CLIFF 'EM ALL: Tribute to a bass legend

Growing up, Cliff 'em All was the first Metallica videotape I owned (had the VHS copy), and it still is my personal favorite. Sure the quality was a little weak at times, but there is something special about seeing the members of your favorite band making a beer run in their youth. And the live performances during the Master of Puppets era, while on tour with Ozzy, were very cool too.

Why bring up Cliff 'em All today? Because it is the anniversary of Cliff's death, in which the metal world lost an inspirational bass player and songwriter. Burton's songwriting contribution to Master of Puppets and the entire metal scene is amazing and will never be forgotten. Cliff may be gone, but his legacy will live on with all the metal greats.

Here's to Cliff jamming out with Ronnie James Dio in Heavy Metal Heaven.

Randy Rhoads gets a tribute wine

That's right! For only $53 bucks, you can be the proud owner of Randy Rhoads' tribute wine.

As much as I love Rhoads' guitar playing with Ozzy before he passed away, I can't see myself purchasing this anytime soon (although if I was rich, who knows...).

It looks like a portion of the proceeds go to the "Randy Rhoads Charitable Trust" - to carry on his legacy. It might be more honorable to donate part of the money to another charity... I think the music will preserve Rhoads' legacy just fine!

If you are curious you can check out the D'argenzio Winery's website for more info.

Another Death Shocks the Metal World: RIP Paul Gray

Damn. I came out of graduation to hear that Ronnie James Dio passed away and then as I ended my road trip back from Texas I saw that Slipknot bassist Paul Gray died close to home, in Urbandale, Iowa, yesterday.

This is sad news, whether you like Slipknot or not, and I'm sure this is a rough time for both the members of the band, family and all of the friends the group has made while on the road.

Here's to you Paul Gray. May you also rest in peace alongside James "The Rev" Sullivan, Peter Steele, Ronnie James Dio in Heaven ... or Hell (depending on your preference).

UPDATE: Just caught the end of Slipknot's press conference. The whole band (and Gray's wife) were there and seemed very torn up over the bassist's death. Pretty intense stuff and crazy to see all these guys in a room without masks on such a somber occasion.

Rest in Peace Dio!

I heard the news of Dio's passing right after my graduation ceremony. Talk about a bittersweet moment. Like I said I am taking a week hiatus from the blog, but not without posting this live clip as a personal tribute to the heavy metal legend!

Peter Steele RIP

Apparently the rumor of Type O Negative vocalist Peter Steele dying of heart failure may actually be a reality. Like him or not, Steele has one of the most definitive voices out there and wrote some chilling songs.

So, if the rumors are all true, then RIP Peter Steele. Thanks for the tunes. True goth metal at its best.

UPDATE: Looks like Steele's death has been confirmed of what is believed to be heart failure. I figured he must be going through some medical problems, as he has been pretty strong on finding religion and looked weaker as of late.

Here is a great quote on Peter from metal journalist Joe Gausten:

"I met Peter Steele back in 1995, when Jerry and Doyle from the MISFITS brought me along to a show in New York, where they joined TYPE O onstage during an encore. This was the first time those guys has appeared onstage in MISFITS gear in 12 years.

"Backstage, Jerry introduced me to Peter, who looked up at me, handed me a bottle of whiskey and said in his classic deep voice, 'Drink!' Being an 18-year-old wiseass at the time, I immediately started chugging it like it was ice tea! 'WHOA!!' shouted Peter as he snatched the booze away from me. He then pointed to the stack of unspeakably disgusting porno mags piled up beside him. 'Um, might I interest you in some fine pornographic material?'

"Quite a nice host, if you ask me."

RIP PETER STEELE

The End of a Legacy: Scorpions Call it Quits

Here is a press release from the Scorpions, which was released earlier today.

"Important message to our fans:

"It was always our pleasure, our purpose in life, our passion and we were fortunate enough to make music for you — whether it was live on stage or in the studio, creating new songs.

"While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was — and how much fun we were still having in the process. But there was also something else: we want to end the SCORPIONS' extraordinary career on a high note.

"We are extremely grateful for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we've always had since the beginning. This is why, especially now, we agree we have reached the end of the road. We finish our career with an album we consider to be one of the best we have ever recorded and with a tour that will start in our home country Germany and take us to five different continents over the next few years.

"We want you, our fans, to be the first to know about this.

"Thank you for your never-ending support throughout the years!

"We uploaded the very first snippets from our new album for you here. And now… let's get the party started and get ready for a 'Sting in the Tail'!"

The Scorpions have always been one of my favorite bands and I do think it is respectable that they are going out on a high note. Humanity: Hour One is a solid CD for the aged band and hopefully the new one will also be great.

The Scorpions have managed to churn out a ton of hits, including the classic "Rock You Like a Hurricane" (which this host once infamously parodied as "Rock You Like a Titty Bar") and the lesser known epic tracks such as "Sails of Charon".

It's been a good ride for Scorpions and the band will be missed!

UPDATE: Sting in the Tail hits the US on March 23.

Evile Bass Player Mike Alexander Passes Away at Age 32

Evile is an up and coming thrash metal band that recently released its second album Infected Nations a few weeks ago. While they have gotten some shit for sounding too much like Metallica and Slayer, I think they are an awesome band.

Today it was announced that bassist Mike Alexander passed away after being hospitalized while the band was touring. I heard a rumor it was from a blood clot, but at this point I'm not sure (UPDATE: Death believe to be cause by a cerebral hemorrhage).

Either way, it's always tragic when someone so young passes away, especially when he is a brother in metal.

Check out the unreleased track "My Parasite" from Infected Nations. I really dig the ending riffs!

RIP Mike Alexander (1977-2009)

Father of Rock 'n' Roll Les Paul Dies Today at Age 94 (RIP)

Les Paul will always be remembered as a legendary guitarist and builder among fans of music. He left a lasting mark on the world in the form of his Gibson Les Paul guitar which has been used by all of the greats including Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, and Slash. Even the way recording is done was hugely influence by Paul's creation of the multitrack recorder.

Check out the New York Times obituary here. Rest in Peace Les Paul!

Chuck Schuldiner Fan Club

Chuck Schuldiner is arguably the biggest musician to help spawn the death metal genre and during his lifetime he left a legacy of amazing albums with his band Death. Towards the end of his battle with cancer he also started up a power metal style band called Control Denied.

Now, Chuck's family has put together a Web site to try and finally get a proper release for Control Denied's second unreleased album. $25 gets you a membership to the fan club, T-shirt, and chance to win some cool prizes by entering an essay contest.

Check out the site here.

Crimson Glory Vocalist Midnight Passes Away

Yet another tragedy in the metal world happened shortly after Metal Church announced it was breaking up, Crimson Glory vocalist Midnight passed away early morning on July 8 from "total kidney and liver failure".

Midnight performed on the first three Crimson Glory albums "Crimson Glory" (1986), "Transcendence" (1988) and "Strange and Beautiful" (1991).

One of the most underrated power/prog metal bands in the game. Transcendence is every bit as rockin' as Queensryche's "Operation Mindcrime" and should be in everyone's CD player. Listen to tunes from the album below.

Metal Church RIP

I just decided to check Blabbermouth's headlines one more time for the night, only to find out that thrash legend Metal Church is calling it quits!

Here is the official press release from the band:

"To all of our fans and friends...

"We regretfully announce that METAL CHURCH is calling it quits.

"The performance at Rocklahoma will be our last show. We have had to cancel the shows scheduled for August and that, among other things, has led us to have to make this decision.

"There has been far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward. The collapse of our record company, SPV, has made it next to impossible for us to continue in any kind of professional manner due to lack of tour support. This decision was not made lightly.

"We do have unfinished business in the studio, and with any luck we will have something that will be of interest to METAL CHURCH fans in the near future.

"We would like to thank all the fans that have stuck with METAL CHURCH through all these years, the lineup changes and the ups and downs.

"We can't tell you how much your support has meant to us, we appreciate each and every one of you.

"It's been a great ride."

Indeed it has Metal Church, indeed it has. In honor of the band's legacy check out 3 clips of the band over the years.

Even if the band dies, the music will forever live on.

RIP Dimebagg

Well Monday December 8 marked the day that Dimebagg was killed in action on stage. I remember my brother calling me at 4AM telling me the news and I did not believe him when I heard it. Went on CNN.com and sure enough, the unthinkable had happened.

However, we will always remember him in when we pop in a Pantera CD, play one of his riffs on guitar or watch Vulgar Videos.

Hell we will remember him when whiskey is cracked open and fireworks are shot off!

Here is one of the best solos from a metal legend! (The solo is from Floods off The Great Southern Trendkill album.)