanize full-length released in February via Candlelight Records. Decibel magazine called Mechanize the “greatest Fear Factory full-length in more than a decade,” while Revolver noted, “the record marks a clear return to the classic Fear Factory sound. The result rings familiar but also fresh; even in the very futuristic year of 2010.” Added Blabbermouth: “Fear Factory 2010 is a fiery and evolved rebirth of the band that changed metal in the '90s…Mechanize is the album I have been waiting for.”
Fear Factory U.S. Fear Campaign 2010/2011:
12/29/2010 The Club House - Tempe, AZ
12/30/2010 Club 101 - El Paso, TX
12/31/2010 The Rail Club - Fort Worth, TX
01/01/2011 The Marquee Theater - Tulsa, OK
01/02/2011 Club Khaos - Amarillo, TX
01/04/2011 Gators - Farmington, NM
01/05/2011 Sunshine Theatre - Albuquerque, NM
01/06/2011 DV8 - Tucson, AZ
01/07/2011 Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA
01/08/2011 Brick By Brick - San Diego, CAType rest of post here

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Neuronia - Slipping Into Oblivion - Video

By Elric on 7:35 PM 23 December 2010

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"Slipping Into Oblivion", the new video from Warsaw, Poland-based metallers Neuronia, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Follow The White Mouse", which came out in March. The clip was filmed on October 19 at Warsaw's Metal Cave club and was produced by the TwojTeledysk.pl company. The video was directed by Wojciech "Thom" Holysz, guitarist and founding member of the death metal horde Empty Playground. According to a press release, "the clip follows the subjects of losing one's identity in a big city, the rat race and consumption-centered way of life."

Commented Neuronia singer and lyricist Maciek "Tektur" Nawrot: "In a big city, life often goes in an inhumanly fast pace — career and making money become the most important things, everything else is just background. People often make the wrong choices in these circumstances, often very dramatic ones, then they lose themselves and all the really important things — their identity, thoughts about their loved ones, their roots, who they really are. This song is a reminder that says: never forget who you are, about your dignity and your dreams."

Neuronia recently inked a licensing deal with Ukraine's Metal Scrap Records. The label will release "Follow The White Mouse" in the Eastern European market and will also take care of worldwide distribution through its partner companies. Neuronia will also release a new four-track EP — most likely in February-March 2011. The band has stopped all concert activities until the end of 2010 to concentrate on preparing new material for this record.


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Brand new song from Fullforce - None Of Your Concern

By Elric on 9:53 AM

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A rough-mix version of "None Of Your Concern", a brand new song from Fullforce — the new Swedish melodic metal project featuring Mike Andersson (Cloudscape, Silent Memorial Planet  Aliance) on vocals, Stefan Elmgren (Hammerfall) on guitar, Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, Yngwie Malsteen) on drums, Carl-Johan Grimmark (Narnia) on guitar, and Tommy Larsson (Heed) on bass — can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The band states, "The actual video is in the simplest of ways put together by lead singer Mike Andersson and the song is the real recording for the album but, a 'test mix' done by C.J. Grimmark. So, the footage is 'homemade,' but the music is the real deal."

Fullforce is putting the finishing touches on its debut album, tentatively due in early 2011 via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

Commented the group: "The band is very, very happy with the outcome of the album and they think it will stand out because of the width musically on the album. There's a strong red thread but, nonetheless, it jumps from straight-forward, catchy heavy metal to more melodic and ethnic updated metal."

According to Fullforce 's official bio, "Mike and Magnus met for the first time in 2006 during the recordings of the Planet  Aliance album. They became very good friends right away both musically and personally so, since the recording of that album Mike and Magnus have often talked about working more together. Same thing goes with longtime friend Stefan Elmgren and Magnus after the departure of the well-known metal band called Hammerfall. They also talked often about starting up a new band together, so the course was more or less set in late 2008 when Magnus gave Mike a phone call asking him if he was interested in starting up a new band with him and Stefan."


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Sirenia - The End Of It All available for streaming

By Elric on 6:58 PM 22 December 2010

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"The End Of It All", a brand new song from Norwegian/Spanish female-fronted gothic metallers Sirenia, is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "The Enigma Of Life", which will be released on January 21, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. You can listen to "The End Of It All" below.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The End Of It All
02. Fallen Angel
03. All My Dreams
04. This Darkness
05. The Twilight In Your Eyes
06. Winter Land
07. A Seaside Serenade
08. Darkened Days To Come
09. Coming Down
10. This Lonely Lake
11. Fading Star
12. The Enigma Of Life
13. Oscura Realidad (bonus track)
14. The Enigma Of Life (acoustic version; bonus track)

Sirenia's last album, "The 13th Floor", debuted at No. 149 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
 

Sirenia recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Gimenez Garcia) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group in 2007 after only one album due to "musical differences."

Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor".

Find more artists like SIRENIA at Myspace Music


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Iron Maiden Guitarist Adrian Smith Writing Music With INXS Singer

By Elric on 3:45 PM 12 December 2010

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J.D. Fortune, the Canadian singer who is back fronting the Australian rock band INXS on the road, told the QMI Agency in a recent interview that he has been writing tunes with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, and that one of his songs has been picked up by producer Jerry Bruckheimer for a movie. No further details are currently available.
As previously reported, Smith has joined forces with three members of Sikth — including dreadlocked frontman Mikee W. Goodman — along with members of Murder One and Vacant Stare to form a new "metal supergroup" dubbed The Primal Rock Rebellion. The band was originally supposed to make its live debut on Saturday, January 15 in High Wycombe at Bucks Student Union, but that show has since been canceled.

The Primal Rock Rebellion is:

* Mikee W. Goodman (SIKTH) - Vocals
* Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) - Guitar
* Dan Marshall (MURDER ONE) - Guitar
* James Leach (SIKTH) - Bass
* Dan Foord (SIKTH) - Drums
* James Manning (VACANT STARE) - Keyboards, Backing Vocals

In a statement posted on Iron Maiden's official web site, Adrian made it clear that he has no touring plans at the moment other than those with Iron Maiden, which will embark on an extensive world tour in early 2011.Type rest of post here

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Avantasia Kicks Off 'The Metal Opera Comes To Town' World Tour

By Elric on 2:37 PM 08 December 2010

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Avantasia — the project led by Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet — kicked off its "The Metal Opera Comes To Town" world tour 2010 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland. Joining Sammet in Avantasia's touring lineup are a number of special guests, including Gamma Ray/ex-Helloween guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen, Bob Catley (Magnum), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann and Michael Kiske (Hellloween).


Commented Sammet: "The time has come — we are back on the road!

"Yesterday the tour started in Switzerland and it was a blast for all of us and I am sure for all of our fans as well.

"The band is much tighter than last time, everybody is having a great time and it feels just 'right' to be up there. It feels right for everyone of us and right after the show we all came to the conclusion that it was the best thing to happen to go up on that stage again.

"Prior to the show I was a bit nervous, Michael [Kiske] said that this was his job, but I think he is happy that there is a chicken like me in the band.

"As soon as I was up there and the lights went on, the adrenalin rush ran over the nerves.

"A three-hour show was a bit of a risk; would we be able to keep it exciting? Well, down the line it was actually just around 2:45. My speeches were planned to be longer, but I felt that I should let the music do the talking, so the duration of the show shrunk a little, and I guess nobody missed the speeches.

"It felt great to see Michi [Michael Kiske] and Kai on stage, it felt great to sing those ballads with Bob and, of course, I am having a ball singing those diabolic duets with Jorn. I am so looking forward to traveling around the world with my fellows, the next three weeks will be amazing for all of us and hopefully for all of you.

"For tonight's second show in Pratteln there are few tickets left for the walk-up audience. I am so looking forward to 8 o clock!

"See you somewhere on tour."

Fan-filmed video footage of last night's concert can be viewed below. Also available is the first in a series of video blogs from the road from Amanda Somerville, who is one of the guest singers on the tour.

Although rumors keep circulating about further shows from Avantasia in 2011, a statement on Tobias' official web site makes it clear that after Avantasia's December world tour, there will be no more tours or festival appearances from the project apart from the Wacken Open Air show in August 2011.

Commented Sammet: "In 2011 we will not play any show except from the Wacken show, due to commitments that we all have with our individual main bands. That's why we are very happy about having found a time frame to bring the show on stage in December. 'The Metal Opera Comes To Town' world tour 2010 will be a special event that will be neither repeated nor continued. That's why we'll play as many songs as possible and make it a special experience for us as much as for our fans. Because we are not naive enough to believe that this lineup will ever get the chance to share the stage again after the forthcoming tour."

Remaining Avantasia tour dates:

Dec. 01 - Switzerland - Pratteln, Z7
Dec. 03 - Germany - Lichtenfels, Stadthalle *
Dec. 04 - Germany - Kaufbeuren, All Karthalle *
Dec. 05 - Sweden - Stockholm, Arenan
Dec. 08 - Japan - Tokyo, Shinagawa Stella Ball
Dec. 10 - Mexico - Mexico City, Circo Volador
Dec. 13 - Brazil - Sao Paulo, CTN
Dec. 15 - Argentina - Buenos Aires, [venue to be announced]
Dec. 18 - Germany - Fulda, Esperantohalle *
Dec. 19 - Germany - Essen, Grugahalle *
Aug. 06, 2011 - Germany - Wacken, Wacken Open Air

* Due to the fact that this is not a regular or annual tour but an extensive Avantasia event and experience, these shows will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for the German dates are available at www.metaltix.com.

"It's gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime affair!" said Sammet when the all-star project first set off on a world tour a few years ago. And although it seemed impossible to bring the project onto the stage after an extensive preparatory time, Avantasia headlined some of the biggest summer festivals in 2008. To this day, many fans recall the Avantasia live shows as magical, once-in-a-lifetime concert experiences.

Added Sammet: "There has always been the desire to do it again, but, of course, there is always a risk. It requires a huge amount of time and energy; there are no figures based on experience, because I don't know anybody who has taken an all-star metal opera on the road to play indoor venues. The stage production is abnormally expensive and you must not forget the many people who are involved and who come from different parts of the world. It requires a good timing.

"At some point we sat together and checked if and how we could possibly do it once again and we soon found out that December 2010 would be the right period to do a real tour.

"I admit that four weeks [is] not really a long time frame, but it's better to do a short tour than no tour at all. And if we hadn't taken that chance, it would have never happened because we will come with a lot of musicians and vocalists and it's a nightmare to mind all our individual schedules with our main bands."

Unlike Avantasia's festival tour of 2008, the band's upcoming dates will be full-fledged headlining performances, with the group performing longer sets than has been the case in the past.

"It was great to play Wacken and Sweden Rock Festival, but playing a festival you only have so much time," explained Sammet. "You play ten songs and people have a party and everybody's got fun. But doing our own tour, we can really create an atmosphere, we can play a lot longer and take people on a journey through the history of Avantasia . We can actually take people to the world of Avantasia itself.

"Fans can expect a bombastic concert experience.

"Many so-called 'metal operas' have been released on albums recently, but Avantasia will bring it on stage and take fans around the globe with them.

"You can't compare a normal band to what we are going to do. If all your favourite singers appear on one stage at the same night to take you on a musical journey, then this isn't just great, it's uber-great!"

Avantasia released its new epic masterpiece on April 3 as regular CDs ("The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon"), two separate double picture vinyls, and as a beautiful collector's edition with an Avantasia picture book. Type rest of post here

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Reunited System of a Down to play Sweden's MetalTown Festival

By Elric on 9:06 AM 01 December 2010

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The reunited System of a Down will be one of the headliners of next year's edition of the Metaltown festival, set to take place June 17-18, 2011 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The official confirmation of SOAD's participation in the event will be made tomorrow (Monday, November 29) via the festival's web site at 13.00 CET.

For more information, visit www.metaltown.se.

SOAD's much-rumored comeback/reunion tour is expected to be "officially" announced tomorrow, along with details of several other European festival appearances in 2011, including the U.K.'s Download; and the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals, which will be held June 3-5, 2011 in the German towns of Nurburgring and Nurnberg, respectively

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