Former and current members of JUDAS PRIEST, ALICE COOPER, OZZY OSBOURNE and SCORPIONS will play classic songs from their respective bands during a week-long tour of Russia under the banner ROCKSTAR.
May 19 – Krasnodar – Arena Hall
May 21 – Rostov – Tesla Club
May 23 – Voronej – Barac’o’mama Club
May 25 – Penza – Rock Park Open-Air Festival
May 26 – Saratov Tuz Hall
May 28 – Moscow – Rockstar Bar
A video interview with Owens in which he discusses the ROCKSTAR project can be seen below.
TIM “RIPPER” OWENS (ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has announced that he won’t be joining the DIO DISCIPLES on The Monsters Of Rock Cruise, which will embark on its second voyage March 16th and sail till the 20th. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this cruise will visit the private island of CocoCay, plus Nassau, Bahamas with a rockin’ bonus day at sea.
Says Ripper: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be on the Monsters of Rock Cruise with Dio Disciples, I am still in the band and we will be celebrating the great RJD this summer in South America!!!”
Former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT, ULI JON ROTH vocalist Mark Boals will replace Ripper on the trek. Dio Disciples also feature singer Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB), guitarist Craig Goldy (DIO), bassist Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), keyboardist Scott Warren (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and drummer Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC, UFO).
On February 20, acclaimed vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (DIO DISCIPLES, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) played a solo headlining concert at Unplug The Plug 6 at Le Plug Rock Bar in Tunis, Tunisia. Joining Owens on stage were Marcel Coenen (SUNCAGED, STORMRIDER) and Marc “Speedy” Reign (MORGOTH, DESTRUCTION) along with members of the local Tunisian band CARTHAGODS. Fan-filmed video footage of Owens’ performance can be seen below.
Featured songs in the video:
* Scream Machine (BEYOND FEAR)
* Starting Over (TIM “RIPPER” OWENS)
* The Human Race (BEYOND FEAR)
* Hell Bent For Leather (JUDAS PRIEST)
Released in May 2009, Owens‘ first solo album, “Play My Game”, landed at position No. 66 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Owens is without doubt among the most important metal vocalists of the past 15 years. When he succeeded Rob Halford, joining JUDAS PRIEST in May 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed: Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists and only a few new of him from the band WINTERS BANE, but he recorded his first PRIEST album, the Grammy-nominated “Jugulator” (1997) with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British metal legends, the strong studio recording “Demolition” (2001), and the live recordings, “Meltdown – 98 Live” (1998) and “Live In London” (2003), and the movie “Rock Star” that was loosely based on Tim‘s experience with JUDAS PRIEST, Halford‘s return put an end to Owens‘ stint with JUDAS PRIEST. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with ICED EARTH and sang on “The Glorious Burden” in spring 2004. Three years later, Owens followed suit with the ICED EARTH album “Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)”, which succeeded the self-titled highly praised debut by his own band BEYOND FEAR. Spring 2008 saw Owens move on to join one of the world’s best guitar players Yngwie Malmsteen, debuting with a sensational vocal performance on “Perpetual Flame”.
DIO DISCIPLES – featuring the lineup of singer Tim “Ripper” Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ICED EARTH), singer Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB), guitarist Craig Goldy (DIO), bassist Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), keyboardist Scott Warren (DIO,HEAVEN & HELL) and drummer Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC, UFO) have just announced 2013 Dio Disciples South American Tour.
Dates include:
June
8 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – El Teatro Flores
15 – Rio de Janiero, Brazil – Rival Theater
16 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club
On December 14, acclaimed vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (DIO DISCIPLES, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) played a solo headlining concert at Club Rock & Guitarras in Santiago, Chile. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.
The setlist was as follows:
01. And… You Will Die (BEYOND FEAR song)
02. The Ripper (JUDAS PRIEST song)
03. Blood Stained (JUDAS PRIEST song)
04. When The Eagle Cries (ICED EARTH song)
05. Scream Machine (BEYOND FEAR song)
06. Diamonds & Rust (JOAN BAEZ cover)
07. Heart Of A Killer (WINTERS BANE song)
08. Victim Of Changes (JUDAS PRIEST song)
09. Don’t Talk To Strangers (DIO cover)
10. The Mob Rules (BLACK SABBATH cover)
11. Beyond The Realms of Death (JUDAS PRIEST song)
12. The Human Race (BEYOND FEAR song)
13. Hell Is Home (JUDAS PRIEST song)
14. Burn In Hell (JUDAS PRIEST song)
Encore:
15. Starting Over
16. Heaven And Hell (BLACK SABBATH cover)
17. One On One (JUDAS PRIEST song)
Released in May 2009, Owens’ first solo album, “Play My Game”, landed at position No. 66 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Owens is without doubt among the most important metal vocalists of the past 15 years. When he succeeded Rob Halford, joining JUDAS PRIEST in May 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed: Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists and only a few new of him from the band WINTERS BANE, but he recorded his first PRIEST album, the Grammy-nominated “Jugulator” (1997) with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British metal legends, the strong studio recording “Demolition” (2001), and the live recordings, “Meltdown – 98 Live” (1998) and “Live In London” (2003), and the movie “Rock Star” that was loosely based on Tim‘s experience with JUDAS PRIEST, Halford‘s return put an end to Owens‘ stint with JUDAS PRIEST. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with ICED EARTH and sang on “The Glorious Burden” in spring 2004. Three years later, Owens followed suit with the ICED EARTH album “Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)”, which succeeded the self-titled highly praised debut by his own band BEYOND FEAR. Spring 2008 saw Owens move on to join one of the world’s best guitar players Yngwie Malmsteen, debuting with a sensational vocal performance on “Perpetual Flame”.
Yesterday Tales From The Stage author Michael Toney interviewed Tim “Ripper” Owens (DIO DISCIPLES, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) backstage at the Hard Rock Cafe on the strip in Las Vegas, NV.
In the video below, Ripper shares his opinion on the news of Vivian Campbell’s new DIO tribute band. He also confirms his departure from Yngwie Malmsteen’s camp, as well as who he will be voting for next month.
Dutch metal group Lord Volture posted up the fourth edition of the band’s video podcast series. On this video, the band takes you to the “Making of the Minutes to Madness Videoclip” for the sophomore release “Never Cry Wolf” on November 2011. View the video below:
LORD VOLTURE recently kicked-off the Metal Messiah European Tour with TIM RIPPER OWENS and SANDSTONE. LORD VOLTURE continue the tour in October with two shows in Spain, two shows in France and a final show in the town of Wervik inBelgium. This last show is a private party, but LORD VOLTURE can bring a limited number of people. So, if you want to come to Wervik on October 10th to see the final show of TIM RIPPER OWENS, SANDSTONE and LORD VOLTURE, send an email to info@lordvolture.com and we’ll get you in as long as tickets last. Be quick!
Metal Messiah European Tour
05.10.2012 – La Vaca – Ponferrada – ES
06.10.2012 – La Hacienda – O Rosal – ES
08.10.2012 – Le Ferrailleur – Nantes – FR
09.10.2012 – Blue Devils Bar – Arras – FR
10.10.2012 – Onder Den Toren – Wervik – BE
Fan-filmed video footage of Tim “Ripper” Owens‘ (DIO DISCIPLES, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) May 19 performance at The Hi Fi in Melbourne, Australia can be seen below.
Released in May 2009, “Play My Game”, the first solo album from Owens, landed at position No. 66 on the Top New ArtistAlbums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD was released via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).
Owens is without doubt among the most important metal vocalists of the past ten years. When he succeeded Rob Halford, joining JUDAS PRIEST in May 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed: Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists and only a few new of him from the band WINTERS BANE, but he recorded his first PRIEST album, the Grammy-nominated “Jugulator” (1997) with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British metal legends, the strong studio recording “Demolition” (2001), and the live recordings, “Meltdown – 98 Live” (1998) and “Live In London” (2003), and the movie“Rockstar” that was loosely based on Tim‘s experience with JUDAS PRIEST, Halford‘s return put an end to Owens‘ stint with JUDAS PRIEST. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with ICED EARTH and sang on “The Glorious Burden” in spring 2004. Three years later, Owens followed suit with the ICED EARTH album “Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)”, which succeeded the self-titled highly praised debut by his own band BEYOND FEAR. Spring 2008 saw Owens move on to join one of the world’s best guitar players Yngwie Malmsteen, debuting with a sensational vocal performance on “Perpetual Flame”.
Powerhouse American vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) will play a special acoustic show at Ripper Owens Tap House in Akron, Ohio on Friday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Video footage of Owensperforming acoustic versions of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA‘s “Old City Bar“ and JOAN BAEZ‘s “Diamonds & Rust” (also recorded by JUDAS PRIEST) on November 25, 2011 at Ripper Owens Tap House can be viewed below.
Owens joined forces with restaurateur Randy Arehart to re-launch the Tap House on Waterloo Road in Akron, Ohio in October 2010 to become a “rockin’ sports eatery” named Ripper Owens Tap House. Guests such as Wendy Dio, Simon Wright and Don Jamieson from VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show” were in the house that evening and it was a special event for both Owens and Arehart.
According to CantonRep.com, the Tap House “is decorated with artifacts of Owens‘ heavy-metal adventures, including signed guitars from PRIEST axemen K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton, Ripper‘s studded leather PRIESTjacket, autographed photos of ANTHRAX and PANTERA, a large collection of backstage passes and more. There’s even a poster from the 2001 film “Rock Star”, which stars Mark Wahlberg as a fledgling rocker loosely based on Owens.”
“Our motto is that everybody needs to be treated like a rock star,” said Owens.
Perhaps you know that the Origin of Halloween represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”). But of course all of us know what’s happening on Halloween and the meaning of “Trick-or-Treat”. And also Halloween is one of those events that has had much of its imagery and background used through rock and metal history, and Some bands and artists such as King Diamond and Impellitteri have used the title of Halloween for their songs., moreover, we have Helloween, a band whose name and logo represents Halloween.
For many of us Halloween is a reminder of some yummy and funny things such Candies, Chocolates, Pumpkins and some horror symbols like Vampires, Frankenstein and Ghosts. This horror part of Halloween was/is really an interesting issue for RockMetal bands and artists to be creative in writing songs about those topics.
The Metal Shock Finland’s Chief Editor asked me to be the DJ of the MSF Halloween party, and select for you 10 best songs as the Top 10 Halloween songs. She left no choice and it has to be done! But forget about the number “10” because It’s Halloween and I want to give you my lucky number “13” and let’s hope we will not be trapped or hunted by some Halloweenish creatures!
13. Helloween – Dr. Stein
One of the Helloween’s most popular songs from the upbeat “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2” It was wrote by Michael Weikath and The Dr.Stein single was released in July 1988. It also re-recorded for compilation album “Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary“, the new version is in Jazz and Roll though.
I want to put it in the chart and start the party with this song because Helloween and this song are really Halloweenish.
12. Iced Earth – Dracula
From “Horror Show” the sixth studio album of Iced Earth. This time we encounter with horror and a sad story about a halloweenish demon, the lyrics are lifted straight from the Bram Stoker’s Dracula movie that was one of the best movie in this genre .
The songs and lyrics are written by Jon Schaffer and the style of singing from Matt Barlow is extremely AWESOME.
11. Wolf – Voodoo
Nothing is scarier than when the Wolf howling upon the mountain in the dead of the nights, It sends a shiver through the whole of your body so you could even feel the sharpness of wolf teeth in your flesh. Now Wolf is singing about one of mankinds most scary horror stories, Voodoo!
This song is from the treasure of chest, “Ravenous” album, and it ‘s written by Niklas Stalvind. His singing style is really great, reminds me of old school heavy metal. Also Niklas studied psychology and i think that was a good basis to help him write a such a great horror song as Voodoo.
10. Megadeth – She Wolf
It seems tonight we have a great thrash song from a golden album of Megadeth here in our party as well, Both the Music and lyrics to She-Wolf is written by Dave Mustaine and it was released on June 17, 1997 on “Cryptic Writings” Album.
The song starts with a great thrashy riff and it is completed perfectly by a great solo in the end. I believe She-Wolf is the best choice for having some thrash in our Halloween Party.
9. AC/DC – Highway to Hell
“A fucking highway to hell” Angus said when he was asked to describe what life was like being constantly on tour. By all means It’s time to rock with a gem from Rock&Roll world, “Highway to Hell” single by AC/DC spent 45 weeks on the German Singles Chart, even though it peaked at only No. 30, in its 19th week on that chart.
The song was written by Bon Scott, Angus Young and Malcolm Young while the main guitar riff was created by Angus Young and it was Released in July 1979. But let’s remember Scott who was found dead, in the back of a friend’s car, just over six months after the song was released. R.I.P. Bon Scott.
8. King Diamond – Bye Bye Missy
Yes, Let’s listen to a true Horror Metal song. King Diamond is a legendary Heavy Metal band who focus on horror stories and that’s what we need here. When King starts to sing, the whole of your body will be filled with horror and fear and nobody can do it better than the King!
Bye Bye Missy is written by King Diamond on the “Them” album that was released in 1988. This album is a concept album about a young King and his mentally ill grandmother. One night, King investigates strange voices and discovers his grandmother having a tea party alone, with the teacups and kettles floating in the air ….
7. Judas Priest – Burn In Hell
Time to eat some fire, sent by one of METAL GODS. Tell me what is the most scary thing in this world?! You may agree with my view that it’s doomsday. Jugulator is the 13th studio album by Judas Priest. This album describes for you such a hellish end that you feel those shivers again, yeah, I can hear you whisper!
“Burn in Hell” was released in 1997 as the promo single for their 13th studio album Jugulator and is written by K. K. Downing and Glenn Tipton. A music video was produced for the song. It was shortened down to a little over four minutes.
Burn in hell tells us about the evil that we do, As Nostradamus predicted the year 2012 will be the end of the world and it’s coming soon! So We are going to blister, BURN IN HELL!
6. Gamma Ray – Hell is thy home
After the doomsday and after we made Hell as our home, now it’s time to bang your head with some Power Speed elements from Germany. Some people Call Kai Hansen a Metal God as well, and as he is one of the creators of Melodic power Metal, why not?!
“Hell is Thy Home” is written by Kai and was released on Majestic album in 2005. You’ll find it as fast and powerful as a Metal song could be plus it has a very dark lyrical concept. And I believe this song is a great example what the band is capable of.
5. Black Sabbath – Lady Evil
Black Sabbath is another band I can call Halloweenish because of the horror kind of image the name invokes. Many critics and writers mention them as the first Heavy Metal band! They brought some horror elements to Rock music with using some Chromatic and Diminished scales.
“Lady Evil” was released in April 1980 on the golden album of Black Sabbath, “Heaven and Hell”. The exact origins of much of this album’s material is still a topic of debate. And this was the first album after Ozzy Osbourne was fired from the band and replaced with R.I.P. Legendary Ronnie James Dio. The song has a strong Rainbow feel and filled by great Heavy rhythm and great guitar solos.
4. Accept – Metal Heart
“We had read an article that someone was working on an artificial heart and that one day everybody is going to have a computerized heart. It talked, in general terms, about how more and more of humanity gets sucked out of the daily life and more and more replaced by machine. It’s not a new thing now, but then it was new. Humans versus machine, was the general vibe of the record.” Wolf Hoffmann explained the concept behind the album and that shows the reason why i chose this one.
The song starts with famous classical theme, Tchaikovsky’s Slavonic March, and and continues with an awesome galloping riff and Beethoven’s Für Elise in the main solo. Metal Heart was released in March 1985 on the album of the same name.
3. DIO – Night People
It’s still sad and painful, and I’m sure many of us need to wipe away our tears when we listen to our VOICE OF METAL, R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio, one of most talented musicians ‘the whole of the heavy metal history.
Night People is the first track of the fourth DIO album, Dream Evil. The song starts with awesome heavy riffs that make you bang your head from the first moment and the Ronnie’s voice is as perfect as ever and by continuing with that great solo in the middle of the song, the circle of perfection is completed.
2. Iron Maiden – Transylvania
For understanding why I choose this song as the second one in this list, Just close your eyes and imagine yourself walking in Count Dracula land, Transylvania, It’s night and you can sense the smell of blood from everywhere. Yeah the Shivers again and that’s because of you are walking on the land where most scary Halloween symbol, Dracula, lived his life and maybe he’s still somewhere there hiding. :s
Transylvania was released on 14 April 1980 on the self titled album of METAL GODS, Iron Maiden and composed by founder and bassist Steve Harris, which was later covered by Iced Earth on the album Horror Show. The fast and powerful riffs and solos in this song could show you how it’s dangerous and scary, walking in the land, Transylvania!
1. Helloween – Halloween
listen… take care … In the streets on Halloween, The spirits will arise….
Now it’s time to go back to our most Halloweenish Metal Band, Helloween. The legendary creator of Melodic Power Metal released this long length song on May 23, 1987 on their most successful album, “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1”. This album has credits by many to be the birth of Power Metal.
The “Halloween” song is written by Kai Hansen and it is 13 minutes 18 seconds long. The scary and horror style riff, played by the keyboard and guitar in the intro disconcert you and suddenly with starting a powerful riff, you’ll find out that you are entered to a Halloween party full of Ghosts, Witches, Pumpkinheads, Vampires and … The song keep going and you would like to dance with those creatures but BEWARE … Black is the night full of fright and You’ll be missing the day … And now horror is back again and this is the point that fantasy Rocks the horror, you run and scream on halloween. Now Listen to me again, Keep your praying: “Save me from the evil one Give me strength to carry on I will fight for all mankind’s Deliverance and peace of mind”
At the end of the song you’ll not exist anymore, you’ll find yourself a part of Halloween, singing “IT’S HALLOWEEN, TONIGHT”.
PS: Special thanks to my friend Ali Blackdiamond for help
