Since these last days, the metal media world has asked “Who is ZFM?”
Now some details and a teaser video for this mysterious all-star band have been revealed!
Mitch Lafon of One on One with Mitch Lafon will be revealing “Who is ZFM?” as well as debuting the music video for their first single “New Leaf” on Tuesday August 9th.
Aside from a few hints provided to Mitch, all that is known at the moment is that ZFM is a new 6 piece band from the U.S.
Speaking exclusively to one of the guitar players for the band, Mitch learned that:
“Here are a few hints that can be said at the moment: The project has been in the works for over a year now. We have been working very closely with Thom Hazaert, who runs David Ellefson’s “EMP” Record Label as well as Thom’s own “THC Music” which is a subsidiary of Ellefson’s “EMP” label. Each member of ZFM are from very popular established bands spanning from Power Pop to Technical Death Metal. The man who mixed the single has produced and mixed some of the most popular and influential albums of the past 25 years. One member of the band has appeared on David Letterman twice. Our other guitarist was once managed by Kiss manager Bill Aucoin. ZFM’s drummer, who performs with a very popular and influential metal band, will be performing at Heavy Montreal this weekend.”
He also added: “Once people find out who is in this band, it will certainly have a strong reaction and we are all excited to finally announce the existence of this project which has been in the works for a very long time now.“
Stay tuned to One on One with Mitch Lafon on Tuesday August 9th for the announcement and single/music video release.
Check out the teaser video below:
Listen to One On One With Mitch Lafon on iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Stitcher, Spreaker, iTunes and more.
DAVID ELLEFSON has no need for long introductions, as an original member of MEGADETH, credited as one of the thrash metal’s “big four” with Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer. David Ellefson is known for his unique, hard-hitting style of bass playing and unwavering dedication to his musical craft. David has engraved a vast musical hallmark as a bassist, songwriter, record producer, clinician and author. Together with MEGADETH, he has been awarded 10 Grammy nominations, countless gold & platinum records, plus continued recording & world concert tour activity. Ellefson holds a Bachelor’s degree in business marketing and continues to lecture on a variety of music and business related topics. Additionally, David is a prolific author with his titles: “Making Music Your Business… A Guide For Young Musicians”, “UNSUNG Words & Images” and “My Life With Deth”. Among his many accomplishments, Ellefson’s latest triumph is Ellefson Music Productions/EMP Label Group, the record label and production company formed in 2015, with industry exec Thom Hazaert tapped by Ellefson to oversee operations. With a diverse Rock and Metal Roster EMP has quickly become a dominating force in the World of Hard Rock and Metal.
Just a couple of days ago Tarja Virmakari had a pleasure to interview David Ellefson(who is currently on tour with MEGADETH in South America) talking mainly about David’s life outside of stages. Enjoy!
Hi David, first of all, I want to thank-You for your time! I know you are a busy man, both on stage and outside of it! If you agree, I’d like to touch topics mainly about your “off-stage” life. So, let’s start with the past, talking about your earlier years… what was the moment when you and Music met each others? And when did you know that it’s going to be a huge part of your life?
I toyed with music at about age 8, with the typical piano lessons and elementary school band. Those early experiences taught me how to read music and play in an ensemble setting.
But my real music interests started at about age 10 when I heard rock n roll on the radio. Things like KISS, BTO, Ted Nugent and Aerosmith were my real first real interests in hard rock and they got me excited to get a bass and really learn how to play. Those bands made me love music, but just as much showed me what real rock stardom looked like, and I wanted to be in the club from that moment on.
How did you develop your unique, hard-hitting playing style?(watch below David’s “Top 5 Megadeth Bass Riffs” video)
It was born from survival. I couldn’t afford big loud amplifiers at a young age, so I learned that by hitting hard, and eventually playing with a plectrum, gave me a real bright and percussive sound. I always struggled playing in cover bands because while I could play the lines properly, I could never really sound like the original players. What I soon discovered is that I actually had my own style and sound and that became a great asset when we started Megadeth because being an original artist is all about having your own voice, style and sound as a player.
What are your personal influences, and source of inspirations?
My father was an influence on me as a person and he instigated so much wisdom and philosophical insight in my life. So were people like my high school jazz band teacher and even the older high school musicians who I was lucky enough to play with as a young kid.
As far as musical heroes, they were the guys like Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick, Pete Way of UFO and also many other musicians who were not bassists. Guys like Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker, Neil Peart, David Lee Roth and so many other great charismatic rock stars all laid a fingerprint on my life as a musician and professional artist.
Talking about the music business, in generally… how do you see it has changed in these years?
The record business is what has changed because of the distribution of sales via the Internet. Also, because we now listen to music on our phones and other devices, not just at home or in our cars, the new services who distribute music have really altered the outlets and the financial outcome as well. I might add, not for the benefit of musicians in most cases, either.
Not so many months ago you launched Ellefson Music Productions (aka EMP Label Group)… was it something you had planned already a long time? or was it due to a necessity to create and offer something new?
For many years people have been encouraging me to take my years of experience into other areas of the industry, like management and a record label. The reason I never did it, was because I didn’t want to go to “the other side”, I wanted to stay on the artist side of the biz instead.
But, last year I took this amazing young female rock group called DOLL SKIN into the studio to produce a few tracks with them. During that process I got the vision and saw a need to mentor them, develop their sound and assist with management services so they wouldn’t get thrown to the wolves of the business and get eaten alive. That’s what led me to create the record label and management company. I saw a great band that needed to really get in the game, regardless of their age, and I was tired of always having to shop my productions to other people in the music business, because you are essentially trying to sell those people on what you already know is worthy! So, I created my own infrastructure to see my ambitions become reality.
From that enthusiasm, my friend Thom Hazaert and I were working on some other things together around the “Shocker” movie sound track, and our interests let to creating the record label. From there, all the rest of it started to fall into place with other people joining the team.
Just recently you and Thom Hazert, with EMP Label Group joined forces with Alpha Omega Management for a two-way partnership… quoting the press release: “ALPHA OMEGA Management enters EMP Label Group creating a new sub-label for upcoming artists, and, furthermore DAVID ELLEFSON and THOM HAZAERT enter ALPHA OMEGA Management, to form a global partnership for management and booking.”This sounds pretty interesting, so please tell me about the next steps what’s going to happen?
Thom was one of the first people to really help me get the EMP record label in place. He has great ears and instincts with records and the record industry. He has also been a huge caveat with management on several other acts we work with on the label. So, to partner with Alpha Omega on a global level is a great fit all around.
More and more these days, we see management companies operating like the record companies used to in the glory days. There are many departments, with many layers of staff who all work with each artist. That same mindset is now being applied with our partnership, especially with us being able to assist Alpha Omega domestically, and just as much with them being able to assist us with our acts internationally. Between us, we have a global reach now with our combined resources and is something we can offer to select acts on the EMP labels as well.
Me as a huge coffee-lover, this next question is a must… not a long ago you founded Ellefson Coffee-brand. Please tell me, how this wonderful tasty adventure got its beginning? And maybe you’ve already new plans and new tasty ideas coming up?
These days, being a musician is as much about letting our fans become one with our lifestyle and personal interests, one of mine being coffee. So, I founded the company and now have two roasts available, with more coming soon. I love how coffee brings people together, just like music does. To me, they are inseparable.
Yet another very important and interesting topic is you as Author! And with this one we’ll step to another side of Life… so far you’ve published 3 books (*Making Music Your Business: A Guide for Young Musicians (1997) – *Unsung – words and images (2012) *My Life with Deth: Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock & Roll in 2013)…and I would like to talk especially about “My Life With Deth” where you’re sharing your uplifting and empowering memoir about overcoming addiction and dedicating your life to God. To be a Christian is one thing, but to be a Believer has a deeper meaning, which reflects on each aspects of Life.. and Death. I know this is very personal, but would you like to tell me more about this decision? And how it has changed your everyday life?
I’ve been raised as a Christian in the Lutheran church my whole life. I didn’t really have a “born again” experience, as some people do, but rather my story is about drifting from day to day faith because I got involved with drugs and alcohol. That lifestyle also began to derail my dreams and work as a musician by the time I was only 23 years old. So in 1990 I got clean, and through that process it brought me back to a life of faith.
I’m human, I’m not perfect, nor do I profess to have all the answers, but even in a rock n roll band I found that living a clean life has brought a greater sense of purpose in pretty much every way possible.
By the way, talking about Christianity in Metal Music, and especially on its extreme side… What do you think about bands like ANCIENT, with a christian singer, in a genre where nearly all bands are satanic or at least anti- christian? Can it make sense to be a christian in a genre like this? Do you think it’s conflictual or maybe even a blessing?
Not every song written about Satan is satanic. Some of them are just stories. Even for me, when our Thrash metal genre was starting, me and my buddies were always intrigued with the occult because it was dark, macabre and it scared us! We watched movies about it, we wrote songs about it. We touched on many different topics, as did our heroes like Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and so forth. Writing a song can be a historical recounting of a situation, a made up fictional concept, or just fun. It doesn’t always reflect who we are.
Your dear Mother, Frances M. Ellefson was laid to eternal rest last week, my sincere condolences for your loss, David!… I wouldn’t dare to touch this very personal topic, but reading your open messages on your Facebook Page, I understand that your relationship with her was one of a kind! What is the (spiritual) heritage and memories of her that you will always carry in your heart?
Thank you very much. My mother was the quintessential sweet, good Samaritan woman. She was a nurse by trade because she was a nurse in her heart. She always had a kind word, a sweet smile and a gentleness to everything she did. She was a woman of faith and her life is evidence of those beliefs right up to the very final moments here on earth. She is, was and always will be an incredible inspiration to me, and to so many others who were touched by her life.
Living a busy life on many fields, like you do, what are the moments you “unplug” yourself? I mean what is your way to relax your mind?
I love doing music each and every day because that is the gift I was given for my life. So, I don’t see it as a burden, but rather a passion. Most everything I do is based around that.
I also have my family and when I’m not on tour, I unplug to be with them. As much as I’m the father to my children, I’m at an age where they bring so much inspiration to me now. They are the same age as many of our fans now, and to see life through their eyes reminds me of when I was where they are on this journey of life. Its just a continuous circle that is so inspiring.
Megadeth Dystopia World Tour – in Munic
And last but not least, lets talk about “Dystopia World Tour”… MEGADETH is currently in South America and just recently you announced your North American tour for September visiting 16 states with Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, Metal Church and Havok. Please tell me how this current tour is proceeding? and what are your expectations on the upcoming South American tour?
Yes, we just started South America and it is so fun down here. The fans are still excited and passionate as ever and it really makes you realize how a song can connect so powerfully with people anywhere. The USA tour will be the final trek for 2016 and I’m really excited about the lineup. It is heavy, but diverse. I think there is something really cool and broad for all the fans to come out and experience this fall.
The last question, and the word is yours… what are your greetings to your fans and Metal Shock Finland readers?
Thank you for your support to me and Megadeth over all the years. You have helped give us all an incredible life, full of such marvelous experiences through music. I hope to see you all next year!
ALPHA OMEGA Management is extremely delighted to announce that ELLEFSON MUSIC PRODUCTIONS (aka EMP Label Group) and ALPHA OMEGA Management have merged forces for a two-way partnership!
ALPHA OMEGA Management enters EMP Label Group creating a new sub-label for upcoming artists, and, furthermore DAVID ELLEFSON(MEGADETH bassist and founder of EMP Label Group) and THOM HAZAERT(Artist Manager, Music and Film Producer, A&R Director, Operations Manager at EMP Label Group) enter ALPHA OMEGA Management, to form a global partnership for management and booking.
ALPHA OMEGA Management states: “How to put in words the huge honor and joy to enter in this two-way partnership with Ellefson Music Productions and its two Gentlemen, David and Thom? Since our very first contacts and conversations we found out easily the mutual understanding about the way we want to collaborate for the future projects and how to bring them forward to the global music business! The common tone was right there, clear and harmonious for the both parties, following the new idea of the band managing which ALPHA OMEGA has as the leading principle since its founding. The team’s hard work has brought fruitful results in a short time, confirming the fact that the chosen road is right. With this collaboration with David and Thom, and with new projects which are already in the works, we’re looking forward to very interesting and busy times, in many areas, to give a new meaning and global target for so many great bands out there! So stay connected for next announcements, soon!”
David Ellefson‘s video statement with Alex Azzali and Roberto Risso:
Hazaert says, “Since I met Alex and the team at Alpha Omega, we had an instant connection. They have an amazing roster and infrastructure, and we immediately thought there could be a synergy between our operations. With their massive Worldwide support structure, together we will be able to create an amazing management experience for EMP artists, and beyond. Building and expanding the “EMPire”, and growing our operations as a global brand is a high priority for myself and David, and we saw a great opportunity with Alpha Omega to create a highly charged artist experience with Worldwide reach.”
David Ellefson announcing the partnership with Alex Azzali and Roberto Risso
*** DAVID ELLEFSON has no need for long introductions, as an original member of MEGADETH, credited as one of the thrash metal’s “big four” with Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer. David Ellefson is known for his unique, hard-hitting style of bass playing and unwavering dedication to his musical craft. David has engraved a vast musical hallmark as a bassist, songwriter, record producer, clinician and author. Together with MEGADETH, he has been awarded 10 Grammy nominations, countless gold & platinum records, plus continued recording & world concert tour activity. Ellefson holds a Bachelor’s degree in business marketing and continues to lecture on a variety of music and business related topics. Additionally, David is a prolific author with his titles: “Making Music Your Business… A Guide For Young Musicians”, “UNSUNG Words & Images” and “My Life With Deth”.
Among his many accomplishments, Ellefson’s latest triumph is Ellefson Music Productions/EMP Label Group, the record label and production company formed in 2015, with industry exec Thom Hazaert tapped by Ellefson to oversee operations. With a diverse Rock and Metal Roster including Cage9, Another Lost Year, Ancient, Solus Deus, Doll Skin, and many more, EMP has quickly become a dominating force in the World of Hard Rock and Metal.
*** THOM HAZAERT is a music business staple, known for a career spanning over 20 years, as an Executive, Journalist, Radio Personality, Artist Manager, Music and Film Producer, and most recently, the man behind the curtain at Ellefson’s EMP Label Group.
Hazaert’s marketing work was influential in the early advent of lifestyle street and viral marketing among Rock acts, as an independent consultant for record labels including Flip Records, Interscope Records, Warner Bros. Records, Hollywood Records, Jive Records, and as co-founder of Total Assault Street Teams, working with hard-hitting artists including Staind, Cold, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Bloodhound Gang, Static-X, Nine Inch Nails, Filter, American Head Charge, and many more. Hazaert was co-founder and President of Corporate Punishment Records, and more recently, THC : MUSIC, a management firm and label, now an imprint of EMP.
In the early 2000s, Hazaert went on to manage and develop major label artists, including Chimaira (Roadrunner Records), Erase The Grey (Universal Records), Switched (Immortal Records), and Depswa (Geffen Records). Additionally, he has listed Management credits in albums by MOTORHEAD (Hammered) and Earth Crisis (Last of the Sane) and is credited with helping to discover some of the World’s biggest contemporary Rock and Metal acts.
Also a noted Radio Personality, Hazaert currently hosts “AM/PM with Thöm Hazaërt”, a 2 hour “late night morning show” airing on Dash Radio Metal and Punk station Los Anarchy Radio, focused on Hard Rock/Metal and Pop Culture. Each show begins with a segment called “Mandatory Megadeth”, a block of Megadeth songs that features Megadeth bassist David Ellefson telling the stories behind classic Megadeth tracks.
*** ALPHA OMEGA Management features a new international team, composed by professionals, working in various sectors of the music industry, including ALEX AZZALI, internationally well-known producer, tour manager and or sound engineer (for Ancient, Behemoth, Dismember, Grave, Septicflesh, Rotting Christ, Cro Mags, Marduk, Hate, Vader and many more), NICK BARKER (drummer of Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Lock Up, Brujeria, Benediction, Testament, Gorgoroth, Ancient, among the others) and Legendary Audio Engineer and Producer, BILL METOYER (Producer of Slayer, W.A.S.P, D.R.I, Corrosion of Conformity, Fates Warning, Helstar, Omen, Thrust etc. and ex Vice President of Metal Blade USA). The visionaries of ALPHA OMEGA have created the new era for band management and worldwide booking for shows, tours and festivals.
Constantly growing ALPHA OMEGA band roster consists of well established acts such as COVEN – VENOM INC – M:PIRE OF EVIL – ANCIENT – MALEVOLENT CREATION – EXTREMA – HELSTAR – OMEN – MASTER – MOBILE DEATHCAMP – NOCTEM – THRUST – KULT OV AZAZEL – TRAUMA – THEATRES DES VAMPIRES among quite a few amazing up and coming bands. ALPHA OMEGA also has a Residential Recording Studio at the Lake of Como, in close proximity to three major airports of Milan. Alpha Omega Recording Studio offers recording, mixing and mastering.
David Ellefson’s EMP Label Group have announced the latest addition to their growing roster, female fronted Los Angeles hard Rock band HAIL SAGAN.
HAIL SAGAN features powerhouse vocalist Sagan Amery, with a devilish masked group rumored to include guitarists Nick Quijano (Powerman 5000) and Andrew Weissberg.
Since forming in 2015, the band has amassed a monstrous fanbase, with over 125,000 followers across their social media, solidified further this month with the release of their debut video “Dark Cloud”. The clip, which debuted earlier this month via REVOLVER, has already gained over 80,000 views. The track, and video, which deals with the subject of abuse and bullying, has already resonated strongly with fans.
Amery says “It’s been a great experience being able to broach the subject of bullying and abuse with the lyrics of this song. We took it one step further and created a video with director Matthew Crum and DP Kenny Keeler that visually enhanced the sensitive subject matter. We chose to mask the members of the band in an effort to show the world that anyone can be a part of this, you never know who will be under there, maybe even a fan or someone who needs music to save them.”
You can view the video here:
The band will release their self-titled debut EP in Fall 2016 on EMP LABEL GROUP, and will be available for pre-order later this month.
Ellefson Coffee Co, the premium coffee brand of java connoisseur, Author, and Rock Star DAVID ELLEFSON of MEGADETH, has officially unleashed it’s second blend “Kenya Thrash”. Packaged in a distinctive red metallic bag, “Kenya Thrash” is a bold high-octane blend of 90% Kenya-Kichwa Arabica Beans, and 10% India Robusta, roasted with a kick, for a high blend of flavor and function. An “Earthy and Savory” blend, with distinct notes of Grapefruit and Black Pepper, Kenya Thrash is a guaranteed wake up call to body, mind, AND tastebuds.
“Thrash” is the follow-up to ROAST IN PEACE, the highly celebrated original Dark Roast Blend, small-batch roasted from 100% Brazilian Arabica, with distinctive notes of “Chocalate, Dark Caramel, and Roasted Nuts”, already receiving high praise from coffee lovers and media alike. With features on major web outlets like Blabbermouth, Brave Words, a segment with Ellefson on Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante’s Coffee podcast, and a feature in the July issue of REVOLVER MAGAZINE, and high profile artists like Hellyeah, Sevendust and Lamb of God publicly singing it’s praises, Roast In Peace has already become a staple in the mugs of the Rock N’ Roll elite.
But, says Ellefson, ROAST IN PEACE is more than just a distinctive coffee offering, but also a mission statement.
“My love for coffee has accompanied me around the world for my entire musical career. Just like the spirit of a culture or the melody of a song, the enjoyment of coffee brings people together and creates harmony among us. The beans in this bag are traceable to their global origin and exemplify the spirit and culture of the people who grew them.
It is my aim to bring this roast to our tables and awake our taste buds, fire up our rock n roll spirits and continue the global fellowship of music, art and coffee. May you, Roast in Peace!”
Ellefson Coffee Co blends are artfully small batch roasted by Parliament Coffee Roasters, and the blends hand picked by Ellefson himself. Both blends are available in 12 OZ Whole Bean (or Ground) bags directly from http://empmerch.com
For More Information: Ellefsoncoffeeco.com | facebook.com/ellefsoncoffeeco | http://empmerch.com
US metallers ARISE IN CHAOS released a lyric video for ‘Hell Bent’, the song is taken from their new album “Terminal Cognition” out May in USA via David Ellefon‘s (Megadeth) EMP Label Group, due to be released in Europe on July 15th via EMP/SPV.
Says David Ellefson (Megadeth): “When I first started working with Arise in Chaos on this record, the first song we worked on was ‘The Divine’ and I immediately knew there was something special there, and through that process we’re so excited they ended up on EMP.”
He adds, “Now listening to the final product, seeing the video, seeing it all come together, I know these guys are going to make huge waves in the Metal community.”
The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Joshua Wickman (Within The Ruins, Legion, King (810), Last Of A Dying Breed) at Dreadcore Productions, White Lake, MI and co-produced by David Ellefson (Megadeth) and Ahrue Luster (ex-Machine Head, Ill Nino).
Track listing:
1. Nero 2. By Your Own Hand 3. The Divine 4. Hell Bent 5. Siren 6. Violent Colors 7. All We Know 8. Reflections 9. Driven 10. Arise In Chaos
Since forming in 2010, Arise In Chaos have become a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast metal scene. Since releasing their 2012 debut “Civilization Decay”, co-produced by ex-Machine Head/Ill Niño axeman Ahrue Luster, AIC have become one of the go-to metal acts in Denver, sharing stages with the likes of All That Remains, 3 Inches of Blood,Soulfly,Motionless In White, Cavalera Conspiracy, Death Angel, and many more.
Vocalist Lei, who oversaw production on the disc, says: “We tracked some killer stuff with David in Phoenix, and really fine tuned all the details in Denver with Ahrue, and a great team there. Thankfully we’re in a city with some amazing studios, and some amazing World class talent, which allowed us to make a killer record right in our own backyard.”
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Yet another very important and interesting topic is you as Author! And with this one we’ll step to another side of Life… so far you’ve published 3 books (*Making Music Your Business: A Guide for Young Musicians (1997) – *Unsung – words and images (2012) *My Life with Deth: Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock & Roll in 2013) …and I would like to talk especially about “My Life With Deth” where you’re sharing your uplifting and empowering memoir about overcoming addiction and dedicating your life to God. To be a Christian is one thing, but to be a Believer has a deeper meaning, which reflects on each aspects of Life.. and Death. I know this is very personal, but would you like to tell me more about this decision? And how it has changed your everyday life?
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 