The Age Of Metal conducted an interview with Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ex-SEPULTURA) on August 2 at the 16th annual D-Low Memorial show in Tempe, Arizona. You can watch the chat below.
The “D-Low” show is held every year in memory of SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera‘s stepson, Dana Wells, who was killed in a car accident in 1996 (1999 article). It is one of SOULFLY‘s biggest shows of the year and draws fans from all over the United States. In 2004, SOULFLY filmed portions of its “The Song Remains Insane” DVD at the event.
SOULFLY‘s eighth album, “Enslaved”, sold 5,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 82 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous CD, “Omen”, opened with 6,000 units in June 2010 to land at No. 73.
“Enslaved” was released on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.
SOULFLY‘s video for the song “World Scum” was conceptualized by Max Cavalera and director Thomas Mignone (MUDVAYNE, SLIPKNOT, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, MORBID ANGEL) and produced through Mignone‘s production company Doom Incorporated.
SOULFLY‘s current lineup features drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X‘s Tony Campos taking up the bass.
On August 21, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release KISS‘s 1976 multi-platinum, landmark album “Destroyer: Resurrected”, newly remixed from the original master tapes by the album’s original producer, Bob Ezrin. Ezrin pulled the tapes from the vaults and painstakingly remixed the entire album, enhancing the sound and bringing out its rich texture and vibrancy, while keeping the integrity of the original recording intact. “Destroyer: Resurrected” will also include rare and unreleased recordings rediscovered during the remixing process, plus the originally intended cover artwork.
Hot on the heels of their breakthrough hit album “Alive!”, KISS released their fourth studio album “Destroyer” which is considered the most ambitious studio recording of KISS‘s ’70s catalog. Bob Ezrin, who had previously worked with Alice Cooper, was brought in to produce the album and among the production flourishes Ezrin introduced to KISS were sound effects, strings, a children’s choir, reversed drumming and the eerie, echoing sounds of screaming children over Gene Simmons‘ vocals on “God Of Thunder”. Upon its release, “Destroyer” reached the No. 11 position on the Billboard Top 200 and, with the help of the surprise top-10 hit “Beth”, was their first album to go platinum.
Originally released as the B-side to the single “Detroit Rock City”, “Beth — the heart-yearning ballad co-written and performed by drummer Peter Criss — was quickly picked up by radio nationwide and became the first top 10 for KISS, climbing all the way to the No. 7 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While going through the original tapes, a forgotten vocal piece that was originally edited out in the final mix of “Beth” was discovered and now, for the first time, the complete original vocal recording has been restored and is included in the final mix. Other rediscovered gems include a complete, alternate guitar solo for the track “Sweet Pain”, now heard for the first time since it was originally recorded. The newly remixed “Sweet Pain” with the original guitar solo will be included as a bonus track. In addition to the treasures found buried in the hours of recordings, KISS classics such as “Detroit Rock City”, “Shout It Out Loud”, “Do You Love Me?” and “God Of Thunder” were painstakingly remixed by Ezrin as he fleshed out the drums and guitars, bringing out the bottom end to the bass, making his mixes tight and tough.
In addition, “Destroyer: Resurrected” will now be issued with the originally intended cover art thought too controversial for the time. Created by artist Ken Kelly, the “brown” cover depicts KISS dressed in their “Alive!” costumes and standing on rubble in front of a burning city in ruins. At the time, the record company thought it was too violent and settled for the tamer “blue” version known today. This release also marked the first time that a comic-book illustration of the band appeared on the cover, confirming that the band was transforming from hard rockers to superheroes.
To this day, “Destroyer” remains one of the group’s most ambitious recordings and greatest accomplishments. In both Kerrang! and Guitar World magazine it is listed as one of the “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time” and in 2003, it was included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.” Now, with today’s state-of-the-art technology, this landmark release can be heard the way that KISS intended.
The KISS legacy continues to grow, generation after generation, transcending age, race and creed. KISS releases their 20th studio album, “Monster”, on October 15 internationally and October 16 in North America.
“Destroyer: Resurrected” track listing:
01. Detroit Rock City
02. King Of The Night Time World
03. God Of Thunder
04. Great Expectations
05. Flaming Youth
06. Sweet Pain
07. Shout It Out Loud
08. Beth
09. Do You Love Me?
10. Sweet Pain (original guitar solo) (bonus track)
The “Destroyer: Resurrected” cover artwork can be seen below.
Released in March 1976, “Destroyer” was the second consecutive KISS album to reach the Top 20 in the U.S. The LP was certified gold by the RIAA on April 22, 1976. It was certified platinum on November 11, 1976, the first KISS album to achieve that distinction.
STEVE VAI has issued the following update on his Official Webpage:
Steve will be touring throughout North America & Europe this fall in support of his August 14th release, “The Story of Light.” The new album of original solo material is the second chapter of Vai’s “Real Illusions” trilogy. Although “The Story of Light” is largely instrumental, the album features guest vocalists including singer-songwriter Aimee Manndueting with Vai on No More Amsterdam, which she also cowroteand Beverly McClellan, a season one finalist on The Voice. Beverly will be performing with Steve on tour as his supporting act. Please note new tour dates may be added to the schedule. For the latest information, visit www.vai.com to see a full list of performance dates.
EVO Experience
A limited number of EVO Experience Passes are available for Steves upcoming tour. With the purchase of the pass, youll be included in an intimate and open group discussion with Steve, watch Steve and the band sound check for that nights performance, and enjoy concert to remember! EVO Experience availability is VERY LIMITED so reserve your spot by purchasing a pass at www.vai.com
PitCam.TV conducted an interview with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH at this year’s edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, which was held August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.
Asked whether OPETH has begun work on the follow-up to last year’s “Heritage” album, Mikael replied, “I’ve been writing a little. I’m going on a trip soon — next week — on my own, actually, which I’ve never done before. I’m gonna bring the guitar and write some stuff, hopefully. But I think we’re still touring, and we still have another European tour coming up in the fall. And that kind of prevents me from getting too into the work — the creative process. I’m gonna start writing more from real once we finish the tour. ‘Cause I don’t have much.”
Gibson have admitted to using illegal wood imported from Madagascar in its guitars, and has been fined $350,000.
The company based in Nashville is renown for its designs, but knowingly violated the Lacey Act which requires firms to ensure their timber is legally obtained.
Instead, despite knowing that its imports might be illegal, Gibson ordered further timber stocks which would become fretboards for guitars, mandolins and banjos.
The company was raided by federal agents one year ago. At the time, CEO Henry Juszkiewiczinsisted their timber came from a certified supplier, and made a claim for more than $300,000 for their losses in stock. The court case has since proven otherwise, and Gibson has withdrawn its claim.
“As a result of this investigation and criminal enforcement agreement, Gibson has acknowledged that it failed to act on information that the Madagascar ebony it was purchasing may have violated laws intended to limit overharvesting and conserve valuable wood species from Madagascar, a country which has been severely impacted by deforestation,” said Assistant Attorney General Moreno in response to the settlement.
According to the World Bank (via BBC), the illegal timber trade is worth $10-15 billion every year, and conservations groups say that too little is done to enforce trade laws which protect the forests affected.
How do you feel about Gibson making instruments out of illegal wood? Would you be happy to buy a guitar if you knew it came from a protected forest, and is the fine enough? Take the debate to the comments.
Victory Records has announced the signing of the St. Louis, Missouri-based metalcore outfit TEAR OUT THE HEART.
TEAR OUT THE HEART formed in 2011 and unanimously agreed that when this lineup had gotten together in one room, it was instant energy and everything just clicked.
TEAR OUT THE HEART combines sinister vocals with elements of hardcore and metal that creates malicious guitar riffs along with monstrous breakdowns that will have you hooked instantly. Their music can be compared to the likes of BRING ME THE HORIZON, OF MICE & MEN and AS I LAY DYING.
TEAR OUT THE HEART are highly ambitious and have set major goals for their future. The group plans to record a debut full-length album and shortly after take over the world one show at a time.
TEAR OUT THE HEART is:
Tyler Konersma – Vocals Josh Spohr – Guitar Mattieu Murphy – Guitar Isaac Etter – Bass/ Vocals Matt Epstein – Drums
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
had gotten together in one room, it was instant energy and everything just clicked.
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 