Music, Photographs, Sci-Fi and more!

March Friday Night Dance Party!

2012-03-03T17:19:00.000-05:00

So the Friday Night Dance Party for March was waylaid to Saturday Afternoon. My MAC suffered a catastrophic failure. I spend Friday day at the Apple Store and the Genius Bar bloke told me my hard drive was fried. Everything on it is gone. Kaput. So there is TONS of work, reviews, magazine layouts that I have to redo. Not to mention either 1) Replacing hard drive and ALL the operating systems (you don't really realize how much you've spent on programs until they go bye - bye) and hope the mother board isn't friend. or 2) Since my MAC was 5 years old with more than 3000 cycles on the battery (whose maximum time on a charge was 90 minutes) buy a new one. Either way, it's gonna cost me a lot of dosh to get the hard ware. If you are so inclined to help a geek out, you may donate to the Kali Diaries here. Any little bit will help.

Now for what you've tuned in for - the Friday Night (Saturday Afternoon) March Dance Party! Featuring ten tantalizing tunes!!! SQUEEEE

First up is the bestest, happiest song I know of! From the band Countless Thousands here is A Pirate's Shanty!

A funk/jazz/metal/thrash amazing Norwegian band called Shining from their album Live Black Jazz. This track is called The Madness and the Damage Done.

My all time favourite - HATE SQUAD!!! My new theme song Hannover H8 Core

Relicseed's No Ritina. This is a fun track live! See them if you can!

Goatwhore's Apocalyptic Havoc is a great tune!

Another favourite of mine, Sworn To Oath's Leave You For Dead live in Manchester.

The beautiful, ethereal, tear inducing ONE by Metallica and Apocalyptica performed at the Fillmore last December.

Savage Messiah's Plague of Conscience!

The always on the road Warbringer! Shattered Like Glass from 2011 release Worlds Torn Asunder

Closing out this dance party is Southern Train Gypsy with Hallelujah in the Fire!

Mozeltov, ya'll!!

Primal Rock Rebellion - Awoken Broken

2012-03-03T15:41:00.000-05:00

*****sigh****** SQUEEEEEEEEE My love for the amazing Adrian Smith is vast. I admit to having rose coloured glasses on when it comes to what ever musical alley this man wanders down. The only exception being Maiden's last offering, The Final Frontier, of which he wrote a great deal. It didn't stop me from seeing the tour, attaching myself to the rail and making goo goo eyes at the man.

I was over the moon when I started getting information about his latest solo project, Primal Rock Rebellion. Awoken Broken has dropped on the shores of Europe and the UK on February 27 on Spinefarm Records, with an American release to follow on April 17th. My advice? BUY THE ALBUM!!! from Play, HMV or Amazon UK or get it on CD/vinyl from What Records. You can even download a digital version from iTunes. If you don't want to take my word for how amazingly wonderful Awoken Broken is, head over to PrimalRockRebellion.com and listen for yourself!

The guitars are fantastic, totally blistering and in your face. Adrian is playing some inspired hard rock here. The tracks on Awoken Broken are good old fashioned hard rock. It makes you bang your head and mosh about the living room. Mikee Goodman's vocals range from growly metal type to deep evilness to tortured artist. Awoken Broken contains anthems, slinky pole dancing numbers, and get in your car crank it loud and drive really really fast numbers.

Adrian does backing vocals on some tracks, which makes me swoon. I love his voice. Velvet it is. Awoken Broken is very hard driving. It's the album Iron Maiden should have made. Each track just blisters. Tortured Tone takes on a Bauhaus/ Fields of the Nephilim / Joy Division left turn. It was unexpected - an eye opener! As Tears come Falling From the Sky is a KORN-esq Vincent Price radio show lyric fest, very experimental. This was followed by the title track Awoken Broken which is a speed metal song. Search For Bliss reminds me of a Bowie / Bauhaus marriage with ethereal waver Manchester Factory sound guitars. But that segues into Snake Ladders, another lyrical masterpiece that just oozes evil!

The musical landscape of Awoken Broken is wide and varied. Listen with an open mind and a love of rock in all it's guises.

Musing on Music

2012-02-29T17:10:00.002-05:00

Countless Thousands is a band from Garden Grove, CA. This is an understatement. It doesn't encompass who or what these guys really are. If you look at their facebook page, they are listed as Danger - the Unstoppable Gab, Davey - Ridiculous Bass Skills / The Power to Embarrass All Musicians, and Jon - Enthusiasm/Erratic Screeching. No lie. You have to hear them to believe them. I heard them and I still don't believe it!

The album We're Just Really Excited To Be Here opens with a song called Overture. It's a great opening track. It gets people in the mood for what's to come. Overture is driving, it creates excitement.

As you scroll thru the titles of the songs, The Asskickers' Union, The Scientist Applies for a Grant but is Denied, Thanks for the Cockfosters you wonder what you've gotten yourself in for. The band is definitely more than you bargained for. We're Just Really Excited To Be Here is full of catchy lyrics, infectious grooves, happiness, laughter, OMFG lyrics, and a very sophisticated musicianship.

I really like the song Fickle because I can hear a wicked bass line. A lot of songs and bands seem to bury the bass, but it's front and center in the mix. The harmonies on Fickle are exquisite. The Chemical Exchange has some intricate fretwork that opens the song. It's like banjo finger picking mixed with 70s prog rock. The blend is a modern sounding rock tune.

Minor Sounds of Inconvenience is a great mixture of Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, and General Public. Davey Munch really does have ridiculous bass skills. This song proves it and all musicians should be embarrassed that they aren't creating such awesome music.

A Pirate's Shanty is 5 minutes 43 seconds of sheer happiness! A jaunty pirate song! The song channels Blink 182 vocal wise. It's happy and jaunty and punky and piratey!!!! It's heavy on the vocals. It has a tale to tell. That doesn't get in the way of the blare of Danger Van Gorder's guitar work. The man has chops.

Too Close To Call is a funk rock explosion. I think Jello Biafra was in the building! The track still has that bouncy, exuberant feel to it interlaced with some remarkable bass playing. Everything about the bricolage of Danger, Davey and Jon is just awe-inspiring. This is a band that would do well on the Warped Tour! They speak to that generation and the generation would do well to listen!

The Patriot showcases Danger's guitar playing over some deft drumming by Jon. Then your jaw drops as he invokes the "hippy liberal scum". I like it! It's a scathing melody calling to task every over indulgent, self centered, cubical office monkey beige mini van driving Starbucks swilling pilates gym rat.

Our Queen, Coplacene is a musically complicated opus. The composition is stellar. It's jazzy. It's funky. It's punk. It's rockabilly. The lyrics are a mouthful. The blending of guitar and bass is lavish in it's presentation. No Contest strips the lavish music away and is an a cappella presentation.

The Devil and Davey Munch is another story put to song. You just have to hear it. The song is The Devil Went Down To Georgia for the new milleneum. The song oozes a wicked jazz flair. Countless Thousands brought their A game to this song. Everything from the drumming to the bass to the guitar screams musical prodigies. The bass solo really does put many musicians to shame!

Thanks For The Cockfosters

Just

Buy

The

Album.......

BUY IT NOW!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/countlessthousands

http://www.countlessthousands.com

Cerebral Bore + Summer Slaughter = Make It So

2012-02-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

Time for the metal and thrash community to show some love! Help the brutha's out!!! Cerebral Bore are just gobsmackingly awesome live. Summer Slaughter is a mosh fest! Put the two together and it's like... like... well... Bacon + HP Sauce!!!!!!! The perfect blend!!! "Ok now we need some help from everyone of our fans, specially the ones in the USA!!! We wanna play this years Summer Slaughter, and we will manage it if you goto the Summer slaughter page and either tag our band name or just post the words CEREBRAL BORE or something to that effect. Do this alot and PLEASE spread this word amongst your friends, Us + Cannibal corpse on the biggest DM tour around would be a pretty fucking good platform for Cerebral bore, and you can seriously make this happen if you actually help us out! So please guys, do us a huge favour, we dont ask for much :)"

Vallenfyre Add Tour Date for April 2012

2012-02-29T11:37:00.000-05:00

SQUEEEEEEEEE No other way to describe the joy at having Vallenfyre add more dates to their 2012 calendar! Mark your calendars for April 7 at Boltfest - HMV Forum in London.

Tickets go on sale 20:00 GMT on March 7th and you can get them here: Boltfest @ HMV Forum London, UK

CEREBRAL BORE FORCED TO CANCEL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR; CONFIRM NEUROTIC DEATHFEST

2012-02-29T11:04:00.003-05:00

It's a case of bad news good news. Cerebral Bore got tagged by those pesky USA immigration snare. Their Visa's were denied so they won't be on the US tour with Goatwhore. Bummer!

CEREBRAL BORE are planning to return North America as soon as possible, but have since been added as the final band for this year's Neurotic Deathfest in the Netherlands - that's the good news! They will be joining CANNIBAL CORPSE, BEHEMOTH, NAPALM DEATH, SUFFOCATION, DECAPITATED and scads more. The band are scheduled to perform on the main stage this Friday, 2nd March at 7:00pm.

CEREBRAL BORE guitarist PAUL MCGUIRE comments:

"After the countless hours of work we did in order to prepare for the tour, it was a pretty heavy blow to not end up making it... But I'm sure we won't be the last band not to make it on to a tour because of a visa hold up. We have to accept that these things happen sometimes and you can't do anything besides wait.

"We had a lot of things to look forward to on the tour, like a music video shoot in Hollywood, a show at the infamous Whiskey A Go Go club on Sunset Boulevard, our first ever shows in Canada and the chance to play to a bigger and wider number of fans in the US than ever before. But as I say, this visa problem was a one-off hold up, and we WILL be back in the States in the coming months to make up for it!

"So now, after being so lucky as to be offered the famous final slot on the main stage at Neurotic Deathfest in the Netherlands this coming Friday, we get the chance to get on a stage and unleash two weeks worth of pent-up fury caused by the visa problems... Expect absolute warfare and some new material being played for the first time!"

For tickets and more information about the festival, go to http://www.neuroticdeathfest.com

If you're in the UK it's a win for you!
CEREBRAL BORE w/ SUFFOCATION, CATTLE DECAPITATION, HATE, BLOOD RED THRONE, SEPHIRAH
Mar. 13 - London, UK - The Underworld
Mar. 14 - Derby, UK - The Old Bell
Mar. 15 - Liverpool, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 16 - Dublin, Ireland - The Pint
Mar. 17 - Plymouth, UK - The White Rabbit

Relicseed @ The Rusty Nail April 27th, Ardmore, PA

2012-02-28T19:15:00.000-05:00

Latvian Heavy Metal band RELICSEED is set to tour the USA. This time hitting the East Coast. April 27th they will tear it up in Ardmore, PA at The Rusty Nail. Get your tickets: here!!! Bring a friend or two! They are really something to see live. Karlis Steinmanis is definitely on track to be the next best heavy metal guitar player out there - when he's not busy running his own recording studio KS Records. Steinmanis has some amazing chops and is definitely someone to catch live!

We Are The Gods Now!!!!!

2012-02-28T17:43:00.000-05:00

Peter Weyland - Changing the World in the year of our Lord, 2023. A man of unlimited ambition who will settle for nothing short of greatness. Says Ridley Scott:

"When the first Alien movie and Blade Runner were made, I thought that in the near future the world will be owned by large companies. This is why we have the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner, and Weyland-Yutani in Alien. They sent the Nostromo spaceship.

The Prometheus is owned by an entrepreneur called Peter Weyland, who is played by Guy Pearce. That's the connection between the two films, and nothing more. Prometheus is a new film, a new world, and is full of new ideas. And of course new monsters as well."

Are you excited for Prometheus yet? I know I am!

Warbringer @ The Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA), 01 February 2012

2012-02-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

"From the left to the right, from the back to the front, BANG YOUR HEAD!" so says John Kevill lead singer for Warbringer on the second show of the tour with Symphony X and Iced Earth. Total War brought the house down. THe crowd was totaly into the band. Warbringer are tight. They enjoy being on stage. The crowd enjoys having them there. A mosh pit is ever present. The songs were made to be played live. A thirty minute set is way too short. It's just enough to whet the appetite.

www.facebook.com/Warbringermusic

twitter.com/#!/warbringerband

Editorial Rant

2012-02-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

Editorial Rant:

Despite almost a quarter century in the rock biz, I'm still slightly gobsmacked at the sheer number of great bands that are constantly on the road that nobody has heard of. I'm beginning to think the happy rose tinted world that exists in my mind bears absolutely no relation to reality. In my mind bands like Hate Squad, Goatwhore, Warbringer, Orange Goblin are just the bee's knees. I really don't get how people have not heard of them and instantly love them. But the more musicians I speak with the more I realize that there is a huge disparity between financial recompense and sheer talent. Many working musicians are augmenting their heavy touring schedule with, gasp, day jobs. It's heartbreaking to hear that some of my favourite bands - bands that exhibit the utmost talent and drive spend their down time punching a clock working 9 to 5.

Times can't be that hard when the likes of Metallica and Iron Maiden are making money hand over fist. You, my dear reader, may be saying but, Kali, those bands have been around for ages! They've paid their dues.... Sorry, that doesn't wash when Orange Goblin have been around almost two decades! They are every bit as good as the Metallicas and Maidens. Have you guys picked up Goatwhore's newest disk? Sure you have! It makes your ears bleed! And Katharsis by Hate Squad is definitely one of the best albums to drop in like ever!!! Have you caught one of the 200 to 300 shows a year Warbringer does?

Is it possible to make a living playing metal? or thrash? or stoner rock? Of course it is. But if touring relentlessly and making amazing albums and garnering loyal fans isn't enough to keep a roof over your head and put food on the table... makes you wonder.

This doesn't stop a steady influx of "new" bands from jumping into the fray and hitting the road. Brooklyn's Mutant Supremacy, Riga's Relicseed, and Chicago's Diamond Plate aren't "new" - they've been around several years - you've just not heard of them ... yet!

The easy answer isn't just buy the disk, buy a t-shirt, go to a show. I haven't been to a show yet by any of these bands that isn't jam packed with happy punters. Each of those punters are sporting band t-shirts. So money is being spent. But rising fuel costs and flights to get four or five blokes plus loads of heavy equipment to a city near you eats away at any profits.

And before you say that they should do it because they love it - I swear I'll smack the next person that tells me that! They still have to eat and feed their kids! When was the last time you the fan just worked for free? Musicians have to pay rent and mortgage and car payments. They get electric and gas and water bills in the post just like every body else. Sure, they have a job they enjoy, but every one has the choice to work at something they like or go to a job they hate. Just because they've chosen a career path they enjoy does not mean they've taken a vow of poverty or should entertain you for free.

I've no easy solutions. All I can do is keep up the good word and let the world at large know about some killer music made by some really great blokes. Next time you're bored and they come to your town, spend a few bob and go take in a show. Buy a t-shirt. There is plenty of good music to be had. I can point you in the right direction, but you gotta take that last step.

EVILE in Spain 2012

2012-02-26T20:23:00.000-05:00

Happiness is EVILE live. Spain, here is your chance to see the UK's best thrash metal act!!!

PUCIFER - March Tour Dates + Telling Ghosts video

2012-02-25T00:17:00.000-05:00

TELLING GHOSTS - video

VIP ticket packages available at http://puscifer.frontgatetickets.com

The new album, Conditions of My Parole, available now at Puscifer.com,

March

1 Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theatre

Direct ticketing link: http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/31866

3 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/16004787FD927755

4 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0500478FB688C444

6 Kansas City, KS Kansas City Music Hall

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004788C854DE90

7 Omaha, NE Omaha Civic Auditorium

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004789A3E2E89E

10 Edmonton, AB Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1100477EC878BC86

11 Calgary, AB Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1100477EBBC3B11B

13 Vancouver, BC The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1100477DD815C4CC

14 Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0F004789CC1A4D1F?artistid=1278783&majorcat%20id=10001&minorcatid=60

16 San Francisco, CA Palace of Fine Arts

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C004825D46572A8

17 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B004834D6855A2E?artistid=1278783&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

18 Escondido, CA California Center for the Arts

Direct ticketing link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A004796A1A93C80

Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet - March 3 screening moved to new location

2012-02-24T23:33:00.000-05:00

Due to overwhelming demand, the world premiere screening of 'Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet' has been moved from the Repertory Theatre to the California Theatre. The time of the show has also changed from 6:30pm to 7pm. Here are the details below -

JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET
Saturday, March 3rd at 7pm
California Theatre
345 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Jason will be there along with his family and friends. There is a second screening on Monday, March 5th and Friday, March 9th at the Camera 12 theatre in San Jose. To get your tickets, visit - JASON BECKER FILM TICKETS.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the premiere of Jason's film with him and his family.

FEAR FACTORY Announce American Tour Dates

2012-02-23T20:48:00.000-05:00

FEAR FACTORY Announce American Tour Dates

FEAR FACTORY confirms their first tour dates for 2012. Set to begin in San Antonio on May 1, the tour’s initial dates include stops in Dallas, Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Denver and many more. JoiningFEAR FACTORY for the tour is Boston’s Shadows Fall, Kansas City-based The Browning, Riverside, California’s The Devastated, and Legacy Of Disorder from New Zealand. The tour will precede the release of FEAR FACTORY’s new album titled The Industrialist.

You know for me, the total selling point of this tour is The Browning and The Devastated. I saw them tour together last year and they are totally worth the price of the ticket! The Devastated are currently on tour (road dogs to the last).

FEAR FACTORY recently announced the addition of bass player Matt DeVries. The Ohio native previously noted, “I have been asked to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band.” Guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell noted, “we are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring line-up. He has been a friend for a very long time and he is a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine.”

With rehearsals for the tour expected to start soon, the members of FEAR FACTORY are finishing details on their forthcoming new album expected for release early summer. Greg Reely has now completed the album’s mix. All that remains is final artwork and packaging. Regarding the new material, Cazares and Bell affirm, “this album perfectly captures the true nature of FEAR FACTORY. The industrial/metal blend is a strong return to our original concept for FEAR FACTORY."

The Industrialist follows 2010’s critically acclaimed Mechanize. Blabbermouth said, “this is the album fans have been waiting for…a fiery and evolved rebirth of the band that changed metal in the ’90s.” Revolver Magazine called Mechanize, “one of the best albums of the band’s career. Its combination of new-wave melody, rapid-fire aggression, and electronic ambiance sounds as fresh today as FEAR FACTORY did nearly 20 years ago. Call it the soul of their new machine.” Decibel Magazine noted, “FEAR FACTORY are back and beyond intact.”

Confirmed dates as of press time are:

5/01/2012 Backstage Live - San Antonio, TX

5/02/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX

5/03/2012 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

5/05/2012 State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL

5/06/2012 Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

5/09/2012 Ziggy’s - Winston-Salem, NC

5/10/2012 Theater of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

5/11/2012 Wally’s Pub - Hampton Beach, NH

5/12/2012 Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY

5/13/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD

5/16/2012 The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI

5/20/2012 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO

http://www.facebook.com/fearfactory
http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

Musing On Music

2012-02-22T20:49:00.001-05:00

Tracy Towns - Driven

The opening guitars remind me of Dick Dale, very 50s classic beach guitar. The vocals kick in and they ride very high over the mix. The distortion gives it a White Zombie / Alice Cooper feel. The thing I found "odd" about the vocals was the diction. It was very... "proper". They could use more edge or growl. The drumming and rhythm guitars are solid through out.

I found it interesting that Tracy Towns is a "one man band" so to speak. He plays and records everything himself. If that's the case, Tracy Towns is a heck of a guitar and bass player not to mention recording engineer.

His latest offering is Obliterate. It's very guitar heavy. Classic 90s metal guitar heavy. The guitars and drums are the best thing about Obliterate. The more I listen to the album, the more I can see songs from this album appearing on B horror movies when they need "metal" music for the stereotypical metal/goth/vampire dude. There have been a few that I've seen where the movie would be enhanced by having Tracy Towns do the soundtrack.

The only thing that pulls from the onslaught of metal is the "odd" mix of the vocals and the vocal delivery. It works for a track like 'Black Hole Conscience' and 'It's Only METAL'.

You can find Tracy Towns on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-Towns

TracyTowns.com: http://www.tracytowns.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/townstra

RIVAL SONS MARCH UK and APRIL EU TOUR!!!

2012-02-22T15:43:00.000-05:00

RIVAL SONS guitarist SCOTT HOLIDAY comments:

"We're looking forward to getting back to our 'home away from home', Europe, and specifically the UK. Since we were last out there we did a tour of the States and a quick run through Canada, where we pleasantly received an overwhelming response, which is fantastic. This time we'll be joining up with the band Black Stone Cherry for the UK dates - we hear they do really well in the UK, and are a buncha good dudes.

"The rest of Europe will see us on our own, headlining again - great response last time, and it looks like this tour is already selling really well. We'll have our follow-up record wrapped up before we leave for the tour (which we're working on feverishly right now), so I suspect we'll be feeling good and fired up to get cracking back on stage every night. Might even sneak a new number in here and there.

"Dearest UK and European friends - we see you are starved of the rock 'n' roll - famished even - and that makes us sad. No one deserves that! So now, we will bring you the rock 'n' roll sandwich. That's us... the Rival Sons. See ya soon."

RIVAL SONS w/ BLACK STONE CHERRY
Mar. 11 - Norwich, UK - UEA
Mar. 12 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Mar. 14 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 15 - Liverpool, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 17 - Sheffield, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 18 - Manchester, UK - Academy
Mar. 19 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 21 - Edinburgh, UK - HMV Picture House
Mar. 22 - Aberdeen, UK - Lemontree
Mar. 23 - Inverness, UK - Ironworks
Mar. 24 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 26 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 27 - Southampton, UK - Guildhall
Mar. 28 - London, UK - HMV Forum

RIVAL SONS
Mar. 30 - Hamburg, Germany - Uebel & Gefährlich
Apr. 02 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis
Apr. 03 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
Apr. 04 - Bergen, Norway - Garage
Apr. 06 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
Apr. 07 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega Small Hall
Apr. 08 - Schijndel, Netherlands - Paaspop Festival
Apr. 09 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Box
Apr. 11 - Paris, France - Fleche D'Or

Cry HAVOK - And let loose the Metal of War!!!

2012-02-22T15:38:00.000-05:00

HAVOK To Release EP Late May;

Additional Live Performances Announced

Denver thrashers HAVOK continue their metal assault confirming May 22 as the North American release date of their new EP titled The Point Of No Return. Recorded by the band with final touches coming via James Murphy (Death, Testament), the EP will contain two brand new songs plus a fewHAVOK reworked cover tunes. The Point Of No Return precedes the band’s first European adventure beginning early May.

“We've been writing some new music in between tours and we're excited to unveil it,” comments vocalist/guitarist Dave Sanchez. “These are the first new songs since Time Is Up came out last year. We recorded a cover of Sepultura's classic ‘Arise’ for your listening enjoyment and the EP features our Slayer medley that was only available on the digital version of Time Is Up. The EP is a good precursor to where the next album will be taking us. I can't wait to play this new stuff live... See you all on the road!”

Currently on tour with English Dogs, HAVOK’s stage show continues to gather critical fan and media applause. On announcement of the tour, Los Angeles’ Big Wheel Magazine noted, “opening the show will be Colorado’s fiercest… HAVOK are definitely a band to keep a watch for as their break-neck speed metal is taking the states by storm.” The band has confirmed a string of headline dates beginning March 2 which includes a performance in Puerto Rico. HAVOK then will align with Sepultura, Death Angel, and Krisiun for a tour beginning in Santa Ana, California on April 10 and wraps in New York on April 30.

Commenting after signing with Candlelight Records, Dave said, “this is the break we’ve been working towards. It is the beginning of great things to come. We know that the work is really just beginning and that the pressure is on. But pressure, as you know, makes diamonds.”

Dave Sanchez says, “we've been touring a lot in support of Time Is Up and this year is no exception. We're hitting the road harder than ever in 2012. There is a lot to look forward to, including some things outside of North America. I can't wait!”

Upcoming HAVOK tour dates include:

HAVOK

w/ English Dogs, The Casualties, Toxic Holocaust

2/17/2012 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN

2/19/2012 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO

2/21/2012 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA

2/22/2012 Branx – Portland, OR

2/23/2012 The Pound - San Francisco, CA

2/24/2012 Key Club – Hollywood, CA

2/25/2012 Galaxy Theatre - Santa Ana, CA

2/26/2012 Epicentre - San Diego, CA

HAVOK Headlining Shows

3/02/2012 Another Hole In The Wall – Steger, IL

3/09/2012 Outta Bounds Saloon – Loveland, CO

3/13/2012 Riot Room - Kansas City, MO

3/14/2012 The Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK

3/15/2012 Click’s Billiards – Tyler, TX

3/16/2012 Betsey’s – Austin, TX

3/17/2012 Bonds 007 - San Antonio, TX

3/31/2012 La Respuesta – Santurce, PR

HAVOK

w/ Sepultura, Death Angel, Krisiun

4/10/2012 Yost Theater - Santa Ana, CA

4/11/2012 DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA

4/12/2012 Branx – Portland, OR

4/13/2012 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA

4/14/2012 In The Venue - Salt Lake City, UT

4/15/2012 Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO

4/16/2012 Manny’s – Billings, MT

4/17/2012 The Exchange – Regina, SK

4/18/2012 Pryamid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB

4/20/2012 Majestic Theater – Madison, WI

4/21/2012 Mojo’s – Joliet, IL

4/22/2012 Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY

4/23/2012 Opera House – Toronto, ON

4/24/2012 Imperial Theater - Quebec City, QC

4/25/2012 Club Soda – Montreal, QC

4/26/2012 Bogie’s – Albany, NY

4/27/2012 Sonar – Baltimore, MD

4/29/2012 Higher Ground - South Burlington, VT

4/30/2012 Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Cerebral Bore - Horrendous Acts of Iniquity

2012-02-22T15:29:00.000-05:00

Cerebral Bore

Horrendous Acts of Iniquity

Ahhhhhh the fresh wonderful sounds of Cerebral Bore. A new track. Tight. Frenetic. Som Pluijmers takes his vocals to a deep new black pit of death! It's just awesome! Mcdibet attacks the drums as if they are about to latch out and kill something. Klye Rutehrford and Paul Mcguire should not have hands left - as I'm very sure they were left bloody stumps after playing. It's a squeeeeeee worthy song that just makes the metal in me very happy!

CEREBRAL BORE guitarist PAUL MCGUIRE comments:

"We are all really excited about getting some new material out and starting a new chapter for Cerebral Bore. The song is a taste of what will be on offer on the next album, and it will hopefully get people perked up nicely for its release later this year, so be sure to listen to it a thousand times and sing along when it comes to show time!"

If you are in the USA you can catch Cerebral Bore with Goatwhore (squeeeee), Hate Eternal and Fallujah. Please be one of the lucky ducks to get Cerebral Bore with Goatwhore... OMFG!! That is a good time waiting to happen!

Feb. 22 - Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go

Feb. 23 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst Atrium

Feb. 24 - Portland, OR - Branx

Feb. 25 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven

Feb. 26 - Boise, ID - The Venue

Feb. 27 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue

Feb. 28 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep

Feb. 29 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club

Mar. 01 - St Paul, MN - Station 4

Mar. 02 - Des Moines, IA - House Of Bricks

Mar. 03 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock Club*

Mar. 05 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck**

Mar. 06 - Ottawa, ON - Maverick's**

Mar. 07 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques**

Mar. 08 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz**

Mar. 09 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus**

Cerebral Bore are on Earache records and have a nice healthy tour schedule this spring. Do yourself a favour and check them out live!

March 27th - London, England

April 12th - Glasgow, Scotland

April 20th - Bristol, England

April 21st - Liverpool, England

April 22nd - Edinburgh, Scotland

April 24th - Derby, England

April 25th - London, England

April 29th - Tilburg, Holland (Neurotic Deathfest)

May 5th - Belfast, N. Ireland

May 6th - Dublin, Ireland

May 7th - Edinburgh, Scotland (Dead haggis deathfest)

May 20th - Aberdeen, Scotland

May 22nd - Newcastle upon tyne, England

May 31st - Manhattan, New york

June 3rd - Houston, Texas, USA

June 4th - San Antonio, texas, USA

June 5th - San Angelo, Texas, USA

June 6th - Lubbock, Texas, USA

June 7th - Amarillo, Texas, USA

June 9th - Tucson, Arizona, USA

June 10th - Las vegas,Nevada, USA (Las vegas death fest)

June 12th - Los Angeles, California, USA

June 16th - Cancun, Mexico

June 17th - Merida, Mexico

June 18th - Co Del Carmen, Mexico

June 19th - Campeche, Mexico

September 17th - Kiev, Ukraine (tour dates to follow)

September 30th - Darjeeling, India (tour dates to follow)

The Devastated Winter Tour 2012

2012-02-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

Reliceed in Latvia March 16

2012-02-22T13:21:00.000-05:00

Go get some metal on! Relicseed will be rocking a very eclectic bill on March 16, at Sapnu Fabrika which is in .... Latvia! Squeee I won't lie to you - I can't read a word of it! LOL All I know is... RELICSEED are playing live and on the bill is a viking clad band that has bagpipes! Nothing like watching very large men in leathers and furs play metal bagpipes before (I am presuming) going out to rape and pillage!!!! Works for me. A good time shall be had by all!

Check out Relicseed:
http://www.facebook.com/relicseed
On Bandcamp for some tunage:
http://www.relicseed.bandcamp.com
On line:
http://www.relicseed.com

Prometheus International Title-less Trailer - Ridley Scott Movie (2012

2012-02-22T12:45:00.000-05:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Can't wait! This is going to be the most awesome!! Ridley Scott, I LOVE YOU! Prometheus stars Idris Elba (Luther, Family Affairs, The Wire, The Office, the Big C, and The Bill ), Sean Harris (The Borgias, Ashes to Ashes and a frequent actor on The Bill), Michael Fassbender (Band of Brothers, Murphey's Law and X Men: First Class), and Charlize Theron (Arrested Development, Aeon Flux, and Hancock). So far, the plot has been kept pretty quiet but what we can discern is that a space team gets trapped with Aliens and chaos ensues. Scott does explore some "existence of mankind" type themes while battling Space Jockey creatures and "The Company". What ever the final outcome, Ridley Scott has assembled an amazing cast and given us an "Alien" movie we've been salivating for for a very long time.

Summoned Tide - If We Fall We Rise

2012-02-22T02:11:00.000-05:00

If you had a vision of Sweden being full of wind swept plains, snow swirling around, small wooden villages, people clad in leather and furs swinging axes - then you've heard of Summoned Tide. Is the vision stereotypical? Yes. Is the music Euro-rock? Yes. But it's hella fun! If you were one of those crazy people that liked Europe back in the day, Summoned Tide is for you! In fifteen years if their music doesn't end up in in a montage in a happy feel good movie, I'm going to be disappointed.

The music is uplifting metal. You can bang your head to it or cross a large body of water in a long boat. Your choice. I'm voting for head banging and air guitar.

I'm tooling along with the music and I hear strains of Bruce Dickinson and Iron Maiden... I realize I'm still listening to Summoned Tide, 'What Am I Supposed To Feel'; pleasantly surprised. Rickard Thelin is an accomplished vocalist. He and Mikael Thelin make the guitars do things that are epic and grandiose. Where Bruce and company once sang about dragons (I shit you not), Summoned Tide has (wait for it) 'Blum dum Fairies and Pottery Goblins'. I'm not making this up. Go to http://www.summonedtide.com/ and check it out yourself! If just to listen to track 5. It's a keeper (but I'm sure you'll stay for Psycho and Ice Queen).

Psycho starts out like a 50s rock a billy vibe with a bigger production before turning into a groovy prog rock tome. I love it. Summoned Tide had me from the first riff. It closed on a classic 90s style metal song called A Demons Confess. The guitars are wicked cool. The song moves, more head banging and 80s metal dancing around the room.

The only live shows they have in the near future are in Sweden. So might I suggest you hop an Easy Jet and fly on over. March 10 Rock'n Winter in Sorsele, AC and March 17 at Woodlands in Robertsfors.

Black Cobra with Zoroaster April 2012 Tour

2012-02-18T03:04:00.000-05:00

Oh happy day! Black Cobra's Interval was listed in my Top 5 Albums of 2011 and Zoroaster are just monsters live. They have teamed up to make a lot of metal fans very happy come April. Tone Deaf Touring has paired these two with Corrosion of Conformity and the Evil DJ in your Brain will be very happy indeed! So all you lucky Germans out there - save your duckets (or Euros as the case may be) and get thee to a Black Cobra show! You'll thank me!

03/14/12 Tone Deaf Touring SXSW Showcase @ Dirty Dog, Austin TX
04/04/12 Schurr, Luzern Switzerland w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/05/12 Keller Club, Stuttgart Germany w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/06/12 Kulturfabrik, Esch-sur-Alzette Luxemburg w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/07/12 Trix, Antwerp Belgium w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/08/12 Desertfest, London UK w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/09/12 Matrix, Bochum Germany w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/10/12 Amadeus, Oldenburg Germany w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/11/12 Conne Island, Leipzig Germany w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/12/12 Arena, Wien Austria w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/13/12 Rock and Roll Club, Romagnano Sesia Italy w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/14/12 Feierwerk, Muchen Germany w/Corrosion of Conformity, Zoroaster
04/15/12 Roadburn Festival, Tilburg Holland

Iron Maiden USA Tour 2012

2012-02-16T13:09:00.000-05:00

Well it's about bloody time! After the last tour with, what? two dates in the USA - Iron Maiden are set to return to the States and do a proper tour! Mark your calenders metal heads! The mighty Maiden are coming back!!!

Maiden England North American Tour - 2012

June

Thu 21	Charlotte, NC, USA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat 23	Atlanta, GA, USA	Aarons Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Tue 26	Boston, MA, USA	Comcast Center
Wed 27	Wantagh, NY, USA	Jones Beach
Fri 29	Philadelphia, PA, USA	Susquehanna Bank Center
Sat 30	Washington, DC, USA	Jiffy Lube Live

July

Mon 2	Newark, NJ, USA	Prudential Center
Thu 5	Chicago, IL, USA	First Midwest Bank
Sun 8	Quebec City, QC, CANADA	Colisee Pepsi Arena
Wed 11	Montreal, QC, CANADA	Bell Centre
Fri 13	Toronto, ON, CANADA	Molson Amphitheater
Sat 14	Sarnia, ON, CANADA	Bayfest
Mon 16	Buffalo, NY, USA	Darien Center
Wed 18	Detroit, MI, USA	DTE Music Theatre
Thu 19	Indianapolis, IN, USA	Klipsch Music Center
Tue 24	Winnipeg, MB, CANADA	MTS Center
Thu 26	Calgary, AB, CANADA	Scotiabank Saddledome
Fri 27	Edmonton, AB, CANADA	Rexall Place
Sun 29	Vancouver, BC, CANADA	Rogers Arena
Mon 30	Seattle, WA, USA	White River Amphitheatre

August

Wed 1	Salt Lake City, UT, USA	USANA Amphitheatre
Fri 3	San Francisco, CA, USA	Shoreline Amphitheatre
Mon 6	Phoenix, AZ, USA	Cricket Pavilion
Thu 9	Irvine, CA, USA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Fri 10	Irvine, CA, USA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sun 12	Albuquerque, NM, USA	Hard Rock Pavilion
Mon 13	Denver, CO, USA	Comfort Dental Amphitheatre / Pepsi Center
Wed 15	San Antonio, TX, USA	AT&T Center
Fri 17	Dallas, TX, USA	Gexa Energy Pavilion
Sat 18	Houston, TX, USA	The Woodlands / Toyota Center

Orange Goblin Tour Dates 2012

2012-02-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

SQUEEEEEEEEEE This was the best Valentine's Day pressie ever! Other than getting A Eulogy For the Damned, Orange Goblin have announced two shows in Italy! The band tear it up at the following:

Friday 18th May – Keller Platz, PRATO
Saturday 19th May – Stoned Hands of Doom Fest, Init Club, ROMA

Details of more European shows are due to be released soon but so far the Orange Goblin have booked the following UK & European tour schedule for 2012:

Sat 17 Mar – Impetus Festival Pre-Party, Lausanne, SWITZERLAND
Sat 7 Apr – Desertscene Festival, The Underworld, London, ENGLAND
Sun 8 Apr – The Fleece & Firkin, Bristol, ENGLAND
Mon 9 Apr – Legends, Newcastle, ENGLAND
Tue 10 Apr – The Classic Grand, Glasgow, SCOTLAND
Wed 11 Apr – Sound Control, Manchester, ENGLAND
Thu 12 Apr – The Garage, Swansea, WALES
Fri 13 Apr – The White Rabbit, Plymouth, ENGLAND
Sat 14 Apr – O2 Academy, Oxford, ENGLAND
Thu 19 Apr – Desertfest Pre-Show, Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, GERMANY
Fri 20 Apr – The Pint, Dublin, REP. OF IRELAND
Sat 21 Apr – Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND
Sun 13 May – Morrowfest, Nottingham, ENGLAND
Fri 18 May – Keller Platz, Prato, ITALY
Sat 19 May – Stoned Hands of Doom Festival, Init Club, Rome, ITALY
Fri 25 May – Sonisphere, Getafe, Nr. Madrid, SPAIN
Fri 1 June – MetalFest Open Air, Dessau, GERMANY
Sat 2 June – MetalFest Open Air, Mining, AUSTRIA
Fri 8 June – MetalFest Open Air, Loreley, GERMANY
Sat 9 June – Sweden Rock Festival, SWEDEN
Fri 15 June – Hellfest, Clisson, FRANCE
Sat 14 July – Stoned From The Underground Festival, Erfurt, GERMANY
Sat 11 Aug – Bloodstock Open Air Festival, Catton Hall, ENGLAND
Sat 13 Oct – Full Moon Dog Festival, The Cockpit, Leeds, ENGLAND