I am Randy, host of The Metal Show and longtime Iron Maiden fan, and I am writing for one little favor.
PLEASE COME WITHIN 6 HOURS DRIVING DISTANCE OF IOWA CITY, IA, ON YOUR NEXT NORTH AMERICAN TOUR!
One fateful day, I was robbed of my chance to see Iron Maiden due to the Ozzfest festival I had tickets for being canceled in Wisconsin (I think it was there). I do not solely blame you guys, but also Ozzy for destroying my chance to see the best fuckin' band alive.
Oh, and please play heavily from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and Powerslave, or at least change up the setlist if at all possible.
I have heard a lot of good things from the guys in Exodus about the upcoming album, Exhibit B: The Human Condition, so lets hope it kicks as much ass as the album cover.
A skeleton with uzis, grenades, a pistol, a machete and even more explosives is about as metal as it gets.
Maybe Exodus can come up with something as good as Shovel Headed Kill Machine this time around? Who knows?
Oh, in addition, Lazarus A.D. (aka Exodus Jr.) released a new action-packed video for the song "Absolute Power" which you can check out below.
It might actually be time for me to get a record player.
I had overly hopeful plans to get one about two years ago, then realized a good vinyl sound system actually isn't all the cheap. Sure I probably could just settle for something crappier, but I like the idea of owning a sweet record player... maybe someday.
My record player aspirations aside, for all you vinyl lovers out there, three of Pantera's most iconic albums will be reissued on vinyl. That means you will be able to pick up brand new record copies of Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven on a release date TBA later this year.
I meant to purchase Master of Puppets when that was reissued awhile back, but never got around to that one either. I might have to look into that one as well.
I also kind of wish Pantera's often forgotten classic, The Great Southern Trendkill would be released on vinyl, but I can't complain too much.
In the meantime, listen to some Pantera below.
UPDATE: In other Pantera news, former frontman, Phil Anselmo, has made plans for an autobiography. I remember reading a feature on him in Revolver (back when it was much cooler), and the dude has definitely been places. Should be one of the more interesting rocker reads.
I wrote on the topic of "Women in Metal" for my college newspaper, The Daily Iowan last summer (unfortunately I cannot find a link to the article on the great DI archive system) and got a wide number of comments, both positive and negative.
It's amazing how many males will make sexist remarks on articles about women in metal. Just today, Blabbermouth.netposted an article mentioning a recent KNAC.com interview with Arch Enemy frontwoman Angela Gossow in which she called Revolver's Hottest Chicks in Metal special edition "an embarrassment for women" (note: Gossow did originally pose for the magazine).
I couldn't agree more. Sure a woman's sex appeal can help sell a band's music, but there is a limit to this. I don't think a woman should have to demean herself to sell records and the Hottest Chicks in Metal series borderlines on doing just that (example: a near-nude photo of In This Moment'sMaria Brink).
On the other hand, I did also get a chance to interview the frontwoman from Eyes Set to Kill, Alexia Rodriguez, who posed for the magazine (alongside her sister no less) and she said this:
“The people at Revolver really support our music, and they did before they even knew me and Anissa,” Rodriguez said. “I mean if it were in Playboy, I’d have to say it would be a negative thing, but because it’s a well-known metal magazine, I think it’s a pretty good thing.”
I can't say I fully agree with Alexia's positive attitude, but her photos were probably classier than some of the others, so I get where she is coming from.
I'm glad that Angela Gossow publicly ridiculed the mag and I think she is the perfect woman to do so. She is strong-minded and a brutal death metal vocalist. An inspiration for all women who are fans of metal in my opinion.
I'm not saying Revolver needs to can the idea entirely, but if it does continue, it should make sure to keep the photos classy and not topless (even if the breasts are covered up). After all, you wouldn't want to see a topless (or pantsless) dude in the magazine.
The saddest thing I have seen in all of this is that instead of enjoying the fact that women are actually getting into the music men have always loved, we are ridiculing them, mocking them and treating them like shit because of it.
The more women in metal, the better in my opinion. Sure some bands with female fronted vocalists aren't all that great, but the same can be said with male fronted bands as well. If you don't like a band, don't listen to it, but anyone refusing to listen to Arch Enemy ever since it got a "chick singer," well... it's their loss.
Everyone knew this tour combining Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper was going to happen at some point in time, but now it is finally official!
Cooper and Zombie will be sharing the stage, and it is likely they will be upping the gore factor for this one. Current dates listed below.
Apr. 26 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre Apr. 27 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Apr. 28 - Edmonton, AB- Rexall Place Apr. 29 - Calgary, AB - Corral May 01 - Vancouver, BC - Pacific Coliseum May 02 - Kennewick, WA - Toyota Center May 04 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
Here is what the two shock rockers had to say about the match-up:
Rob Zombie commented, "The dream or nightmare comes true! Me and The Coop have been talking about touring together for about 15 years and finally the moment is here. This will be without a doubt a rock 'n' roll spooktacular for all the cool ghouls."
Alice Cooper added, "I'm looking forward to these concerts with Rob. It's sort of like Dracula vs. Frankenstein, we're like this generation’s classic monsters. When we're not onstage frightening audiences, we'll be backstage trying to scare each other."
UPDATE: Added a commercial for this tour. Anyone find it weird that they only use White Zombie tracks? Because I did... especially when Zombie has a pretty good new album out.
This is an old cheesy video for the song "Hearts on Fire," but seems relevant since the Swedish curling team is doing well in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Looks like a bunch of bands are letting us sample their music right about now. You can check out the entire High On Fire album Snakes for the Divine at the band's MySpace.
The dudes at Metal Insider are streaming a new Finntroll song, "Under Bergets Rot" off the upcoming album Nifelvind and you can listen to a new Trivium song, "Shattering the Skies Above" featured on the God of War III Soundtrack below.
This is the first time (and maybe last) I will ever post anything about Avenged Sevenfold, which I will justify by saying Mike Portnoy playing drums on the album is BIG news (well for Dream Theater nerds at least).
It will be interesting to see the drummer step out of the prog style and play more "commercial friendly" metal music. I imagine the band decided they needed to break out the big guns if recording a new album after the passing of drummer Jimmy Sullivan.
I can't say I hate Avenged Sevenfold, but I have always looked at them as a gateway band. The kind of radio friendly metal that eventually gets people into the "real deal." (whatever the hell that means...)
The vocalist is a bit nasally and whiny for my taste, but the band does write some catchy tunes and has some sweet harmonies, as can be seen in the song below.
I do think it will be interesting to see how Dream Theater fans and the general metal community reacts to this news.
Oh, and for the hell of it, I'll post a classic Dream Theater tune below too. Might as well go with the closest thing it ever had to a commercial hit.
Guitarist Jesper Strömblad announced today that he will be leaving In Flames in what sounds like an attempt to get rid of his alcohol addiction and stay on good terms with bandmates.
He is the last original member of the band, although arguably the recent line-up is the true heart of the band. However, Strömblad wrote a ton of the band's songs and was a big part of their sound, so it sucks to see him go.
I know a lot of people give the In Flames shit, but it has managed to put out innovative music over all these years, while refusing to make the same album twice, which I think is very respectable.
Below are just a few badass tunes from the band (from different eras of course)...
I have to say, Brian Fair does a good Ozzy laugh. And I liked this cover of "Bark at the Moon" ever since Retribution came out in 2009.
The other covers the guys do on the album as bonus tracks are also badass (Nuclear Assault's "Critical Mass" and Cro-Mags' "Age of Quarrel"). Check out the music vid for "Bark at the Moon" and the track "Age of Quarrel" below.
Not only did Fear Factory put out a Mechanize today, featuring the crushing combo of Gene Hoglan and Dino Cazares (both literally and sonically), but Overkill and Arsis put out great records too!
The new Fear Factory might just be the best thing since Demanufacture (which is still a revolutionary CD to this day).
Overkill'sIronbound is a total metal classic that should be picked up by all true metalheads. Bands don't make albums like this anymore! It's brilliant! (Although, there are a few production flaws with my digital copy at least, hopefully they'll fix come clipping / static issues).
And I haven't spent too much time with the new Arsis CD, Starve for the Devil yet, but from what I've heard it combines '80s metal and death metal into a satisfying mix.
If there was a reason to motivate you to visit your local record shop / online retailer, this should be it! These are three solid releases and you can't really go wrong with any of them.
Watch the new Overkill video for "We Are the Night" below (or just stream the entire album HERE).
If you haven't heard of White Wizzard, get on that shit and check out a post I made earlier with the group's latest video!
However, for those already possessing the metal know-how, I can't help but cringe when I hear the term "nostalgia metal." Whether it is the trend of movie remakes or even television commercials, it seems like creativity is pretty much dead in the world.
But for some reason I love what I have heard from White Wizzard and Holy Grail so far. Just who the hell is Holy Grail, you might ask?
Well, shortly after White Wizzard released its High Speed GTO EP, guitarist Jon Leon fired everyone in the band due to too much "tension." The former members still wanted to play music, so they started up Holy Grail and released a badass EP called Improper Burial.
White Wizzard will respond with Over the Top on March 9, and I imagine Holy Grail is probably working on a full-length right now as well.
From what I've heard both bands are recording some awesome tunes, so the split is actually a good thing for us all. However, I imagine these two bands are having at least a "friendly" feud to see who can come out on top in the metal world.
Check out both bands' MySpace pages for more info. I think you will like what you hear. Note: I put up some Youtube vids below for your enjoyment as well!
I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions, especially now that it's February, but if I did make a resolution back when, it would have been to listen to more High on Fire.
I'll admit, despite seeing the band live a year or two ago, I just haven't really listened to em' all that much. Maybe it's because I try to avoid most doom metal that isn't Candlemass or Black Sabbath, but I hear they are the most kickass of the newer doom bands.
So lets make this agreement. When High On Fire's latest album, Snakes For the Divine comes out on February 23rd, I will buy it and review it. Then I can finally make my judgment on the band once and for all.
Oh and while you are waiting you can listen to a new song "Snakes for the Divine" streaming at SPIN.com. I would listen to it, but the craptacular Mediacom Internet service is shitting out again.
That's right, ol' Junior has rejoined the mighty Megadeth after seven years of being away from the band.
I am kind of curious as to what brought all of this on, but I guess I won't question it (although it always sucks for the "other guy" aka James Lomenzo when shit like this happens).
However, Ellefson played a huge role in Megadeth and is the most iconic member next to Dave Mustaine, so I am excited to hear this news.
Who knows, if Mustaine and Ellefson can set aside their differences, maybe Mustaine and Metallica can too? (Yeah, right.)
I could post some classic Rust In Peace era Deth on the blog, but why not be original and pick a cool tune from the softer, yet still badass, Youthanasia for some late night listening? Boom. "Blood of Heroes".
While looking at Sepultura's Wikipedia page, I noticed the above chart showing that Derrick Green has been with the band for as long as Max Cavalera now...
And yet there are still tons of people who say, "Bring back MAX!" or "The only good thing about modern day Sepultura is Andreas Kisser!" Well all of you people can suck it.
Sepultura is still as hard working as ever and Dante XXI made this metal show host's end of decade list! (you are missing out on a great album if you ignore this one).
Sepultura is way more complex and evolving in sound than it would have been if Max was still in the band. The current members are willing to experiment and try new things, which I always admire.
Plus, keep in mind Max's ending work with Sepultura wasn't really all that memorable to begin with.
Also don't forget that Paulo Jr. has been in the band since the beginning, Andreas almost the whole time, and the latest drummer Jean Dolabella is awesome too.
I'll admit, even I haven't given A-Lex the attention it fully deserves, but I can't imagine Sepultura would be putting out anything better if Max would have stayed around.
By this point, if you don't like the band, quit whining.
P.S. I did enjoy Cavalera Conspiracy's Inflikted album a lot. But it isn't really anything innovative. Just a fun album to rock out to.
For reference here is the recent live video which had similar comments to what I was complaining about... not the best sound quality, but looks like it would be a cool show if you were there! (Sepultura opening for Metallica in Brazil I believe).
'80s hair metal band RATT are back to give metal a kick in the ass... or something like that. This song isn't amazing, but actually isn't bad either. It's pretty legit compared to what some of the other glam metal bands are putting out these days (maybe aside from Tesla?).
Richard Christy (Charred Walls of the Damned, Death, Control Denied) confirmed that Control Denied will release its second album with Chuck Schuldiner (RIP) playing guitar.
It is the last recorded album of material by the guitarist before he died in 2001 after suffering a battle with cancer. The first Control Denied album is like the instrumental aspect of Death mixed with Maiden-esque/power metal vocals.
There is no set release date for the album yet, but the fact that it will be coming out is awesome!
