OPETH's MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT Pays Tribute To BUDGIE's BURKE SHELLEY

OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has paid tribute to vocalist/bassist Burke Shelley of legendary Welsh rockers BUDGIE who died on Monday, January 10 at the age of 71.

Earlier today, Mikael took to OPETH’s social media to write: “I almost choked on my coffee this morning when I read that one of my idols, the great Burke Shelley of BUDGIE had passed away. What a terrible loss!

“Most people know BUDGIE as the band that METALLICA covered (‘Breadfan’, ‘Crash Course In Brain Surgery’) ages ago. They remained underdogs in the scene even if they’re there right in the beginning of the creation of hard rock/heavy metal music.

“I think Burke was one of those guys who was quite uncomfortable with the heavy metal tag, but it’s undeniable that they were instrumental in bringing it to the masses. I stumbled upon them in the 80’s. A friend of mine (thank you Stefan!) played me ‘Bandoiler’ from 1975. It wasn’t the heavy side of their music that sucked me in, but rather the gentle side. Songs like ‘Slipaway’ are beautiful. And the majestic ‘Napoleon Bona-Part 1 & 2’ showcased dynamics that a lot of their peers simply didn’t have. Since then I have rather impressive BUDGIE section. Their softer side remains my favorite part of their music. ‘Everything In My Heart’, ‘You And I’, ‘Make Me Happy’, ‘Young Is A World’ and so on. Burke had a jazzy quality to his voice as well as the ability to scream like the best of them. I think he was a big fan of Paul McCartney, or at least that’s what I hear.

“We recorded 2 albums at the Rockfield studio in Monmouth/Wales, which was kind of the go-to studio for BUDGIE. I remember waiting for them to drop by, but they never did. Why would they? Childish dreams on my behalf. So I’ve never met them unfortunately. I did however manage to see them live twice, and they’re fantastic!

“Thank you Burke, for all your fantastic music! And our sincere condolences to the Shelley family as well as to the remaining band members, past and present.”

The news of Burke’s passing was shared Monday by his daughter Ela. She wrote on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old. Please respect the family during this time.

“With love, His four children: Ela, Osian, Dimitri and Nathaniel.”

Two years ago, Shelley said that he was suffering from aortic aneurysm — a dangerous and abnormal swelling of the main artery that supplies blood to the body. He was also batting Stickler syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause serious vision, hearing and joint problems. At the time, he told Wales Online that he turned down surgery because of the risk that it would cause irreparable spinal damage.

“I want to live what life I have left and not be crippled,” he said. “I’ve got faith in God and have no worries about where I’m going. So I’ll just go when He decides to take me and, in the meantime, I’ll carry on doing what I want to do. Simple as that.”

Shelley said the surgery he had in 2010 for aortic aneurysm resulted in damage to his diaphragm, leaving him unable to sing properly.

Often thought of as a cross between BLACK SABBATH and RUSH, the underappreciated outfit has influenced countless acts, despite enduring countless line-up shifts throughout their history.

The group originally formed in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales, comprised of Shelley (vocals, bass), Tony Bourge (guitar) and Ray Phillips (drums), and by the early 1970s they’d inked a deal with MCA Records.

This early lineup remains BUDGIE’s most definitive, due to the fact that it spawned three of the group’s finest albums — 1971’s self-titled debut, 1972’s “Squawk” and 1973’s “Never Turn Your Back On A Friend” — while the group’s quirky song titles became somewhat of a trademark for the trio (such ditties as “Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman”, “Hot As A Docker’s Armpit”, “In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter’s Hand” and “You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk”).

Despite building a sizeable following in their homeland (while never breaking out of cult status stateside), Phillips left the group prior to their fourth album, 1974’s “In For the Kill!”, replaced by newcomer Pete Boot, which would in turn set off a flurry of steady lineup changes over the years for the group (the only constant BUDGIE member from the beginning was Shelley). Further releases were issued throughout the ’70s, including 1975’s “Bandolier”.

Shelley and company would remain together for a few more years before splitting up quietly by the mid-’80s. But almost as soon as they disbanded, several high-profile groups began covering BUDGIE classics, including METALLICA (“Crash Course In Brain Surgery” and “Breadfan”), IRON MAIDEN (“I Can’t See My Feelings”), while back in their early club days VAN HALEN was known to cover the title track from “In For The Kill!”

I almost choked on my coffee this morning when I read that one of my idols, the great Burke Shelley of Budgie had passed…

Posted by Opeth on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

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TOOL Among Headliners Of This Year's BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has shared the lineup for this year’s edition of the internationally acclaimed camping festival, taking place June 16-19, 2022 on the Bonnaroo Farm, located just 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee. Bonnaroo 2022 will once again present a wide-ranging bill featuring a spectacular selection of top artists performing around the clock across more than 10 unique stages over the four-day festival.

Highlights will include performances by TOOL, Machine Gun Kelly and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.

Tickets for Bonnaroo will go on sale Thursday, January 13, at 12 p.m. (CT), exclusively via www.bonnaroo.com/tickets. Options include General Admission (4-Day), GA+ (4-Day), VIP (4-Day), Platinum (4-Day), General Admission Camping & Parking, VIP Camping, Platinum Camping, and more. As always, Bonnaroo will be offering a range of affordable options, with tickets starting at $35 down and accommodations available for as low as $99 per night. Car Camping Passes prices start at only $70 (plus fees) per car, not per person, allowing fans to both save money and reduce their carbon footprint by carpooling.

Bonnaroo has paid close attention to fan feedback throughout its history in order to best enhance the onsite experience, each year integrating new features and exciting upgrades to the overall event. Bonnaroo 2022 will see the debut of an array of additional activities and site improvements, including enhanced signage, wayfinding help, pedicabs, info booths, cooling stations, and much more.

Bonnaroo’s campground hubs of curated activities and convenience — known as Plazas — will return better than ever in 2022. Strategically located and well-lit public places throughout the campgrounds, Plazas include shade, free public Wi-Fi, charging stations, misting stations, showers, restrooms, medical and safety stations, information booths and incredible programming for the fans.

This year’s Bonnaroo will see getting around the festival made easier and more convenient than ever before with the arrival of JamTrak, a free on-site transport system enabling attendees to easily travel day or night to and from Centeroo and the far away parts of the site.

Bonnaroo 2022 will also see a number of stage improvements, including a spectacular production makeover for the festival’s second biggest stage, The Which Stage. In addition, The Other Stage — Bonnaroo’s beloved home for electronic music — will now feature all-night performances and DJ sets through sunrise each day, along with spectacular new lighting, lasers, and surprises galore. Fans will also love the reinvention of the Silent Disco and the Who Stage, and even the What Stage has a special surprise in store.

2022 will also feature an assortment of improved camping options, including an updated campground layout allowing for more convenient camping closer to Centeroo. Bonnaroovians will have a new way to stay cool at this year’s festival with the introduction of Air-Conditioned Darkroom Tents, available for GA, GA+, and VIP ticket holders. All set up and ready to go upon arrival, each tent is completely opaque and comes with a choice of cot or inflatable bed, electric cooling unit, a souvenir blanket for each ticket holder, and more. This year will also see the introduction of Bonnaroo Daily Entry Camping Passes, a new system required for all vehicles and campers that will drastically cut wait times entering the festival site. GA ticket-buyers will be required to secure a vehicle pass by day for either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Weekend access from Thursday through Sunday. The earlier campers arrive, the closer they will camp in proximity to Centeroo.

Bonnaroo’s VIP and Platinum guests will also enjoy a large number of upgrades, including a new VIP campground layout providing direct entry into the venue, broader dining options, and upgraded shower facilities. Platinum patrons will enjoy the best campground and amenities on the entire site, all in a new shaded grove just south of Centeroo. Enjoy all the classic Platinum amenities plus a dedicated Platinum vehicle entrance off Campground Road, full-service RV spots, expanded food and beverage offerings, as well as a completely shaded and wooded campground with newly added access to the Artist Lounge. New this year is the addition of the VIP Day Parking Pass, which must be purchased with a VIP or Platinum Ticket.

The complete Bonnaroo 2022 lineup is below:

Thursday, June 16

GRYFFIN
CLOZEE
SIDEPIECE
ROLE MODEL
THE BROOK & THE BLUFF
SONS OF KEMET
GOTH BABE
BLU DETIGER
INDIGO DE SOUZA
ADAM MELCHOR
THE WEATHER STATION
ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N.
JESSIE MURPH
THE DIP
NOTHI
WRECKNO
VNSSA
WEVAL
KENNY MASON
CALDER ALLEN

Friday, June 17

J. COLE
THE CHICKS
ILLENIUM
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS
DISCLOSURE
LORD HURON
THE WAR ON DRUGS
KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD
GOOSE
BLEACHERS
ISAIAH RASHAD
LANE 8
STILL WOOZY
WHISKEY MYERS
DENZEL CURRY
JAPANESE BREAKFAST
TOVE LO
DAYGLOW
JOHN SUMMIT
ARLO PARKS
CHRIS LORENZO
TAI VERDES
THE REGRETTES
J. WORRA
LP GIOBBI
BRISTON MARONEY
NOGA EREZ
PHANTOMS
SHIP WREK
WESTEND
MAGGIE ROSE
CLAUD
SOUTHERN AVENUE

Saturday, June 18

TOOL
FLUME
21 SAVAGE
BILLY STRINGS
$UICIDEBOY$
PORTER ROBINSON
MARC REBILLET
CHVRCHES
LANY
LUDACRIS
CHRIS LAKE
TOBE NWIGWE
JUDAH & THE LION
MT. JOY
100 GECS
ALL TIME LOW
NORA EN PURE
SLOWTHAI
BLACK TIGER SEX MACHINE
ASHE
SAID THE SKY
PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG
JOY OLADOKUN
THE BACKSEAT LOVERS
BENEE
HABSTRAKT
LUCII
FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE
TEDDY SWIMS
MOORE KISMET
PATRICK DRONEY
CORY HENRY
LUCILLE CROFT
COM3T

Sunday, June 19

STEVIE NICKS
MACHINE GUN KELLY
RODDY RICCH
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
REZZ
HERBIE HANCOCK
PUSCIFER
WALLOWS
TASH SULTANA
COIN
G JONES
ZACH BRYAN
ALL THEM WITCHES
TINASHE
FLETCHER
TIERRA WHACK
LETTUCE
DOMBRESKY
BAS
PROTOJE
OF THE TREES
SIERRA FERRELL
RAVENSCOON
WILD RIVERS
FLIPTURN
A HUNDRED DRUMS

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Former SLAYER Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO Mourns Death Of His Mother

Former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo is mourning the death of his mother.

Nicelia Irene Lombardo died on December 26, 2021 at the age of 89.

Dave announced his mother’s passing in a social media post on Monday (January 10). He wrote: “On Dec. 26th 2021, my amazing mom, Nicelia Irene Lombardo passed away. She was 89 years old. Her last days were met with much pain and exhaustion. She was a strong and brave woman, not just in the end, but throughout her journey. She was my first fan. Supportive from the very first note. From spoons, pots and pans, to arenas. My favorite producer. Always encouraging my musical endeavors. We will all miss her positive spirit, jokes and daily phone calls.

“We love you dearly, Mima. Rest Peacefully.”

Dave, who was born in Havana, Cuba but emigrated to Southern California with his parents when he was a toddler, finally got a chance to perform in his former homeland in 2018 when SUICIDAL TENDENCIES played two shows in Cuba. The May 7, 2018 concert at Centro Cultural Club Bariay in Holguin and the May 11, 2018 gig at Salon Rosado De La Tropical in Havana marked the first time Dave had ever performed in the Caribbean nation.

Asked by Graspop Metal Meeting what it was like for him to return to Cuba for the first time in more than five decades, Dave said: “Magical. I went [there first] in January [2018], and I took my mom. She was all stiff when we first got there, but after a week in Cuba and walking, she was, like, ‘Oh, okay. Let’s go. I can walk myself. Let’s go here, let’s go there.'”

He added: “I left when I was 15 or 16 months old — that’s when I left Cuba. And we went to California. So I haven’t been there since. And I returned, and I was able to see the house that I was born in and meet the people that live there now, that have been living there for 50 years. And I saw my dad’s butcher shops and an apartment that my mom and dad were thinking about buying right on the water. It was beautiful — just two blocks from the Malecón, which is a famous walk that you can take in Havana.”

In a 2012 interview with Noisecreep, Lombardo spoke about how his Cuban roots affected his musical upbringing. “Living in a Cuban household, my parents would go to these Latino social clubs when I was a kid,” he said. “I remember being there and seeing the men playing dominoes, drinking coffee and talking about the old country. It was a really family-oriented kind of thing. But what I remember the most were these dances they would have at the clubs.”

He continued: “My mom would try and get me to go out and dance to the big live bands that would perform these parties at the social club. But I would be backstage, sitting on a piano stool and staring at the musicians in the band. That’s where my fascination with being a musician started. My mom would get so mad and say, ‘Come on, Dave! There are some pretty girls out there that want to dance.’ But I was more interested in watching the band performing.”

Lombardo, who splits most of his time between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS, hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS and MR. BUNGLE, was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group’s Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER’s drummer from 1992 until 2001.

Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER’s tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained.

On Dec. 26th 2021, my amazing mom, Nicelia Irene Lombardo passed away. She was 89 years old. Her last days were met with much pain and exhaustion. She was a strong and brave woman, not just in the end, but throughout her journey. (1) pic.twitter.com/XWQGFnMJa0
— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) January 11, 2022

She was my first fan. Supportive from the very first note. From spoons, pots and pans, to arenas. My favorite producer. Always encouraging my musical endeavors. We will all miss her positive spirit, jokes and daily phone calls. We love you dearly, Mima. Rest Peacefully. (2)
— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) January 11, 2022

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NASHVILLE PUSSY Classic Featured In 'Peacemaker' Premiere Episode On HBO MAX

When director James Gunn was looking for a truly rocking and raunchy song to include as part of the upcoming “Peacemaker” show on HBO MAX (starring WWE wrestler John Cena in the role of Christopher Smith/Peacemaker), he couldn’t have made a better selection than the NASHVILLE PUSSY classic “Come On Come On”.

It appears that Gunn is a fan of the PUSSY. In a Twitter exchange between mutual friend actor Earl W. Brown (“Deadwood”, “Something About Mary”), Gunn admitted to personally choosing the Grammy-nominated NASHVILLE PUSSY and song “Come On Come On” for the “Peacemaker” series, and texted: “It has great placement in the first episode.”

The first episode, titled “A Whole New Whirled”, premieres on Thursday, January 13, 2022, and the song (which was originally included on the band’s 2005 album “Get Some!”), will also be included as part of the show’s official Spotify playlist this week.

The release of the official for “Peacemaker” perfectly coincides with the arrival of NASHVILLE PUSSY’s latest album “Eaten Alive” (of which the CD was issued on December 24, and the double gatefold vinyl on January 14). Recorded in the U.K., this is NASHVILLE PUSSY’s “Live At Leeds” and one of most unrelenting concert albums since MOTÖRHEAD’s “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”.

NASHVILLE PUSSY states about being included in “Peacemaker”: “It’s great seeing someone who shares our sense of humor, and it is especially an honor to have our lyrics used as actual dialogue by John Cena.”

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PARKWAY DRIVE Announces 2022 North American Tour With HATEBREED And THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER

PARKWAY DRIVE will set stages afire with their full pyro production show on their largest headlining tour to date in North America beginning May 8 in Baltimore, Maryland. HATEBREED and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will support the tour with STICK TO YOUR GUNS on select dates. The tour will also include appearances at Welcome To Rockville and So What festivals.

A special BLABBERMOUTH.NET presale will begin on Wednesday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET and end on Thursday, January 13 at 10:00 p.m. local time. When prompted, type in the presale code “BBMPWD2022” to access tickets before the general public. General on-sale will be this Friday, January 14 at 10 a.m. local time.

Tour dates:

May 08 – Baltimore, MD – UMBC Event Center
May 09 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
May 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
May 11 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
May 13 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
May 14 – Worcester, MA – Palladium Outdoors
May 15 – Montreal, QC – [to be announced]
May 17 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach
May 19 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
May 20 – Daytona, FL – Welcome To Rockville
May 22 – Charlotte, NC – Metro Credit Union
May 23 – Cincinnati, OH – Ovation
May 24 – Ft Wayne, IN – Piere’s Outdoors
May 25 – Chicago, IL – Wintrust Arena
May 26 – St Louis, MO – The Factory
May 28 – Dallas, TX – So What Festival
May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Outside
May 31 – Wichita, KS – Wave
Jun. 01 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
Jun. 03 – Las Vegas, NV – Theater at Virgin Hotels*
Jun. 04 – So-Cal, CA – [to be announced]*
Jun. 05 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield*

* No STICK TO YOUR GUNS

Formed in Byron Bay in 2002, PARKWAY DRIVE has released six studio albums, all on Epitaph: “Killing With A Smile” (2005), “Horizons” (2007), “Deep Blue” (2010), “Atlas” (2012), “IRE” (2015) and “Reverence” (2018). The band features vocalist Winston McCall, guitarists Luke Kilpatrick and Jeff Ling, bassist Jia O’Connor and drummer Ben Gordon.

In 2020 band released the documentary “Viva The Underdogs”, which features over a decade of behind the scenes personal footage, coupled with unprecedented access to the band’s most explosive live tours and world’s biggest music festivals. The soundtrack for the documentary was released in the same year. Featuring 11 live tracks from the band’s 2019 headlining set at German heavy metal festival Wacken Open Air, the soundtrack also includes three studio tracks recorded in German: “Würgegriff (Vice Grip)” , “Die Leere (The Void)” and “Schattenboxen (Shadow Boxing)” which features German rapper Casper.

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THE ROLLING STONES Commemorated On New U.K. Stamps To Mark Band's 60th Anniversary

THE ROLLING STONES will be honored with a set of 12 stamps to mark the band’s 60th anniversary.

Later this month, Royal Mail will issue the stamps, eight of which will feature images of THE ROLLING STONES’ most famous performances, including 1969 in London’s Hyde Park, a 1995 concert in Rotterdam, and a gig at the 1976 Knebworth Festival. Four more stamps will be available in miniature sheet format, featuring two photos of the band together and two of their worldwide tour posters.

David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of public affairs and policy, said: “Few bands in the history of rock have managed to carve out a career as rich and expansive as that of THE ROLLING STONES. They have created some of modern music’s most iconic and inspirational albums, with groundbreaking live performances to match.”

“In 2005, THE ROLLING STONES were awarded the accolade of greatest touring band of all time at the World Music Awards,” the press release announcing the stamps added. “They have sold an estimated 250 million records and in the U.K. have eight no.1 singles and 13 No. 1 albums. Their countless awards include four Grammys, three MTV Music Awards and nine NME Awards. They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989.

“Since they began as a group,” the announcement continued, “their singles and albums have produced a string of evergreen rock classics, powered by some of the greatest guitar riffs ever written.”

Last year, THE STONES resumed their “No Filter” tour in the U.S., marking the first time they have performed without founding drummer Charlie Watts, who died in August at the age of 80.

THE ROLLING STONES are the fourth band to be honored in a dedicated stamp issue, following THE BEATLES in 2007, PINK FLOYD in 2016, and QUEEN in 2020.

The stamps, which were created in close collaboration with THE ROLLING STONES members Sir Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, will go on sale from January 20.

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SUFFOCATION Announces 'Forces Of Hostility' 2022 North American Tour With ATHEIST

New York death metal pioneers SUFFOCATION have announced the “Forces Of Hostility – North American Tour 2022”. The 30-date trek kicks off at The Monarch in Brooklyn on May 26, making stops in Chicago, Albuquerque, and Toronto before concluding in Clifton, New Jersey on June 25. Joining the band as direct support is ATHEIST, with openers SOREPTION and CONTRARIAN on select dates.

Terrance Hobbs comments: “We are beyond stoked to return to the road with the ‘Forces Of Hostility North American Tour 2022’! We’ll be joined by our good friends and brothers in metal ATHEIST as well as the technical metal powerhouse SOREPTION and death metallers CONTRARIAN. This will be our first tour back in almost three years due to COVID so we are eagerly awaiting the stage and all our fans to blow off some well-awaited steam.”

General admission tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday, January 14 at 9 a.m. PST/12 p.m. EST.

Confirmed dates for SUFFOCATION’s “Forces Of Hostility – North American Tour 2022” are:

May 26 – Brooklyn, NY – The Monarch
May 27 – Baltimore, MD – Maryland Deathfest *
May 28 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
May 29 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
May 30 – Madison, WI – The Crucible
May 31 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Jun. 01 – Denver, CO – Roxy Theater
Jun. 03 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
Jun. 04 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720
Jun. 05 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
Jun. 06 – Pomona, CA – Glasshouse
Jun. 07 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
Jun. 08 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Jun. 09 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill
Jun. 10 – Austin, TX – Come and Take it Live
Jun. 11 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Jun. 12 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
Jun. 13 – New Orleans, LA – Southport Hall
Jun. 14 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug
Jun. 15 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904 Music Hall
Jun. 17 – Jonesboro, GA – Furnace 41
Jun. 18 – Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero
Jun. 18 – Louisville, KY – Diamond Concert Hall
Jun. 19 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary
Jun. 20 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Lounge
Jun. 21 – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks ^
Jun. 22 – Montreal, QC – L’Astral ^
Jun. 23 – Quebec, City QC – Imperial Bell ^
Jun. 24 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs ^
Jun. 25 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz ^

* SUFFOCATION and ATHEIST only
^ No CONTRARIAN

SUFFOCATION created the template for the brutal death metal genre in the early 1990s. Landmark albums such as “Effigy Of The Forgotten” and “Pierced From Within” also went on to inspire the birth of the tech-death and slam death metal genres. With the departure of original vocalist Frank Mullen, the band marks an end of an era with a live album recorded during his last North American tour. Mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (BEYOND CREATION, CRYPTOPSY), “Live In North America” plays like a “best of”, and is the perfect farewell to one of the most influential singers in extreme music. The artwork for the album was created by Jon Zig.

SUFFOCATION 2022 is:

Ricky Myers – Vocals
Terrance Hobbs – Guitar
Charlie Errigo – Guitar
Derek Boyer – Bass
Eric Morotti – Drums

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RUN-DMC's DARRYL MCDANIELS Discusses His Love Of AC/DC In New Episode Of 'Beyond The Thunder' Podcast

“AC/DC Beyond The Thunder” podcast kicks off its Season 3 podcast with Darryl McDaniels emceeing, the DMC portion of the greatest hip-hop group of all time RUN-DMC.

“I’m honored that I get to talk about AC/DC right now, because… it’s my thing,” he said.

Sporting his ever-present AC/DC T-shirt while being interviewed from his home in Wayne, New Jersey, the rap pioneer discusses everything from producer Rick Rubin sampling “Back In Black” for the BEASTIE BOYS, overcoming drugs and depression through the power of music, and even a proposal to reunite RUN-DMC to play the Super Bowl halftime show… with AC/DC.

This exciting season opener begins with Darryl’s introduction to AC/DC growing up as a catholic kid in Hollis, Queens. “I think I heard ‘Highway To Hell’ first,” listening to KROCK while cruising around town in the late 1970s. “It was an experience,” he said. “AC/DC takes you on a ride.”

Friends would often refer to DMC as “white boy” due to his affinity for classic rock, a style he would later infuse into the hip hop genre — a first. From “Highway To Hell” to “Raising Hell”, McDaniels would catapult his “King Of Rock” aspirations into RUN-DMC, one of the most significant acts in the history of hip-hop.

For McDaniels, AC/DC would always be his rock/rap muse. “When I discovered ‘Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’, that flow is way better than fucking GZA from the WU-TANG CLAN,” he said. “Nobody beats that. AC/DC was definitive of what rock ‘n’ roll really, truly is. Everybody else does rock ‘n’ roll. This band is rock ‘n’ roll.”

Relating AC/DC to rock heroes, the topic turns to discussing how AC/DC and “Iron Man” were the perfect marriage of brands. “For me, rock was like superheroes,” pointing to the AC/DC logo on his chest. Heroes being the theme McDaniels has carried throughout his life, whose love for comic books and superheroes saw him launch a line of comics called DMC (Darryl Does Comics).

And although they have not performed together since the murder of founder Jam Master Jay, when asked towards the end of the episode whether RUN-DMC would ever consider reuniting, Darryl serves up a one time offer – involving AC/DC: “Everybody’s asked me, ‘Why don’t me and Run do the Super Bowl… put this out viral… I’ll do the Super Bowl — if AC/DC does it,” he said.

Darryl McDaniels is a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and fellow Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, who has sold over 30 millions albums, and listed as one of Top 100 greatest bands of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. McDaniels received the Congressional Angels in Adoption award for his work with children in foster care and promotion of adoption. He continues to make new music.

“AC/DC Beyond The Thunder” podcast features professional actors, authors, athletes, chefs, CEOs, comedians, musicians, media hosts, wrestlers, even war heroes, all paying homage to one of the greatest bands of all time, AC/DC. Guests have included Slash, Hall Of Fame MLB pitcher Trevor Hoffman, “SNL” comedian Jim Breuer, U.S. military war hero Mike Durant from the film “Black Hawk Down”, pro wrestler Chris Jericho, classically trained Croatian duo 2CELLOS, as well as Eddie Trunk, Dee Snider, Dweezil Zappa, Scott Ian, Lemmy, Chris Slade, Mike Fraser, HELL’S BELLES, and many more.

“AC/DC Beyond The Thunder” was created by duo Gregg Ferguson and Kurt Squiers, who both quit their jobs and set out to capture a feature-length documentary as the ultimate homage, but failed to secure the band’s approval. Ferguson and Squiers then decided to unearth these stories of well-known fans discussing their affinity for AC/DC and harness that energy into a podcast with the help of sound engineer Eric Kielb. From archival interviews to all new guest episodes, “AC/DC Beyond The Thunder” is now in its third season with over 150,000 streams.

“AC/DC Beyond The Thunder” can be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any of your favorite podcast apps.

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GHOST And VOLBEAT Commemorate Co-Headlining Tour With Single Featuring METALLICA Covers

GHOST and VOLBEAT will be co-headlining across the U.S. beginning January 25, and to commemorate the monumental tour, the bands have teamed up with Blackened Recordings to release a limited-edition double-A-side seven-inch single featuring each band’s contributions to “The Metallica Blacklist” charity album: GHOST’s cover of “Enter Sandman” on “Side G” and VOLBEAT’s “Don’t Tread On Me” on “Side V”. The seven-inch will be pressed on crystal clear vinyl and limited to only 3,000 units with 115 copies available at each tour stop on a first-come, first-served basis (limit one per customer).

All proceeds from the split seven-inch will be split evenly between the All Within My Hands Foundation and the charities of the artists’ choice: Camp Aranu’tiq (GHOST) and Børne Cancer Fonden (VOLBEAT).

The two bands’ 26-date U.S. arena tour will feature support from Los Angeles’s TWIN TEMPLE. Tickets for all dates on the Live Nation-produced tour are on sale now, with tickets and band-specific VIP packages available at ghost-official.com and volbeat.dk.

GHOST’s fourth consecutive #1 at Active Rock radio “Hunter’s Moon” recently moved Guitar World to note that “juxtaposition between subject matter and composition is something that the Swedish rock outfit have always nailed, and they do it to superior effect on this new single.” The track’s origins and its appearance in the box office phenomenon “Halloween Kills” can be traced back to the band’s 2018 headlining show at the Forum in Los Angeles. Ryan Turek, vice president of feature film development at Blumhouse Productions (“Get Out”, “Insidious”, “The Purge”, “Us”, “Whiplash”) attended the sold-out show, striking up an instant rapport with GHOST’s Tobias Forge — one that ultimately led to a visit with co-writer/director David Gordon Green on the North Carolina set of “Halloween Kills”. Three years nearly to the day after that first fateful exchange, “Hunter’s Moon” would be released on DSPs, would play as the “Halloween Kills” end credits rolled, and will be released January 21, 2022 as a collectible seven-inch single by Loma Vista Recordings (featuring the exclusive B-side “Halloween Kills (Main Title)”, performed, produced and engineered by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies).

VOLBEAT’s newest album, “Servant Of The Mind”, which Revolver calls “excellent… the darkest and heaviest VOLBEAT offering yet,” was released on December 3 via Republic Records. For “Servant Of The Mind”, the band, which consists of Michael Poulsen (guitars/vocals), Jon Larsen (drums), Rob Caggiano (guitars) and Kaspar Boye Larsen (bass), took their signature heavy metal, psychobilly and punk ‘n’ roll sound up a notch while showcasing Poulsen’s keen ability for songwriting and storytelling. “Rarely has such a successful band sounded so ravenous,” says Kerrang! magazine of the album. Upon release the album hit the top of many international sales charts, reaching No. 1 in Germany, Denmark, and Austria, No. 2 in Switzerland, No. 4 in Finland, No. 5 in the Netherlands, No. 6 in Sweden and was No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on the Billboard Current Hard Rock Music Albums chart and Current Rock Albums chart. The new album, which features the number one Billboard Modern Rock singles “Shotgun Blues” and “Wait A Minute My Girl”, is now available in standard CD, deluxe 2LP vinyl (in various limited-edition variants, full info below) and a deluxe digital edition.

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SAXON Pays Tribute To People Who Have Died Of COVID-19 In New Song 'Remember The Fallen'

British heavy metal legends SAXON have released the second single, “Remember The Fallen”, from their upcoming album, “Carpe Diem”, due on February 4 via Silver Lining Music.

SAXON singer Biff Byford states: “I wanted to write a song about COVID, about the people that have died, and give my perception of how it seemed to happen. Certain aspects of it all are quite mysterious, and of course, it hasn’t finished yet, has it?

“We should all remember those who have died as a group of people not really knowing why they died, because the information wasn’t there.”

The release of “Remember The Fallen” is accompanied by a reportage-style video montaged with footage of the band’s individual recording sessions.

Produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) at Backstage Recording Studios in Derbyshire with Byford and Sneap mixing and mastering, “Carpe Diem” strikes the ear as one of the most essential British metal statements of the last few years and not lacking in pace or bite, an album which will ignite the joy in stalwart supporters and attract a whole new legion to the SAXON fold.

Sneap, himself a guitarist and producer of some metal repute, ensures that “Carpe Diem” does not lack one ounce of grit or sharpness. “Andy’s obviously a very good guitarist,” says Biff, “but he’s not a blues-based guitarist like our guys are; he’s more of a modern-style player. And that means the boys (Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt) love working with him because, again, it’s all about the intensity. Andy’s always pushing the envelope; he doesn’t let them get away with anything. They have to play it for real, full speed. He gets great sound, and we want that Gibson/Marshall ’80s sound even if they’re not Gibsons and Marshalls. We try and retain that British metal guitar sound that we created for SAXON, and he’s definitely an ’80s child.”

Despite a career which has spanned 44 years with over 15 million albums sold, including four top 10 U.K. albums, and having played to hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide, SAXON are revving up for one of their busiest eras yet.

“We’re gonna be quite busy this year,” says Biff. “There are festivals which have been rescheduled from two years ago, we’re looking to go to America, we’re also going to tour U.K. and Europe later in the year and like everyone really, we’re just keeping our fingers crossed that everything works out and we can do it all. We’re also recording the second ‘Inspirations’ album, and as we do that, you never know, we might write a few songs for the next SAXON album…”

The genesis of “Carpe Diem”‘s fierce intensity lies in two extremely significant life events.

“It’s been a difficult two years,” offers Biff with considerable understatement, “because I had the heart attack back in September 2019, so things went a bit pear-shaped for the band. And then COVID hit two or three months later, but luckily, we started writing and recording this album before COVID. We did the drums in Germany and we did the guitars in various places. I was doing a lot of writing while I was in the hospital bed, and we spent quite a long time writing and arranging the ideas that we all had. I do think it’s a very intense album, and maybe some of that intensity comes from the frustration of not being able to do anything in the COVID period.”

“Carpe Diem” track listing:

01. Carpe Diem (Seize The Day)
02. Age Of Steam
03. The Pilgrimage
04. Dambusters
05. Remember The Fallen
06. Super Nova
07. Lady In Gray
08. All For One
09. Black Is The Night
10. Living On The Limit

“We want every album we make to go platinum,” says Biff defiantly. “We never make an album that we don’t expect to be fantastic because there are no laurels around here, and as a band, we’re always trying to do something a little bit new, a little bit daring. I love fast metal like ‘Princess Of The Night’ and ‘20,000 Feet’, and I try and bring that style of SAXON into the music now, but in a more modern style. We don’t sound like an old band on records because we’re not sitting back on our past success, we’re always trying to make a great album.”

Produced by Andy Sneap and Biff Byford
Album mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap

Guitars recorded by Andy Sneap at Backstage Recording Studios, Derbyshire (U.K.); vocals recorded by Seb Byford at Big Silver Barn, York (U.K.); drums recorded by Jacky Lehmann (Audiosound) at Velbyproductions, Grünenplan (Germany).

All lyrics by Biff Byford. Backing vocals by Seb Byford

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