Singer: DIMMU BORGIR Will 'Never' Consist Of More Than Three Members Again

CrankItUp.se conducted an interview with vocalist Shagrath (real name: Stian Tomt Thoresen) of Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR when the band played at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 17, 2010. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked about the DIMMU BORGIR's split with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (real name: Tommie Helgesson; THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME) a short time after Snowy appeared in the band's video for the song "Gateways", Shagrath said, "We have never really made any official statement regarding Snowy Shaw. I guess there's a been a lot of rumors about this and that and he did some interviews himself, whatever, but we have never announced that we have a new member in DIMMU BORGIR. DIMMU BORGIR is three people — it's Shagrath, Silenoz and Galder. For this new record, we have used in total over 101 musicians to be a part of the record, and he was paid to be a part of the record and play on it. There was never any consideration of becoming a permanent member in DIMMU BORGIR, and that's the end of the story."

Regarding whether DIMMU BORGIR will ever again consist of more than three people in the future, Shagrath replied, "Never. More people, more bullshit — and that's how simple it is. We had so many lineup changes throughout the years. We've been around now for almost 18 years, so it's... People come and leave... People with strong opinions, it's very hard to get a band going with a lot of people in the band like that, and for us it just works so much better to just be a three-piece. And the remaining members of the band are the ones who have created most of the music anyway, so we feel much more comfortable continuing as a three-piece, and then we use different people for different purposes — either be a part of the record or be a part of the live thing. It just works much better for us that way."

DIMMU BORGIR's current touring lineup reportedly includes Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the band.

"Abrahadabra", the ninth album from DIMMU BORGIR, sold 9,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "In Sorte Diaboli", opened with 14,000 units back in May 2007 to debut at No. 43. This was more than double the 6,400 first-week tally achieved by its predecessor, "Death Cult Armageddon", which came out in September 2003 and landed at position No. 169 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The word "abrahadabra" (which roughly translates into "I will create as I speak") first publicly appeared in Chapter III of "Liber AL vel Legis" (commonly referred to as "The Book of the Law") written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in 1904.

The first show of DIMMU BORGIR's European tour as the support act for KORN took place on September 19 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Holland.


"Abrahadabra" was released in Germany on September 24, in the rest of Europe on September 27, and it was made available in North America on October 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.

KEITH MORRIS Throbblehead Figure Announced

Keith Morris, legendary frontman of BLACK FLAG, THE CIRCLE JERKS and now OFF!, has been throbble-ized! This figure capturing Keith in full-on live mode is limited to 1000 numbered units, stands at seven inches tall, and is made of super-strong polyresin.

While the figure is labeled a Throbblehead, it's actually Keith's arm that does all the movement, aggressively pointing towards his mind.

Displayed in a window box, Keith is accurately sculpted right down to the dreads, Vans, and "fuck you" stare.

Check out the commercial featuring Keith's voicemail below.

Since the beginning of 2010, Keith has been performing and touring with OFF!, which he founded with Dimitri Coats from BURNING BRIDES, Steven Shane McDonald from REDD KROSS, and Mario Rubalcaba from EARTHLESS, ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT and HOT SNAKES. Their debut EP is set for release on November 23 and the band will perform at CMJ this weekend and at Fun Fun Fun Fest next month.

All throbblehead figures are distributed by MVD Entertainment Group — a company specializing in music-related distribution since 1986 — and DKE Toys — a wholesale distributor of urban / vinyl / designer art / objects / toys / figurines.

Keith Morris is the eighth punk personality to be polyresinated by Aggronautix. In May of 2009, the company launched with a highly popular G.G. Allin "1991" figure, which was limited to 2000 numbered units.

All Aggronautix figures are now available for purchase on www.aggronautix.comor www.seeofsound.com and will also be available at many independent retailers, comic shops and tattoo parlors.

MEGADETH Bassist: KERRY KING 'Nailed It Last Night In Front Of A Packed House Of Thrashers'

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has issued the following update:

"We just finished the last show of the Jägermeister Music Tour in Los Angeles last night [Thursday, October 21].

"Man, what a great tour we had with you all. The shows were pumped, the meet-and-greets energetic and the camaraderie between SLAYER, ANTHRAX and MEGADETH has never been better. Proof of that was Kerry King [SLAYER] joining us on stage last night for 'Rattlehead' on our encore. [See video below.]

"Some may not know that Kerry was the first guitar player to ever play live with us on our maiden voyage shows in San Francisco back in early 1984. True to form, Kerry proved his god-like metal status and nailed it last night in front of a packed house of thrashers at the Gibson Amphitheater! It was powerful for us all to be 'thrashing 'till MEGADETH' again on an early classic song after all these years.

"We're chillin' the next couple weeks till our show at the AZ State Fair November 6, and then heading 'Down Under' in December for our final shows of 2010.

"Be ready for 'The Big Four' box set coming out November 2. I can't wait to sit back and watch the festivities that happened that day from the comforts of my own couch. And, its just in time for Christmas...a perfect stocking stuffer for the metal community this holiday season."

HELLOWEEN: Entire New Album Available For Streaming

"7 Sinners", the 13th studio album from German power metallers HELLOWEEN, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. The CD will be released in North America on November 9 via The End Records.

If there is a golden thread throughout the more than 25 years of HELLOWEEN's history, 13 studio albums, countless headliner tours around the globe and more than 5 million records sold, then it is their special kind of attitude: don't take yourself too seriously and simply live statements like "just have fun with the shit you're doing." Maybe it is exactly this easiness that allows HELLOWEEN to be one of the most constant bands of the genre while simultaneously being the one band who dares to experiment more than their musical peers.

While some copycats would rather stick with the same old patterns, Andi Deris, Michael Weikath, Sascha Gerstner, Markus Großkopf and Dani Löble aren't afraid of taking risks — and are rightfully rewarded with success.

"7 Sinners" is definitively one of the fastest and hardest albums in the HELLOWEEN's history and it bursts with vitality. That might partly be due to the versatility of the various songwriters within the band, who over time have become so homogenous, that the 13 songs formed a unity on their own in the studio , but it may also be due to the fact that the album was recorded completely without a click track, which, considering the extreme speed of the songs is an impressive feat. Especially drummer Löble, who proves that his technique is at a world-class-level. Following his excellent inner clock, bass and drums drive tracks like "Are You Metal?", "Long Live The King" and "Who Is Mr. Madman?" to dizzying tempos. "7 Sinners", with its typically strong melodies and the tangible joy of playing, is a true metal album whose range reaches astonishing dimensions.

It has become a cliche for metal band's to tout their newest opus as their "fastest" or "heaviest" album ever made, but in HELLOWEEN's case, "7 Sinners" is truly a return to form and is indeed their fastest and heaviest release in years. HELLOWEEN bass player Markus Grosskopf stated about the band's new material: "For all those out there who found our special best-of [CD] 'Unarmed' to be too smooth and calm, I have great news: The new album will hit you right in the face! It's gonna be very heavy and contain all [the classic] HELLOWEEN trademarks! Some songs are very powerful and hymnic, others contain the fastest bass-drum patterns our drummer Dani ever played, and this means a lot!"

"7 Sinners" track listing:

01. Where The Sinners Go
02. Are You Metal?
03. Who is Mr. Madman?
04. Raise The Noise
05. World Of Fantasy
06. Long Live The King
07. The Smile Of The Sun
08. You Stupid Mankind
09. If A Mountain Could Talk
10. The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner
11. My Sacrifice
12. Not Yet Today
13. Far In The Future

The "Are You Metal?" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed on September 30 in Beelitz, Germany.

ALICE COOPER's 'Keepin' Halloween Alive!' Single: Footage Of Manufacturing Process

A seven-inch single of Alice Cooper's song "Keepin' Halloween Alive!" has been released on special glow-in-the-dark vinyl in a limited edition of 2,300 copies. Of those 2,300, only 1,450 are available for sale, in the U.S. ONLY! The remaining copies will be used for promotional materials and pre-orders in the U.K and the U.S. to promote the release of Alice's new DVD, "Theatre Of Death".

The limited-edition vinyl is available direct from AliceCooper.com for U.S. fans. The item can only be shipped to the U.S. No international orders will be accepted from AliceCooper.com.

Side A: "Keepin' Halloween Alive"
Side C: "I Love The Dead" (Live) (from "Theatre Of Death" DVD/CD)

A short video clip featuring footage of the manufacturing process for the "Keepin' Halloween Alive!" glow-in-the-dark vinyl single can be viewed below.

Alice delivers the song with the garage-punk snarl he is best known for, ensuring that it will soon be a Halloween classic.

"At home my family all gathers around an old spooky tree decorated with skulls and bones in the living room, and we exchange gifts," says Cooper. "It's our holiday. We even all have matching black-and-orange Halloween sweaters! I wanted a theme song for people like me, and for us Halloween never ends. In the chorus I say, 'I'm keepin' Halloween alive, baby, 3–6–5'... and I mean it!"

"Keepin' Halloween Alive" was co-written and co-produced by Cooper with Piggy D. (a member of ROB ZOMBIE's band), who played rhythm guitar/backup vocals. Dave Pino (POWERMAN 5000) is featured on lead guitar, and David Spreng (BOB DYLAN, THE BRAVERY) on drums.

Of the recording, Cooper says, "We played it live as a band to capture the vibe. It was the easiest work I think any of us have ever done, not to mention a blast!"

SODOM: 'In War And Pieces' Digipack Version Detailed

The first photo of the digipack version of "In War And Pieces", the new album from German thrash metal veterans SODOM, can be seen below. It features the following:

* CD 1: the studio album
* CD 2: bonus live CD (Wacken 2007)
* 16-page booklet

"In War And Pieces" will be released in North America on January 11, 2011 and in Europe on November 22, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer.

"In War And Pieces" track listing:

01. In War And Pieces
02. Hellfire
03. Through Toxic Veins
04. Nothing Counts More Than Blood
05. Storm Raging Up
06. Feigned Death Throes
07. Soul Contraband
08. God Bless You
09. The Art Of Killing Poetry
10. Knarrenheinz
11. Styptic Parasite

The "In War And Pieces" track is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

For bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such, his thrash metal band SODOM is a perfect vehicle to bluntly take a stand. Like few other musicians on this scene, he personifies — along with down-to-earthiness and honesty — a healthily critical position on political authorities and decision-makers from finance and industry. On their latest album, "In War And Pieces", SODOM focuses on the worst excesses of power: arrogance, greed, spotlight-seeking, fanaticism, corruption, cowardice and oppression. Tom strates, "I've always written about what's going on in the world, about the injustice and mistakes that happen everywhere. I know that you can't change anything politically that way, but I would like to at least comment on the situation and generate an awareness of this deplorable state of affairs. Being a singer in a metal band allows me to voice my anger to a large audience."

This uncompromising attitude marks the eleven songs on sodom's latest album which could hardly sound more dynamic and violent. "In War And Pieces" owes its bloodcurdling energy largely to producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., ENEMY OF THE SUN), whose great skill and commitment were instrumental in creating the album's — as Tom calls it — "phat, brutal and open" sound. With Sorychta's support, Angelripper (vocals, bass), Bernemann (guitar) and Bobby Schottkowski (drums) succeeded in adding new impulses to their music without watering down the band's long tradition. "Waldemar is a great musician himself and has done some brilliant work, especially on the guitar sound," Tom explains. "He knows how to get the absolute maximum out of a speaker."

As brutal as the production is the diverse songwriting on "In War And Pieces", a kind of tour de force through the whole history of thrash metal, featuring harsh arrangements, melodic solos and raging vocal attacks. "I feel that we sound more contemporary and structured than we did on our recent releases," Tom analyzes. "At the same time, there are also references to recordings such as 'Persecution Mania' and 'Agent Orange'. After VENOM, SODOM were the world's first angry band, and nothing has changed that." Tom lists as examples the impressive title track, as well as "The Art Of Killing Poetry" with its ultra-deep guitar atmospheres and the German-language song, 'Knarrenheinz', which holds up the tradition of classics such as 'Bombenhagel' and "Ausgebombt". "Knarrenheinz is the mascot on the album cover, that's why I felt he deserved his own lyrics," Tom grins. Talking of album covers: the artwork was designed by Eliran Kantor, who enjoys an excellent reputation on the scene thanks to his work for renowned acts such as TESTAMENT, GWAR and MEKONG DELTA.

PITCHBLACK: 'The Devilty' Audio Samples Available

Danish modern "melodeath thrashers" PITCHBLACK have posted 30-second audio samples (see YouTube clip below) of all the songs that will appear on their second album, "The Devilty", tentatively due in early 2011 via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The CD was recorded at guitarist Thomas "Pede" Pedersen's Earplug Studio in Copenhagen and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL, MNEMIC, HEAVEN SHALL BURN).

Commented the band: "In the video you can also read, what the songs are about in the comments which appears as well as you can check out the bloody photo artwork, which has been made by professional crime photographer Johnny Frederiksen who spent 17 years on the Danish most controversial tabloid Ekstra Bladet."

"The Devilty" track listing:

01. Replacing God
02. Defriended
03. You're Fucking Below Me
04. Don't Make Me Mad
05. The Siren Song
06. I Return
07. One Day We'll Break Them
08. Bandido
09. Revenge (…Injustice For All)
10. Slow The Hate

PITCHBLACK's debut album, "Designed to Dislike", was released in Denmark on August 13, 2007 via Target Distribution. The CD was produced by Steen Mogensen (CORNERSTONE, ex-ROYAL HUNT).

Formed in late 2002, PITCHBLACK released two demo tapes prior to recording its debut album: 2003's "No Sympathy Left" and 2004's "PitchBlack Promo 2004".

For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.

PHILIP ANSELMO To Guest On FULL METAL JACKIE's Radio Show

DOWN/ex-PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo will guest on this weekend's (October 22-24) edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show.

To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

Full Metal Jackie began her radio career as a DJ at WSOU Pirate Radio, Seton Hall University's legendary metal station. Instantly addicted to the excitement of life behind the mic, she graduated Pirate Radio (and Seton Hall), to become an on-air personality at WHTG (Neptune, NJ), and later at WDHA (Dover, NJ).

Not content to limit her exposure to New Jersey, Jackie set her sights on bigger markets (and warmer climates!), making her way west to California's gold coast. Establishing herself in Los Angeles, she learned the business side of radio and promotions while working for one of the music industry's largest management companies. After a short stint as on-air host at San Diego's 94.9 KBZT, Jackie landed the opportunity she had been working toward since her early WSOU days: host and producer of her own (and L.A.'s only) commercial heavy metal radio show, "Chaos", on Indie 103.1. Working alongside other Indie 103.1 hosts such as Steve Jones (of the SEX PISTOLS), Henry Rollins and Dave Navarro, Jackie quickly brought "Chaos" to the station's forefront.

Today, Full Metal Jackie's show continues to air on Indie 103.1 every Sunday night from 8 to 10 p.m., and can be heard online at www.indie1031.com, as well as in syndicated markets around the country through Envision Radio.

AS I LAY DYING To Perform On FUEL TV's 'The Daily Habit'

San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING will perform the songs "Anodyne Sea" and "Vacancy" on today's (Wednesday, October 20) edition of Fuel TV's "The Daily Habit" at 9:30 p.m ET/PT. The cast of "Jackass 3-D" will also appear on the episode.

"The Daily Habit" encompasses the world of the action sports enthusiast, mixing the best in pop culture with today's top action sports personalities, cutting-edge music, product reviews, and comedy.

For more information, visit www.fuel.tv.

AS I LAY DYING will release a super deluxe fan box set version of its latest album, "The Powerless Rise", in November.

The limited edition super deluxe fan box includes the following:

* "The Powerless Rise" CD and 12" vinyl picture disc
* "The Powerless Rise" DVD documentary with in-studio footage and interviews + extras
* Guitar, bass and drum tabs featuring Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert / song stems for "Upside Down Kingdom" / expanded recording outtakes
* Hardcover book with lyrics, photos, and editorial from the band
* 12" x 12" lithograph
* Three guitar picks
* Mini drumstick keychain
* AS I LAY DYING patch
* AS I LAY DYING window cling
* Metal AS I LAY DYING logo pin

The box set is exclusively available in Europe via EMP.

"The Powerless Rise" sold 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "An Ocean Between Us", opened with 39,500 units back in August 2007 to land at No. 8.

"The Powerless Rise" was released on May 11 via Metal Blade Records.

AS I LAY DYING will team up with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and SUICIDE SILENCE for a European tour in November.

SLAYER Guitarist Interviewed On AUX's 'Hard' (Video)

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was interviewed for an episode of "Hard" on the AUX music channel out of Canada when the band played in Toronto, Ontario at the end of July. The segment can now be viewed below.

For the first time in its near-30-year history, SLAYER, the single most distinctive and radical thrash metal band ever, has seen its ten American Recordings albums released as a limited-edition, high-end box set — "The Vinyl Conflict" (American Recordings/Sony Legacy). Ten albums on 11 discs, "The Vinyl Conflict" features the band's entire Def/American Recordings catalogue:

* Reign in Blood (1986)
* South of Heaven (1988)
* Seasons In The Abyss (1990)
* Live Decade of Aggression (1991)
* Divine Intervention (1994)
* Undisputed Attitude (1998)
* God Hates Us All (2001)
* Christ Illusion (2006)
* World Painted Blood (2009)

On August 17, SLAYER's DVDs — 2003's "War at the Warfield" and 2004's "Still Reigning" — were reissued, and, for the first time ever, 1995's "Live Intrusion", having been digitally remastered, is also available on DVD. All three are sold separately at retail and online ($13.98 each), and the limited-edition "Slayer Live DVD 3-Pak" ($29.98), is available exclusively on SLAYER's web site, www.slayer.net.

DEEP PURPLE: EPK For 35th-Anniversary Reissue Of 'Come Taste The Band' Available

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the upcoming 30th-anniversary reissue of DEEP PURPLE's "Come Taste The Band" album can be viewed below.

The "Come Taste The Band" 35th-anniversary reissue is due out on October 25 in the U.K. and November 2 in North America via EMI. It includes a remastered version of the album, plus the single edit of "You Keep On Moving" on disc one. Disc two features a remixed version of the LP by Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, JOURNEY, HIM), with input from Glenn Hughes, plus two previously unreleased instrumental tracks from the sessions.

"Come Taste The Band" was recorded between August 3 and September 1, 1975 at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, and released in October 1975. The album was co-produced and engineered by the band and longtime associate Martin Birch (IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH). It is the only DEEP PURPLE studio record featuring Tommy Bolin, who replaced Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar. When Blackmore left the band, many observers and critics assumed that DEEP PURPLE would not continue. It was David Coverdale who asked Jon Lord to keep the band together, and Tommy Bolin was asked to take the guitar slot. The band was rounded off by bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice.

"Come Taste The Band" 35th-anniversary reissue track listing:

CD1

01. Comin' Home
02. Lady Luck
03. Gettin Tighter
04. Dealer
05. I Need Love
06. You Keep on Moving
07. Love Child
08. This Time Around
09. Owed to G
10. Drifter
11. You Keep On Moving (single edit)

CD2

01. Comin Home
02. Lady Luck
03. Gettin Tighter
04. Dealer
05. I Need Love
06. You Keep on Moving
07. Love Child
08. This Time Around
09. Owed To G
10. Drifter
11. Always The Same in LA
12. Bolin/Paice Jam

Check out audio samples at Amazon.co.uk.

MADBALL In Montreal: Interview, Performance Footage Available

HardTimes.ca recently conducted an interview with bassist Hoya Roc of New York hardcore legends MADBALL when the band played at Le Studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on September 25. Watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Montreal concert.

"Empire", the new album from MADBALL, sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.

"Empire" was released on October 12 via Good Fight Music. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan, who has previously worked with MISERY INDEX, CANNIBAL CORPSE and GOATWHORE, among many others.

Since forming in 1988, MADBALL has been responsible for some of the most important releases in the hardcore genre, from the seminal "Ball of Destruction" EP (1989) to the landmark albums "Set It Off" (1994), "Demonstrating My Style" (1996), "Look My Way" (1998), "Hold it Down" (2000), "Legacy" (2005), and their latest release, "Infiltrate the System" (2007).

Interview:

Performance:

FIREWIND/OZZY OSBOURNE Guitarist Interviewed On U.K.'s ROCK RADIO (Audio)

Tom Russell of U.K.'s Rock Radio recently conducted an interview with OZZY OSBOURNE/FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. You can now listen to the chat below. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

A new FIREWIND track, "The Ark Of Lies", is available for free download after you tweet or Facebook about the song. Go here for more details.
The European limited-edition mediabook CD version of FIREWIND's new album, "Days Of Defiance", doesn't only come with special packaging, alternate cover artwork and expanded booklet features, it also contains three special bonus tracks, a Gus G. / ESP guitar pick as well as a quality FIREWIND sticker.

Here is the complete track listing of this special version:

01. The Ark Of Lies
02. World On Fire
03. Chariot
04. Embrace The Sun
05. The Departure
06. Heading For The Dawn
07. Broken
08. Cold As Ice
09. Kill In The Name Of Love
10. SKG
11. Losing Faith
12. The Yearning
13. When All Is Said And Done
14. Wild Rose *
15. Ride To The Rainbow's End *
16. Breaking The Law (JUDAS PRIEST cover) *

* Bonus tracks

Head over to www.cmdistro.com in order to check out exclusive FIREWIND bundles, including the new album's limited edition and a T-shirt at a very special price.

FIREWIND's version of "Breaking The Law" originally appeared on volume 1 of the "Metal Forge" series by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, which saw nine bands covering the nine tracks on PRIEST's "British Steel" album to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

"Days Of Defiance" is scheduled for release in North America on October 26 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD's striking cover artwork was designed by the band's longtime partner in all design matters, Gustavo Sazes, and can be viewed below.

"Days Of Defiance" is described in a press release as "a truly ambitious and dynamic opus featuring some of the most brilliant guitar playing the genre has seen in many years."

The "World On Fire" single was made available for purchase on digital platforms starting on August 17. The video for the track was once again directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among many others. Ullaeus oversaw all of FIREWIND's visuals on the band's last two albums.

FIREWIND's 2010 lineup (from left to right in photo below):

Michael Ehre - Drums
Petros Christo - Bass
Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals
Gus G. - Guitar
Bob Katsionis - Keyboards

Interview:

DEEP PURPLE's 'Deepest Purple': EPK For Anniversary Reissue Available

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the upcoming reissue of DEEP PURPLE's "Deepest Purple" compilation can be viewed below.

The "Deepest Purple" reissue is due out on October 25 in the U.K. and November 2 in North America via EMI. The new version of the album will include a bonus DVD featuring a range of video clips presented by former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord.

CD features:

01. Black Night (Single Version) (2002 Digital Remaster)
02. Speed King (Edit) (2010 Digital Remaster)
03. Fireball (1996 Digital Remaster)
04. Hush (1998 Digital Remaster)
05. Strange Kind Of Woman (2002 Digital Remaster)
06. Child In Time (1995 Digital Remaster)
07. When A Blind Man Cries (1997 Remix)
08. Woman From Tokyo (2000 Digital Remaster)
09. Highway Star (1997 Digital Remaster)
10. Space Truckin' (1997 Digital Remaster)
11. Burn (2004 Digital Remaster)
12. Stormbringer (2009 Digital Remaster)
13. Soldier Of Fortune (2009 Digital Remaster)
14. Demon's Eye (1996 Digital Remaster)
15. You Keep On Moving (Single Edit) (2002 Digital Remaster)
16. Smoke On The Water (1997 Digital Remaster)

DVD features:

* Jon Lord discusses "Hush"
* Hush (Playboy After Dark, 1968)
* Jon Lord discusses arriving in the U.S. for the first time
* Jon Lord discusses miming for German TV
* Speed King (Vicky Leandros show, German TV, 1970)
* Jon Lord discusses the writing of "Child In Time"
* Child In Time (new clip)
* Jon Lord discusses the power of "Child In Time"
* Jon Lord discusses the recording of "Black Night"
* Black Night (classic 1970 video clip)
* Jon Lord discusses "Fireball"
* Fireball (German TV performance on Disco ZDF, 1971)
* Jon Lord discusses the "Fireball" album
* Jon Lord discusses the writing of "Strange Kind Of Woman"
* Strange Kind Of Woman (Top Of The Pops, BBC, 1971)
* Jon Lord discusses "Demon's Eye"
* Demon's Eye (Music Today, RBB Berlin)
* Jon Lord discusses "Highway Star"
* Highway Star (Beat Club, German TV, 1971)
* Jon Lord discusses "Never Before"
* Never Before (classic 1970s video clip)
* Jon Lord discusses "Smoke On The Water" and the story behind it
* Smoke On The Water (Hofstra University, 1973)
* Jon Lord discusses the choice of singles
* Jon Lord discusses "Woman From Tokyo"
* Woman From Tokyo (new clip)
* Made in Japan / Space Truckin' (new clip from "Made In Japan" footage)
* Jon Lord discusses "Burn"
* Burn (London 1974)
* Jon Lord discusses "You Keep On Moving"
* You Keep On Moving
* Jon Lord discusses "Stormbringer"
* Stormbringer (new clip)
* You Keep On Movin' (new clip)

ALL THAT REMAINS Guitarist Interviewed By METAL ASSAULT (Audio)

On October 16, Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with guitarist Mike Martin of Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS at the House Of Blues in Hollywood, California. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

"For We Are Many", the new album from ALL THAT REMAINS, sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Overcome", opened with just under 29,000 units in September 2008 to enter the chart at No. 16.

"For We Are Many" was released through a joint venture between Prosthetic Records and Razor & Tie.

"We're thrilled with ALL THAT REMAINS' debut sales and chart positions for this fantastic new album," said Jeremy Kramer, VP of Marketing at Razor & Tie. "In a market where sales are trending downward, ALL THAT REMAINS' first-week numbers and overall sales have increased with every release, which is a testament to this phenomenal band as well as the team supporting them.

"There's no shortcut to success in artist development — this band has worked tirelessly over the years, creating a real and passionate fan base that continues to grow with every album."

Prosthetic Records co-owner and co-founder E.J. Johantgen added, "ALL THAT REMAINS' success can be summarized simply — steady wins the race."

"For We Are Many", hit the same day the band headed out on a month-long U.S. headlining tour with support from ASKING ALEXANDRIA, UNEARTH, BORN OF OSIRIS and AND SHE WHISPERED. Decibel magazine called the album, "Proof that neck-snapping tempos, thoughtful soloing and a catchy chorus or three can co-exist," while Outburn magazine remarked, "If there was ever any question as to whether ALL THAT REMAINS deserved to be considered among the melodic metalcore elite, 'For We Are Many' will dispel any lingering doubts once and for all."

"For We Are Many" was recorded this spring at Zing Studios in Massachusetts and produced by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' "This Darkened Heart" and "The Fall of Ideals". In warming up for their headlining tour, ALL THAT REMAINS is on the road with AS I LAY DYING and UNEARTH for a run of dates concluding October 12. After their headlining U.S. tour, the band will head to Europe for dates in November and December.

"Hold On", the new video from ALL THAT REMAINS, can be viewed below. The clip, helmed by Ramon Boutviseth (TRIVIUM, DREAM THEATER, INCUBUS), features a narrative involving a variety of characters dealing with internal struggles and their inability to change their fate as their world crumbles down around them, both figuratively and literally. The force behind the destruction is the manifestation of their dark emotions, which ALL THAT REMAINS embodies as they unleash an epic performance in a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland.

Interview:

SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, DIO, SHINEDOWN Members To Perform At 'Dimebash 2010'

How do you continue to celebrate the life of one of heavy metal’s true legends? You call on those who had the most admiration and respect to gather in one place and do what they do best to pay homage — which includes fellow musicians and fans alike. On October 29 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California, fans and an all-star lineup will do just that and no doubt pulverize the heavens with a night of ungodly metallic thunder at this year's Dimebash 2010, in honor of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN). "The thing I remember the most about Darrell was the way he loved to jump up on stage with anyone at the drop of a hat,", states Rita Haney, longtime girlfriend of Dime and the person who knew him best. "When this tragedy originally happened, I saw the music community unite like I've never seen before. To have the name 'Dimebag,' still to this day, bring together musicians and fans to pay homage in such a respectful way to such an amazing person and cause is very overwhelming! In Dime's vision... it's always been about a damn good time!" At the same time, proceeds will benefit in the name of another metal legend that left us too early, the Ronnie James Dio Stand up and Shout Cancer Fund.

The all-star lineup to share the stage will include hard rock and heavy metal titans: Dave Grohl of FOO FIGHTERS; Simon Wright from DIO; Brent Smith, Zach Myers and Eric Bass of SHINEDOWN; Kerry King and Dave Lombardo of SLAYER; Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel of MACHINE HEAD; Chuck Billy from TESTAMENT; Chris Howorth and Maria Brink of IN THIS MOMENT; and many more, including some surprises that will surely nail your jaw to the floor. This incredible event is being hosted by radio/television personality Jose Mangin, a veteran of several Dimebag events. In addition, attendees will be able to land some limited-edition merchandise, nab raffle tickets for chances to win some cool collectables and purchase Monster Energy cocktail drink specials, all of which partial proceeds go to benefit the cause. And if the all-star jam with legends and legends in the making isn't enough, special guest opener includes hard rock juggernauts REV THEORY. The metal brotherhood and community comes together once again to not only help themselves heal, but to also help the world around them. Good guys sometimes do wear black!

Tickets are $15.00 and are available at this location.

DIMMU BORGIR Teams Up With METAL HAMMER For Sound-Enabled 'Demon Box'

Metal Hammer, the U.K.'s best-selling heavy metal magazine, has teamed up with black metal's most revered band, DIMMU BORGIR, for a very special collectors’ issue, complete with sound.

Known as the "demon box," the November issue continues Future PLC's run of innovative, attention-grabbing "event issues" for Metal Hammer — which have included a blood-soaked cover to celebrate the 20th anniversary of SLAYER's influential "Reign in Blood" album and the world's only magazine cover struck from metal plate for the return of METALLICA with their "Death Magnetic" album, and a high-definition 3D cover to herald the release of Brit-award winners IRON MAIDEN's "The Final Frontier" album.

Thanks to unrivalled access, Metal Hammer spent exclusive time with Norway's biggest metal export and reveals DIMMU BORGIR's insane new look and their latest opus — "Abrahadabra" — a heavy metal masterpiece recorded with a complete symphony. Emerging from a musical genre most associated with church burnings, the award-winning, Billboard-charting metallers have grown to world-beating status and are now ready to go for the big time.

The issue includes an official DIMMU BORGIR beanie hat and pin page. When it''s opened, the packaging plays a special message from their enigmatic frontman and founder Shagrath — recorded exclusively for Metal Hammer.

Elsewhere inside the December issue, the team catches up with fast-rising Australian brutalists PARKWAY DRIVE, heads to Brighton for a dose of homegrown brutality with LOWER THAN ATLANTIS and TRC, and celebrates the 20th anniversary of PANTERA's "Cowboys From Hell".

Alexander Milas, editor of Metal Hammer, said: "DIMMU BORGIR are an enigma — one of those bands who've risen from an underground scene in Norway to become a household name for metalheads. Their latest album is as breathtaking as it is ambitious, so what better way to toast their return than with something fittingly demonic?"

The November issue of Metal Hammer, complete with official DIMMU BORGIR merchandise and sound chip, is on sale now, with a cover price of £4.99.

ABORTED Vocalist Issues New Album Update

Vocalist Sven De Caluwé of death metal psychopaths ABORTED has issued the following update:

"Besides ABORTED I have been busy with the release of the SYSTEM DIVIDE record, and further working on Avernus studios (graphic design studio) and Skarewear (serial killer/horror clothing line). Ken [Sorceron; guitar] has been busy with ABIGAIL WILLIAMS who also just released a new album and are touring at the moment. Dirk [Verbeuren; drums] has been busy touring with SOILWORK and Jb [Van De Wal; bass] just recorded the new WHORECORE album, etc.

"As you see, we have all been busy on different levels. This, however, does NOT mean we are not working on ABORTED stuff. Have no fear, fellow misanthropes, we are hard at work on writing the next album.

"There won't be much shows until we actually have the record out, but when it hits, expect it to hit hard!!! So far about eight songs are written. The aim is to have about 11 ready for the record and two bonus tracks because, well, 2011 is going to be a special year for ABORTED. More about that later! We have the whole concept written out and there won't be any spoilers yet but I think there will be quite some surprises for everyone, in a good, horrific ABORTED way, of corpse! The material itself is definitely good ole ABORTED. As we said with 'Coronary Reconstruction', we are getting that old-school brutal vibe back mixing it up with some newer stuff. All I can say is this is definitely some [of], if not the most punishing material the band has ever written, we are going to bpms that we never went to before, some of the riffing is pretty damn technical. Imagine a bastard child of 'Engineering The Dead', 'Goremageddon' and 'Archaic' on steroids. That, and of course, some new elements as we don't really like to write the same record twice. All this to say that we are busting our nads to get you guys the best album we can possibly get done. Expect it to be out September 2011. More details and all that yazz to be revealed soon.

"We are very excited. I hope you guys are, too!!"

ABORTED's recent "Machines Of Grind/Terrorizer Tourture" European tour with ROTTEN SOUND was the first trek featuring the band's new lineup, which released a new EP entitled "Coronary Reconstruction". The EP got released on a limited-edition digipack sold through the band and Indiemerch containing four new tracks and a cover of ENTOMBED's "Left Hand Path".

The artwork for "Coronary Reconstruction" was created by Justin Osbourn from Slasher design and comprises the most gruesome and disgusting art the band ever had.

MARDUK To Tour Asia In December

Swedish black metallers MARDUK will embark on the "Asian Black Death Redemption Tour 2010" in December. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Dec. 04 - Beijing, China - Mao Livehouse
Dec. 06 - Bangkok, Thailand - Rock Pub
Dec. 07 - Singapore, Singapore - Substation Theatre
Dec. 10 - Surabaya, Indonesia - Graha Pemuda
Dec. 11 - Semarang, Indonesia - Gor Tri Lomba Juang
Dec. 12 - Jakarta, Indonesia - Bulungan Outdoor

The vinyl edition of "Wormwood", the latest album from MARDUK, was released this past spring. The effort is available as a regular black vinyl with a gatefold sleeve (700 copies), picture disc (333 copies) and also as a gatefold deluxe edition with a 32-page booklet with lyrics on red vinyl (500 copies). Also newly released are the remastered versions on vinyl of MARDUK's "Germania", "Nightwing" and "Panzer Division Marduk" (available on regular vinyl and picture disc).

"Wormwood", the eleventh album from MARDUK, sold around 650 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 99 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.

"Wormwood" was released in the U.S. on October 13, 2009 via Regain Records (September 24 in Europe). The CD was recorded at Endarker Studios in Norrköping, Sweden with engineer/producer Magnus Devo Andersson.