The Chosen – ENTERPRISE EARTH

It was obvious from their widely acclaimed debut album “Patient 0” that ENTERPRISE EARTH were a deathcore band with unusual focus and fierce individuality. Seven years on, and nothing much has changed in that regard. In keeping with the fervent development showcased on 2019’s “Luciferous”, the Spokane crew have made another dramatic leap forward on their fourth full-length, expanding their sound and, again, setting themselves apart from the chasing pack. In much the same way that WHITECHAPEL have steadily evolved into something far more interesting than perhaps even they expected, ENTERPRISE EARTH come pretty close to transcending deathcore altogether on “The Chosen”, instead pursuing a new and often electrifying hybrid of modern (and not so modern) metallic styles, replete with far bigger tunes than on any previous record. From the opening seconds of “Where Dreams Are Broken”, the sheer, shiny weight of this thing is abundantly apparent. “The Chosen” sounds huge and definitive.

Sounding amazing is only half the battle, of course. ENTERPRISE EARTH have long stood out as sharper and more imaginative songwriters than most in this genre, and without some incisive and memorable tunes, “The Chosen” would simply be another immaculate and expensive-sounding overhaul for modern (extreme) metal. Fortunately, that aforementioned spirit of adventure continues to inform the band’s songs, and while fans of straight-ahead deathcore will find more than enough squinting thuggery to keep the slam-fires burning, the prevailing wind is blowing ENTERPRISE EARTH into multiple new sonic locations, with those trademark, bludgeoning riffs a vehicle for some genuinely daring acts of cross-pollination. Bravely, “Where Dreams Are Broken” is arguably the record’s biggest curveball, wherein frontman Dan Watson uses at least two new parts of his voice, injecting the song with a strident chorus hook and several layers of FEAR FACTORY-like dystopian atmosphere, while still growling and gurgling like a tweaked-out caco-daemon.

Thereafter, “The Chosen” sounds and feels like an intermittently experimental masterclass, as ENTERPRISE EARTH warp crushing grooves to their own foul ends, ugly electronics bursting from every calcified pore and enough mad-eyed melodrama to briskly check the infernally gothic box, too. From the nightmarish ebb and bludgeoning flow of “Reanimate // Disintegrate” and the symphonic deathcore rampage of “Unleash Hell” to the gleeful pit violence of “They Have No Honor” and the extravagant black squall of abyssal ballad “Overpass”, “The Chosen” dares to imagine a more open-minded future for this strain of modern heaviness, but without sacrificing a single sliver of intensity.

Some will miss the pitch-perfect, twisted grandeur of “Luciferous”, but ENTERPRISE EARTH have too many ideas and too much momentum to get stuck in that particular rut. As they demonstrate with particular brilliance on this album’s epic and artful, eight-minute title track, this band are hitting their stride and carving their own bloody niche.



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Oh What The Future Holds – FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY

The sixth full-length from FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY sees the band at their most refined level of musicianship and songwriting yet, without sacrificing any of their fury. Each musician performs complex parts that showcase their awe-inspiring expertise with their instrument, while still managing to work cohesively together instead of competing with one another. Will Putney (guitar) puts his enviable producing skills on full display with his masterful handling of crescendos and decrescendos. Like their previous records, “Oh What The Future Holds” anchors itself in social commentary about the inhumanity, greed and cruelty that has widened the disparity between the haves and the have-nots. And beneath all of the anger and belligerence is a deep sense of tragedy and mournfulness about it all.

“Oh What The Future Holds” delivers a wonderful range of rhythms and techniques, beginning with the soft, haunting piano at the opening of the title track. The almost cinematic tension builds with the addition of light percussion, before exploding into the dominating heaviness expected of FFAA. Every song thereafter carries on the same skillful work of building up and breaking down, quickening and slowing. “Far From Heaven”, “Two Towers”, and “The Man That I Was Not” similarly begin with slower, softer segments featuring spoken and even melodic vocals (Joseph Badolato has a beautiful singing voice, by the way) before ultimately erupting in the raging guitars and guttural vocals for which they’re known. It’s difficult to keep track of how many times the rhythmic patterns shift per song, but it’s done so artfully that it works exceptionally well.

But despite the numerous impressive guitar solos and rapid-fire riffs, it’s the percussive elements of the album that end up being the most distinctive. “A Higher Level Of Hate”, the record’s most crushing, unrelenting and infectious song, starts out with bare, high-toned, bongo-like patterns reminiscent of the kind of makeshift drumming one would hear on a city street. Likewise, other songs incorporate rim-tapping sounds that give great depth and versatility to the record. It’s these little outside-the-box touches that make all the difference, and one could argue that there is room for even more.

In the midst of the insane BPM rates, bellowing chants and pummeling breakdowns, there are a few moments that really pull at the heartstrings. The stretched out, wailing guitar parts on “Collateral Damage” and “Conditional Healing” touch the main tragic nerve at the heart of “Oh What The Future Holds”, which ultimately comes to a head with the closing track. This undercurrent of sadness is what separates FFAA from other deathcore and metal bands. These songs are not just rip-roaring bangers, but fundamentally, they are laments, giving the music satisfying substance and dimension.

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Former FEAR FACTORY Singer BURTON C. BELL To Take Part In Facebook Live Chat This Friday

Former FEAR FACTORY singer Burton C. Bell and his ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS bandmate Jayce Lewis will take part in a Facebook Live chat this coming Friday, January 14 on the official ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS page beginning at 12:00 p.m. PST / 3:00 p.m. EST.

Says ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS: “Please join #burtoncbell and #jaycelewis on FB live this Friday as we talk about the #ascensionofthewatchers #tour, and much more! #facebook #conversation #live”.

In September 2020, 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 guitarist Dino Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY’s long-awaited new LP, “Aggression Continuum”.

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,” he said. “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.”

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.

“Aggression Continuum” was released in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Bell’s ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS project released its second full-length album, “Apocrypha”, in October 2020 via Dissonance Productions.

Watchers Fans! Please join us Friday, January 14th for a Facebook Live Stream. 8pm GMT/12pm PST

Posted by Ascension of The Watchers on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

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DAVID LEE ROTH Addresses COVID-Related Cancelations In Latest Artwork

David Lee Roth has shared a brand new piece of artwork in which he apparently pokes fun at the recent cancelation of his Las Vegas residency.

As he has done before, Roth styled the image in the form of a fictional newspaper called The Daily Catastrophe. The picture of an exasperated toad appears under the headline “Due To An Abundance Of COVID!”

Earlier this month, Roth issued a brief statement after the cancelation of the remaining farewell shows he was set to play at the House Of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

The 67-year-old VAN HALEN frontman had previously scrapped concerts scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and was to play a total of nine shows as he vowed to retire from performing live.

The concerts were scheduled to take place on December 31, 2021, and January 1, 5, 7 and 8 of 2022.

When asked if Roth’s farewell performances will take place at a later date, he told Fox News Digital in a statement: “It’s not about me anymore. When the benefits for Kentucky, Colorado, and Farm Aid kick in; Call me.”

In a similarly worded statement to EW, Roth said about the cancelation of his Vegas residency: “Sometimes you win, Sometimes you lose, We got rained out.. “Covid cancelled.

“Future shows? When the benefit concerts for Colorado, Farm Aid, and hospital workers ‘everywhere’ come up; Call me..,” he added.

In a previous statement, event organizers said the cancelations were made “due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID and out of an abundance of caution for those working and attending the shows.”

When Roth’s Vegas residency was first announced, organizers promised “a changing set of 26 instantly recognizable songs, including ‘Jump’, ‘Panama’, and ‘California Girls…'”

In October, the legendary VAN HALEN singer announced that he was ending his career with his Vegas shows during the first weeks of January. “I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring,” Roth told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “These are my last shows.” He added: “I’m not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe.”

In March 2020, Roth postponed the final six shows of his Las Vegas residency due to the coronavirus pandemic that is spreading across the globe.

Roth’s last Vegas residency kicked off on January 8, 2020 with a 15-song set that included 10 VAN HALEN classics and five songs from his solo career. Backing the singer were lead guitarist Al Estrada from the VAN HALEN tribute band ERUPTION, rhythm guitarist Frankie Lindri, bassist Ryan Wheeler, keyboardist Danny Wagner and drummer Mike Mussleman.

Roth explained that he chose Vegas as the place to debut his new band because “this is where you come to celebrate and do the victory dance, whatever that means to you.”

In a February 2020 interview with StarTribune, Roth openly wondered whether his first tour since VAN HALEN completed its 2015 run of shows would be the last time he would perform.

“I’m calling it ‘The Last Tour’,” he said at the time, “and then underneath it in parentheses: ‘Unless It Isn’t’. … At my age, everything is a possible farewell tour.”

“It’s been a long great trip, a long great run,” he continued. “But this kind of music requires the kind of energy that people in their 20s bring. You know what NFL stands for: Not For Long. It’s similar in rock. I remember the days when we would stand around and say, ‘Let’s go have a cigarette.’ And that’s what we did: Four guys having one cigarette. I remember those days. They go by fast, so enjoy them while you’re in them.”

In February/March 2020, Roth performed as the opening act for the North American leg of KISS’s “End Of The Road” farewell tour.

Roth’s 2020 Vegas residency wasn’t the first time he had set up shop in Sin City. Back in 1995, Roth completed a Las Vegas engagement at Bally’s Hotel and Casino and another short run at MGM Grand.

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Demo:listen: Scab Hag

This week’s Demo:listen is perverted by Cincinnati-based death metal sickos Scab Hag.
The post Demo:listen: Scab Hag appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

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The Terry Kath Telecaster | Dream Factory | Fender

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STRYPER's MICHAEL SWEET Undergoes Another Retinal Detachment Surgery

STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet has undergone surgery for a re-detached retina.

A retinal detachment happens when the retina separates from the back of the eye, causing peripheral vision loss. Without immediate treatment, a retinal detachment can lead to total vision loss, according to Healthline.

The 58-year-old guitarist/vocalist, who had his initial procedure in November, took to his Instagram earlier today (Tuesday, January 11) to write: “So this just happened. I made it through 7 weeks without incident and then I began to see a slight shadow again in my eye. Went to the eye doctor and confirming my gut feeling, my retina re-detached.

“I just got out of surgery and they removed scar tissue and injected an oil bubble that will stay in longer (3 months). They removed my cataract at the same time and when they remove the oil in 3 months, they’ll replace my lens. I should be able to see fairly well at that time.

“I’m face down again up to the day the guys come out to record the new @Stryper album (1/25). I’ll be writing lyrics as I remain face down for the next few weeks.

“The show must go on. I believe that this is the time to do the album. So, it’s happening. Also, I can’t wait to get through this and get out there and start touring in May.

“I deeply appreciate those who have stood by my side and who have continued to pray for and think of me.”

Michael’s latest medical procedure comes nearly a year after STRYPER guitarist Oz Fox underwent the first of his brain surgeries to treat one of the tumors that were found in his head four years ago. As a result, Oz has been sitting out some of the band’s recent tour dates and was temporarily replaced by Howie Simon (JEFF SCOTT SOTO, GRAHAM BONNET).

In early August, Oz said that he felt “it would be best” for him to take the rest of the year off from touring “for some solid recovery time” following surgery.

Fox’s tumors — one by his ear and the other in the back of his brain — were discovered when he suffered his first seizure in August 2018 while performing with SIN CITY SINNERS at Harrah’s in Las Vegas.

In October 2020, Fox was briefly hospitalized after suffering another massive seizure.

Within weeks of Fox’s original August 2018 seizure, STRYPER toured Australia and Japan as a three-piece, and later recruited Simon to fill in while Fox was unable to go on the road.

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METALLICA's ROBERT TRUJILLO Shares New Video Of Him Jamming At Home

METALLICA’s Robert Trujillo has shared a short video of him jamming at home.

The bassist uploaded the one-minute clip to his Instagram earlier today (Tuesday, January 11) and included the following message: “I’m just tryin’ to get my groove on. @chloetrujillo #groovy #jamsession”.

Trujillo, who was born on October 23, 1964 in Santa Monica, California, tasted success as the bassist in punk-funk pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and Ozzy Osbourne’s band. But in 2003, he successfully auditioned to replace Jason Newsted in METALLICA, a process chronicled in the warts-and-all documentary “Some Kind of Monster”.

METALLICA’s much-loved former bassist Cliff Burton died in 1986 when the band’s tour bus crashed travelling through Sweden on the “Damage Inc. Tour” in support of “Master Of Puppets”.

Trujillo told Exclaim! in a 2016 interview that he feels no pressure when compared to his low-end predecessors.

“Whether it’s Jason or myself or Cliff, we’re all different types of players coming from a different place, but delivering what is best for the band,” he said. “That’s all I ever do, just try and do the best I can and cater to the song, cater to the music.”

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield praised Trujillo during a 2017 interview with the 94.5 The Buzz radio station, saying: “Who else could [have come in and done the job]? I mean, there were a few people we auditioned, I know. It might have worked out with other people, but it’s hard to find people that are, say, your age; kind of your upbringing, musically, obviously; ability-wise; they’ve been on the road. It’s not like you’re bringing some kid out for his first time, and it’s, ‘Oh my God!’ He’s going through all the stuff that you did twenty-five years ago. He’s got kids. He’s married. It just jelled, and it’s still jelling. And his personality is probably one of the best contributions, I think, to the band, ’cause he’s so chill, he’s so up for anything, he’s always in there rehearsing. So he does fit in.”

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Video Premiere: MISFIRE – “Fractured”

Watch Chicago-based thrash trio and recent MNRK Heavy signees MISFIRE take the shot on new track “Fractured”.
The post Video Premiere: MISFIRE – “Fractured” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

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Watch New Trailer For FOO FIGHTERS' Horror Comedy 'Studio 666'

A new trailer for the FOO FIGHTERS horror comedy “Studio 666”, starring Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee, is available below.

Open Road Films acquired worldwide rights to the film, directed by BJ McDonnell, which is set for a wide domestic theatrical release in more than 2,000 theatres on February 25. The all-star cast also includes Whitney Cummings, Leslie Grossman, Will Forte, Jenna Ortega and Jeff Garlin. The announcement was made by Open Road’s Tom Ortenberg and FOO FIGHTERS.

In “Studio 666”, the legendary rock band FOO FIGHTERS move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much-anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.

“After decades of ridiculous music videos and numerous music documentaries under our collective belts, it was finally time to take it to the next level… A full-length feature horror comedy film,” said Grohl. “Like most things FOO, ‘Studio 666’ began with a far-fetched idea that blossomed into something bigger than we ever imagined possible. Filmed at the same house where we recorded our latest album ‘Medicine At Midnight’ (told you that place was haunted!), we wanted to recapture the classic magic that all of our favorite rock and roll movies had, but with a twist: hilarious gore that fucking ROCKS. And now, with the help of Tom Ortenberg and the team at Open Road Films, we can finally let this cat out of the bag after keeping it our best-kept secret for two years. Be ready to laugh, scream, and headbang in your popcorn. ‘Studio 666’ will fuck you up.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to team up with FOO FIGHTERS for a movie sure to make audiences scream and laugh,” said Ortenberg. “The FOOs bring their comedic chemistry and the musical talent we all love to the big screen in this hysterical horror film.”

Commented McDonnell: “‘Studio 666’ is a perfect combination of all things I love. Rock, horror, and comedy all tied together in a very thrilling motion picture. I am so excited to have teamed up with the FOO FIGHTERS to create an old school ‘band’ movie. It’s been years since we’ve seen something like THE BEATLES ‘Help!’, THE MONKEES ‘Head’, or ‘Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park’. Take that ’60s / ’70s old-school band film fun, mix it with horror and ‘Studio 666’ is born! I am so ecstatic for audiences of film and music to come together and enjoy our film.”

“Over the past decade we have had the good fortune to collaborate with FOO FIGHTERS on a variety of great projects,” said producers John Ramsay and James A. Rota. “Whether it be documentary films, TV series or music videos, they always bring their great talents and legendary sense of humor. ‘Studio 666′ takes this to a whole new level and we couldn’t be more proud of this movie. We can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Based on a story by Grohl and screenplay by Jeff Buhler and Rebecca Hughes, “Studio 666” is produced by Roswell Films’ and Therapy Studios’ John Ramsay and James A. Rota. Executive producers are John Silva, Kristen Welsh, John Cutcliffe, Gaby Skolnek, Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, James Masciello, Matthew Sidari, Mitchell Zhang and Tom Ortenberg.

The deal was negotiated by Tom Ortenberg and Matthew Sidari on behalf of Open Road Films and by WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.

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