God Bless; 36 Year Fixed Strong

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Artist: God Bless
Genre: Rock
Released: May 2009

God Bless the formation of this album:
Ahmad Albar (vocal)
Ian Antono (guitar)
Donny Fatah (bass)
Abadi Soesman (keyboard)
Yaya Mukito (drums)

GodBless36
I'm not a huge fan or fans God Bless. Familiar with this band and all its aspects whether it is historical, personnel of the members, as well as his discography is a single-word stuttering. I personally believe: very little bit vague and faint I already knew and learned from this band. And it is precisely in that context kebegituan, with a disclaimer like that I set out to write what I observe with all your senses about God Bless latest album is titled God Bless this 36 th. Therefore one, two, three, four, and so on error and oversight that will written in this review should be understood and placed within the framework of such a state as I have to say.

What first impression I ask you to listen to God Bless 36 years? Complex! Good! Extraordinary! Why? No other because of the way his career has reached 36 years and they remain powerful, capable of producing high quality music, a good terkonsep, which was home produced, which very well composed and earnest. Music beautiful music in it, carved not only with a sharp and hard but the details.

I do not know God Bless in the era of the 70s, but in the era of the late 80's when he was still in junior high school. God Bless I know is God Bless the Black and giant ants. I mentioned the first song that kicked off with the title: Black Ants, an Indonesian rock anthem. Giants, where players are introduced Syahrani Eet God Bless music with a touch more metal guitars and roaring.

I am not a man who wanted regularity, whether conscious or not. Human beings change, and nature is one of the factors that modify human, factors other than intent and desire of man himself. Therefore when vocal Ahmad Albar was so strong-powered documented in this album nothing but praise to give. YES I am a fan and feel really how the quality of Jon Anderson in the late 60's and early 70's, has been very, very different from Jon Anderson in the era of the late 90th and even the 2000s era. His voice is powerful, experienced noticeable wear. This is not experienced by Albar, or at least experienced, but not so obvious (or my ear was a less high-fidelity). He was carpenter steel berpitasuara voice! The perceived changes in the latest release of God Bless This also is the fact that they are also influenced by modern technologies, both instruments, and record. It is unrealistic to ask them back with sound 'kemlonthang' and mixing, as embedded in their release in the 1970's or 80's. so instead, I tried to look holistically to the musical essence of trying to convey through the album God Bless Nagaswara produced this, and also how they play music and or art with through a process of album production is not simply looking for an opening, filling the empty space just indicate the existence or sold for profit voluntary industry players without the accompanying sense.

Let Green song is a song that not only worked with sinkopisasi unique, but also contains a deep message for people to love the natural environment. The song God Bless confirmed as the act and the band has a mission. Conservation of nature is a serious message of this song, makes people reflect and even choked. This song, adopt the unusual chords, chord movement unusual, containing elements of oriental music and who knows what else music beyond my comprehension. The same Kenjelimetan I see in the song entitled Friends of the mix elements of funk and elements of hard rock. Fun. From menyendat nyendat funk into hard rock, speeding the reffrainnya. Gaming keyboard and guitar is very solid and compound here, which is ditingkahi bass become vital to the print music funk music. Fun. Entertaining. Rock N Roll My life as a cover song sounding bluesy rock n roll special. Albar here screaming loudly after singing a song with the techniques of vibration, as if to convey a message: he was never old or older still refused! The game continued Soesman Eternal keyboard solo guitar Ian Antono the barking barking. It was a conspiracy to make people stomping feet without having to tire shake tired bodies and minds become tense. I seem to be increasingly understood why among music lovers and collectors of Indonesia, their second album to be hunted Mirror. Not so my guess is probably subjective, because the composition of which involve the Eternal made the Mirror became one of the essential masterpieces. Therefore, the participation of key returning senior players this board in the formation of 36th album, God Bless it is a special blessing and even a priori has a warranty by itself. I think I do not need to review one by one the songs on this album.

This is the album God Bless the first time I bought, rather than in their heyday. But I feel satisfied, satisfied, and satisfied with this album. Sold 35 thousand for one of his CDs (either how much the tape), I think those who still doubt this album nutrient levels must be changed mindsetnya, to be able to digest and in GodBless the present context and dynamics that they believe. Regardless of any pro cons of this album, I believe God Bless indeed blessed to be a big band. Buy this album! (Manunggal K. Wardaya)

JUDAS PRIEST Wins GRAMMY For 'Best Metal Performance'

JUDAS PRIEST was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which are being held tonight (Sunday, January 31) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. JUDAS PRIEST was nominated for the track "Dissident Aggressor", from the band's 2009 live album "A Touch of Evil: Live". The band's lead vocalist Rob Halford and drummer Scott Travis accepted the award at the event.

In his acceptance speech, Halford said, "The fifth time is the charm." According to AOL's Noisecreep, he mentioned that PRIEST have been making metal for 25 years and that they still love what they do. He also remembered to thank all the radio stations and press that have supported the band, and he dedicated the award to all heavy metal fans.

The nominees in this year's "Metal" category were as follows:

* JUDAS PRIEST - "Dissident Aggressor" (from "A Touch of Evil: Live"
* LAMB OF GOD - "Set to Fail" (from "Wrath")
* MEGADETH - "Head Crusher" (from "Endgame")
* MINISTRY - "Señor Peligro" (from "Adios...")
* SLAYER - "Hate Worldwide" (from "World Painted Blood")

Only albums released between October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 could be considered for this year's awards.

The Grammys are determined by 12,000 music industry professionals who belong to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 Surround Sound on CBS from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. EST.

Nominations for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards were announced on December 2, 2009 by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest over the past year in music, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the second year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night". The one-hour special — broadcast live on CBS from Club Nokia at L.A. live — featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by the BLACK EYED PEAS, DJ/producer David Guetta, Maxwell, Nick Jonas & THE ADMINISTRATION, Sugarland, and host LL Cool J. Presenters included LINKIN PARK, George Lopez, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, T-Pain, and Dwight Yoakam.

A complete list of Grammy nominees can be found at this location.

AC/DC Wins GRAMMY For 'Best Hard Rock Performance'

AC/DC was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which are being held tonight (Sunday, January 31) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. AC/DC was nominated for the track "War Machine", from the band's 2008 album "Black Ice".

The nominees in this year's "Hard Rock" category were as follows:

* AC/DC - "War Machine" (from "Black Ice")
* ALICE IN CHAINS - "Check My Brain" (from "Black Gives Way to Blue")
* LINKIN PARK - "What I've Done" (from "Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keyes")
* METALLICA - "The Unforgiven III" (from "Death Magnetic")
* NICKELBACK - "Burn it to the Ground" (from "Dark Horse")

Only albums released between October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 could be considered for this year's awards.

The Grammys are determined by 12,000 music industry professionals who belong to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 Surround Sound on CBS from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. EST.

Nominations for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards were announced on December 2, 2009 by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest over the past year in music, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the second year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night". The one-hour special — broadcast live on CBS from Club Nokia at L.A. live — featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by the BLACK EYED PEAS, DJ/producer David Guetta, Maxwell, Nick Jonas & THE ADMINISTRATION, Sugarland, and host LL Cool J. Presenters included LINKIN PARK, George Lopez, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, T-Pain, and Dwight Yoakam.

A complete list of Grammy nominees can be found at this location.

IHSAHN: 'It's A Bit Frustrating To Hear That Some People Think I Did My Best Work At Seventeen'

George Pacheco of the Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner recently conducted an interview with former EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner: Do you feel this album ["After"] could open up your solo career to those who either haven't heard, or have been slow-moving in checking it out since the demise of EMPEROR?

Ihsahn: I guess I haven't been giving that too much thought, so to speak, because I'm usually far too focused whenever I'm creating an album. I also wear many hats — from writing and producing to recording — so I don't have much time to think of it from a promotional standpoint, but yeah, I think the feeling has evolved into something which might appeal perhaps to a wider audience of the more experimental fans of the traditional black metal form.

Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner: Did you ever feel boxed-in within that black metal genre prior to starting your solo career? Struggling with pre-conceptions of what you could do as an artist?

Ihsahn: There are, of course, very conservative ideas within the traditional black metal sense, and sometimes it's been irritating. I've been doing this for twenty years now, and at times it's a bit frustrating to hear that some people think I did my best work at seventeen! (laughs) If I thought that, there would be no reason to continue, so I always think that the best is yet to come. I've also grown much more confident, and have come to terms with EMPEROR as a phenomenon, living a life of its own. The rest of my career will probably live in the shadow of my own creation, in a way, but I'm still here doing what I love, and that's the only way I can honor that: doing my absolute best, in the most truthful way I can.

Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner: When comparing "After" to your prior albums, "Angl" and "The Adversary", what did you think was done differently, and do you feel this best encapsulates what you've always wanted to do? Are you most satisfied with this record?

Ihsahn: I'm very pleased. I don't measure each album; they're all a new experience for me, and very much where I'm at — on many levels — at the time I'm making them. I definitely feel that this is way up there, though, with regards to my own work. I changed the parameters, especially with the type of atmospheres I wanted to express. The idea of doing a trilogy first become involved when I was doing "The Adversary", which — as the title implies — is very personal, confrontational and Nietzsche-inspired. "Angl" is the other side of the coin: still very direct and referring to this solitary, Luciferian figure. Ending this trilogy, I wanted something a bit more abstract; going a bit beyond the contemporary conflict thing, and seeking out more underlying and lasting inspirational sources. I feel I've touch more on the things which have been inspirational to me all along.

Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner: Musically speaking, do you feel this unleashes your inner prog-rocker, so to speak? For me, this is the most progressive route I think your music has taken. I hear a lot of '70s, GENTLE GIANT-esque prog within a lot of these songs.

Ihsahn: That's the thing a lot of people ask about: my prog influences. In that sense, I feel almost like [an outsider]. Speaking to Mikael [Åkerfeldt] or Per [Wilberg] from OPETH; they're like encyclopedias of the prog scene. Of course, I know KING CRIMSON, RUSH, YES and DREAM THEATER, but I don't come from that background. The progressive parts in my music I feel is the result of using more traditional compositional techniques. When I started in my teens with EMPEROR, it was more about getting all of these riffs together in a sensible way and convention, whereas now I start with a main theme or motif, and listen for what needs to come next. Afterwards, I'll twist and turn those elements in a more traditional compositional style; transfer the melody lines, themes or riffs and work the arrangement in a different way. I'm not trying to have all these different themes and riffs sticking together in one song; I'd rather explore fewer ideas, and make the most of that.

Read the entire interview from Cape Cod Rock Music Examiner.

BENEATH To Release 'Hollow Empty Void' EP In February

Icelandic death metallers BENEATH will release their debut EP, "Hollow Empty Void", on February 13 via Mordbrann Musikk. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Johann Ingi Sigurdsson at Fossland Studio in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

According to a press release, "Hollow Empty Void" paints a picture of apocalypse and decay through four hard hitting death metal slabs with a technical edge. Included on the CD are two bonus live tracks, showcasing the live talents of the group. Certain to appeal to fans of luminaries such as BEHEMOTH, HATE ETERNAL, PSYCROPTIC, NILE and DECAPITATED, BENEATH is poised to conquer far beyond their homeland.

"Hollow Empty Void" track listing:

01. Oblivious
02. Shadows Of Old
03. Wartorn
04. Rebirth
05. Rebirth (live)
06. Shadows Of Old (live)

BENEATH is:

Gisli Sigmundsson - Vocals
Johann Ingi Sigurdsson - Guitar
Unnar Sigurdsson - Guitar
Gisli Runar Gudmundsson - Bass
Ragnar Sverrisson - Drums

For more information, visit www.beneathmetal.com.

OMNIGOAT To Release 'Souldeath Rendez-Vouz' EP In The Spring

The "all-star" black metal band OMNIGOAT, which consists of current and past members of such prominent Finnish underground acts as ENTHRANIA, RAPTUS SPIRITUALIS, HERESIA, AZARTHERYM, CALL OF THE SHADES and LUDICROUS, will release its new EP, "Souldeath Rendez-Vouz", in the spring. The EP includes five genre-defining cuts, such as "Engine" and "Reptilian Spirit Metamorphosis", both of which can be heard on the band's MySpace page.

"Souldeath Rendez-Vouz" was recorded in the backwoods of northern Helsinki, a region known as the elvenwoods (Haltiala).

OMNIGOAT's influences range from all forms of occult music to different styles of experimental and extreme sonic confusion. Lyrically and thematically, the band stands deeply in the shrouded world of esoteria and luciferian philosophy.

RIONICS: New Song Available For Streaming

A new song from Polish metallers CRIONICS entitled "Scapegoat (Welcome to Necropolis)" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the band's new EP, "N.O.I.R.", which will be released later this year through an as-yet-undetermined record label. The CD was mixed with the Wieslawski Bros. at their Hertz Studio in Bialystok. The CD, which was recorded at Cracow's Shindler Factory Studio, contains three new songs plus two covers: IMMORTAL's "Blashyrk (Mighty Ravendark)" and RAMMSTEIN's "Moskau", the latter of which features guest appearances by Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (VADER) on vocals and Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka (VADER, DECAPITATED) on accordion and acoustic guitar.

According to a press release, "N.O.I.R" marks a new beginning in CRIONICS' history following the departure of guitarist/vocalist War-A.N. and drummer Darkside. The band — featuring new members Quazarre (guitar/vocals; DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS, ASGAARD), Pawel "Paul" Jaroszewicz (drums; VADER, SOUL SNATCHER) and Rafal "Brovar" Brauer (bass; BLINDEAD) — "didn't change its direction much but decided to take advantage on Quazarre's impressive vocal skills to expand CRIONICS' creation with clean vocal parts."

"N.O.I.R." track listing:

01. NarcotiQue
02. Scapegoat (Welcome to Necropolis)
03. Perdition
04. Blashyrk (Mighty Ravendark) (IMMORTAL cover)
05. Moskau (RAMMSTEIN cover)

CRIONICS fulfilled its contractual obligations to the British label Candlelight Records with the release of the band's last album, and the group's management — Creative Music — is currently negotiating a new deal with a few European record companies. A new full-length album will be recorded in July/August.

CRIONICS' last album, "NeuThrone", was released in July 2007. The recording session took place at Zed Studio in Olkusz, Poland with the very talented Tomasz Zalewski, who recorded albums by THY DISEASE, TOTEM, and HORRORSCOPE, among many others. The follow-up to 2005's "Armageddon's Evolution" contained 10 compositions and one bonus track. The cover and layout art was done by Michal "Czecza" Czekaj (not Jacek Wisniewski, as was the case in the past).

OLDE WOLBERS: Why Can't We All Sit Down And Figure Out A Way To Do Another FEAR FACTORY Record?

The March 2010 issue of Decibel magazine features a cover story on FEAR FACTORY, including interviews with the band's currently active members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals), as well as their former bandmates Raymond Herrera (drums) and Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar, bass). A few quotes from the article follow below.

On Burton C. Bell's decision to quit FEAR FACTORY in 2002 and the band's subsequent reformation without Dino Cazares:

Raymond Herrera: "The problems with this band have never been musical. It's always been personal."

"There's no confusion as to why Dino was fired. It was because Burton didn't want to work with him anymore. I had problems with Dino for a long time, but I never wanted to fire the guy."

Christian Olde Wolbers: "We all had our issues with Dino, from the way he conducted business to the way he treated people, but Burton was the one who turned his back on the band."

Burton C. Bell: "Dino and I lived together for about 10 years, so it was like a marriage, where you get fed up with the littlest shit. It was egos more than anything, and feeling like I'd have enough of this relationship. It was like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They were best friends, but then they suddenly didn't talk for years."

On FEAR FACTORY's first album without Dino's contributions, 2004's "Archetype":

Dino Cazares: "The first time I heard 'Archetype', I had to do a double take, because it sounded just like me. Then I talked to Burton about it and he was like, 'Yeah, that's what 'archetype' means! It's a copy!'"

On the the misguided hiring of producer Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, SEVENDUST) for FEAR FACTORY's 2005 album, "Transgression":

Raymond Herrera: "Needless to say, I'm not 100 percent happy with it. Not because I don't like what we wrote; because we never gave it the old college try."

Christian Olde Wolbers: "When I heard the final mix of 'Transgression', I couldn't believe my fucking ears. It was the worst piece of shit I've ever heard in my life."

Burton C. Bell: "It got to the point where the money didn't mean shit to me. They were talking about doing another record and I said, 'That's great. Fire your manager. I'm not paying that bitch anything else.' And they wouldn't.

"Once you hit a peak, there's only one place you can go: down. And we definitely went down."

On Cazares and Bell's decision to reunite in a new version of FEAR FACTORY with bassist Byron Stroud and drummer Gene Hoglan:

Raymond Herrera: "At one point, Dino and I were really good friends. But I never felt that way with Burton. We never really hung out, you know? It always felt like a business."

Christian Olde Wolbers: "I've never trusted Burton with business matters. In fact, I wish he was more of a businessman, like a lot of other singers are. If he took charge with things, we would be a huge band by now."

Burton C. Bell: "After the third decline [to relieve Christian's ex-wife Christy Priske of her manager position], I said, 'OK, I've got to move forward with my business… legally.'"

On the songwriting process for FEAR FACTORY's new album, "Mechanize":

Burton C. Bell: "When we first got into the studio. It was like a joint chief of staff meeting, where everyone's working together toward the same goal, especially Dino — he was just a riffing machine. Fans are finally going to be able to hear the chemistry that brought FEAR FACTORY together in the beginning."

On the legal battle over the FEAR FACTORY name:

Raymond Herrera: "I'm not battling to get my band back. What I'm fighting for is what I've built for 17 years. I'd say I'm an intricate part of what the brand has become, so I just want what's due to me.

"Look, a group of kids could wake up tomorrow and call themselves FEAR FACTORY. I could also walk into a church and kill a bunch of people. It doesn't mean I'm going to get away with it or that it's a good idea."

On the possibility of a reunion of FEAR FACTORY's classic lineup:

Christian Olde Wolbers: "I sent an email to Dino a couple weeks ago, and was like, 'Do you want to grow old regretting this until it's too late, like the guys in SEPULTURA or PANTERA?' It's really fucking sad that bands let things get that way, with so much drama and band members dying… it reaches a point where you just can't do it anymore."

"If Dino and Burton are friends again, why can't we all sit down and figure out a way to do another FEAR FACTORY record? Especially with how my skills improved over the past few years — Dino and I could write a sick record. Are you fucking kidding me? We'd blow all these wannabe bands away, but these guys just want to move on with the whole name in shambles. It just isn't right.

"I see a band like MACHINE HEAD and it's like, 'Wow. We were doing the same thing for a while there, and now they're touring with METALLICA. It makes you think, 'What the fuck is going on?' You know?"

The March 2010 issue of Decibel magazine is available for order at this location.

For more information, visit www.decibelmagazine.com.

NECRODEATH's Cover Of SLAYER's 'Black Magic' Available For Streaming

Long-running Italian extreme metallers NECRODEATH will celebrate their 25th anniversary by releasing a covers album, entitled "Old Skull". The CD, which is due on February 5, features guest appearances by members of influential Italian thrashers BULLDOZER and former members of SCHIZO.

"Old Skull" was recorded at Quake Sound Studios in Rapallo (Ge) and was produced by the bandmembers themselves. It was mixed by Giuseppe Orlando at Outer Sound Studios in Rome and was mastered by Simone Mularoni at Fear Studios in Ravenna. The cover artwork was created by Davide Nadalin and Nerve Design.

"Old Skull" track listing:

01. Mater Tenebrarum (NECRODEATH 2010)
02. Black Magic (SLAYER)
03. Raise the Dead (BATHORY)
04. Pleasure to Kill (KREATOR)
05. Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH)
06. Sodomy and Lust (SODOM)
07. Bloodlust (VENOM)
08. Ace of Spades (MOTORHEAD)
09. Am I Evil? (DIAMOND HEAD)
10. Mater Tenebrarum (NECRODEATH 1985)

NECRODEATH's cover version of the SLAYER classic "Black Magic" is now available for streaming at this location.

NECRODEATH is:

Peso: Drums
Flegias:Vocals
Pier: Guitars
Gl: Bass, Backing Vocals

Additional musicians:

* Claudio (ex-NECRODEATH) - Guitar on "Raise the Dead"
* A.C.Wild (BULLDOZER) - Additional Voice on "Mater Tenebrarum"
* Andy Panigada (BULLDOZER) - Guitar on "Ace of Spades"
* Andy Bonfiglio (ex-NECRODEATH) - Guitar on "Am I Evil?"
* Alberto Penzin (ex-SCHIZO, MONDOCANE) - Bass on "Sodomy and Lust"
* John (ex-NECRODEATH, RAZA DE ODIO, CADAVERIA, DYNABYTE) - Bass on "Black Magic"

An Italian tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March.

NECRODEATH's last album, "Phylogenesis", was released in April 2009 via Scarlet Records.

MASTODON: New Video Interview Available

Video Hits' Faustina Agolley and Dylan Lewis conducted an interview with Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON at Australia's Big Day Out 2010 festival on January 15, 2010. Watch the chat below.

In a recent interview with PyroMusic.net, MASTODON vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders stated about the songwriting process for the band's latest album, "Crack the Skye", and plans for the group's follow-up effort, "Like the constellations, we like to create patterns and tell stories. Creating stories for us is... telling the story is parallel with our band and personal lives and experiences. It's left literal that way and it allows us to create these stories and create a broader picture. Again, I like to use the word multi-dimensional. We like to have that in our sound and our stories. So, it's a way for us to get personal as well as more mystical.

"'Crack the Skye', it was based around the element of ether. So that kind of... you know, 'Leviathan' was water, 'Remission' was fire, 'Blood Mountain' was elements of earth and now 'Crack the Skye' is literally surrounding the element of ether, the dark matter that dominates the universe, you know, outside of our atmosphere. So the book of elements, the chapters are complete and now we can close the book of elements. Where this leads us, we don't know yet, but having a themes throughout our past four records has definitely worked for us. Whether we'll continue on that path, it's too early to tell."

"All of our music is very, it's not really predetermined. None of our ideas are predetermined. We don't get together and go, 'Hey, guys, let's put out a brutally heavy album next,' or 'Hey, guys, let's have a couple of short and sweet songs.' It never happens like that. It just, we just let the authenticity reveal itself. Whatever emotions come through our souls and out of our fingers and through our instruments and into our ears, that circle just comes very naturally. Whoever's got an idea, whoever's got a feeling, we just kinda lay it on the table and then begin to elaborate on that and then we go through it meticulously, over and over until we write what we consider a good song. Then we'll do that until we feel we have an album's worth of material. So nothing is talked about or preconceived at all.

"The musical waters, we're free to float on any musical waters we choose and I have no idea where this band is... I have no idea where this band's sound is moving towards.

"When we're done touring the 'Crack the Skye' record, we'll go home, rejuvenate our batteries both mentally and physically and then we'll go down to our space, our practice space and just start hashing out whatever ideas people have that we've collected along the way. So it's a big question mark."

MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT Says OPETH's Contribution To 'God Of War' Soundtrack Is 'Very Odd'

Guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has issued the following update:

"I just finished and approved the mastering of a new song I wrote called 'The Throat Of Winter'. I wrote it for that game 'God Of War' that we're supposed to be included in, or however that works.

"Is it a digital album? I don't know how that shit works, but it's done anyways. Hell, I'm still with my turntables (got three of them) and right now I'm playing a Aussie original of 'High Voltage' by AC/DC.

"[The] song is very odd. It's good, I think, or for my taste it is, but even I can understand it's very... odd! [I] produced and recorded it from scratch and I'm happy with the sound, if I may say so myself. Fred [Fredrik Åkesson, OPETH guitarist] laid down a killer acoustic solo and Per [Wiberg, OPETH keyboardist] laid down an amazing twiddly tweet moog solo.

"It's not a very metal song, I'm saving up for that… later... yet it's got a metal mentality, or what I remember metal used to do to me. I can feel it, even though it's not a metal song per definition.

"Anyways, if you hear it I hope you like it.

"Me and Fred went to NAMM for a few days and it was fun fun FUN! Did some signing session and a [question-and-answer session] for PRS guitars.

"My signature guitar looked and felt amazing! Loved the neck of it! It was only a prototype so some adjustments will be made, but overall I'm fucking blown away by it. Fred liked it too very much and it seemed to attrack a lot of interest!

"The PRS people were real nice to us, as always, and I got to meet some nice people I hadn't met before. We might have had a few drinks too many but we had to do something to cope with the jetlag which was overwhelming.

"Looks like we might be going to the Frankfurt Musikmesse as well, right before those anniversary shows we're doing in March/April.

"OK, people...I'm off again. Even though we're off the road I feel busier than ever. I'm hyper and I've got a billion projects in the air it feels like..."

Roadrunner Records will release an exclusive digital extended play (EP) soundtrack for the highly anticipated PlayStation3 (PS3) exclusive videogame "God of War III". The EP, titled "God of War: Blood & Metal", will be released in March as a part of the "God of War III Ultimate Edition", and will feature five exclusive unreleased songs from Roadrunner artists, including OPETH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DREAM THEATER, TRIVIUM and TAKING DAWN.

Consumers who purchase the "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will receive a voucher code to download the tracks, as well as downloadable music in the form of the "God of War Trilogy" soundtrack. Fans will also receive a special code to download a director's cut of "God of War: Unearthing the Legend", a full-length movie documentary depicting the history of the "God of War" franchise, access to an exclusive "God of War Challenge Arena" environment with up to seven unique challenges, an exclusive Kratos skin, and a limited-edition art book.

The "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will retail for $99.99 (MSRP).

For more information about "God of War", visit www.GodofWar.com.

MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Checks In From 'Rust In Peace' Tour Rehearsals

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"'Rust In Peace' [tour] rehearsals are going pretty good. We are sorting out some new gear, organizing the stuff we've got, hot-rodding everything, and deciding on several aspects of the show. Of course we realize that 'Rust In Peace' was approximately 45 minutes long, and our show is longer than that, that we are going to need to keep several other classics in the show as well as our favorite new songs too.

"So far we went over 'Holy Wars', 'Hangar 18', 'Tornado of Souls', 'Take No Prisoners', 'Five Magics', and 'Poison Was The Cure'. I am letting a DAT run in the background for serendipity in case I have a moment where I come up with something new and it doesn't slip away if I don't record it.

"It may sound strange to hear that we are going over the songs that we already know, but this is a pivotal record in heavy metal and it didn't become that way by playing what we think is right. We have all been under the microscope and we have found several things that we have improved on, as well as learning the new 'Rust In Peace' songs, and I can't stop smiling while we are playing.

"It's kinda cool too to be brainwashing myself with 'Rust In Peace' before we get ready to go into the studio for our ultimate Roadrunner record. I am not going to go on record and say anything yet until I can sing over these songs, but for now, watching Chris [Broderick] play these solos is mind-blowing. It's just like Marty [Friedman] was here again.

"When you guys 'see' Shawn [Drover, drums] you are going to be blown away, as well as how ferociously he is playing right now.

"Speaking of Shawn, we are getting ready to go with James [Lomenzo, bass] up to the Grammys today, and do some pre-lim stuff. Shawn and I wrote 'Head Crusher', and the funny thing is that this is my eight nomination and I have never won. I think what's the use going, but then I see Shawn's enthusiasm for his first time ever being nominated, and I am actually excited for our chances and for him. Of course we are nominated in a category with formidable competition, and they are all of our friends. I actually joked with Kerry King and said, 'Can ya let us win it this year?'

"Honestly, I don't think I was ready to fully appreciate what this all means the previous times. I know that we may win, and that we may not. I know what it feels like to lose, and I would like to know what it feels like to win. I mean, I would really be excited if Shawn and I won, but either way we have been recognized by our peers to be one of the best and I am proud to be back in the finals for the Grammys."

HAIL! Interviewed On 'Eddie Trunk Live'; Audio Available

HAIL!, the all-star band featuring bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) and newly appointed chameleon drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), was interviewed on this past Monday's (January 25) edition of "Eddie Trunk Live" on Sirius (channel 19) / XM Radio (channel 53). The chat can now be streamed in five parts below.

HAIL! played its first two U.S. shows last week — on Tuesday, January 26 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City and on Wednesday, January 27 at Showcase Live in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Foxborough concert can be viewed below.

A review of the New York City show — including photos — can be found at NY Hard Rock Music Examiner (courtesy of Elliot Levin).

Photos of the Foxborough show are available at TomCouture.com.

HAIL!'s setlist for the New York City show was as follows:

01. Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD)
02. Territory (SEPULTURA)
03. Grinder (JUDAS PRIEST)
04. Stand Up And Shout (DIO)
05. Balls To The Wall (ACCEPT)
06. Mouth For War (PANTERA)
07. Walk (PANTERA)
08. Neon Knights (BLACK SABBATH)
09. Wrathchild (IRON MAIDEN)
10. Lights Out (UFO) *
11. Metal Church (METAL CHURCH) *
12. Green Manilishi (JUDAS PRIEST) *
13. Highway To Hell (AC/DC) **
14. TNT (AC/DC) **
15. Overkill (MOTÖRHEAD) **/***
16. Cold Gin (KISS) ***
17. Got The Time (ANTHRAX) ***
18. Run To The Hills (IRON MAIDEN)

Encore:

19. The Four Horsemen (METALLICA)
20. Symptom Of The Universe (BLACK SABBATH)
21. South Of Heaven (SLAYER)
22. Refuse/Resist (SEPULTURA)
23. Whiplash (METALLICA)

Special Guests:

Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) - Guitar on *
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL) - Vocals on **
Frank Bello (ANTHRAX) - Bass on ***

Interview Part 1:

Interview Part 2:

Interview Part 3:

Interview Part 4:

Interview Part 5:

LEVIATHAN: Live CD/DVD Details Revealed

After a break of eleven years, the original lineup of the Colorado-based progressive metal band LEVIATHAN reunited for a special concert on January 9, 2010 at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, Colorado. The show was filmed and recorded for a double CD/DVD digipack, to be released later in the year. The set will contain a CD of the entire concert (around 75 minutes) as well as a DVD.

Commented guitarist/keyboardist John Lutzow: "I really want this to be different than any other bands DVDs I have ever seen. It has multiple visuals playing as holograms or ghosts in the corners.

"We had a huge projector screen playing to the right of the stage so those visuals come through the main camera feed also. Over the top I have still pictures fading in and out with transparency."

The track listing will be as follows:

01. Salvation
02. Speed Kills
03. Friends Imaginary
04. Census Of Stars
05. Degenerating Paradise
06. Paying The Toll
07. Pages Of Time
08. Confidence Not Arrogance
09. J. Christopher's Haunting
10. If These Walls Could Talk
11. Medley (Sanctuary, Fear Of Change, Run Forever, Mindless Game Control)
12. Leviathan

The DVD will contain about 30 minutes of bonus material covering the band's entire history.

LEVIATHAN 2010 is:

Jeff Ward - Vocals
Ronnie Skeen - Guitar
John Lutzow - Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Derek "Deke" Blake - Bass, Vocals
Trevor Helfer - Drums, Percussion

More live shows are planned and a brand new record is in the works for a late summer/fall 2010 release.

LEVIATHAN issued a self-titled EP in 1991, followed by the critically acclaimed releases "Deepest Secrets Beneath" (1993), "Riddles Questions Poetry & Outrage" (1995) and "Scoring the Chapters" (1997).

COREY TAYLOR's Personal Tour Of NAMM

Crystal Cove Media has uploaded video footage of SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor taking the viewer on his own personal little tour of this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which was held January 14-17, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Watch the three-minute clip below.

STONE SOUR has scrapped previously announced plans to work with producer Rob Cavallo on its third studio album. No reason was given for the departure of Cavallo, whose credits include GREEN DAY, PARAMORE, KID ROCK, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, SHINEDOWN, AVRIL LAVIGNE and others. Instead, STONE SOUR will begin work on the new record at Blackbird Studio in Nashville with producer Nick Raskulinecz, known for his work with FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS.

Raskulinecz previously worked with STONE SOUR on the band's gold-selling 2006 effort, "Come What(ever) May".
Both previous STONE SOUR albums have sold more than half a million copies and are approaching the platinum mark in sales, bolstered by hits like "Bother", "Through Glass" and "Silly World".

Taylor and STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root also play in SLIPKNOT.

IN FLAMES, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SONIC SYNDICATE Honored At BANDIT ROCK AWARDS

IN FLAMES, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and SONIC SYNDICATE are among the artists who were honored at last night's (Friday, January 29) Bandit Rock Awards at Tyrol in Stockholm, Sweden. The awards ceremony was organized and hosted by the Stockholm-based radio station Bandit Rock 106.3.

The complete list of winners:

* Best Swedish Group: SONIC SYNDICATE
* Best International Group: MUSE
* Best Swedish Album: DEAD BY APRIL - "Dead By April"
* Best International Album: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "Killswitch Engage"
* Best Swedish Live Act: IN FLAMES
* Best International Live Act: MUSE
* Swedish Breakthrough: CORRODED
* International Breakthrough: AIRBOURNE
* Most Played group: MUSTASCH

MUSTASCH, SONIC SYNDICATE, RAISED FIST, DARK TRANQUILLITY and BIFFY CLYRO are among the artists that performed short sets at the event, which was broadcast live on the radio.

LAMB OF GOD Drummer: 'The World Isn't Getting Any Easier To Live In' - Jan. 30, 2010

David Marchese of SPIN.com recently conducted an interview with drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

SPIN.com: How are you feeling about your chances for a Grammy? You're up against some pretty big names — SLAYER, JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, and MINISTRY.

Adler: Yeah, we were as surprised as anyone that we got nominated. But we've been through the process once before, so we know what to expect.... But the metal categories never seem to get televised.

SPIN.com: Is it a bit anti-climactic to actually go to the ceremony?

Adler: We still got all dolled up last time. Just kidding! You can take the redneck out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the redneck.

SPIN.com: Which of your fellow nominees would you be least upset to lose to?

Adler: Probably MEGADETH. I know that they’ve been nominated eight times and never won.

SPIN.com: They're the Susan Lucci of heavy metal.

Adler: [Laughs] I won't tell them you said that! But we know that band pretty well. They've been through the wringer. They deserve to win.

SPIN.com: It's unusual for a band to have their sixth album be their highest charting. Why do think you guys have been able to keep growing your fan base 15 years into your career?

Adler: In truth, I thought we'd peaked with [2006's] "Sacrament", which went to No. 8 on the album chart. "Redneck" from that album got played in a lot of places metal doesn't normally get played. And with the attention span of today's music fan being what it is, I thought we'd run our course popularity-wise. So we were all shocked at the fact that we intentionally put out a more aggressive album with "Wrath" and then had it sell better than the last one. It was really heartening. But by way of explanation, all I can think of is that the world isn't getting any easier to live in. A lot of people need to release some pressure, and I think heavy metal helps people do that. It's a stress relief.

Read the entire interview from SPIN.com.

MASTODON Drummer: 'We're Definitely Interested In Progressing Our Sound'

Kyall Robinson of Australia's The Metal Forge recently conducted an interview with drummer Brann Dailor of Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Metal Forge: So you've recently come to Australia off the back of a big tour with HIGH ON FIRE, CONVERGE and DETHKLOK, how does that sort of thing compare to the Big Day Out festival, now that you're playing with MUSE and PEACHES and all that?

Dailor: "It's a totally different thing. This reminds me a lot more of like, an eclectic European style festival. It's you know, our previous tour was like a celebration of music, but this is a celebration of music and artists that are kinda, 'unique' in their own special way, lots of different cool music that's going on. It gives you the opportunity to see a lot of groups that we wouldn't normally get the chance to see because we tour so much, when MUSE or THE MARS VOLTA or THE DECEMBERISTS or PEACHES come to town, we're usually gone. So it's nice to be able to tour with them, get to know them and stuff like that, so it's cool. A nice melting pot of artists."

The Metal Forge: So then, do you feel kinda like the dark horse of this festival, being one of the only real metal bands on the line-up?

Dailor: "I think FEAR FACTORY are probably more metal than we are! But no, we don't feel like that at all. We've been lucky enough to do plenty of these kinds of festivals with these kinds of bands so you'd be surprised at the people that come out and are into metal. At the end of the day I guess music's music, a lot of musicians especially are into lots of different kinds of music the same way that we play music that's rooted in metal but I think it goes into lots of different areas and I know for a fact that everybody in the band isn't just sitting around and listening to metal all day long. Quite the opposite! We listen to a lot of different kinds of music, I think you have to if you're gonna be any kind of musician"

The Metal Forge: Comparing last time you came here with SLAYER, and the crowd that followed them and your recent tour in the states, how does the crowd compare?

Dailor: "Those shows we did with SLAYER were kinda like, your simple metal fans, your super, super metalheads. So there's a lot of people who have heard of the band who are just gonna watch and nod their heads, maybe this is the first time they've ever heard us and maybe they like it? I dunno. It's a great opportunity to hopefully take on a bunch of new fans. I guess a lot of people here in Australia trust in the 'curators' of the Big Day Out and trust that they're gonna provide them with the very best and eclectic mix of music that's going on out there in the world today. So it's kinda cool that this would sell out before the line-up has been fully announced so it's cool that it's a very prestigious festival and there's a lot of trust there from the fans that come out to have a good time and get rocked by something and hopefully discover something new! So hopefully we can be that something new for some people that come out."

The Metal Forge: So, your set list now is dominated by material from "Crack the Skye", is this an indication of departing from the roots of your first albums, or are you just interested in really progressing your sound?

Dailor: "We're definitely interested in progressing our sound and going different places with it. It's not something that's like talked about with us, but we've always been really into '70s prog and different kinds of music. So we kinda feel like we've covered the metal end of it and we always wanna hold onto that but we wanna go do other things as well and have MASTODON be able to sorta quench all the musical thirsts of the band members. Just try to see what we can do and what new ground we can discover and try to keep it interesting for ourselves and the listeners. I know there's a crowd out there that want the same record over and over, but that's not really what we want to do. We want to branch out and tell people there's more to us than that. We just like a lot of different kinds of music and we want to be able to explore all those different options and have MASTODON be that vessel."

The Metal Forge: So would you say that the band's influences have changed at all? Or are you just continuing the progression?

Dailor: "It's whatever the mood is, we're obviously maturing and getting older as people. Whereas we'd listen to old GENESIS and KING CRIMSON in the van when we were first starting out, it's like where we're heading or so it seems."

The Metal Forge: One of the things I appreciate about MASTODON is that vocal duties are shared between all members of the band, was it a conscious decision or did it just happen?

Dailor: "Troy and Brent never wanted to be vocalists in the first place, so it's kinda funny that it fell upon them now. We had a guy that had a microphone that just ran around and screamed in the beginning. So he was on our demos and he just wasn't having a good time. He wasn't from Atlanta, he was from New York where myself and Bill are from, so it was hard for him in Atlanta. He decided to move back, but he decided like three or four days before we were supposed to leave for our first kinda not real tour, it was a tour we booked ourselves that was gonna take us up the east coast and back, so it was a three-week long tour. We kinda didn't have anything out there yet, so Troy and Brent were kinda like, 'Well, we'll just fill in I guess and as we go along we'll figure some lyrics out to sing,' so it was on the fly, but we were playing in people's basements so it really didn't matter, we could have been an instrumental band and we would have been fine. But Troy and Brent started filling in wherever they could and felt comfortable. So from there Bill came in and started singing a little bit here and there and when we started recording stuff that's when everybody kind of got their ideas of where to put vocals and where to put lyrics. It all kinda matured from there and the vocals always had a strange evolution outside the music. I mean, like going from 'Remission' to 'Leviathan'. 'Leviathan' saw Brent really step out and actually sing a couple of songs, we came up with some melodies and we'd all work together on those melodies and lyrics, so it was a communal situation to begin with vocals and lyrics wise, there wasn't ever like one person who was appointed the duty. So it was free game, whoever had a free idea was more than welcome to try it out and whoever had an idea for a song was more than welcome to write it. I think if you start out and you have a vocalist, it's kind of assumed that it's his job or duty to write the lyrics and take care of all that, then you have the drummer who's job it is to play drums and the guitarist who's job it is to write guitar parts and so on so forth. But with us, things got mish-mashed and it turned out really good I think. I think that's what really surged us forward and gave us a kind of unique blend where everybody was contributing all the time. So now on this new record we incorporated my vocals as a little surprise, so I guess I'm guest vocals on this album! I don't know what we're gonna do next, I guess I'll keep singing and stuff, it's a little bit hard when you're playing the drums and singing. You've really gotta pick your moments and see if you can pull it off but if you're moving around constantly it is a little weird, it gets a little strange especially if you're doing double bass and stuff and trying to sing it's hard to keep your voice steady, it's like 'nyererererererererer.'"

Read more from The Metal Forge.

OZZY OSBOURNE On His Public Persona, Touring And Impact Of Digital Technology

Michael Schreiber of Mainstreet.com recently conducted an interview with Ozzy Osbourne. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On his current public persona, compared to his image during his rock 'n' roll heyday with his band BLACK SABBATH and going solo thereafter:

"What you get up from me is what I am. Believe me. My antics weren't for anything but the antics. It wasn't like I thought, 'I'll bite the heads off these things and then I'll be on the front page tomorrow.' If I had the trick of doing that I'd have made a zillion dollars."

On how the music business has changed:

"The days of the bohemian rock and roller who tours once in a blue moon and just makes records and sells records are long gone. The royalty train is broken forever."

On how many bands are shooting themselves in the foot by charging too much for tickets:

"They get away with it one time, these big tours, and then the bands want to go again but… no one wants to go back. It's pure unadulterated greed. You can't do that."

On the impact of digital technology when it comes organizing and producing a show:

"In the '70s and early '80s we never had cell phones. I have a cell phone now but I don't use it. I don't know how to work a computer and I don't want to particularly. In the old days all the manager would do is give you a piece of paper the time of arrival, the time we go on stage, and if you get lost, all you do is stop and ask someone. And now you've got electronic wires and computers. If the system breaks down, it'll be chaotic."

Read the entire interview from Mainstreet.com.

I SHALT BECOME Working On New Album

A long-legendary name in black metal, I SHALT BECOME is currently working on a new studio album for Moribund Records, with the band slated to enter the studio next month. As yet untitled, I SHALT BECOME's new CD will be its second full-length for the label (the band's cult "Wanderings" demo was reissued by Moribund in 2006, with 2008's "Requiem" being the band's first post-retirement recording) and also the first to feature real, live drums. Mainman S. Holliman reports, "Honestly, I'm not sure what I can say about it as it's genuinely unlike anything else I've heard," while drummer A. Scherer offers that it's "atmospheric, orchestral plague metal for those whom ride gallant on black steed from the foul, gaping maw of Hell itself to wage War on ignorant mortals" or just "really fucking good."

I SHALT BECOME's new album is tentatively slated for release during the second half of the year.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ishaltbecome.

EPICA: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From North American Tour Posted Online

The sound engineer for Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA has posted several behind-the-scenes video clips from the band's current North American tour. Watch them below.

Keyboardist Coen Janssen was forced to sit out EPICA's current North American headlining tour because of "personal reasons." He was replaced by Simone's boyfriend Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, SONS OF SEASONS, DORO).

EPICA's latest album, "Design Your Universe", landed at position No. 12 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Design Your Universe" was released in Europe on October 16, 2009. The follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy" was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth.

SOULGRIND: Two New Songs Posted Online

SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), has posted two new songs — "The Call Of The Dancing Waters" and "Rain Before The Dawn" — on its MySpace page. The tracks will appear on the group's forthcoming ninth album, "The Tuoni Pathway", which is scheduled for release in April via U.K.'s Femme Metal Records. The CD will feature a guest appearance by Roope Latvala of CHILDREN OF BODOM.

Commented SOULGRIND guitarist Lord Heikkinen: "We have done the best album to date. Nine tracks of beauty, heaviness and darkness. . . Overall, it is a one helluva album."

A video for "The Call Of The Dancing Waters" was recently completed and will be released soon.

A demo version of the song "Farewell To Misery" appeared on the "Demonic and Divine" compilation, which was released through Femme Metal Records. The track is described as "a tale of an old couple still in love after 50, heading to death, so enjoy the dark ride."

SOULGRIND's last CD, "Pakana", was released in February 2007 via Holy Records.

"Pakana", was recorded at D studio and was released in February 2007. It was the follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records.

SOULGRIND's current lineup:

Azhemin (THY SERPENT) - Vocals
Ms W Lilith (ex-LULLACRY) - Vocals
Lord Heikkinen (TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE) – Guitar
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Agathon The Beast (GLOOMY GRIM) - Drums
TByte (TWILIGHT OPHERA) – Guitar

RUDOLF SCHENKER Looking Towards Non-SCORPIONS Future

Guitarist Rudolf Schenker tells Billboard.com that the prospect of ending SCORPIONS is indeed "really sad, and I don't even want to think about it." But he explains that the band and its management ultimately feel it's the right move to end the band on a high note with its new album, "Sting in the Tail", rather than risk a slow decline.

"You can't think about SCORPIONS at 70, not moving on stage, playing 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' — but on stage it's not like a hurricane, it's a very small wind," he says. "There's no stinger, and that's not good. You're going back down hill, from big hall to small how, small how to club...Everything has it's end; the question is it a good end or bad end? In this case we want to do these things and make it a good end."

Regarding the SCORPIONS members' future plans, Schenker says that guitarist Matthias Jabs has a musical instruments store in Munich, while drummer James Kottak has his own band, KOTTAK. Rudolf himself intends to publish his book, "Rock You Live", in the U.S. and plans a collaboration with his brother a Michael Schenker — which may include SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine on some songs.

Read more at Billboard.com.

ZAKK WYLDE To Guest On MTV2's 'Headbangers Ball'

Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) will be the featured guest on this Monday's edition of "Headbangers Ball", which now airs every Monday night (technically Tuesday morning) at 3:00 a.m. EST/PST on MTV2. This episode includes short interview segments conducted by "Talking Metal"'s John Ostronomy and Mark Strigl, as well as numerous music videos spanning Zakk's legendary career.

Wylde paid tribute to to the late, great Les Paul this past Monday night (January 25) at the Iridium jazz club in New York City.

Wylde's setlist was as follows:

* T-BONE WALKER - "Stormy Monday Blues"
* JIMI HENDRIX - "Little Wing"
* LEON RUSSELL - "A Song For You"
* BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - "The Blessed Hellride"
* JIMI HENDRIX - "Voodoo Child"
* CREAM - "Sunshine Of Your Love"

Video footage of Zakk's performance can be viewed below.

Les Paul, the innovator and inventor who passed away at 94 years of age in August 2009, was known throughout the world as the man who created multi-track recording and the father of the electric guitar. Many musicians pay homage to Les Paul and credit their careers and musicianship directly to him.

OBSCURA: 'Retribution' Reissued With Bonus Tracks

"Retribution", the debut album from German death metallers OBSCURA, will be reissued on February 16 via Relapse Records. The 2006 CD has been remastered and repackaged with three bonus tracks.

OBSCURA is currently out on the 2010 Bonecrusher Fest with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, NECROPHOBIC, and more. This European tour will conclude on February 6 in Holland. Immediately following the Bonecrusher Fest, OBSCURA will team up with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER for a four-week U.S. tour. The trek kicks off on February 24 in Atlanta, Georgia and also includes AUGURY and HATESPHERE.

For a complete list of tour dates, go to this location.

OBSCURA's official guitar tablature book for the band's latest album, "Cosmogenesis", was released on January 5. The 145-page book contains the full tablature for all rhythm and lead guitar tracks on the LP, expanded album artwork, track-by-track commentary and an introduction from the band, as well as a digital download of "Cosmogenesis" which includes isolated rhythm guitar and solo tracks, and more.

The "Cosmogenesis" tab book is available for order here.

Fan-filmed video footage of OBSCURA's May 29, 2009 performance at the Neurotic Deathfest in Tilburg, The Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of Natasja Kooiman).

"Cosmogenesis", the second full-length album from OBSCURA, debuted at No. 71 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Cosmogenesis" was released in the U.S. on February 17, 2009 via Relapse Records (March 2 internationally). The CD features guest appearances from Ron Jarzombek (WATCHTOWER, SPASTIC INK, BLOTTED SCIENCE) and Tymon Kruidenier (CYNIC, EXIVIOUS).

WHITE WIZZARD: 'Over The Top' Video Released

"Over The Top", the new video from Los Angeles traditional metal heroes WHITE WIZZARD, can be viewed below. The clip sees WHITE WIZZARD trade their axes for guns, as the five members turn into rugged outlaws and bring true heavy metal to the wild west.

Filmed with director Dave Vorhes, the video strays from today's standard dark videos and instead features a light-hearted and entertaining story. Fans of WHITE WIZZARD's first music video for "High Speed GTO" will instantly recognize "Over the Top" as a sequel, with the same fun approach. The legendary White Wizzard himself may even make an appearance!

"Over The Top", WHITE WIZZARD's full-length follow-up to the "High Speed GTO" mini-album, will be released on February 8 in Europe and March 9 in the U.S. via Earache Records. The CD was recorded with producer Ralph Patlan (MEGADETH, UFO, MICHAEL SCHENKER) and contains "10 songs that will rip your head off," according to bassist Jon Leon. The limited-edition CD version includes two bonus tracks of classic metal covers.

WHITE WIZZARD formed in 2007 and shortly afterwards recorded its "High Speed GTO" demo, which only made it into the hands of a few select fans. Following a brief period of inactivity, the demo fell into the hands of Earache Records and the "High Speed GTO" song was included on "Heavy Metal Killers", a compilation featuring 13 tracks from the best new traditional-sounding heavy metal bands. Earache Records released the "High Speed GTO" tracks as a mini-album last summer.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/whitewizzard.

GWAR Frontman Makes Record-Breaking Eighth Appearance On FOX NEWS' 'Red Eye'

This just in from Slave Pit Headquarters! In an obvious symbolic gesture heralding the continuing domination of the rock-shock-group-band GWAR over all media, Fox News and Slave Pit Inc. have announced the first appearance of 2010 on the networks late-night news/laugh fest Red Eye" by the program's official and world's first "Interplanetary Correspondent", GWAR's Oderus Urungus, tonight at 3:00 a.m. EST.

Oderus was a shocking addition to the supposedly conservative agenda of the network, and quickly parlayed his guest spot into a semi-regular feature on the show, which is hosted by the disarmingly dimpled Greg Gutfeld, ex-Maxim editor and all-around great guy.

"I am glad to be back, said Oderus, taking a break in the festivities surrounding the continuing 25th anniversary of GWAR's re-awakening on Earth. "Where was I?"

For all you GWAR fans out there wanting to stay up to date with your favorite alien nasties, Metal Blade has created a GWAR widget. This intergalactic widget includes an MP3 of the track "Let Us Slay", band photos, information about the album, and will have upcoming GWAR tour dates when the band hits the road again. Fans can also add the widget to their blogs and networking pages and it will update automatically with new tour dates, music, videos and more.

RATT Drummer Says Reports Of Felony Arrest Are 'Significantly Overstated

RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer has dismissed as "overstated" reports that he was arrested in December for assaulting his girlfriend.

According to the web site of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Blotzer was arrested on December 17 and was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on a felony charge. The Metal Sludge web site reported on Wednesday that the charge stems from an alleged domestic assault on Bobby's girlfriend, although this has not yet been confirmed by the police.

"The stories of a relationship problem I had in December 2009 are significantly overstated," Blotzer said in a statement.

"To my friends and fans, you know how gossip over public figures can get blown out of proportion," he added. "What is being disseminated is not within my character and an insult.

"I was arrested, not charged, for this misunderstanding we had last month. Public record shows that the 'suspected felony' charge was dismissed by D.A.'s office.

"I consider this the end of a unfortunate personal family issue that has seeped its way on to the computer screens around the globe."