THE FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE: 24th June 2011
> SECRET METALLICA PROJECT
A few months ago Kirk Hammett hinted at a new Metallica project that's "not really 100 percent a Metallica record." While Kirk may have jumped the gun a little (and has since been properly punished with a series of push-ups!),the band are more than proud to announce that they have just completed recording a full length album that is a collaboration with none other than the legendary Lou Reed.
Ever since performing with Lou at the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009, the guys have been kicking around the idea of making a record together. In what would be lightning speed for a Metallica related project, they recorded ten songs in a short period and while at this moment it's not clear when you'll hear it, the recording sessions wrapped up last week.
> THRESHOLD TAKE A STUDIO BREAK FOR MORE SHOWS
Threshold are currently rehearsing for some European summer shows before they return to the studio to complete the recording of their forthcoming ninth studio album.
They will play the following shows:
25/06 Redemption Club, Derby, England
01/07 House of Progression @ The Peel, Kingston, England
07/07 De Pul, Uden, Netherlands
08/07 Night Of The Prog Festival, Loreley, Germany
09/07 GC Drieschaar, As, Belgium
"We're looking forward to our last live dates before the new album. It's great to shuffle the set again and play different songs", commented guitarist Karl Groom on a setlist containing a number of songs not played during shows earlier in the year.
Threshold's forthcoming studio album marks the official return of the band's original vocalist Damian Wilson, who's been back touring with the band since 2007. The album will be released on Nuclear Blast Records in 2012.
Official website: http://www.thresh.net/
> ANCESTORS ON TEE PEE
Los Angeles based psychedelic rock quintet ANCESTORS will release an EP of all new music titled Invisible White via Tee Pee Records. The follow up to the group's sophomore album Of Sound Mind, Invisible White marks the debut of new member Matt Barks on Moog / modular synthesizers and charts a new course for the band's progressive, colorful sound.
"This record showcases another side of the band," comments ANCESTORS guitarist Justin Maranga. "It's a project that we've been talking about doing for a long time and with the addition of Matt to the lineup, we knew it would be a while before we were able to get the next full length out, so we decided that now was a good time to do this. We went into the studio with rough acoustic skeletons of the songs written and essentially let the songs chart their own course. It was a really different approach for us, as we normally go into the studio knowing exactly what is going to happen."
Invisible White was recorded at Los Angeles' Bright Street Recorders (Lykee Li, Sia, Grant Lee Phillips) on a 20 channel mixing desk formerly owned by James Brown. The songs on the EP feature a hybrid of orchestral and electronic instruments and assume an almost cinematic, film score feel augmented by guest musicians playing violin and vibraphone. Simultaneously playing to the strengths of psychedelia, prog and even rhythm and blues, the music retains ANCESTORS' exploratory approach and adds a hauntingly emotional impact, pushing the band's sound into interstellar overdrive.
http://www.myspace.com/ancestorsband
> THE ANDROID MEME NEW RELEASE
What if the threat of global domination by shadow governments was real and impacting us every day? What if, by employing space-age technology, these powers have programmed us to blindly obey?
Toronto-based quartet The Android Meme thinks it knows the answer to these burning questions and urges us to heed their warnings. With the release of their first full-length CD, Ordo Ab Chao, produced by Matthew von Wagner, The Android Meme might well be called rock and roll prophets, delivering a message the world needs to hear.
Tracks such as “The Machine Stops”, “Sumii”, “Ordo Ab Chao”, “Left Right Parasite”, “Whistleblower” and “Stranger” range in topics from secret societies to secret government experiments. While not a concept record in the truest sense, Ordo Ab Chao explores the mystical realm of the unseen and largely unknown – an esoteric dimension represented by the rich Masonic symbolism adorning the CD’s cover artwork.
“You’ll find several overarching concepts running through Ordo Ab Chao, helping to create a kind of cohesive narrative,” says lead vocalist/lyricist/founder Stefano Amelio. “Our music is inherently visual. The symbols on the cover are important because they relate to how a listener will perceive this CD.”
Hidden and double meanings abound on the record. For example, Ordo Ab Chao, which roughly translates to “order and chaos” (or order from chaos), is also an appropriate description of the band’s music. By working in various musical styles, The Android Meme has created its own artistic identity. Ordo Ab Chao certainly offers something for everyone.
“We wanted a well-rounded record,” says Amelio. “Despite some of the individual songs being completely different stylistically, they all represent ‘our sound.’ I like the fact that we’re difficult to label. I think that’s our strength.”
Listeners will hear influences of Tool, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Motley Crue and Rush.
The Band:
Stefano S Amelio: vocals, programming, big brother
Mathias Devereaux: guitars, vocals, synthesizers, illusions
Mark Davidson: big bad bass man, webmaster
Jake Hamilton: drums, sorcery
Track List: 1) The Machine Stops 2) Sumii 3) Polar Rose 4) Sigma 5) Ordo Ab Chao 6) Left Right Parasite 7) Esoterika 8) Spook 9) Whistleblower 10) Stranger
More Information and Sound Samples: http://magnacarta.net/AndroidMeme
> TOTO UK CONCERT
Internationally renowned rock band TOTO perform their only UK concert this year at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Sunday 26th June, 2011. Ticket Hotline: 0844 888 9991 or 0844 847 1642. Book Online: http://www.ticketline.co.uk/ or http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/.
TOTO will perform all their hits including Hold The Line, Rosanna and Africa. The current line-up features Joseph Williams (lead vocals), David Paich (keyboards), Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals), Steve Porcaro (keyboards), Simon Phillips (drums), and Nathan East (bass guitar).
TOTO will also perform songs from their twelve studio albums including their eponymous debut TOTO (1978), Hydra (1979), Turn Back (1981), Toto IV (1982), Isolation (1984), Fahrenheit (1986), The Seventh One (1988), Kingdom of Desire (1992), Tambu (1995), Mindfields (1999), Through The Looking Glass (2002) and Falling In Between (2006).
> TOBY HITCHCOCK'S DEBUT SOLO ON FRONTIERS
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Toby Hitchcock’s debut solo album « Mercury’s Down » on August 23rd in North America and August 26th in Europe.
Toby Hitchcock name and abilities came to the attention of Melodic Rock fans when former Survivor founding member Jim Peterik chose him as the lead singer for the band that would mark his return on the scene: Pride of Lions.
With Pride of Lions, Toby had the chance to sing on three studio albums which are considered as true classic among the fans. Toby also appeared live fronting the band and his performances at the Lokerse Feesten in Belgium and at the United Forces of Rock in Germany created a vast consensus about his amazing abilities. Often compared to Bobby Kimball (Toto), Jimi Jamison (Survivor) or Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Hitchockc’s voice has the depth, the feeling and the extension of each of them, still keeping his own identity and trademark.
While Pride of Lions took a small hiatus (but they are already preparing their full comeback album for 2012), Toby took the chance to hook up, under suggestion from Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, with the Swedish songwriter and producer Erik Martensson (Eclipse), whose name came to prominence when he wrote and produced the very popular W.E.T. album which saw the return of singer Jeff Scott Soto to Melodic Rock.
Erik’s abilities impressed so much Toby that another marriage made in AOR Heaven could not be avoided! Consequently Erik started to write another bunch of amazing songs which have been sung with ability and passion by Toby. “I feel really great about this album release and I am looking forward to it. I can't wait for people to listen and hopefully enjoy the music that Erik and I put our hearts into. I love every song on the album. Every song is filled with passion and emotion. They are all amazing!” says Toby.
« Mercury’s Down » shows and carves in stone the unbelievable talent of two young guns. Toby is definitely a top vocalist and Erik songwriting and producing abilities keep getting better and better. There is no reason to miss this record, which promises to be easily one of the top Melodic Rock debuts of the year !
Mercury’s Down includes the following songs: This Is The Moment; Strong Enough; How To Stop; Let Go; One Day I’ll Stop Loving You; I Should Have Said; If It's To Be (It's Up To Me); Just Say Goodbye; Summer Nights In Cabo; Tear Down The Barricades; A Different Drum; Mercury's Down. Includes bonus videoclip: This Is The Moment.
> BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION HITS #1
Black Country Communion’s second album “2” hit the No. 1 spot in the Official UK Rock Album Chart this week, overtaking the Foo Fighters album “Wasting Light”.
Click here to see the official chart - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rockalbums
The news follows the rave reviews of BCC’s follow up album, produced by Kevin Shirley and featuring Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Derek Sherinian.
> RIPPLE MUSIC 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL OFFERS
After exploding onto the scene June of last year, Ripple Music continues its path as one of the fastest growing Independent Record Labels in America!
Following a year that saw the signing and releasing of new and vintage material from Stone Axe, Poobah, JPT Scare Band, Fen, Modern Day Moonshine, Mighty High, Grand Atlantic, Sky Parade, and Kevin Beadles, Ripple Music followed up by adding such bands as Mos Generator, Iron Claw, Grifter, and Tripdavon to their roster, and inked several major international distribution deals. And there's much more to come!
Now, as Ripple Music moves into its second year, founders John Rancik and Todd Severin want to celebrate the enthusiasm of their music lovers (known as waveriders) with some Anniversary Specials. As a thank you to their fans and supporters who’ve allowed Ripple to strike out and bring independent music to the world, Ripple will be applying special 15% discounts on everything ordered from the Ripple Store from anniversary day, June 22nd through Independence day July 4th.
And when Ripple Music says “discount on everything” they mean everything, including special collectors packages of Stone Axe I deluxe CD/DVD, vinyl and 7” single, the new Heavy Ripples double 7” package, and the best-selling Poobah “Let Me In” double 12” LP. In the store, you can also find classic non-Ripple albums from Ripple artists Stone Axe, Mos Generator, and JPT Scare Band. All of which will get the additional anniversary discount.
But wait, there's more. Every waverider who places an order during the anniversary special will get their name placed into a drawing for a very special, last-one-of-its-kind surprise Test Pressing. Yes, John and Todd are going to go back into the vault and pull out the last test pressing available and give it away as a special surprise to one lucky fan.
It’s all just Ripple’s way of saying thank you for allowing them to keep doing what they love, bringing the best music your way and putting the guts back into rock and roll!
> ZEROKING UNLEASHES 'A TASTE OF SELF DESTRUCTION'
Rising US hard rock quartet, ZeroKing have released their new Ep, A Taste Of Self Destruction through Vanity Music Group. The five tracks on offer, "Girls Of California", "Stone Cold Bitch", "She Said", "Black Friday" and "Kings Of Self Destruction" are all pulled from the band's sophomore release, Kings Of Self Destruction, which drops on 27 September 2011.
"After the release of our digital single, we wanted to make those songs available at our shows as well," frontman, Andy Haught says. "So, we decided to package those along with three other songs from the 'Kings ...' record that are staples in our live set. The next logical decision was to make all 5 songs available online as either single tracks or as a very affordable digital EP. We feel this is a great way to get these songs out quickly to our fans while we are shoring up the release details for "KOSD" and help spread our name and music more to build both our fanbase and the anticipation for the full length CD."
Formed in Huntington, West Virginia in early 2005, the band has shared the stage with artists such as Anthrax, Twisted Sister, Bobaflex, Jackyl, Dope, Black Stone Cherry, Airbourne and many more, becoming the "go to" band for regional promoters needing a secure draw and an act that can step into the ring with anyone. The band has gone on to play events such as Rocklahoma, X Fest,103.1 The Bear's 'Party Like A Rockstar' Festival, and Bearfest, amongst a host of other high profile events.
In the summer of 2009 ZeroKing entered Smash Hit Studios in Huntington, WV., to begin tracking the Kings Of Self Destruction album with producer and engineer Steve Riley. Comprised of 13 tracks, the session produced a tour de force of hard rock and metal. From anthemic rockers, to songs chock full of heavy metallic riffage, the album contains more than enough to satiate fans of new school, old school, and everything in between. As if all that wasn't enough, the session produced a couple of melodic, captivating ballads, showcasing yet another strong dimension of the band.
https://www.facebook.com/Zerokingfans
> NEW CLEANSING ALBUM
Copenhagen, Denmark’s The Cleansing return in full force on new album “Feeding the Inevitable”. With this follow-up to their 2009 debut, “Poisoned Legacy”, the death metal band step up their technical brutality, bringing it to a whole new level of intensity. Mixed at CB Studios by Christian Bonde (Icon In Me, Dawn of Demise) and The Cleansing, and mastered by Bjørn Engelmann (Behemoth, Bloodbath) at the Cutting Room in Sweden, “Feeding the Inevitable” is a massive step forward in terms of songwriting and execution and looks to be one of the most outstanding releases in death metal this year.
With ex-members from such notable Danish acts as Usipian, Corpus Mortale, Iniquity, The Arcane Order and Submission, The Cleansing are no strangers to fierce and pummelling death-metal. Drawing influence from artists such as Morbid Angel, Immolation and Vader, The Cleansing is here to make a stand with their powerful and ferocious music.
"Feeding The Inevitable" track listing: 01. The Promethean Promise 02. Third Eye Starring 03. Your Flesh, Your Curse 04. A Cheating Progression 05. Hour Of Decadence 06. Processed For Contamination 07. Law Of Reciprocity 08. Two Days 09. Crossroads
Line-Up:
Toke Eld: Vocals
Jeppe Hasseriis: Guitar
Andreas Lynge: Guitar
Mads Haarløv: Bass
Morten Løwe Sørensen: Drums
> NEW NEONFLY ALBUM
Formed in 2008 by guitarist/composer Frederick Thunder, Neonfly are a breath of fresh air in today's overcrowded melodic metal scene.
The band's line up consists of Frederick Thunder on guitar, Willy Norton on vocals, Paul Miller on bass, Patrick Harrington on guitar and Boris Le Gal on drums. The band's first EP, "Clever Disguise", released in 2008 featured ex-Shy and current TNT vocalist Tony Mills guesting on one of the songs.
This EP was well received by the underground metal community and landed the band a few prestigious support slots in the UK for bands such as Power Quest, Adagio and To-Mera; as well as some European festivals and headline shows in 2009/10.
Two UK tours followed in 2010, supporting H.E.A.T. and Freedom Call together with a storming set at Bloodstock Festival where the band was offered to release their track 'Ship With No Sails' on the multi-million selling video game ROCK BAND.
Bloodstock was also a turning point in the band's career, as they parted ways with their original vocalist and enlisted the services of singer extraordinaire Willy Norton, who performed live with the band with only one week or preparation!
With this new line-up and a pack of new songs under their sleeves, the band decided it was time to finally record their debut full-length album. And so, in February 2011 the boys set off to Remaster Studios in Italy to record with producer Nick Savio (Power Quest, Arthemis, Raintime). The result of this collaboration is an outstanding stadium metal album with 11 epic tracks called "Outshine The Sun". The album quickly caught the ears of UK label Rising Records that decided to sign the band and give the album an August 19 release date.
http://www.myspace.com/neonflyband
> ELIMINATOR COVER SLAYER
Edison New Jersey's ELIMINATOR have just released their cover of "Angel of Death" by SLAYER. The band is a two piece of "black speed" metal as singer/guitarist Warchild has described. Along with drummer Samus (Decrepit Birth, ex-Mutiny Within, ex-Abigail Williams, ex-Suspyre), the two have just released their second full length album "The One They Were Waiting For". The band released their highly popular and sold out debut album Breaking the Wheel which was quickly followed by their latest, The One They Were Waiting For. The band is already hard at work on the next album and are in the process of recording another jaw dropping SLAYER cover.
http://www.myspace.com/eliminatorus
