NEWSDESK, 9th September 2009
> CHAD SMITH MEETS THE MEATBATS!
earMUSIC Records today announced the debut CD release of Chad Smith's new solo venture 'Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats'. Already hailed as one of the most compelling and unpredictable instrumental bands in years, their debut album, 'Meet The Meatbats', is released in the UK on Monday October 12th.
Formed by Chad Smith, legendary drummer of the 'Red Hot Chili Peppers' and, more recently, of rock supergroup 'Chickenfoot', the remaining members of the Meatbats includes guitarist Jeff Kollman (Glenn Hughes), bassist Kevin Chown (Ted Nugent) and keyboardist Ed Roth (Glenn Hughes).
> SOIL GO WEB SEXY
In the news this week, Soil, who are tuning up the Street Team (The Soil Junkies) for an assault on your local club in support of their already announced November UK jaunt with Shinedown, have upgraded their website (http://www.soil-music.com/) for new album Picture Perfect with the blistering new single "Like It Is", a full US tour with Kittie, footage from their recent Sonisphere appearance and an exclusive competition where you can win tickets, backstage passes, CD's AND an exclusive one off signed Soil mirror.
See the website for details.
> THEATRE OF TRAGEDY GO WEB SEXY...TOO
Theatre Of Tragedy have also updated their website - http://www.theatreoftragedy.com/ - to reflect the new album "Forever Is The World" which is released on September 21st.
Information is up already on the digital single "Deadland" which is exclusively available now from the usual suppliers - iTunes, Musicload etc. - and there's a brand new sample on line, "A Nine Days Wonder", new photo gallery and discussion board.
> BRAINSTORM TRACKLISTING
Brainstorm, who bring their power metal attack to the UK twice later this month at the Garage, London (on Sept. 25th) and at Dudley's Metalfest on the 26th have revealed details of the track listing for new album Memorial Roots.
Memorial Roots is due for release on October 19th: 01 - Forsake What I Believed 02 - Shiver 03 - The Conjunction Of 7 Planets 04 - Cross The Line 05 - Nailed Down Dreams 06 - Blood Still Stains 07 - Ahimsa 08 - The Final Stages Of Decay 09 - Victim 10 - When No One Cares 11 - Would You
> DESTRUCTION DESTROYED
There's news from the Destruction camp that, last week, guitarist Mike broke his finger at a gig in Belgium. The band has drafted in Ol Drake from Evile for the Caos Emergente Festival in Portugal this week, but the band are convinced that Mike will return well before they bring the recent Curse Of The Antichrist - Live in Agony set to the stage of the Damnation Festival in the UK on October 24th.
Says Ol of the whole experience: "I was gutted to hear about Mike's injury. I wish him all the best and hope he heals fast, but it was an obvious 'yes' when I got the mail from Schmier asking whether I'd help out. I absolutely love Destruction so this is a huge honour and privilege for me. Luckily I can already play a lot of the set being a fan. A huge thank you to Schmier, Mike and Marc for this dream gig!"
> U.D.O. AND AXXIS STORM THE CHARTS
News that U.D.O. and Axxis both recently entered the German charts in impressive positions.... U.D.O. in 27th place with new album Dominator, 12 places higher than his chart entry with last record Mastercutor, which was followed by Axxis who made it into the Top 40 with Utopia out-stripping all previous estimates.
> FACTORY OF DREAMS' STRANGE UTOPIA
Factory of Dreams are back with the epic album A Strange Utopia, now released. The new album features 70 mn of scifi/prog/goth and a 12-page booklet fully illustrated. The new album from Factory of Dreams is now available for pre-ordering with a 2$ discount until it starts shipping mid-September. Pre-orders @ http://www.progrockrecords.com/shop/view.php?id=201
This new album explores fantastic landscapes and worlds with lush orchestration and amazing vocals by Jessica Lehto. The album features guest performances from David Ragsdale (Kansas), Tadashi Goto, Chris Brown (Roswell Six, Ghost Circus) and Shawn Gordon (ProgRock Records) plus guest vocalists Gaby Koss (Haggard, Equilibrium), Antonella, Zara, Cheryl Childs and Hugo Flores.
Official Preview and Videoclip @ http://www.youtube.com/projectcreation
A Strange Utopia is a Prog Rock Records Release with distribution by SPV and Ryko/ADA.
http://www.myspace.com/projectcreation
http://twitter.com/factoryofdreams
> SUREFIRE HIT?
Unleashing a blast of guitar rock and roll reflective of rock’s golden era of the late 60s and early 70s, Surefire's debut album is packed with timeless songs and energy for the new millennium. Recorded by singer/guitarist/songwriter Ben Rice in the band’s own studio in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, the resulting album is a testament to the bands DIY work ethic and musicality. Formerly signed to Lizard King Records/Warner Music Group, Rice was not willing to compromise the band’s musical integrity, leaving the label and setting out on his own.
Calling on friends Emiliano Ortiz (guitar), Ben Spinrad (drums) and Seth Bulkin (bass) the new Surefire organically and effortlessly came together. Confident in the record Surefire was working on, Ben hunted down legendary rock producer Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones) asking him to come on board to co-produce and mix the record. "I listened to a series of mp3s and loved the musical direction of the band,” recalls Kramer. “It was innovative with a strong look back at the classic rock era.” Shortly after Kramer invited the band out to Los Angeles to complete the album.
Having supported recording artists Arctic Monkeys, Brendan Benson, The Bravery, The Subways, and Mando Diao, Surefire is building a devoted following. In 2006, alongside Coldplay, Radiohead and Bloc Party, Surefire contributed their song "Surrender" to War Child’s compilation “Help A Day In The Life”, a benefit album to help alleviate childhood suffering in war ravaged countries. In the spring of 2009, leading up to the release of their debut, Surefire hit the road for a string of dates for Relay for Life, The American Cancer Society’s signature event honoring those affected by the disease and funding future research.
“Surefire is the best young, innovative band I’ve heard in years,” Eddie Kramer enthuses, “I do believe that Surefire has all of the right stuff to have a successful recording and live career.”
Tracklisting: 1. The New Standard, 2. Lucy, 3. She's Golden, 4. Hold On To The Feeling, 5. The Mountain, 6. Comeback Kid, 7. Sea Song, 8. Stone Fox, 9. Straightaway, 10. By My Side
http://www.surefireofficial.com/
http://www.myspace.com/surefireband
> LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE HELLFIRE II LINE-UP
The More I See, Fei Comodo, Esoterica, Outcry Collective, The Dead Formats, The Rotted and Viatrophy have been confirmed for the line-up for the upcoming Hellfire Festival.
Check the latest additions to the line-up out on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/themoreisee
http://www.myspace.com/feicomodo
http://www.myspace.com/esoterica
http://www.myspace.com/outcrycollective
http://www.myspace.com/thedeadformats
http://www.myspace.com/therotted
http://www.myspace.com/viatrophy
Hellfire II will take place at the NEC Birmingham from 6-8 November. Tickets for Hellfire II are on sale NOW! Check out http://www.hellfirefestival.com/?page=tickets for more details.
