Month: March 2021

According to The Republic reporter Jordan Morey, ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer is scheduled to appear in a Washington D.C. court today (Friday, March 19) for an initial hearing on charges filed regarding his alleged involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Schaffer, who is being held in the Washington D.C. Jail, is expected to appear before Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui for a video teleconference at 12:30 p.m.

Court documents show he was originally scheduled to appear before the court on Thursday, but was unable to due to processing at a D.C. jail. He is currently being held without bond.

The 53-year-old musician, who resides in in Edinburgh, Indiana, is facing six federal criminal charges after he was accused of spraying a police officer with a pepper-based bear repellant during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Less than two weeks ago, Schaffer’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charges against the guitarist for his involvement in the insurrection. Court documents filed on March 9 request that he be released immediately under the claim that the government has violated the Speedy Trial Act, which establishes maximum time periods for different stages of a federal criminal prosecution. Since the Speedy Trial Act required the government to file an information or an indictment within 30 days of Schaffer’s arrest, the “complaint must be dismissed,” Schaffer’s attorneys wrote.

Schaffer waived his preliminary hearing as well as his rights to an identity hearing and production of a warrant in late January in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, court documents state. He was then transported by a United States marshal to Washington, D.C. where government lawyers and Schaffer’s legal team have mutually agreed to handle all proceedings.

Two months ago, government lawyers asked the judge to not offer Schaffer a bond when he goes in front of U.S. magistrate.

Last month, a man resembling Schaffer was seen in security footage from the U.S. Capitol riot that the House impeachment managers obtained and submitted as evidence for former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial. The clip in question, which was released by CNN on February 15, shows rioters charging through a breached entrance and engaging and pushing officers. Schaffer can be seen near the front of the mob, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, a tactical vest and black leather fingerless tactical gloves, and pointing his finger while yelling at the officers.

Schaffer was photographed wearing an “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member” cap during the insurrection. The Oath Keepers describe themselves as an association of former law enforcement and military personnel dedicated to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” But the Anti-Defamation League describes it as “a large but loosely organized collection of right-wing anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights.”

Schaffer was held in the Marion County Jail for nearly two months after surrendering to police on January 17. He made his first court appearance the following day.

Just hours after the insurrection, ICED EARTH fans recognized Schaffer in a photo released by federal investigators.

Schaffer is believed to be one of at least 400 people who are being investigated by FBI officials over their roles in the insurrection.

More than 250 criminal cases have been filed so far. Charges include unauthorized access, theft, damage to government property and assault on law enforcement officers.

Jon Schaffer is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui today at 12:30 p.m. Court documents show he was originally scheduled to appear before the court on Thursday, but was unable to due to processing at a D.C. jail. He is currently being held without bond. https://t.co/fSwIONPYyd
— Jordan Morey (@JordanAMorey) March 19, 2021

Read more »

Grammy-winning band GRETA VAN FLEET has released its latest single, “Broken Bells”. It is the fourth track released from the band’s forthcoming sophomore studio album, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate”, produced by Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, FOO FIGHTERS, Adele) and due out April 16 (Lava/Republic Records). “Broken Bells” is an anthem intended to inspire.

“‘Broken Bells’ is what the fetter of society does to impact a pure and innocent soul,” said Sam Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist for GRETA VAN FLEET. “Our intention is to remove the obligation of generational synthetic expectations; break down these walls and not build new ones.”

A bold evolution from the band’s 2018 full-length debut “Anthem Of The Peaceful Army”, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate” came together primarily on the road or while in the studio after the runaway success of 2017’s “Highway Tune” led to the band packing up, leaving home, and eagerly soaking up new experiences on an extended road trip around the world.

Over the past three years, GRETA VAN FLEET — vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Danny Wagner — played to hundreds of thousands of people across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and New Zealand. While driving to gigs, the first-time world travelers passed many unfamiliar sights, from the favelas in Sao Paulo to the Gold Coast of Australia and everywhere in between, meeting and enjoying conversations with fans and other musicians that opened up new worlds to them. To cap off the change-filled era, the quartet moved from Michigan to Nashville, immersing themselves in Music City’s rich history. The melding of all these experiences opened their eyes to amazing new worlds of culture, history, philosophy and spirituality — and ushered in an entirely new way of looking at life and the approach to their music.

Accordingly, GRETA VAN FLEET poured everything they experienced into these new songs – the music reflects their spiritual and intellectual growth, increased awareness of the inequalities plaguing the modern world, and deep empathy for what other people are going through.

“We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by many things, and we were unaware of a lot of things,” says Wagner. “And then we were thrown out into this huge world, and it was a bit of a culture shock at first. But as we started to travel a lot, meet new and different people and experience different cultures, our definition of ‘normal’ changed.”

“I suppose that everything has changed except what got us here in the first place,” adds Sam Kiszka. “Everything — our perception of the world, perception of life itself, what it means to be an artist, what it means to be part of a beautiful, gorgeous society. We’ve gained a larger understanding of why we’re all here.”

In general, the album’s arrangements are spacious and leisurely, giving the music pleasing dynamics, as the band touches on all manners of rock ‘n’ roll. “The Battle At Garden’s Gate” is cinematic, capturing the breathtaking energy of an exciting fight scene or the smoldering passion of a brooding, heroic protagonist saving the day. The new music also illustrates that the members of GRETA VAN FLEET are paving the way for a new generation of musicians — ones that use rock ‘n’ roll’s foundational elements to build an entirely new sonic blueprint.

Sonically, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate” also feels bracingly modern, an embodiment of genre-blended musical freedom. Recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Kurstin (FOO FIGHTERS, PAUL MCCARTNEY), the album is ambitious and expansive, marked by epic journeys such as the second single, “Age Of Machine”, and the Top 5 rock hit “My Way, Soon”, which boasts a towering chorus hook and rip-it-up-and-start-again lyrics.

Josh explains: “It’s very dynamic, lyrically speaking. And that’s the human experience. It’s much more than pain or fear; it’s also beauty. People need people, and love is important.” Lyrically, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate” muses about the influence of technology on modern life; the role conflict plays in the global sphere; the deceptive fulfillment of tangible riches; and philosophical questions about life, love and power.

“There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had, so a lot of contemplation occurred,” Josh says, while Jake adds, “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth. What Josh does very well with the lyrics is telling ancient tales with a contemporary application.”

For Josh, working with Kurstin provided the confidence he needed to push his songwriting into these vivid dimensions. “I’m always a little bit hesitant about my abilities as an artist; I think a lot of artists feel that way,” he says. “But Greg hovering over me while I’m on the piano, taking an interest in what I was doing — that was really important for me.”

That added confidence is obvious. Josh sounds commanding on each song, stretching his already-acrobatic voice to newer heights, while the instrumentalists fearlessly push themselves into new territory. Easy going organ and acoustic folk-rock riffs drive one song, while another ends in a torrent of guitar noise that rivals Neil Young’s onstage guitar freakouts with CRAZY HORSE. “For all of us, the performances — and the aspects of them that are captured — preserve where we’re at musically in time right now,” Jake says.

The future is unwritten, and the sky’s the limit for these curious travelers and truth-seekers. Josh says, “certainly after this, we’ve grown in so many ways. This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in.”

“The Battle At Garden’s Gate” track listing:

01. Heat Above
02. My Way, Soon
03. Broken Bells
04. Built by Nations
05. Age of Machine
06. Tears of Rain
07. Stardust Chords
08. Light My Love
09. Caravel
10. The Barbarians
11. Trip the Light Fantastic
12. The Weight of Dreams

Read more »

“Truckload Full Of Bodies”, the first single from Arizona’s GO AHEAD AND DIE, can be streamed below. The song is taken from the band’s self-titled debut album, which will be released on June 11 via Nuclear Blast.

GO AHEAD AND DIE features vocalist and guitarist Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SEPULTURA) along with his son, singer, guitar and bass player Igor Amadeus Cavalera, as well as Zach Coleman on drums. GO AHEAD AND DIE’s sound mixes elements of death and thrash metal, with early CELTIC FROST influences and a punk attitude.

Max Cavalera describes GO AHEAD AND DIE as a “one-of-a-kind father/son collaboration bringing the old school with a new attitude! Sick riffs and abrasive lyrics from Igor and brutal drumming from Zach Coleman (BLACK CURSE, KHEMMIS) inspired me,” he says. “Extreme times call for extreme music!”

Igor Amadeus Cavalera states: “We are beyond excited to sign with Nuclear Blast. They are definitely the right choice for this colossally heavy record. G.A.A.D. will deliver fast-paced, hate-fueled energy that hasn’t been heard in years.”

Zach Coleman adds: “I could not be more excited to be a part of G.A.A.D. and to have the album come out on Nuclear Blast! I feel like we were able to capture (extreme) aggression with the record. It’s a mix of old school (think ’89-era metal/punk) style and newer sounds that reflect what’s going on around us. Protest and survive!”

Nuclear Blast comments. “For such a heavy, brutal and pissed-off record, GO AHEAD AND DIE will leave any metal fan with a smile on their face. With riffs the size of boulders and a genuine ‘fuck off’ attitude that speaks about today’s horrors, this album will without a doubt leave a mark in metal and we are happy to be part of the journey.”

“Go Ahead And Die” track listing:

01. Truckload Full Of Bodies
02. Toxic Freedom
03. I.C.E. Cage
04. Isolated/Desolated
05. Prophet’s Prey
06. Punisher
07. El Cuco
08. G.A.A.D.
09. Worth Less Than Piss
10. (In The) Slaughterline
11. Roadkill

GO AHEAD AND DIE is:

Max Cavalera – Guitar, Vocals
Igor Amadeus Cavalera – Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Zach Coleman – Drums

Photo credit: Jim Louvau

Read more »

Former GUNS N’ ROSES drummer Matt Sorum’s long-awaited autobiography, “Double Talkin’ Jive: True Rock ‘N’ Roll Stories From The Drummer Of Guns N’ Roses, The Cult, And Velvet Revolver”, will now arrive in September 7, 2021 via Rare Bird Books after being delayed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Double Talkin’ Jive” will be available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed with music by Sorum. Signed preorders bundles ship August 2021. Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats will be available wherever books are sold in September.

In “Double Talkin’ Jive”, Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ‘n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for THE CULT, and only a year later was invited to join GUNS N’ ROSES, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II”.

Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, and navigating volatile relationships with Axl Rose, Slash and the rest of the GN’R team. His career with THE CULT, GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, MOTÖRHEAD, the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES and KINGS OF CHAOS co-stars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Gene Simmons and Billy Idol to Steven Tyler and Alice Cooper.

“Double Talkin’ Jive” goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography.

Sorum’s co-authors Leif Erickson and Martin Svensson previously co-wrote Samantha Fox’s “Forever”.

During a recent appearance on the “Stop! Drop & Talk” podcast, Sorum stated about “Double Talkin’ Jive”: “I named it after a GUNS N’ ROSES song, ‘Double Talkin’ Jive’. [Then-GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist] Izzy Stradlin wrote that song. We played it together — on the [‘Use Your Illusion I’] album, me and Izzy tracked that in one take. And the premise of the lyric was based around the kind of pitfalls of the music business and success. There’s this undercurrent that’s not pretty. And I talk very truthfully about things that I went through, from my perspective.

“I didn’t wanna come off jaded,” Matt continued. “I have to tell the story the way it went for me, and I hope that people don’t take it as I sound jaded or something. I just wanted to be as truthful and honest as possible, from my perspective, if that makes sense.

“I think there’s a misconception that maybe, as musicians, we’re a bit elitist or privileged, or things are handed to us, and we just automatically appear, and now, all of a sudden, we’re famous. So I just look at it, I’m, like, well, yeah, I have a great job. I’ve got a great life. I’m super grateful for all the things I’ve been able to do. But in the book, you can see that it was a lot of hard work. It was a lot of bruises along the way. And then, as the career goes and you get successful, stuff happens. There’s, of course, the famous drug-and-alcohol shit that is kind of like ‘Behind The Music’ VH1 — I mean, that all happened to me. You know, the pitfalls of rock and roll stardom and all that shit.

“For me, when I was doing it,” referring to the rock-star lifestyle, “and when I was at the height [of GUNS N’ ROSES’ success], I’m, like, ‘If I don’t do this now, I’ll regret it later.’ So I just tried to live my life as I thought I would wanna live it as a kid dreaming to be in a rock and roll band.”

METALLICA’s Lars Ulrich said about “Double Talkin’ Jive”: “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ‘n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ‘n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!”

Sorum, who replaced Steven Adler in GUNS N’ ROSES, recorded “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II” (both 1991) and “The Spaghetti Incident” (1994). He also supported the group on the “Use Your Illusion” tour and can be heard on GUNS N’ ROSES’ “Live Era: ’87-’93” (1999) and “Greatest Hits” (2004).

Read more »

Paul Stanley says that he doesn’t “really see a reason” for KISS to produce any new music before finally calling it quits at the end of its farewell tour.

KISS hasn’t released a full-length disc of new music since 2012’s “Monster”, which sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous LP, “Sonic Boom”, opened with 108,000 units back in October 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. It was KISS’s highest-charting LP ever.

Stanley, who is promoting the debut album from his SOUL STATION project, was asked in a new interview with USA Today if fans can expect to hear anything new from KISS prior to the completion of the group’s “End Of The Road”. He responded: “I don’t really see a reason for it, to be quite honest. For the most part, when classic bands put out new albums, they’re looked at and listened to and thrown away because they don’t have the gravitas, they don’t have the age that comes with something being a time capsule or being attached to a certain period of your life. I’m not alone in that. When you see any classic bands on TV or if there’s a concert video, turn off the sound and I’ll tell you every time they’re playing a new song because the audience sits down.

“So it’s odd to me that people always want you to do a new album, but then they go, ‘That’s great. Now play your hits.’ So honestly, at this point, there isn’t a real reward in it. There’s much more of a reward in changing lanes — I’m still going forward. But in terms of recording more KISS material, I kind of go, ‘Why?’ I thought ‘Modern Day Delilah’ or ‘Hell Or Hallelujah’ were as good as anything I’ve written and as good as anything we recorded, but understandably, it’s like new wine. It just hasn’t aged. So I’d rather not try to roll a stone up the hill.”

Paul had previously expressed uncertainty about the idea of making another KISS album in a number of other interviews, telling the “Loudwire Podcast”: “If we’re going to do an album, it would be because we want to do an album, not because of sales. I think we’re living in a time, obviously, now where albums don’t sell what they once did, so you either do it because it’s a creative outlet and because it satisfies something in you, or not. If you’re doing it purely for sales, then you’re probably doing it for the wrong reason.”

Paul’s comments were echoed by his bandmate Gene Simmons, who said that he was “not incentivized” to release another KISS disc unless there are some major changes in the way music is consumed. He said: “The idea that you work your ass off and then someone with freckles on their face decides they want to download your music and file share — that’s not what I work for. How’d you like to be a plumber, come over somebody’s house and work all day to fix their plumbing and then when it’s time to get paid, they say, ‘No, I just wanted to say thank you.’ No.”

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“End Of The Road” was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

KISS last performed this past New Year’s Eve in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The concert broke Guinness world records for highest flame projection in a music concert and for most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert.

KISS’s current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Read more »

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares has shared a video teaser for the cover artwork of the band’s upcoming studio album.

In a message accompanying the clip’s YouTube release, Dino wrote: “New Fear Factory Album Cover Teaser -Pre Order, Album Title, Release Date + First Video and Single Coming Soon. Image: (IWM)Industrial War Machine Model#FF103190 (bands birthdate) October 31st 1990. Image Created by Francesco Artusato”.

Last September, singer Burton C. Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, saying that he “cannot align” himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect.

Bell’s exit from FEAR FACTORY came more than two weeks after Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY’s long-awaited new album.

Bell later told Kerrang! magazine that his split with FEAR FACTORY was a long time coming. “It’s been on my mind for a while. These lawsuits [over the rights to the FEAR FACTORY name] just drained me. The egos. The greed. Not just from bandmembers, but from the attorneys involved. I just lost my love for it.

“With FEAR FACTORY, it’s just constantly been, like, ‘What?!’ You can only take so much. I felt like 30 years was a good run. Those albums I’ve done with FEAR FACTORY will always be out there. I’ll always be part of that. I just felt like it was time to move forward.”

Pressed about whether there is any chance of a reconciliation with FEAR FACTORY down the line, Burton said: “I’m done. I haven’t spoken to Dino in three years. I haven’t spoken to Raymond [Herrera, drums] and Christian [Olde Wolbers, bass] in longer than that, and I have no intention to. I’m just moving forward with my life.”

In October, Dino issued a statement in which he said that the door for Burton to come back to FEAR FACTORY wouldn’t “stay open forever.” The guitarist also revealed that Burton “lost his legal rights” to the FEAR FACTORY name “after a long court battle” with Herrera and Olde Wolbers. “I had the opportunity to do something right, and I felt that obtaining the name in full was the right thing to do for the both of us, so after nearly four years we can continue as FEAR FACTORY, to make more records and to tour,” he said. “That is why it is sad to hear that he decided to quit and, in my opinion, for whatever issues he has it seems like it could’ve been worked out.”

In explaining his reasons for starting a fundraising campaign, Cazares said that all donations will go toward covering newly incurred production costs involved with the making of the new FEAR FACTORY LP, including re-recording the drums, guitars, bass and keyboards, as well as mixing and mastering by Andy Sneap. Burton’s original lead vocals, which were recorded in full in 2017, will remain on the new version of the album.

FEAR FACTORY’s fundraising campaign marked the first public activity from the band since it completed a 2016 U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, “Demanufacture”, in its entirety.

Bell’s ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS project released its second full-length album, “Apocrypha”, last October via Dissonance Productions.

Read more »

Serj Tankian’s critically revered “Elasticity” EP, the SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer’s first solo release since 2013’s “Orca”, is available now. The Los Angeles- and New Zealand-based musician has simultaneously unveiled a second video from the five-song collection, for the track “Electric Yerevan”.

Tankian said of the tune: “The song was inspired by the successful ‘Electric Yerevan’ protests in Armenia in the summer of 2015 where people protested against proposed hikes in utility prices. My writing from that time is inscribed word for word in the song.” The Garin Hovannisian-directed clip provides a visual timeline of the events leading up to the 2015 “Electric Yerevan” protests and the ensuing 2018 Velvet Revolution, while simultaneously showcasing the power of peaceful demonstrations across the globe.

Regarding how the idea for “Elasticity” came about, Serj said: “When I conceived possibly doing another record with the guys from SYSTEM OF A DOWN a few years back, I started working on a set of songs that I arranged in rock format for that purpose. As we weren’t able to see eye to eye on the vision going forward with an SOAD album, I decided to release these songs under my moniker.” With his trademark eclecticism and one-of-a-kind vocal style, Serj delivers a collection that runs the gamut from hard-driving, electronically enhanced anthems like the title track, a rallying cry for his beloved Armenia (“Electric Yerevan”), the tongue-in-cheek political mash-up of “Your Mom”, the piano-laden “How Many Times?” and “Rumi”, a song that Serj wrote both about his son Rumi and Rumi the poet.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN hasn’t released a full-length album since the “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” LPs, which came out in 2005.

In 2018, guitarist Daron Malakian publicly accused Tankian of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM’s creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only band member to speak to the press.

A singer, poet, songwriter, visual artist, film producer, activist, and composer, Tankian has always created music as an outlet to express his thoughts and feelings with a level of passion and consciousness that few in today’s world of music can rival. An Armenian born in Lebanon and re-rooted in Los Angeles, Tankian was introduced to the melding of cultures, ideas, and ideals from a very young age. The principles learned from this integration and adaptation have led to his understanding of the oneness of all things and have since maneuvered and transfigured into the music and art that he lives to create. As the lead singer and songwriter for SYSTEM OF A DOWN, Serj has released five studio albums, winning a Grammy Award in 2006 for “B.Y.O.B.” and selling over 40 million albums worldwide. Despite this success, Serj has never grown complacent with his art, always striving to open up new channels of sound and arrangement to articulate his artistic expressions. He has released five albums of solo material, beginning with 2007’s chart-topping hard rock album “Elect The Dead”. His sophomore solo album, “Imperfect Harmonies”, was released in 2010, followed by “Harakiri” in 2012. 2013 saw two distinct releases from Serj, the first being the critically acclaimed “Orca Symphony No. 1”, released in June of that year, followed up with the very unique “Jazz-Iz Christ” one month later.

Over the past few years, his time spent in the recording studio has been focused on creating musical scores and compositions for film and video game projects. Serj recently lent his vocals to a modern-day cover of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT’s rock classic “Godzilla” for the blockbuster Michael Dougherty film “Godzilla: King Of The Monsters”. He also recorded a modern version of the Armenian folk song “Sari Siroun Yar” along with the Authentic Light Orchestra for the film “The Promise”, directed by Terry George and starring Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac. Serj was also brought on by Survival Pictures, the producers of the film, to serve as an executive music consultant.

Most recently, Tankian composed the full musical score for award-winning documentary “I Am Not Alone” directed by Garin Hovannisian and the upcoming Live Nation Productions film “Truth To Power”, which chronicles Serj’s own journey through the crossroads of music and activism. In 2017, Serj composed music for Emmy-nominated “Intent To Destroy”, a gripping film directed by award winning documentarian Joe Berlinger. That same year he created an intense score for the epic Russian action film “Furious – The Legend of Kolovrat”, followed by his 2018 musical score for award-winning film “Spitak”, directed by Alexander Kott. Additionally, Tankian composed the full musical score for independent films “1915” and “The Last Inhabitant”, an original composition for Ilya Naishuller’s “Hardcore Henry” and video game musical scores for “Midnight Star” and its sequel, “Renegade”, which were created by one of the chief architects of the famed “Halo” game franchise.

Serj’s resume also includes the formation of a record label, Serjical Strike Records (established in 2001), which has released albums from many critically acclaimed artists, including FAIR TO MIDLAND, Buckethead and DEATH BY STEREO.

Along with fellow musician Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, AUDIOSLAVE), Serj co-founded the non-profit organization Axis Of Justice in 2002, which strives to bring together musicians, music fans and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. He has also dabbled in the world of broadcasting as co-host of the Axis Of Justice Radio Network, which can be heard via SiriusXM and KPFK in Los Angeles. With a mission of spreading diversity and understanding through music, poetry and activism, Serj will continue to surprise and enlighten those who listen to his music and hear his words.

In recent years, Tankian has split his time between holding a mic and a paintbrush, having feverishly created over 60 pieces of art since 2013. His journey into the world of fine art began with his “Disarming Time Musical Paintings”, which were exhibited at Project Gallery in Los Angeles. Since then, he has had multiple exhibitions at galleries in both the United States and New Zealand. In 2015, his artwork was exhibited at the grand opening of New Museum Los Gatos in Northern California as part of a group exhibit that ran from May through September of that year. Most recently, Serj’s artwork was exhibited at two notable galleries in New Zealand during February and March of 2019.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Read more »

LAMB OF GOD has premiered the official video for “Memento Mori (Live)” from the “Live In Richmond, VA” DVD, which is part of the upcoming “Lamb Of God (Deluxe Version)”, due out March 26 via Epic Records. The live track is also available now to stream on all DSPs.

The video, which was filmed in the band’s native Richmond, Virginia, for a September 2020 livestream, is available today on YouTube and the band’s web site.

Pre-orders for the three-disc deluxe version of last year’s self-titled album are available now. The set features the critically acclaimed 2020 release with two bonus tracks and a live version of the album, along with a DVD featuring the first of LAMB OF GOD’s two ultra-successful livestream events from the fall.

In addition to performing “Lamb Of God” in its entirety, the performance features an encore of four songs including “Ruin”, “Contractor”, “512” and the debut live performance of “The Death Of Us”, a new song the band wrote and recorded in quarantine for the “Bill & Ted Face The Music” movie and soundtrack. The DVD also includes a new director’s cut with bonus material. Digital copies will contain only Disc 1 and Disc 2. A separate vinyl edition of “Live From Richmond, VA” will also be available.

The first single from “Lamb Of God (Deluxe Version)”, “Ghost Shaped People”, has already received a response equal to the fervent reception the original release received last June, holding at No. 1 on the Metal Contraband metal radio chart for four weeks in a row.

“Lamb Of God”, the quintet’s first new album in five years, was met with universal acclaim upon release — not only among major rock journalists, but with all strata of metal fans around the world. But critics, media and the industry aside, perhaps the most telling statistic is the year-end U.S. Metal Radio chart, where the new album dominated at No. 1 by a massive margin (over 2,000 more spins than the album at No. 2). “Lamb Of God” spent nine weeks in the No. 1 spot and never left the top 10 since debuting on the chart in February. Metal Radio is the lifeblood of the U.S. metal world, largely staffed by college students and regional tastemakers, playing the music that they know their local metal fans want to hear.

“Lamb Of God” deluxe edition track listing:

Disc 1: “Lamb Of God” Original Album + 2 Bonus Tracks

01. Memento Mori
02. Checkmate
03. Gears
04. Reality Bath
05. New Colossal Hate
06. Resurrection Man
07. Poison Dream (feat. Jamey Jasta)
08. Routes (feat. Chuck Billy)
09. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Ghost Shaped People
12. Hyperthermic/Accelerate

Disc 2: “Lamb Of God – Live In Richmond, VA”

01. Memento Mori (Live)
02. Checkmate (Live)
03. Gears (Live)
04. Reality Bath (Live)
05. New Colossal Hate (Live)
06. Resurrection Man (Live)
07. Poison Dream (Live)
08. Routes (Live)
09. Bloodshot Eyes (Live)
10. On The Hook (Live)
11. Contractor (Live)
12. Ruin (Live)
13. The Death Of Us (Live)
14. 512

Disc 3: “Lamb Of God – Live In Richmond, VA” DVD

01. Memento Mori
02. Checkmate
03. Gears
04. Reality Bath
05. New Colossal Hate
06. Resurrection Man
07. Poison Dream
08. Routes
09. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Contractor
12. Ruin
13. The Death of Us
14. 512

Digital copies will contain only Disc 1 and Disc 2. A separate vinyl edition of “Lamb Of God – Live In Richmond, VA” will also be available.

“Lamb Of God – Live In Richmond, VA” vinyl track listing:

Side 1

01. Memento Mori
02. Checkmate
03. Gears
04. Reality Bath
05. New Colossal Hate

Side 2

01. Resurrection Man
02. Poison Dream
03. Routes
04. Bloodshot Eyes
05. On The Hook

Read more »

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante has announced a brand new album, “Silver Linings”, due out May 14 via Megaforce Records. The 14-track effort features an all-star cast of “who’s who” in the thrash, metal, and rock worlds, with all cuts culled from Benante’s acclaimed “quarantine jam” video series. Benante has earmarked a portion of the “Silver Linings” proceeds for the Neal Casal Music Foundation, an organization that provides musical instruments and lessons to students and makes donations to much-needed mental health organizations that support musicians in need.

“Back in February of last year,” Benante remembers, “with COVID and all the other B.S. that was going on, I was glued to the 24-hour news cycle on the TV and my phone, and I started to get really depressed. My girlfriend said I needed to turn off the news and suggested I do something creative, whether it was art or drumming or writing new songs, and she was right.”

Benante set up his electric drum kit at home in his art room and started playing along with music he had grown up listening to. It pulled him out of his depression and reignited his creative drive. “I knew a lot of my musician friends were going through the same thing I had been, so I started asking them if they wanted to get involved, play some songs with me, maybe make a video. That’s how it all started.”

Throughout the quarantine video series, Benante collaborated on jams with fellow ANTHRAX bandmates Frank Bello, Scott Ian and Jon Donais, his girlfriend Carla Harvey (BUTCHER BABIES), Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT), Ra Diaz (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES), Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL), John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE) and Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), among many more. Some of Charlie’s favorite songs by RUSH, Tom Petty, BEASTIE BOYS, STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH, KING’S X, RUN-DMC, MASSIVE ATTACK, U2, FUGAZI, CHEMICAL BROTHERS and Billie Eilish were covered.

For the album’s cover art, Charlie recruited his friend, artist Brian Ewing, whose art he’s always loved. “I think he did a great job,” said Charlie, “and the package’s artwork ties in my fascination with horror.”

“This isn’t a solo album,” Charlie added, “this is a record of my favorite songs done with some of my friends during a very dark time. We found a shining light and this is the result of that light. I was really happy that my musician friends came on board and helped make this record what it is. I appreciate all of them, and they all did such a fantastic job. Despite all of the darkness we’ve experienced this past year, there are ‘silver linings,’ that’s why I chose that title for the album.”

“Silver Linings” track listing:

* “City of Blinding Lights” (U2)

Frank Bello
Mark Osegueda
Charlie Benante

* “Chloe Dancer / Crown of Horns” (MOTHER LOVE BONE)

Mark Menghi
Mark Osegueda
Charlie Benante

* “Teardrop” (MASSIVE ATTACK)

Carla Harvey
Ra Diaz
Charlie Benante

* “Run DMC” (Run-DMC)

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels
Rob Caggiano
Ra Diaz
Charlie Benante

* “Rhiannon” (FLEETWOOD MAC)

Mark Menghi
Jennifer Cella
Randy McStine
Charlie Benante

* “Yer So Bad” (Tom Petty)

Carla Harvey
Ra Diaz
Charlie Benante

* “Transylvania” (IRON MAIDEN)

Dave “Snake” Sabo
Frank Bello
Jon Donias
Charlie Benante

* “Presto Vivace” (U.K.)

Ra Diaz
Alex Skolnick
Jordan Rudess
Charlie Benante

* “Bad Guy” (Billie Eilish)

Ra Diaz
Charlie Benante

* “Jimmy James” (BEASTIE BOYS)

Ra Diaz
Charlie Benante

* “All The Way” (KISS)

PJ Farley
Joe McGinness
John 5
Charlie Benante

* “Mr Speed” (KISS)

Joe McGinness
PJ Farley
Charlie Benante

* “Public Image” (PUBLIC IMAGE)

Hank Von Hell
Dave Brownsound
Jason “Cone” McCaslin
Charlie Benante

* “Funny Vibe” (LIVING COLOUR)

Ra Diaz
Corey Glover
Henry Flury
Charlie Benante

Photo credit: Jimmy Hubbard

Read more »