Mexico’s Hell And Heaven Metal Fest 2013 is being held in Guadalajara, Mexico May 18th and 19th at the Esplanade adjacent to the Arena VFG. The premise of this festival, apart from presenting the most important groups of the genre in the world, was to promote national talent, and becoming a benchmark for heavy rock lovers in Latin America. Therefore, the scenarios presented, in addition to 16 international groups, 45 national bands championed various styles within the heavy rock, from various regions of Mexico.
The 2013 edition will present the following confirmed bands: MOTÖRHEAD, ANTHRAX , TESTAMENT, IN FLAMES, EPICA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, SODOM, EXODUS, SIX FEET UNDER, MOONSPELL, SUFFOCATION, HAGGARD, ILL NINO, DOKKEN, HEATHEN, MUNICIPAL WASTE, WARBRINGER, AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, GILBY CLARKE, RESORTE, VITAL REMAINS, DDLM, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ORIGIN, TRANSMETAL, HERE COMES THE KRAKEN, BLACK OIL, BUTCHER BABIES, PINHEAD, MORPHIUM, PRO-FE-CIA, AGONY LORDS, DRAKSEN, ATTACKHEAD, NIGHTBREED, WRECKER, THELL BARRIO, INTOXXXICATED, SABACTHANI, CTHULHU, CEMICAN, PSICOVOMITOSIS, THANTRA, IRA, ARCHETYPE, GODLESS PROCESSION, SACHIEL, MULUC PAX, BUFFALO GRILLZ, HACAVITZ, PROFANATOR, SUBHUMAN, LECUMBERRI, SPERPENTUM, ARCADIA LIBRE, THE BILLY’S, RINDERPEST, MORTOSS, INES CHAVEZ and TDH.
DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin will be unable to perform with the band for the next several months while he recovers from surgery on his neck and shoulder for thoracic outlet syndrome (a condition when the nerves or blood vessels just below the neck are compressed, or squeezed). “My hand feels great, but I do need some time before I will be able to swing a strap on my shoulder and tour,” he says. “We are going to wait until May before we start playing again.”
Although DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken said in a recent interview with “Rich Davenport’s Rock Show” that Levin “had to have surgery on his arm,” the guitarist corrected his bandmate, explaining that the surgery, which was performed in October, “was on my neck and shoulder, not my arm or hand.”
According to Don Dokken, both he and Jon Levin will “probably” play guitar on DOKKEN‘s next tour. He explained: “I think it will sound bigger and fuller with two guitars. Plus when it comes to solos, have a rhythm just keep going in the background. I played in DOKKEN on the first couple of albums and tours, I played guitar, and I’m gonna go back to that style.”
DOKKEN‘s eleventh studio album, “Broken Bones”, sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 173 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on September 25 via Frontiers Records, the effort was made available in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive “Making Of The Album” documentary.
“Broken Bones” was produced by Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band’s signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.
James Wood of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF WE, T&N). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
GuitarWorld.com: What’s the genesis of the T&N project?
George: Initially, Jeff [Pilson] and I were writing for what we thought would be the new LYNCH MOB record, but it turned out not to be a “LYNCH MOB” kind of album. Instead, we decided to turn lemons into lemonade and do our own record. One of things we wanted to do was make a concerted effort to make the connection between our DOKKEN legacy and our newer writing efforts by combining classic DOKKEN songs alongside our newer compositions.
GuitarWorld.com: What was it like revisiting the DOKKEN material again?
George: It was a little surreal recording those songs again with the same guys. It was also a lot of fun. We were so comfortable with the material, having all been playing it on and off for years. We felt that we could liven the music up and bring new life to it. GuitarWorld.com: Are there plans to tour with T&N?
George: We’re not going to tour together as a band most likely until next fall, upon the release of the second record. The next record is about half done. All of the DOKKEN material has been recorded. We just have to finish writing the new original material.
GuitarWorld.com: What DOKKEN songs can fans expect on the next album?
George: Songs like “When Heaven Comes Down”, “Til The Livin’ End” and “Just Got Lucky”. “Just Got Lucky” actually ended up being insane. The latest plan is to have Sass Jordan, a wonderful Canadian female vocalist, singing it. She has a very soulful and gritty voice. It’s just beautiful. A wonderful rendition of the song.
GuitarWorld.com: What other projects are you working on?
George: Right now, I’m working on a record with the drummer from KORN [Ray Luzier] and the singer from KING’S X [Doug Pinnick]. A still-unnamed project, but we’ve started writing and will be working on that through the middle of December. The other thing that consumes most of my time is my movie project (and band) called “Shadow Train”. We’re doing a lot of filming, playing and working on a soundtrack/record. The film deals with a lot of political and human nature issues and history. I’m working with a lot of really great people, including Mark McLaughlin (a producer from PBS and the Documentary channel) and Vincent Nicastro, who made another Native American themed documentary called “The Blue-Eyed Indian”. There are a lot of guests on it: street poets, political thinkers and speakers. People from the native community including medicine men and shamans. It’s a powerful, nerve-hitting film. We’re all driven by passion.
Rat Pak Records has set an October 31 release date for “Slave To The Empire”, the debut album from T&N (formerly TOOTH AND NAIL), the new project featuring current and former members of DOKKEN: George Lynch, Jeff Pilson (bass) and Mick Brown (drums).
“Slave To The Empire” contains eight new original songs and four re-recorded classic DOKKEN songs that feature sensational vocal performances by Tim “Ripper” Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, DIO DISCIPLES), Doug Pinnick (KING’S X), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW) and Robert Mason (WARRANT, LYNCH MOB). The drum tracks on the new, original compositions were laid down by Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER).
“Slave To The Empire” track listing:
01. Slave To The Empire
02. Sweet Unknown
03. Tooth And Nail (feat. Doug Pinnick)
04. It’s Not Love (feat. Robert Mason)
05. Rhythm Of The Soul
06. When Eagles Die
07. Into The Fire (Jeff Pilson)
08. Alone Again (feat. Sebastian Bach)
09. Mind Control
10. Kiss Of Death (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
11. Jesus Train
12. Access Denied
Audio samples of all the songs are available in the youTube clip below.
In a recent interview with Guitar International, Lynch stated about T&N, “We actually did two records. The first one, which will be released in September, and then the band will go out on the road at the beginning of October. We’ll do a short West Coast tour, then play Loud Park festival in Japan as well as visit a few other Asian cities before heading to Europe for a couple weeks. Then it’s back to the States and we will finish up before Christmas.”
Earlier in the year, T&N was forced to shorten its name from TOOTH AND NAIL for legal reasons. The band stated, “We cannot keep [the name] as TOOTH AND NAIL as there is a label that has it trademarked. [Fans] can still call us TO$%H AND NA$L… We can’t.”
Regarding how T&N came together, Pilson said in an August 2011 interview, “The DOKKEN [original lineup] reunion has been scrapped, and I take a lot of the initial responsibility for that because of my schedule and commitment to FOREIGNER. . . Then George asked me about working with him on the next LYNCH MOB record — and I jumped at the chance. He and I started writing, got into a groove and wrote an album’s worth of stuff, all with the intention of Oni [Logan, LYNCH MOB singer] writing lyrics and it being their next record. Brian Tichy laid down some incredible drums at his studio (and co-wrote some music on one track) and we had an incredibly strong start. Then Oni just wasn’t feeling the music as being LYNCH MOB, so it was shelved. We figured it’d be the start of another LYNCH/PILSON record some day. Then, actually, it was Brian who had the idea that Mick, George and I should do a band, similar to what HEAVEN & HELL was to BLACK SABBATH, and call it TOOTH AND NAIL. Because of everything else we have going, it’ll be just a recording project at first, but sure sounds fun. We’d record the classics keeping true to the originals but make them fresh and organic. Then the idea of doing new songs came up, and it grew from there.”
He added, “I have absolute belief that the music George and I make together (along with Brian Tichy in this case) is real and inspired, and that’s what it’s really all about. So out of a mess of a reunion attempt, I think we’ll end up with a really fabulous record, and what could be better than that?”
When asked if T&N is basically DOKKEN without Don, Pilson said, “Don is, and will always be, the singer of DOKKEN and an invaluable part of the DOKKEN chemistry. No one ever wants to take that away or dispute it one iota. But the three of us do have time tested amazing chemistry, and because we were writers on these songs, I feel we have a lot to express. If anything I think this will be a show of respect for Don, not some kind of competition. I only hope people enjoy it in the spirit for which it’s intended . . . Don’t think of this as DOKKEN without Don… that’s misleading. Think of it as a band with great chemistry coming up with new music that excites them, and also paying tribute to DOKKEN — music which the members all are heavily invested in emotionally.”
Frontiers Records has set a September 25 North American release date for “Broken Bones”, the 11th studio album from melodic hard rockers DOKKEN. The effort will be released in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive “Making Of The Album” documentary.
“Broken Bones” was produced by DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band’s signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.
“Broken Bones” track listing:
01. Empire
02. Broken Bones
03. Best Of Me
04. Blind
05. Waterfall
06. Victim Of The Crime
07. Burning Tears
08. Today
09. For The Last Time
10. Fade Away
11. Tonight
Audio samples of all 11 tracks are now available for streaming at MelodicRock.com.
The drums for the CD were laid down at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee‘s The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California.
Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the “Broken Bones” album title, “[It] is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Dokken previously described the band’s new material as “very uptempo and heavy.” He added, “We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It’s been a band of brothers doing what we love: ‘music.’”
Regarding the new songs’ lyrical approach, Dokken said, “I write what comes from the heart, I don’t believe in writing music trying to repeat what you’ve already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over.”
The first single from “Broken Bones” will be “Empire”.
The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group’s “Lightning Strikes Again” CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN‘s signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band’s sound on such records as “Tooth And Nail”, “Under Lock And Key”, “Back For The Attack” and “Dysfunctional”.
DOKKEN‘s current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.
LORDZ OF ROCK — the project featuring several members of your favorite ’80s and ’90s hard rock bands — will make its live debut on October 18 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California as part of the Rock’N For A Cure concert. They will perform several of the hits from each of the musician’s world-renowned catalogs. Also on the bill are L.A. GUNS, WARRANT, DOKKEN, SKID ROW and KIX.
LORDZ OF ROCK is:
Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE) – vocals Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO) – bass Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis (GUNS N’ ROSES) – keyboards Myron Grombacher (PAT BENATAR) – drums Robert Sarzo (HURRICANE) – guitar
Rock’N For A Cure Annihilation Tour is organized and hosted by We Are Communities Foundation, a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. We Are Communities Foundation was founded to raise funds and awareness for causes that impact all of our lives. This benefit concert is specifically designed to raise funds for breast cancer research. While breast cancer is an extremely serious, life-threatening disease, the organizers’ goal is to take one night to come together and have some fun while raising money for a great cause.
QUEENSRŸCHE, ACCEPT, DOKKEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER and RATT have been confirmed for this year’s edition of the South Texas Rock Fest, set to take place Saturday, October 13 at Sunken Gardens in San Antonio, Texas.
Current DOKKEN and former DORO guitaristJon Levin is now offering both online and in-person guitar lessons to guitar players who want to take their playing to the next level!
For a limited time, Jon Levin will offer the following:
Online: Jon Levin is currently scheduling live, one-on-one sessions via Skype to interested guitarists. Guitarists will schedule a time with Jon Levin, and he will work online in real time with each guitarist to develop their technique and playing ability.
In person: Jon Levin is offering limited live, in-person guitar lessons at his hotel prior to each DOKKEN gig on the current “Broken Bones” tour. These engagements are limited to five guitarists in each city. Work in person with Jon Levin, learn his technique, his skill, and incorporate it into your playing style!
For more information or to sign up for online or in-person lessons, go to this location.
A short video message from DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin from the recording sessions for the band’s new album, “Broken Bones”, at “Casa Del Dokken” can be seen below.
“Broken Bones” is scheduled for release in the fall via Frontiers Records. The drums for the CD were laid down at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee‘s The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California.
DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the new album title, “[It] is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Dokken previously described the band’s new material as “very uptempo and heavy.” He added, “We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It’s been a band of brothers doing what we love: ‘music.’”
Regarding the new songs’ lyrical approach, Dokken said, “I write what comes from the heart, I don’t believe in writing music trying to repeat what you’ve already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over.”
A 30-second audio snippet of a rough-mix version of the new DOKKEN song “Burning Empire” can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group’s “Lightning Strikes Again” CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN‘s signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band’s sound on such records as “Tooth And Nail”, “Under Lock And Key”, “Back For The Attack” and “Dysfunctional”.
DOKKEN‘s current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.
According to an online posting by the moderator of the official DOKKEN forum, the band has set “Broken Bones” as the title of its new album. DOKKEN began tracking the effort this past Monday for a late spring/early summer release via Frontiers Records.
The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group’s “Lightning Strikes Again” CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN‘s signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band’s sound on such records as “Tooth And Nail”, “Under Lock And Key”, “Back For The Attack” and “Dysfunctional”.
In a November 2011 press release, DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken described the band’s new material as “very uptempo and heavy.” He added, “We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It’s been a band of brothers doing what we love: ‘music.’”
DOKKEN plans to finish the new album recordings by the end of February and go out on the road in June.
“In a perfect world, we would like to release the new album before the summer and then play the festivals in Europe. Then hopefully we can jump on a package tour in the U.S.,” said Don Dokken. “We want to give everyone a great CD that will keep all music fans ‘rokkin” during these troubled times!”
DOKKEN‘s current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.
DOKKEN‘s greatest-hits package, “Greatest Hits 2″ — a collection of all-new versions of tracks such as “Dream Warriors”, “Breaking the Chains” and “Just Got Lucky”, paired two new songs and two covers (including a version of “Lies”, originally recorded by THE KNICKERBOCKERS, available on the Japanese version of the CD only) — was released in Japan on April 21, 2010 via King Records and in the U.S. on Cleopatra‘s Deadline Records imprint. DOKKEN‘s latest album “Lightning Strikes Again”, was released in the U.S. on May 13, 2008 via Rhino Records. and definite return” to the band’s classic sound, according to a press release.
In addition to the regular European version of “Lightning Strikes Again”, Frontiers released a special limited edition of the CD on April 11, 2008 in a glossy slipcase. The limited-edition version included an exclusive bonus track for Europe, entitled “Sunset Superstar”.
