A Perfect Circle rumored to reunite

I was first introduced to A Perfect Circle in what I remember as early high school by my guitar instructor Michael Curry (who worked at the great Ye Olde Guitar Shoppe in Urbandale).

Between goofing around and playing music, we also listened to great number of bands, and Michael was the one who got me into such metal greats as Pantera and Fear Factory. However, a slightly 'less metal' band he got me into was A Perfect Circle. He called it "some dark shit," if I remember correctly, and I would say he was right.

Mer De Noms is a masterpiece of an album in my opinion, which I enjoy almost more than anything Maynard James Keenan has done with Tool. I did like the band's second album, The Thirteenth Step, but can't say I still listen to it regularly, and even the covers album was decent.

I'm looking forward to see what the guys in A Perfect Circle can put together, since they have had time to recharge since breaking up in 2004. This should be interesting, at the very latest, and something I would keep on your metal/music radar.

Children of Bodom set to record new album, perform on Black Label Berserkus Tour in Des Moines

Children of Bodom has been very 'hit or miss' lately.

Blooddrunk had a few solid songs, like "Hellhounds on my Trail" and the title track, "Blooddrunk", Are You Dead Yet was a little stale, and I won't even get started on the covers album.

The last really great album the group put out was 2003's Hate Crew Deathroll (which is what took the band slightly away from the neoclassical style to all-out-heavy music).

Now, word is the band is preparing to record its next full-length album. If the band can somehow channel the energy and technicality found on the older discs (including my personal favorite, Follow the Reaper, and combine that with the heaviness of Hate Crew, then maybe Alexi Laiho and co. can finally get the respect they all deserve, while making us longtime fans happy.

However, it's not Bodom's job to impress us, so I guess we will just have to wait and see. In the mean time, Children of Bodom will be hitting the road and playing a show in Des Moines, Iowa, along with Black Label Society (whose newest album hits stores on August 10).

It should be interesting to see Zakk Wylde perform sober and Children of Bodom break out some new tracks.

Concert info is below:

Black Label Berserkus Tour
Featuring Black Label Society, Children of Bodom and Clutch.
7 Flags Event Center, Clive, IA
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 7:00 PM

Randy M.I.A.

Hey everyone stopping by the blog! I apologize for not updating with the frequency I have been able to the past weeks/months (it was almost daily, at least multiple times a week!).

I am currently serving as arts editor and looking for full-time writing jobs, doing Insanity and rockin' out in the little free time I have, which leaves me little time to blog about the things I would like to.

Hopefully I'll be back in action soon and thanks for all the support of this blog and The Metal Show over the years! I will rock again!

-Randy

UPDATE: RANDY IS BACK! NOTICE THE HUGE AMOUNT OF UPDATES TODAY / TONIGHT, I'LL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO KEEP AT LEAST DELIVERING A POST OR TWO (IF NOT MORE) A DAY INBETWEEN JOB HUNTING. THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT!

CD REVIEW: Ozzy Osbourne proves he is still the 'Prince of Darkness' on "Scream"

Ozzy Osbourne
"Scream"
**** out of *****

Over the years, fans have come to expect two things from a new Ozzy Osbourne album.

First, the musicianship is always going to be stellar, with an emphasis on grinding guitars and lightning-fast solos. Second, Osbourne will continue to amaze the masses by still being alive and releasing music after decades of binge drinking and drug abuse.

Album quality, however, is generally unpredictable.

Osbourne’s latest record, Scream, is actually a fair addition to the godfather of metal’s back catalogue of legendary albums, such as Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Bark at the Moon, and No More Tears.

The first thing longtime fans will notice about Scream is the inclusion of Firewind’s Gus G. on lead guitars (no Zakk Wylde on this one, although his influence in the songwriting process is still apparent from time to time).

There is something about Osbourne and his knack for selecting amazing guitar players (the late Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Wylde) that makes for some excellent music — and Gus G. is no exception.

Some will defend Wylde’s integrity as a guitar player and refuse to acknowledge this album’s worthiness. With his overly flashy pinch harmonics and scruffy biker look, there is no question why the man is one of the last true “guitar gods.” As amazing as Wylde is, though, the best thing to happen to this album is the addition of Gus G.

Click here to read the full review.

Black Label Society: "Parade of the Dead"

As much as it sounds like the latest George Romero zombie flick, "Parade of the Dead" is actually a new song off Black Label Society's forthcoming album, Order of the Black.

I actually think this song is heavier, meaner, and more groovin' than anything Zakk Wylde and BLS have done for awhile. Hell, maybe it was for the better Ozzy didn't work with Zakk on the new record, because now he can concentrate fully on his band.

Listen to "Parade of the Dead" below, and another track, "Crazy Horse", is available for download on iTunes if you just can't wait for the album (due out in the US on August 10).

As I Lay Dying Release "Parallels" Music Video

Can't watch this right now, because I'm rockin' out while editing articles at work, but I have heard good things about As I Lay Dying's latest album.

Check out the video below, and hopefully sometime soon I can get back to my usual frequent updates, with commentary!

Iron Maiden: The Final Frontier

It's been awhile since I've found time to update The Metal Show Metal Blog, but what better reason than to announce new Iron Maiden???

From what I've heard so far, the song sounds promising (more commentary to come when if I have time tomorrow). The track can be streamed below.