BLACK SABBATH‘s new album, “13” — the first in 35 years to feature bassist Geeezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi and singer Ozzy Osbourne — will be released on June 11 via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. The drum tracks on the group’s first LP with Osbourne since 1978 were laid down by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE sticksman Brad Wilk following original drummer Bill Ward‘s decision to bow out of the reunion.
Osbourne, Iommi and Butler recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include three seven-plus-minute behemoths “End Of The Beginning”, “God Is Dead” and “Epic”, as well as a track about killing pedophile priests (“Dear Father”) and another about the scourge of methamphetamine addiction (“Methademic”).
Beginning today, “13” will be available for pre-order on a variety of formats via BlackSabbath.com.
Options include:
* Standard CD album
* Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)
* Vinyl: a 12-inch heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
* Super Deluxe Box Set: a limited-edition 12-inch clamshell box set which contains: deluxe double CD album, 12-inch heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve, exclusive DVD containing “Black Sabbath – The Reunion” documentary, plus five behind-the-scenes videos, download card containing exclusive track by track interview with BLACK SABBATH, “13” exclusive photographic prints and handwritten album lyrics.
In addition, anyone who pre-orders any of these formats via BlackSabbath.com will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of VIP tickets to an official “13” album launch event in London, including a meet-and-greet with the band, flights and accommodation Additional details and full terms and conditions on the contest can be found at BlackSabbath.com.
IRON MAIDEN have announced via their facebook page that their former drummer Clive Burr has passed away:
We are deeply saddened to report that Clive Burr passed away last night. He had suffered poor health for many years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and died peacefully in his sleep at home.
Steve Harris said “This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time.”
Bruce Dickinson adds “I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden. He was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full. Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family”
As MAIDEN fans all know, Clive joined MAIDEN in 1979 and performed on the first three albums Iron Maiden (1980), Killers (1981) and The Number Of The Beast (1982).
Prior to that he was a member of Samson, the band Bruce fronted before he too joined MAIDEN.
U.D.O. — the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider — will release its new album, “Steelhammer”, on May 24 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold.
A 30-second audio preview of “Steelhammer” is available in the YouTube clip below.
“Steelhammer” track listings:
Standard CD
01. Steelhammer
02. A Cry Of A Nation
03. Metal Machine
04. Basta Ya
05. Heavy Rain
06. Devil’s Bite
07. Death Ride
08. King Of Mean
09. Time Keeper
10. Never Cross My Way
11. Take My Medicine
12. Stay True
13. When Love Becomes A Lie
14. Book Of Faith
Digipack
01. Steelhammer
02. A Cry Of A Nation
03. Metal Machine
04. Basta Ya
05. Heavy Rain
06. Devil’s Bite
07. Death Ride
08. King Of Mean
09. Time Keeper
10. Never Cross My Way
11. Take My Medicine
12. Shadows Come Alive (bonus track)
13. Stay True Stay You
14. When Love Becomes A Lie
15. Book Of Faith
Japanese version
01. Steelhammer
02. A Cry Of A Nation
03. Metal Machine
04. Basta Ya
05. Heavy Rain
06. Devil’s Bite
07. Death Ride
08. King Of Mean
09. Time Keeper
10. Never Cross My Way
11. Take My Medicine
12. Stay True Stay You
13. When Love Becomes A Lie
14. Book Of Faith
15. Dust And Rust (bonus track)
Guitarist Igor Gianola recently left U.D.O. and was replaced by Finnish axeman Kasperi Heikkinen.
U.D.O. last year announced the addition of guitarist Andrey Smirnov to the group’s ranks. He replaced Stefan Kaufmann, who left the group for health reasons.
Stefan will continue to work with U.D.O. behind the scenes and produce other bands at his Roxx studio.
Kaufmann was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band’s initial run due to health problems.
Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT‘s second breakup, and has recorded nine albums with them.
“Live In Sofia”, the new DVD +CD and Blu-ray+CD from U.D.O., entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1 and in Germany at No. 4.
“Live In Sofia” contains footage of U.D.O.‘s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria.
U.D.O. ‘s latest album, “Rev-Raptor”, was released on May 20, 2011 via AFM Records.
Frontiers Records will release WHITESNAKE‘s live concert, “Made In Japan”, on deluxe 2CD/DVD edition, Blu-ray and DVD in North America on Tuesday, April 23.
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the set is available below.
Multi-platinum rock band WHITESNAKE co-headlined the Loud Park festival on October 15, 2011 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan during their “Forevermore World Tour”. The performance was initially recorded for Japanese TV and future Loud Park promotions, but after three songs were broadcast on a Loud Park highlights program in Japan, WHITESNAKE received unprecedented requests for this performance to be made available for general release.
Having spent most of 2012 editing and mixing the Japanese concert in stunning HD as a multi-format DVD-CD in 5.1 and stereo, just prior to commencing the “Year Of The Snake” 2013 world tour, this exceptional performance is a welcome addition to the history of WHITESNAKE live releases. Now fans can relive the irresistible magic of WHITESNAKE in concert any time their heart and loins may desire!
The “Forevermore” songs alone are worth the price of admission, not forgetting the classic WHITESNAKE songs, “Is This Love”, “Still Of The Night” and “Here I Go Again”, all peformed at the height of their musical powers. It’s all here. This is what WHITESNAKE fans, new and old, have been clamouring for. Highlights include blistering guitar work from the band’s six string guitar slingers, Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, who both celebrate their 10th anniversary with the band this year.
WHITESNAKE also features the earth-shaking rhythm section, The Wrecking Crew featuring Michael Devin (bass) and Brian Tichy (drums), who anchor the deep and dirty foundation of WHITESNAKE. The band is accompanied by the swirling sonic tapestries of special guest keyboardist Brian Ruedy, and of course, the chest beating, seductive vocals of front man and founder, David Coverdale.
After hearing the sound check recordings from the different Japanese venues, the band decided to include them in the package as special bonus content. They agreed that everything would be related to their 2011 Japanese tour. So, when you think about it, it is appropriate they’ve called the project “Made In Japan”.
CD track listing:
CD 1
01. Best Years
02. Give Me All Your Love Tonight
03. Love Ain’t No Stranger
04. Is This Love
05. Steal Your Heart Away
06. Forevermore
07. Six String Showdown
08. Love Will Set You Free
09. Drum Solo
10. Fool For Your Loving
11. Here I Go Again
12. Still Of The Night
Bonus CD 2 – Soundcheck
01. Love Will Set You Free
02. Steal Your Heart Away
03. Fare Thee Well (Acoustic Version)
04. One Of These Days (Acoustic Version)
05. Lay Down Your Love
06. Evil Ways
07. Good To Be Bad (Acoustic Version)
08. Tell Me How (Acoustic Version)
DVD and Blu-ray track listing:
01. Best Years
02. Give Me All Your Love Tonight
03. Love Ain’t No Stranger
04. Is This Love
05. Steal Your Heart Away
06. Forevermore
07. Six String Showdown
08. Love Will Set You Free
09. Drum Solo
10. Fool For Your Loving
11. Here I Go Again
12. Still Of The Night
13. Forevermore (fan video)
14. Steal Your Heart Away (fan video)
The musicians:
David Coverdale (vocals) Doug Aldrich (guitar) Reb Beach (guitar) Michael Devin (bass) Briian Tichy (drums)
“Year Zero”, a brand new song from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST, can be “unlocked” in exchange for a vote to make the group’s frontman, Papa Emeritus II, the new “supreme pontiff.” Check it out at PapaEmeritus.com. The track can also be streamed below.
“Infestissumam”, the sophomore album GHOST, will be released on April 9 via Loma Vista Recordings.
“Infestissumam” track listing:
01. Infestissumam
02. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
03. Secular Haze
04. Jigolo Har Megiddo
05. Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
06. Year Zero
07. Idolatrine
08. Body And Blood
09. Depth Of Satans Eyes
10. Monstrance Clock
The “Secular Haze” video was filmed by Amir Chamdin in the band’s hometown of Linköping.
GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for “legal reasons.”
Papa Emeritus II recently emerged on the 100th issue of Decibel magazine for an extensive feature detailing the making of the forthcoming “Infestissumam” in which a nameless ghoul declared, “Regardless of your religious beliefs, we like to trigger the imagination of the listener so they can become a devout burner in Hell or a keen participant of devil worship for at least an hour or two. That’s the GHOST experience.” Decibel editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian said, “For the cover of our 100th issue, we wanted to spotlight a band that embodies the ideals of the magazine: theatricality, black humor, love for both the past and present of extreme music. GHOST meets and exceeds all of those criteria, and we couldn’t be more excited to reveal the exclusive story of the making of their sophomore album.”
Fan-filmed video footage of VOLBEAT‘s entire March 9 in San Antonio, Texas can be seen at this location. A couple of the clips are available below.
VOLBEAT has released the video for “Cape Of Our Hero”, the first single from the Danish band’s upcoming album, “Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies”. The song has just hit rock radio, while the clip tells the story of a young man who looks back at his youth and remembers his father as the most heroic figure in his life. Frontman Michael Poulsen told The Pulse Of Radio that the song was very personal to him. “I lost my father four, five years ago and I believe that every man in this universe, you know, they have their heroes and most of us are looking at our dad as a big hero,” he said. “And so, of course, I’m singing about a little boy who lost his father, and then at the same time he loses his belief in his superheroes.”
“Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies” will be released on April 9.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 