RockNLive.org recently conducted an interview with SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.
SKID ROW's new EP, "United World Rebellion - Chapter One", was released in Europe on May 24 via Germany's UDR Music. The European version of the EP includes two bonus tracks, both of them cover tunes: "Fire Fire" (EZO) and "United" (JUDAS PRIEST).
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" European version track listing:
01. Kings Of Demolition 02. Let's Go 03. This Is Killing Me 04. Get Up 05. Stitches 06. Fire Fire (EZO cover) 07. United (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" sold around 1,500 copies in the Unted States in its first week of release. Released in North America on April 16 via MRI, the effort is the first in a series of EPs that the reincarnated band — Dave "Snake" Sabo (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass), Scotti Hill (guitar), Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Rob Hammersmith (drums) — plans to release in the near future.
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" reignites the youthful energy and blistering sound that SKID ROW is recognized for around the world. "That sound and energy is what resonates with people and knocks them on their ass," says Hammersmith. "We had a lot of great ideas to work with, so we're all really excited about this new music."
SKID ROW's rebellious tunes hit the big time in the late 1980s. However, after several Top Ten singles, gold and multi-platinum sales, No. 1 Billboard-charting tracks and more, the band split in 1996. In 2000, to the delight of fans everywhere, SKID ROW reformed and returned to the stage to open for KISS. They then released two new musical offerings in the form of 2003's "ThickSkin" and 2006's "Revolutions Per Minute" with new singer Johnny Solinger out front. Seven years later, the band is back again with new music, ready to take over in the new age of heavy metal.
"When we put the band back together, we needed to reintroduce SKID ROW as relevant without relying too much on past success," explains Bolan. "We sunk our heart and soul into it, letting people know we weren't doing it for lack of nothing better to do."
For the new EP series, Bolan and Sabo tapped again into the potent songwriting collaboration that built SKID ROW. Sabo says they were eagerly up to the challenge. "We seem to be at our best when we're faced with adversity. It's us against the world again — and by us I mean the band and the fans who stick with us and carry the SKID ROW torch without fail."
"The idea [of releasing EPs] really appealed to me," adds Bolan, "Especially with the constantly changing musical climate. I like the idea of a steady flow of new music, as opposed to releasing a full-length album then riding it for the next two years."
And although striving to reintroduce themselves and try something different, these boys are still strong in their roots. They got older, but SKID ROW never really grew up. "United World Rebellion" is still the youth gone wild, their musical spark still burning gasoline.
"I will always be that 16-year-old kid in front of the mirror, pretending to be Ace Frehley or Michael Schenker," admits Sabo. "It's still about writing a great song with your friend, praying it connects with someone. That has never left me. That willfulness will always exist, and there's so much left to say!"
Singer Jacoby Shaddix of Californian rockers PAPA ROACH and his son Jagger spoke to Fuse at this year's Rock On The Range festival, which took place May 17-19 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. You can now watch the chat below.
Shaddix underwent surgery in September 2012 to remove nodes from his vocal cords. Shaddix's condition forced him to stop singing and led his band to drop off last summer's Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival tour.
Even before his vocal problems started, Shaddix admitted in several new interviews that he came close to committing suicide earlier last year as he struggled with both marital problems and falling off the wagon.
"This record is a snapshot of me at my most desperate," Shaddix told The Aquarian Weekly about 2012's "The Connection". "As I was writing this record, [my wife and I] were split, so there was a lot of pain and anger and frustration. As the dust settles in my life, I realize that I'm the orchestrator of all this chaos. I'm the one at fault. I'm the fucking problem. When you go through that stuff, sometimes it's hard to own your own shit, to step up to the plate and own it. I just had to because I wanted to do the right thing."
He added: "I was able to make this record, express myself and get my family back together and get my respect from my band. At the eleventh hour, I pulled it off. I don’t know, man, this is a repeating cycle in my life. I don’t know how many more times I can do this to myself."
"The Connection" was re-released in Europe as a special tour edition on May 6 via Eleven Seven Music. The effort contains a bonus DVD of a concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles featuring performances of new songs as well as the band's biggest hits, including "Still Swingin'", "Give Me Back My Life", "Before I Die", "Last Resort" and "Between Angels & Insects".
"The Connection" was produced by rock veteran James Michael (SIXX: A.M., HALESTORM) and John Feldmann (PANIC AT THE DISCO, THE USED, BLACK VEIL BRIDES). The CD sold 22,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 17 on the Billboard album chart.
"The Jason Lee & Kluck Show", which airs on the WRBR-FM (Real Rock 103.9 The Bear) radio station in South Bend, Indiana, conducted an interview with Los Angeles glam-metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER prior to the band's May 17 performance at Club Fever in South Bend. You can now watch the chat below.
STEEL PANTHER recently entered a studio in Sherman Oaks, California with producer Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, MEATLOAF) to record their third full-length album for a fall release.
Speaking to the South Bend Tribune, STEEL PANTHER drummer Stix Zadinia (real name: Darren Leader) stated about the band's as-yet-untitled new CD: "If you liked [2009's] 'Feel The Steel' and [2011's] 'Balls Out', you will love this record. It is more heavy metal songs that are hooky and great and fun and make you want to rock and make you want to have a good time and party. Also, there is a lot of riffage on this album that I think anybody who has ever questioned this band — 'Oh, those guys wear spandex and it is 2000-whatever' — these songs are going to put all of that to rest."
Regarding naysayers that say STEEL PANTHER is a joke-metal band, Zadinia said: "Listen to our record and tell us that our songs aren't better than most of the bands out there. How funny is that? At the end of the day, it comes down to the songs. I think our songs — without sounding egotistical — I think our songs are great. When you hear the hooks in our songs, you hear the playing and you hear the vocals, you throw that up against any band in any era, and I think it stands up."
"Balls Out" sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Guitarhoo.com conducted an interview with Ben Varon and Masi Hukari of Helsinki, Finland-based hard rockers AMORAL when they were in the Philippines for an appearance at the 13th edition of Pulp Summer Slam, the premiere metal festival in Southeast Asia, which was held on April 27 at the historic Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City. You can now watch the chat below.
AMORAL recently entered the studio today to begin recording their sixth album, due later this year via The End Records. The drums for the CD — which will feature an all-star cast of Finnish music industry people — were recorded at Sound Supreme studios in Hämeenlinna with Janne Saksa. Then the sessions moved to Helsinki and finally to Kuopio where Marco Hietala of TAROT and NIGHTWISH fame produced the vocals for the new album. The as-yet-unnamed album will contain eight songs wth a running time of almost an hour. In addition, the songs and lyrics form a whole, so it is possible to view the album as a thematic one. The CD will be mixed by Mikko Karmila, who is no stranger to dealing with large conceptual pieces.
New York progressive rockers COHEED AND CAMBRIA took part in a press conference prior to their performance at the 13th edition of Pulp Summer Slam, the premiere metal festival in Southeast Asia, which was held on April 27 at the historic Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, Philippines. You can now watch video footage of the question-and-answer session below.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA's latest album, "The Afterman" was released in two separate full-length volumes. The first volume, "The Afterman: Ascension", was made available on both physical and digital platforms in the U.S. on October 9, 2012 via Hundred Handed/Everything Evil, and distributed through Fontana/Ingrooves (available in Canada via Universal Music Canada). The second volume, "The Afterman: Descension", came out on February 6.
A deluxe version of "The Afterman" includes a hardcover coffee-table book with expansive art by Heidi Taillefer and Nathan Spoor with collaborative written work from singer/creator Claudio Sanchez and writer Peter David that creates a song-by-song experience.
The two records follow-up to 2010's "Year Of The Black Rainbow", and feature new bassist Zach Cooper and returning drummer Josh Eppard, who have replaced Michael Todd and Chris Pennie, respectively.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA frontman Claudio Sanchez said of the album: "This is, without a doubt, the most honest record I've ever written. Though all the songs can be interpreted through our main character in the story, they were initially written in a very spontaneous manner. In the past, I've always had a predetermined idea of what the story was going to be when I approached the songs. With 'The Afterman' being a new story within 'The Amory Wars' arc, I allowed the events of my life to drive the concept, and therefore opened up the songwriting to a fuller degree."
Yamaha conducted an interview with drummer Justin Foley of Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE prior to the band's sold-out April 21 concert in Berlin, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.
Justin joined KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2003 and was promptly heard on the band's 2004 release, "The End Of Heartache", with the title track earning the band a Grammy nomination and the album becoming the band's first gold record. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has since toured the world, playing Ozzfest and Warped tours, to name a few.
In 2006, Justin's variety in his musical background, in particular with frame drums and marimba, was featured on the compilation "Drum Nation Volume 3".
Since his early years, Justin has furthered his musical education at college, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Connecticut. He continued his classical training at the Hartt School of Music, earning a Master of Music in Percussion Performance.
Justin's strength lies in is his consistent rock drumming and precise sound. He plays a Yamaha Maple Absolute kit in with a 20" Bass Drum and 12" & 16" Toms and Yamaha hardware.
99.7 The Blitz conducted an interview with DEVICE — the new band fronted by DISTURBED singer David Draiman — at this year's Rock On The Range festival, which took place May 17-19 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. You can now watch the chat below.
DEVICE released its self-titled debut album on April 9. It debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard album chart, selling 35,000 copies in its first week of release.
David launched DEVICE last year with ex-FILTER guitarist Geno Lenardo, after DISTURBED went on hiatus in late 2011.
Lenardo is not touring with DEVICE due to previous commitments. The live band, which made its debut on April 10 in Mobile, Alabama, includes DOPE guitarist Virus and EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt.
DEVICE will hit the road this summer on Gigantour 2013, along with MEGADETH, HELLYEAH, NEWSTED, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and other acts. The trek kicks off on July 3 in Gilford, New Hampshire, wrapping on August 11 in Toronto, Canada.
Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH performing at the first-ever Ozzfest Japan — which debuted on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, 2013 to capacity crowds and wide critical acclaim — can be seen below. The two-day music festival — the first major international music festival to ever travel to the country — drew sold-out crowds of 20,000 fans on each day.
Ozzfest Japan — a collaboration between Sharon Osbourne and Japanese promoter Hayashi International Promotion (H.I.P.) — included Ozzfest alumni BLACK SABBATH, SLIPKNOT, TOOL, DEFTONES, SLASH and STONE SOUR. Other bands on the bill included MAXIMUM THE HORMONE, DIR EN GREY, MAN WITH A MISSION, MOMOIRO CLOVER Z, STEEL PANTHER, NINGEN ISU, GALNERYUS, NAMBA69, AA=, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, MUCC, THE TREATMENT, ANTHEM, CROSSFAITH, COLDRAIN, KNOCK OUT MONKEY, HEAD PHONES PRESIDEN, ARTEMA, and FADE.
"13", the first BLACK SABBATH record in 35 years to feature singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together, is due out June 11 on Vertigo/Republic. This marks BLACK SABBATH's return to Vertigo, their original label, and the group's first studio album together since 1978's "Never Say Die!"
Details of the album's deluxe edition surfaced on April 19, with the band revealing that the eight-song effort will be accompanied by three bonus tracks called "Methademic", "Peace Of Mind" and "Pariah".
Several versions of "13" are available for pre-order, including a standard CD, a double CD that includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio, a heavyweight vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve and a "Super Deluxe Box Set" containing the double CD, the vinyl album, an exclusive DVD documentary on the band's reunion, 13 photographic prints and hand-written lyrics.
The drum tracks on the album were laid down by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE sticksman Brad Wilk following original drummer Bill Ward's decision to bow out of the reunion.
Osbourne went on the BBC in England to discuss the band's new single, "God Is Dead?" and the inspiration behind the track. Ozzy explained, "I was in somebody's office and there was a magazine on a table and it just said, 'God Is Dead', and I suddenly thought about 9/11 and all these terrorist things and religion and how many people have died in the name of religion. When you think about the tragedy that's happened throughout time, it just came in my head. You'd think by now that their God would have stopped people dying in the name of, so I just starting thinking that people must be thinking, 'Where is God? God is dead' and it just hit me."
Ozzy added that the question mark at the end of the title is his way of showing that he's not sure about the answer himself, saying, "At the end of the thing, there's still a bit of hope because there I sing that I don't believe that God is dead. It's just a question of when you see so many dreadful people killing each other with bombs, and blowing the tube trains up and the World Trade Center."
Ozzy told an Australian radio station that "13" is "mind-blowing," adding, "It's better than my wildest dreams; it's so good."
SABBATH kicked off its world tour in support of "13" on April 20 in Auckland.
German dark metal quintet AGATHODAIMON entered Kohlekeller Studios in February with producer Kristian "Kohle" Kohlmannslehner to begin recording its new album, "In Darkness", for a June 28 release via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Phoenix" will feature cover artwork by Hicham Haddaji of Strychneen Studio.
The "In Darkness" title track can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
Commented AGATHODAIMON guitarist and vocalist Sathonys: "We're sure 'In Darkness' has a lot of killer songs, and we did step into the right direction — though it's also a step backwards. Back to the roots, to be clear.
"We collectively felt that 'Phoenix' reached a point that's as far as we can go, without denying our roots. So we summoned the spirit of the old times (of course without trying to pretend it's 1995).
"We've put focus on the atmosphere and got rid of elements which did not fit to our vision.
"To summarize, I'd say it's less technical, but more dense, coming rather from the heart than our heads. This sounds strange maybe, but you'll get it once you'll hear the first songs.
"Speaking of new songs, 'In Darkness' also features 'old' material, back from when our Romanian vocalist Vlad was still around. But don't worry, it's a history lesson that won't sound outdated. Actually, there's a re-recording of 'Dusk Of An Infinite Shade', something we actually worked on many years ago, but back then skipped the idea because it didn't seem to match with the other material. It simply did not sound right. But now, it turned out that it was a great preparation to get in the mood and to set the sails to embark on a journey... 'In Darkness'."
Wisconsin State Journal has posted an obituary for former WHITE ZOMBIE and LAST CRACK drummer Phil Buerstatte, who died on May 19 at the age of 46.
Buerstatte, who suffered through years of drug addiction, treatment and prison time, died in his sleep in his Madison, Wisconsin home. The cause of his death has not yet been determined.
Wisconsin State Journal reported in 1995 that Buerstatte struggled with an addiction to crack cocaine and spent time in prison for burglaries, stealing vehicles and eluding police.
"If the window on my cell popped open tonight," Buerstatte told the paper at the time, "I wouldn't try to escape because I don't trust myself outside. If I hadn't been put away, I think I'd be dead."
After spending a few years in the mid-2000s living in Massachusetts, Buerstatte came back to Madison, where he lived for the last few years, his brother and sister said.
He had trouble finding work in recent years because of the time he spent in prison.
"He kind of bounced around," his sister, Rachel Tvedt, said. "He did a lot of work in people's homes, like a fix-it type of a person."
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman Scott Weiland has released the following statement via his Facebook page:
"A letter to my fans,
"Like everybody else out there, I read about my band, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, and their recent performance this past weekend with a new singer. To tell you the truth, it took me by surprise. And it hurt.
"But the band that played last weekend was not STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and it was wrong of them to present themselves as that.
"First of all they don't have the legal right to call themselves STP because I'm still a member of the band. And more importantly, they don't have the ethical right to call themselves STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, because it's misleading and dishonest to the millions of fans that have followed us for so many years.
"When I tour on my own, it's never as STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. It's as Scott Weiland. The fans deserve to know what they're getting.
"Like any band that's stood the test of time and made music for more than two decades, STP had a special alchemy — the four of us together were greater than any one of us apart. So if my former bandmates want to tour with a new singer, that's their prerogative.
"I don't give a fuck what they call themselves, but it's not STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.
"And so I say to you, our fans, I'll see you out there on the road this summer where I'm touring as 'Scott Weiland' with my band THE WILDABOUTS. But don't give up on STP. I know I haven't."
As previously reported, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS members Robert DeLeo (bass), Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Eric Kretz (drums) have filed a lawsuit against Scott Weiland claiming that he sabotaged their 20th anniversary tour by being chronically late for performances and missing promotional gigs. They also allege Weiland refused to communicate with other bandmembers in an attempt to "hijack" the tour. "The band endured much strife and lost significant opportunities because of Weiland," the suit states.
STP officially fired Weiland in February after weeks of rumors about his status, issuing a terse statement that read, "STONE TEMPLE PILOTS have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland."
This was the second time that the band has parted ways with its often troubled frontman, following a split in 2002.
Fans were shocked when STONE TEMPLE PILOTS made a surprise appearance at a radio festival in the Los Angeles area last Saturday (May 18), with LINKIN PARK's Chester Bennington making his debut as the new STP lead singer.
The group performed a new song called "Out Of Time" at the show, putting a studio version online earlier this week. The DeLeo brothers and Kretz now claim in the lawsuit Weiland got vindictive and tried to interfere with the release of the single. Weiland's lawyer, according to the lawsuit, called the head of programming at the Los Angeles radio station KROQ and said if the station played "Out Of Time", it would be infringing on Weiland's rights.
Bennington has said that he was planning on doing more recording and touring with STP, while remaining in LINKIN PARK.
JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro has slammed the band's former bassist, Eric Avery, for recently exiting NINE INCH NAILS after Avery was named one of Trent Reznor's new bandmates earlier this year.
Speaking on the latest episode of Navarro's online radio show "Dark Matter", the guitarist said: "I'm looking forward to the 12-hour YouTube session of [Eric] dishing the dirt on why [he quit NINE INCH NAILS]. 'Once again I am mesmerized by my inability to follow through with anything.'"
Navarro continued: "This guy has constantly talked shit about me, Stephen [Perkins, JANE'S ADDICTION drummer] and Perry [Farrell, JANE'S ADDICTION vocalist], and quit our band twice to, quote unquote, pursue all of these really intense solo creative artistic outputs. All these different mediums that he's going to, get into or whatever, where is it? Where's all the shit that he's doing? I don't know. I wouldn't be so vocal about it if he didn't do a feature-length film talking shit about all three of us."
He added: "[Avery] quits JANE'S. He got thrown out of GARBAGE, he got rehired by GARBAGE, he's in NAILS, now he's out of NAILS. I mean, what the fuck is the problem here? You know what I mean? Me, Perk and Perry have managed to put everything aside for 30 years."
He concluded: "The guy's entitled to do whatever the fuck he wants to do, and it's fine, but keep your fucking mouth shut. I don't really care. You can quit every band in the world…
"Here's the thing. I'm talking mad shit. The reason why is he opened the door. He opened the door with the feature-length film. He goes to people that I know and work with in the music business to talk shit about me and Stephen. He talks to people who work at musical equipment manufacturers, like that shit's not going to get back to us? Come on. It's just pussy shit, whatever.
"I don't wish him any harm. I have a lot of fond memories with him. But if you're going to fucking open your mouth about the inner workings and dynamics of something that has been very, very good to you for a lot of years, and then not follow through on anything else, you've got it coming."
You can listen to Dave's rant using the SoundCloud widget below.
Avery reunited with JANE'S ADDICTION for the band's third go-round in 2008, only with the bassist on board for the first time since the group originally split in 1992. However, Avery left in late 2009 and Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) stepped in to play a few gigs and work on the band's latest album.
According to TMZ.com, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS members Robert DeLeo (bass), Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Eric Kretz (drums) have filed a lawsuit against their former lead singer Scott Weiland claiming that he sabotaged their 20th anniversary tour by being chronically late for performances and missing promotional gigs. They also allege Weiland refused to communicate with other bandmembers in an attempt to "hijack" the tour. "The band endured much strife and lost significant opportunities because of Weiland," the suit states.
STP officially fired Weiland in February after weeks of rumors about his status, issuing a terse statement that read, "STONE TEMPLE PILOTS have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland."
This was the second time that the band has parted ways with its often troubled frontman, following a split in 2002.
Weiland, who was about to launch a solo tour at the time of his dismissal, denied at first that he had been fired, saying that STONE TEMPLE PILOTS legally could not exist or use that name without all four members of the group in the lineup.
He reiterated that view during an interview with a Nevada radio station, saying, "I started the band . . . there's things in place, like certain clauses that are in place that keep that from happening."
Fans were shocked when STONE TEMPLE PILOTS made a surprise appearance at a radio festival in the Los Angeles area last Saturday (May 18), with LINKIN PARK's Chester Bennington making his debut as the new STP lead singer.
The group performed a new song called "Out Of Time" at the show, putting a studio version online earlier this week. The DeLeo brothers and Kretz now claim in the lawsuit Weiland got vindictive and tried to interfere with the release of the single. Weiland's lawyer, according to the lawsuit, called the head of programming at the Los Angeles radio station KROQ and said if the station played "Out Of Time", it would be infringing on Weiland's rights.
"Enough is enough," the band says in the lawsuit. "Without relief from the court, Weiland will continue violating STP's rights, misappropriating STP assets and interfering with the band's livelihood."
Bennington has said that he was planning on doing more recording and touring with STP, while remaining in LINKIN PARK.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS is asking for unspecified damages.
Drummer Darren Minter of San Francisco Bay Area metallers HEATHEN has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:
"It is with great regret to announce that, after 25 years of drumming for HEATHEN, I have left the band due to unforeseen circumstances and will not be joining them on the European tour that starts in several weeks (a replacement will be named in the next few days).
"I apologize to all of our fans, but plan to pursue other musical endeavors and will continue to move forward making music.
"The split between HEATHEN and I was amicable and there is no bad blood or hard feelings towards one another.
"Hope to see you all on the road soon and I wish nothing but the best for the future of HEATHEN."
HEATHEN last year inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
The band's latest album, "The Evolution Of Chaos", was released in the U.S. on February 16, 2010. The CD was issued in Japan on December 23, 2009 via King Records and was made available on January 25 in Europe via Holland's Mascot Records.
Former and current members of JUDAS PRIEST, ALICE COOPER, OZZY OSBOURNE and SCORPIONS are currently taking part in a week-long tour of Russia where they are playing classic songs from their respective bands under the banner ROCKSTAR.
In a video interview, Owens said about the ROCKSTAR project: "We all have such diverse backgrounds in so many different bands that we just want to get there and play WHITESNAKE and ALICE COOPER and DIO and PRIEST and GUNS N' ROSES. So I think this project is just to go play for the fans with this special show with all these songs and all these bands."
ROCKSTAR's tour kicked off on May 19 in Krasnodar, with stops in Rostov, Voronej, Penza and Saratov, before the tour ends May 28 in Moscow.
Fan-filmed video footage of the May 23 concert in Voronej can be seen below.
