The seventh in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from WITHIN TEMPTATION's current European headlining tour can be seen below.
WITHIN TEMPTATION's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48). The band asked comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men) to draw the characters and scenery of "The Unforgiving", which was made available via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia.
WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt recently announced that he will step down from touring duties in order to focus on taking care of the three children he has with the band's lead singer, Sharon den Adel. His replacement on stage is Stefan Helleblad, who has been working with the band behind the scenes for a few years.
WITHIN TEMPTATION will take part in a signing session at Media Markt Bäckebol in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 26 at 3.30 p.m. (15.30).
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Quality multi-camera video footage of FIREWIND's October 16, 2011 concert at Peabody's in Cleveland, Ohio as part of the "Frets Of Fury" tour with ARSIS, WHITE WIZZARD and NIGHTRAGE can be viewed below (filmed in 1080p high definition by Ken Kitt and Kim Schleeper; edited and produced by Ken Kitt for FIREWIND and Vidz-R-Us.com).
FIREWIND vocalist Apollo Papathanasio was unable to make the band's recent European tour due to family issues. His replacement for the "Defiance Over Europe" shows was the acclaimed Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, TREAT, ADAGIO, AT VANCE).
FIREWIND's latest album, "Days Of Defiance", landed at position No. 53 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.
"Days Of Defiance" was released in North America on October 26, 2010 (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.
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During a recent interview with Attention Deficit Delirium, legendary rocker Sammy Hagar (VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT) offered his thoughts on a reunion of the classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES. "They've proved it again and again and again that it ain't [about] the money," observed Hagar. "They just don't get along because Axl [Rose, vocals] goes out for a lot less money with his version of GUNS N' ROSES, and Slash goes out for a lot less money with VELVET REVOLVER or by himself. The amount of money they could make if they got it all back together, made a great record and toured the world would probably be as much as THE ROLLING STONES [get], and for them not to do it, it obviously ain't about the money. Because they could do it. I would manage them. I'd be their manager and make sure they got the right deal from all the promoters. They could be the biggest band in the world if they wanted to."
During a 2009 interview with longtime friend and former road manager Del James, first published on Spinner, Rose called former GUNS N' ROSES axeman Slash a "cancer."
"There's zero possibility of me having anything to do with Slash other than by ambush, and that wouldn't be pretty," Rose told James. "There is the distinct possibility that having his intentions in regard to me so deeply ingrained and his personal, though guarded, distaste for much of 'Appetite [For Destruction'] the band's diamond-certified debut album] other than his or Duff's playing, Slash either should not have been in GUNS to begin with or should have left after 'Lies'. In a nutshell, personally I consider him a cancer and better removed, avoided — and the less anyone heard of him or his supporters, the better."
A year later, Slash responded to Axl's comments, saying in an interview, "For one, I've never said anything derogatory about anyone's performance on 'Appetite'. So right from the start it's just off."
Furthermore the guitarist, who lost his mother to lung cancer, revealed that though he agreed with the sentiment behind some of Rose's comments, the singer's choice of wording was tough to take.
"The cancer thing, I'll go with him on that, that fits into his description of things. I wouldn't use the word 'cancer' but I haven't gone anywhere and I don't seem to be going anywhere so that's justified," Slash said. "Actually, I lost my mom to cancer so that was a little bit of hard rhetoric at that particular time, but it's typical Axl stuff... I know how he comes off and how he really is, so I give him credit where hopefully it's due."
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On September 23, Michael of Freethinkers' Blog conducted an interview with guitarist Mark Heylmun of California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE in Vienna, Austria. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Vienna concert.
SUICIDE SILENCE's new album, "The Black Crown", sold around 14,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's previous album, "No Time To Bleed", opened with 14,000 units in July 2009 to land at No. 32 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Black Crown" was released in North America on July 12 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with heavyweight producer Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, EVERY TIME I DIE, HATEBREED) and features guest appearances by KORN singer Jonathan Davis and SUFFOCATION frontman Frank Mullen.
The cover artwork for "The Black Crown" was created by the Delaware-based freelance graphic designer and illustrator Ken "K3N" Adams, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD.
Interview:
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Performance footage:
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"Restless", the new video from the Norwegian progressive/avant-garde metal band LEPROUS, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by David Solbjørg and Kjetil Kolbjørnsrud of Twitchy Films.
Commented the group: "We had a lot of fun, but also went through several gross and painful moments in the making of this video. We're really happy about the result, and we expect you to understand the entire chain of events during the first watching."
"Restless" comes off LEPROUS's new album, "Bilateral", which was skillfully mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street studios (OPETH, PAIN OF SALVATION, DEVIN TOWNSEND, SYMPHONY X) in Sweden.
Released on August 22 in Europe and August 23 in North America via InsideOut Music, "Bilateral" "is set to musically redefine what it means to be progressive rock and/or metal, both for the devotees of the genre and the metal fans looking on from a safe distance," according to a press release.
Commented LEPROUS vocalist/keyboardist Einar Solberg: "'Restless' represents 'Bilateral' in many ways. It's complex, but at the same time catchy and plain. Even though it's one of the shortest songs on the album, I feel it's flavored with all the things that make LEPROUS special. It has the catchy chorus, it has the groove, it has progish feel and last but not least it has the heaviness."
LEPROUS tapped surrealistic American artist Jeff Jordan to create the artwork for "Bilateral". Solberg said: "Jeff Jordan is probably best known from his work with THE MARS VOLTA, and his paintings are highly rated all over the world. [Spanish designer] Ritxi Ostariz did the artwork for our previous album 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' (released 2009 through Sensory Records) and, of course, we want him to be part of this new album. Ritxi, too, is a critically acclaimed designer, and in our opinion one of the very best in his field."
LEPROUS will support Finnish metallers AMORPHIS on a long European tour starting in early November.
LEPROUS is:
Einar Solberg - Synth/Vocals Tor Oddmund Suhrke - Guitar Øystein Landsverk - Guitar Rein Blomquist - Bass Tobias Ørnes Andersen - Drums
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"Evermore Darkly", the new mini-album from British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH, sold around 1,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
CRADLE OF FILTH's last full-length effort, "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa", opened with 5,800 units in November 2010 to debut at position No. 99 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder", registered a first-week tally of a little over 11,000 copies back in November 2008 to land at No. 48. This was slightly less than the first-week tally registered by 2006's "Thornography", which shifted nearly 13,000 copies the first week out to enter The Billboard chart at No. 66, and "Nymphetamine", which premiered with almost 14,000 copies back in October 2004.
"Evermore Darkly" arrived as a CD/DVD package including new tracks and rarities, with a lengthy on-the-road documentary and ten songs filmed live at this year's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium, as well as the video for "Lilith Immaculate".
The "Evermore Darkly…" CD features brand new musical beast "Thank Your Lucky Stars", plus a special remix of "Forgive Me Father", courtesy of ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano, an extended rendition of "Lilith Immaculate", as well as tempered demo versions of three "Darkly, Darkly…" songs. The mini-album closes with a special taster from CRADLE OF FILTH's impending orchestral project in the form of a haunting, classic reworking of fan favorite "Summer Dying Fast".
The "Evermore Darkly…" DVD contains footage from summer 2011 when CRADLE OF FILTH embarked on a rapid spat of tours, accompanied by two eager filmmakers. The resulting documentary, "You Can't Polish A Turd, But You Can Roll It In Glitter", combined with performance and interview footage culminates in a forty five minute film of the not so glamorous reality of life in a touring band at work and play, as they trawl their way across Europe over eight performances. The DVD includes an interview with ghoul-guide Dani Filth, interspersed and peppered with live footage and backstage shenanigans, culminating in the entire hour long set from this year's Graspop Metal Meeting appearance.
"Evermore Darkly…" track listing:
01. Transmission From Hell? 02. Thank Your Lucky Scars 03. Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned) - Elder Version 04. Lilith Immaculate (Extended Length) 05. The Persecution Song - Elder Version 06. Forgive Me Father (I'm In A Trance) 07. The Spawn Of Love And War - Elder Version 08. Summer Dying Fast ("Midnight In The Labyrinth" breadcrumb trail)
"Venus Diversa" DVD:
01. "Lilith Immaculate" Promo Video 02. "You Can't Polish A Turd…But You Can Roll It In Glitter" Rockumentary 03. "Burning Down Graspop", Dessel, Belgium, June 25, 2011 Live Footage
According to vocalist Dani Filth, "Evermore Darkly…" is "a much-loved musical stop-gap between albums, a pleasure treasure trove of wild and wicked wonders primed especially for fans. Something for them to sink their teeth into this autumn as the CRADLE invasion fleet is primed for future contagion."
Norwegian progressive/psychedelic black metallers ENSLAVED are the recepients of this year's Norwegian Artists And Songwriters Association honorary award. The award will be presented to the band by the Norwegian minister of culture Anniken Huitfeldt on Monday, October 31.
ENSLAVED has received four Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards), toured the U.S., Europe and Asia. In addition to the bandmembers' musical achievements, their interest, dedication and contribution to the Norwegian music industry was a significant reason for them receiving the Norwegian Artists And Songwriters Association award. The Norwegian Artists And Songwriters Association honorary award is handed out, for the 10th time, by a jury consisting of the board at the Norwegian Artists And Songwriters Association. The award prize is a glass microphone made by glass artist Camilla Prytz, and the inscription reads as follows: "The prize is presented to a person or group that has done a significant effort to promote Norwegian music within the genres of which the Norwegian Artists And Songwriters Association represent; Pop / Rock / Related."
ENSLAVED earlier in the year released "The Sleeping Gods" via Scion A/V as a free downloadable five-song EP. Following up on last year's near-universally praised "Axioma Ethica Odini", the EP finds the quintet once again expanding the boundaries of what metal can be, deftly incorporating influences from across the musical spectrum. Mainly recorded in Solslottet Studio in Bergen, and partly in the band's own home studio, the effort finds the group sounding leaner and more confident than ever, part and parcel of maintaining a presence at the foreground of the international metal movement for 20 years.
Throughout its 30-minute playing time, the EP sways and punches in equal measure, in no small part due to the dexterous and powerful rhythm section of vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson and drummer Cato Bækkevold. Herbrand Larsen's swirling keyboard textures form an ether around Ice Dale and Ivar Bjørnson's guitars, which ooze tasteful sophistication and melodic sensibility in equal measure with their crushing, impenetrable force.
"Five Serpent's Teeth", the third full-length album from British thrashers EVILE, sold around 680 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 35 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.
EVILE's previous CD, "Infected Nations", opened with around 460 units to debut at No. 132 on the Heatseekers chart.
"Five Serpent's Teeth" was once again recorded with producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, U.K. and was released in Europe on September 26 via Earache Records.
Regarding the new album cover, EVILE vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matt Drake stated, "As is always the case with EVILE, we try and do things a bit differently from what we've done before, so we fancied something a bit more design-orientated this time around. It's been done by a great artist by the name of Gustavo Sazes and he really came through for us as we were struggling to find something that visually accompanied the music, so hats off to the man! Make what you will of any meaning you think the cover may hold, much the same as you will be able to do with the lyrical content of the album; we know what it means to us, so enjoy!"
"Five Serpent's Teeth" track listing:
01. Five Serpent's Teeth 02. In Dreams of Terror 03. Cult 04. Eternal Empire 05. Xaraya 06. Origin of Oblivion 07. Centurion 08. In Memoriam 09. Descent Into Madness 10. Long Live New Flesh
EVILE last month kicked off a headlining U.K. tour in support of "Five Serpent's Teeth" with support from SAVAGE MESSIAH.
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ICED EARTH's new album, "Dystopia", sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 67 on The Billboard 200 chart.
ICED EARTH's previous CD, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", opened with 6,700 units in September 2008 to debut at No. 79.
ICED EARTH's 10th studio offering, "Dystopia", was released in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks were also recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.
"Dystopia" track listing:
01. Dystopia (05:49) 02. Anthem (04:54) 03. Boiling Point (02:46) 04. Anguish Of Youth (04:41) 05. V (03:39) 06. Dark City (05:42) 07. Equilibrium (04:30) 08. Days Of Rage (02:17) 09. End Of Innocence (04:07) 10. Soylent Green (bonus track) (04:20) 11. Iron Will (bonus track) (04:15) 12. Tragedy And Triumph (07:44) 13. Anthem (String Mix) (04:51)
The European leg of the 2011-2012 "World Dystopia Tour" begins October 30 in Bochum, Germany.
ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer admitted the recording of "Dystopia" was especially challenging because of the band's summer festival gigs requiring him to criss-cross the ocean numerous times.
Despite the challenges, Schaffer said working with new vocalist Stu Block was "a pleasure."
"You just can't ask for a better attitude," said Schaffer. "Stu is so excited to be here. He brings a youthful exuberance to the band, which is a lot of fun. And he's a real dude. He's down to earth, and willing to try anything that Jim [Morris, co-producer, engineer] or I throw at him. He's stepping into the shoes in a very natural way."
Schaffer continued: "We're opening up a part of his voice and a style of singing that he didn't even really know he had. We're exploring this whole new range. And we're just getting started. I believe Stu will continue to grow — and has the potential to grow — into one of the greats, one of the guys that will go down in metal history. If he stays on this course, with the attitude that he has, his willingness to learn, and his passion, he's destined for really great things. I firmly believe that."
Webisode 1:
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Webisode 2:
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Webisode 3:
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Webisode 4:
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Webisode 5:
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JANE'S ADDICTION's new album, "The Great Escape Artist", sold around 24,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Great Escape Artist" is JANE'S ADDICTION's first all-new studio effort since 2003's "Strays", which opened with more than 110,000 units to enter the chart at No. 4.
"The Great Escape Artist" is only JANE'S ADDICTION's fourth album of original material in 20 years. Like other bands that have reunited in recent years such as BLINK-182, the members of JANE'S ADDICTION recorded a lot of the album in separate studios. Drummer Stephen Perkins told The Pulse Of Radio why this worked in JANE'S' favor. "Back in the day, we spent all our time together playing," he said. "Now we have a big pie. JANE'S is just a slice of that pie. But we still want to work and be efficient musicians, so hey, you can't make it to Burbank, you're in Santa Monica? I'll send you the tracks, let's get to work. So it is still just as raw and as emotional as being in the same room together, but it also lets, I guess, a more efficient way of making the record nowadays that we have different things going on in our life."
"The Great Escape Artist" track listing:
01. Underground 02. End To The Lies 03. Curiosity Kills 04. Irresistible Force 05. I'll Hit You Back 06. Twisted Tales 07. Ultimate Reason 08. Splash A Little Water On It 09. Broken People 10. Words Right Out Of My Mouth
An additional look at the band's recording process and the album cover concept for "The Great Escape Artist" is available in the YouTube clip below.
The current JANE'S ADDICTION lineup features original members Perkins, Perry Farrell on vocals and Dave Navarro on guitar.
Although founding bassist Eric Avery initially returned to the band when it reactivated in 2009, he quit the following year.
Dave Sitek of TV ON THE RADIO played bass on and co-produced the new record, while Chris Chaney has returned as touring bassist.
Ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan also contributed to the album and has songwriting credits on three songs.
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Following runs in Berlin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Los Angeles, the British Music Experience is proud to be showcasing the world's premier guitar company Gibson exhibition, Gibson Through The Lens, over the next three months.
The exhibition brings together over sixty fine art prints from thirty of the world's most respected rock photographers, including Baron Wolman, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Ross Halfin and the late Jim Marshall, whose images capture our best-loved and most respected guitar heroes with their Gibson guitars. The images include some of the world's most well-respected musicians, including:
* Jimi Hendrix * Jimmy Page * Keith Richards * Angus Young * Frank Zappa * Eric Clapton * Bob Marley * B.B King * Jeff Beck * Les Paul * Carl Perkins * Elvis Presley * Bob Dylan * Chuck Berry * Wes Montgomery * Sir Paul McCartney * Pete Townshend * Slash * Dave Grohl * Lenny Kravitz * Jon Bon Jovi * Jack White * Noel Gallagher
Curated by music photography archivist Dave Brolan, this is a truly unique public exhibition of iconic and rare photographs. Many of the prints will also be available for sale.
Gibson Through The Lens celebrates Gibson guitar through the ages as caught on camera and showcases the illustrious history and artist association with the brand through to present day.
Gibson Through The Lens is something for all guitar, music and photography fans to enjoy.
This is a free to visit exhibition at the British Music Experience; no admission applies.
A teaser for "Storytime", the new video/single from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, can be seen below.
"Storytime" will be released on Friday, November 11 via Nuclear Blast Records. The song comes off NIGHTWISH's new album, "Imaginaerum", which is due in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records. The CD is the band's first since 2007's "Dark Passion Play", which was then-new singer Anette Olzon's debut.
The band examined its catalog when sitting down to write what would become "Imaginaerum". The songs for the album were written between 2008 and 2010, after the "Dark Passion Play" tour cycle ended.
At that point, NIGHTWISH knew they wanted to do something different, new and unique, which is exceptional for a band whose career has been defined by words like different, new and unique!
The band consciously wanted to do something so big, crossover, detailed, innovative and, well, "nuts," that it would leave the band, and hopefully the people experiencing it, completely awestruck. It would be a situation where fans and/or critics would either love it or hate it, but they'd be left awestruck nonetheless. That's when the band realized another dimension, namely video, was necessary for the project.
Instead of a concept album, the band set the album to a film.
"The original idea I had was to film 13 short stories related to the songs with a connected storyline, shot by Stobe Harju," keyboardist/songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said. It was Harju's idea to turn the 13 stories and visions into more of a connected cinematic piece — essentially, a film. It would have a clear plot, script, dialogue and real actors in an ambitious effort to create something wholly unique.The film was shot in September of this year.
The movie is based on the album and its 13 tracks, honoring the original ideas, but having evolved radically from the initial plan. Holopainen said, "Still, it was important from the very beginning that the album would work as its own individual piece of art, as well. It is a thematic album about life itself, about imagination, love, goodness and beauty, with a touch of darkness and melancholy, which are strongly included in all of those things mentioned."
The band will have but a small part in the film. A 2012 premiere date is being eyed.
"Imaginaerum" track listing (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):
01. Taikatalvi 02. Storytime 03. Ghost River 04. Slow, Love, Slow 05. I Want My Tears Back 06. Scaretale 07. Arabesque 08. Turn Loose the Mermaids 09. Rest Calm 10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove 11. Last Ride of the Day 12. Song Of Myself Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still Song 3: Piano Black Song 4: Love 13. Imaginaerum
"Imaginaerum" release dates:
Finland: November 30 Europe: December 2 Australia: January 6 North America: January 10 Japan: January 11 New Zealand: January 16
NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginaerum" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
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DEAD TO THIS WORLD — the speed/thrash/black metal project led by former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah — has inked a deal with Soulseller Records. The band's new mini-album, "Sacrifice", will be released on December 16. This effort features close to 30 minutes of all-devouring darkness and shall be followed by a full-length album in 2012.
"We are very pleased with the agreement with Soulseller and feel we have found mutual enthusiasm through them," stated Iscariah. "We are ready once again and nothing will stand in our way. Let it be known."
"Sacrifice" was recorded and produced by the DEAD TO THIS WORLD bandmembers themselves. The result is "a foul and untamed force which has left them armed, hungry and ready to kill," according to a press release.
The cover art for "Sacrificed" can be seen below. The entire release was designed and drawn by Adam Zaars of Bells Of Death.
DEAD TO THIS WORLD's debut album, "First Strike for Spiritual Renewance", was released in November 2007 via Dark Essence Records. The CD was produced by Bjørnar E Nielsen at Nielsen's Conclave Media Studios in Bergen.
DEAD TO THIS WORLD was originally founded by Iscariah (NECROPHAGIA, ex-IMMORTAL) as a solo project, but was expanded to a full lineup, releasing a three-track demo in 2005.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina's radio show "The Aebyss" (Facebook page) recently conducted an interview with PARADISE LOST guitarist Gregor Mackintosh about Gregor's death metal band VALLENFYRE. You can now stream the chat using the SoundCloud player below.
VALLENFYRE is the new U.K. death metal band featuring Mackintosh alongside members of MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES and DOOM
VALLENFYRE's debut album, "A Fragile King", will be released on October 31 in Europe and on November 1 in North America via Century Media Records.
"A Fragile King" will be available as CD, limited digipak (including bonus track) and 180-gram vinyl LP (including a bonus track and a poster). The vinyl is limited to:
* 200 copies on clear vinyl * 100 copies on gold/black marbled vinyl * black vinyl is not limited
"A Fragile King" track listing:
01. All Will Suffer 02. Desecration 03. Ravenous Whore 04. Cathedrals Of Dread 05. As The World Collapses 06. A Thousand Martyrs 07. Seeds 08. Humanity Wept 09. My Black Siberia 10. The Divine Have Fled 11. The Grim Irony 12. Majesty Dethroned (digipack bonus track)
Behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot for "Cathedrals Of Dread", a song from VALLENFYRE can be seen below.
VALLENFYRE just released the "Desecration / Iconoclast" seven-inch single (limited to 500 copies) on Imperium Productions. Samples of both tracks can be found on the band's official web site.
VALLENFYRE is:
* Gregor Mackintosh (PARADISE LOST) - Vocals and Lead Guitar * Hamish Glencross (MY DYING BRIDE) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar * Mully - Rhythm Guitar * Scoot (DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND) - Bass * Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums
The sound of VALLENFYRE goes back to Gregor's youth.
"I was first introduced to more extreme music by my older brother in 1981." Gregor says. "Over the next few years in my early teens, I grew to love various early hardcore punk bands like DISCHARGE, ENGLISH DOGS, CONFLICT, etc. Around a similar time I was becoming aware of other more metal music like MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH. In '84/85' I got into bands who were fusing these styles like HELLHAMMER, ANTISECT and AMEBIX. A couple of years later I started tape-trading with people all around the world, which enabled me to hear lots of really cool, interesting, extreme music. AUTOPSY, NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, REPULSION, NIHILIST are some of the more well-known names I started to get into, but there were many, many more which never gained the same notoriety. At the same time, I formed PARADISE LOST with my friends. Our early stuff was a bit of a mixture of all this stuff but we also had a lot of doom influence from the likes of CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and ST. VITUS."
The events that led to the conception and formation of VALLENFYRE are not particularly happy or pretty ones.
"In the late summer of 2009, my father, John Mackintosh, was diagnosed with prostate cancer," Gregor explained. "Later in the autumn as his treatment progressed, PARADISE LOST embarked on their European tour to support the latest album ['Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us']. A week into this, I received a call from my mother telling me that the doctors had found cancer in his lungs and it was terminal. He only had weeks to live. I made the decision to leave the tour, leaving my very able guitar tech Milly [not be confused with VALLENFYRE's Mully] to take my place. I went and stayed with my parents for the next few weeks. After a very sad and painful time, he passed away on the 2nd December early in the morning. Over the next few weeks I experienced all the famous stages of grief. It started to become very self-destructive so I decided to channel it into creating something. To pay respects to the man that drove us to our very first gigs because none of us could drive. The only dad I knew that listened to BOLT THROWER's 'Peel Sessions' on the radio. The guy who gave me my first chord book. I decided that I was going to go right back to the beginning. To my roots in death, crust and doom. It all started very angst ridden. This wasn't originally meant for anyone else to hear. It was a release. After recording some material, I realized that I was actually enjoying doing this but I wanted friends involved so it could actually become real fun."
The tracks on the seven-inch single and the upcoming album were recorded between December 2010 and April 2011.
Added Gregor: "The album is called 'A Fragile King', which is a reference to my father's battle with cancer. The lyrics are predominantly about the same thing, but also include gripes with society, religion, politics and relationships as well. It's all pretty grim."
VALLENFYRE is not a one-off project but will continue as a band that will also play live in 2012.
VALLENFYRE music sample:
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"The Aebyss" interview:
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Behind the scenes of "Cathedrals Of Dread" video:
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WARMEN, the brainchild of CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist Janne Wirman, has entered the studio to begin recording the follow-up for the band's critically acclaimed 2009 studio album "Japanese Hospitality". A 2012 release is expected.
The first batch of photos from the recording sessions for the as-yet-untitled new CD can be found on the WARMENFacebook page.
WARMEN celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a concert during the Helsinki Metal Meeting weekend in February 2010 at Dante's Highlight in Helsinki, Finland. The band's third live performance ever included guest appearances by Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM) on a cover version of ROCKWELL's "Somebody's Watching Me", Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS), Finnish pop/rock queen Jonna Kosonen (JONNA'S PROBLEM) and Pasi Rantanen (ex-THUNDERSTONE).
Spinefarm Records released a WARMEN compilation album entitled "The Evil That Warmen Do" on January 27, 2010.
WARMEN's fourth album, "Japanese Hospitality", entered the Finnish chart at position No. 36. The CD was released via Spinefarm Records. The 10-song effort includes two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by JOURNEY, and "Black Cat" by JANET JACKSON, featuring a guest appearance by Jonna Kosonen. Other guest musicians that appear on the CD include Laiho, Rantanen, Kotipelto and Marko Vaara.
Check out the "Japanese Hospitality" e-card at this location.
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