METALHEADS FOREVER, one of the biggest metal entities out there (having today more than 96000 members), led by David Maloney, have posted online their May issue, featuring interviews with MEGADETH, DARK FORTRESS, EPICA, GOATWHORE, RAVEN + several album reviews, and many more!
To read all the interviews and the whole METALHEADS FOREVER May issue, go here: http://www.mhf-mag.com
SLAUGHTER vocalist MARK SLAUGHTER is set to release his ‘Halfway There’ album worldwide on May 26 via EMP LABEL GROUP, (May 10th in Japan via EMP/UNIVERSAL) the US based label of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.
Loudwire readers have voted the Slaughter frontman’s new solo album “Halfway There” as the May 2017 Release of the Month.
Loudwire issues:
“We asked the readers for their most anticipated release of May, and “Halfway There” pulled head midway through the voting and expanded the lead in the final week. The disc bested Seether’s Poison the Parish, Linkin Park’s One More Light and Papa Roach’s Crooked Teeth, which also put up solid voting totals.”
Slaughter says, “My first solo record was kinda getting back on the horse, so to speak. I mean doing everything and recording … I’m taking on a lot more tasks as an engineer/producer/ writer on all this … because I’m doing everything. Ultimately at the end of the day, anybody who is a Slaughter fan, will certainly understand that I am a large part of the Slaughter sound and vibe, so obviously if you like that, it’s in there. It’s just that I take a lot more liberties on the solo side that I probably wouldn’t do when it’s a group effort.”
He continues, “The record is basically … I spend a lot of time writing songs and things just grow out of me. I’ll be woken up in the middle of the night from nowhere and the song’s just in my head and I just exorcize the demons and there you have it. I guess what it is is, an artist makes art. And I’ve really come to the fact that since we haven’t made a Slaughter record in so long, it’s one of those things that I still have to make the art. That’s what I do. That’s what I love to do, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
The album is being released by the EMP Label Group, led by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, who said of his relationship with Slaughter, “I have been friends with Mark for over 30 years, since he was in Vinnie Vincent Invasion, and there’s a lot of shared history. So when we started talking about the idea of putting this record out, yes, it was a great and natural fit. Mark is such a tremendous talent and songwriter, and the scope of that is truly evident on Halfway There. We’re extremely proud, and excited, to have been able to partner with him on it, and can’t wait for the World to hear it.”
Read the whole article here!
Just recently MARK SLAUGHTER released the first track teaser preview video Ep. 1, featuring Mark discussing and previewing the album track “Conspiracy”, watch it here:
MEGADETH is excited to announce their North American Summer Tour with MESHUGGAH, TESSERACT And LILLAKE. Ticket sales are available.
Tour dates are:
June 23rd – Big Flats, NY – Tags Summerstage
June 25th – Boston, MA – House of Blues
June 27th – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
June 28th – Portsmouth, VA – Portsmouth Pavilion
June 29th – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
June 30th – Columbus, OH – Express Live
July 05th – Windsor, ON – Colosseum at Caesars Windsor *
July 07th – Sait Charles, MO – Family Arena
July 08th – Oklahoma City, OK – The Zoo Amphitheatre
July 09th – Houston, TX – Revention Music Center
July 11th – Pittsburgh PA – Stage AE
* Megadeth & Meshuggah only
Check out the full list of upcoming shows and tours, at this location.
More information at https://www.megadeth.com
Legendary Hard Rock vocalist Mark Slaughter has announced the upcoming release of his sophomore solo release “Halfway There”, being released in May Worldwide via EMP LABEL GROUP, the US based label of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.
“Halfway There”, the follow up to 2015’s independently released “Reflections in a rear view mirror”, is a stunning return to form for Slaughter, channeling the familiar Hard Rock sensibility of classic-era SLAUGHTER releases like Stick it to Ya and The Wild Life on “Hey You” and emotionally-charged title track “Halfway There”, with a mature, progressive, Metal bent, evidenced on cuts like “Devoted”, “Conspiracy”, and “Reckless”.
Produced and co-mixed by Slaughter with John Cranfield (AFI, Andy Grammer), with art by famed horror/album artist “Mister” Sam Shearon (Rob Zombie, Iron Maiden, KISS, Clive Barker) “Halfway There” is slated to be released May 26th in North America by EMP LABEL GROUP/AMPED, and EMP/SPV in Europe, and May 10th in Japan via EMP LABEL GROUP/UNIVERSAL.
Mark will tour Japan in May with Slaughter, supporting RATT, in conjunction with the Japanese release of the LP, with shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and a performance at the Tokyo Metal Summit, May 14th with Ratt, Sebastian Bach, E’nuff Z’nuff, and more.
Not only is HALFWAY THERE a blistering showcase of Slaughter’s seemingly never-ending vocal abilities, but a glowing testament to his perpetually underserved prowess as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, handling all production, engineering, songwriting, arrangements, guitar, and the bulk of the album’s instrumentation himself.
Slaughter says, “My first solo record (Reflections in a Rear View Mirror) was kinda getting back on the horse, so to speak. I mean doing everything and recording… I’m taking on a lot more tasks as an engineer/producer/ writer on all this… because I’m doing everything. Ultimately at the end of the day, anybody who is a SLAUGHTER fan, will certainly understand that I am a large part of the Slaughter sound and vibe, so obviously if you like that, it’s in there. It’s just that I take a lot more liberties on the solo side that I probably wouldn’t do when it’s a group effort.”
He adds, “The record is basically.. I spend a lot of time writing songs and things just grow out of me.. Ill be woken up in the middle of the night from nowhere and the song’s just in my head and I just exorcize the demons and there you have it. I guess what it is is, an artist makes art. And I’ve really come to the fact that since we haven’t made a Slaughter record in so long, it’s one of those things that I still have to make the art. That’s what I do. That’s what I love to do, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
EMP A&R director Thom Hazaert chimes in, “It’s been such an incredible honor to put this record together with Mark, who truly, in my humble opinion, is one of the greatest Hard Rock singers and songwriters of our generation, and, what a lot of people don’t realize, just a phenomenal player as well. We spent almost a year going back and forth about the idea of putting the record out together, obviously Mark and David (Ellefson) have a great longstanding friendship, so it really was an amazing fit.
From the first time I heard the working demos of these songs, I knew Mark was working on something very, very special. Growing up (and still) a huge Slaughter fan, I think these songs are going to not only resonate with the people who already love Mark and what he does, but carve a niche far beyond.“
Ellefson adds, “I have been friends with Mark for over 30 years, since he was in Vinnie Vincent Invasion, and there’s a lot of shared history. So when we started talking about the idea of putting this record out, yes, it was a great and natural fit. Mark is such a tremendous talent and songwriter, and the scope of that is truly evident on Halfway There. We’re extremely proud, and excited, to have been able to partner with him on it, and can’t wait for the World to hear it.”
For More Information Please Visit:
Mark Slaughter Facebook
Mark Slaughter Website
EMP Label Group
EMP Facebook
Ellefson Coffee Co., the boutique Coffee brand of Grammy-Winning Megadeth bassist and EMP Label Group‘s President DAVID ELLEFSON, has announced additional details about the GRAND OPENING of their Brick and Mortar store in David’s hometown of Jackson, MN April 7-9. As previously announced, in addition to Ellefson himself, who will be in attendance all 3 days, the event will be co-hosted by special guest, comedian, and THAT METAL SHOW co-host Don Jamieson appearing on Saturday.
Additionally, the grand opening will feature special acoustic performances by Kik Tracee/ Zen From Mars vocalist Stephen Shareaux, with Bang Tango/ZFM guitarist Drew Fortier, who will play several sets over the weekend of KIK TRACEE and ZFM material. Also joining the festivities on Satuday is Bryn Arens, frontman of local Minneapolis legends FLIPP, paranormal author and investigator Adrian Lee, who will lead Ellefson and co. on an exploration to LOON LAKE CEMETARY, the local Jackson burial ground that inspired the Megadeth classic “Mary Jane”, and local Jackson Stock Car driver Luke Sathoff, who will have his ELLEFSON COFFEE CO sponsored car on display.
Also on display is the “Museum of Deth” featuring permanently displayed artifacts and memorabilia from Ellefson’s personal collection, including highlights such as David’s Jackson High marching band uniform, as well as memorabilia from other artists including Machine Head, Max Cavalera, Coal Chamber, and fellow 2017 Grammy Nominees KORN.
In addition to serving a variety of custom blends of Ellefson Coffee Co brands, including ROAST IN PEACE, SHE WOLF, KENYA THRASH, and URBAN LEGEND, ECC also serves as a retail outlet for Ellefson Coffee products and memorabilia, as well as a satellite retail outlet for titles and merchandise from Ellefson’s EMP LABEL GROUP. Additionally, the store will also act as an official retailer for JACKSON GUITARS and SIT STRINGS, as well as select items from PUCK HCKY, DEAN GUITARS, and more!
Says Ellefson, “As the GRAND OPENING draws nearer, it’s amazing to see the excitement build and be able to announce some more killer things we have planned for the Grand Opening and beyond!! We have people traveling from all over the country to join us in this celebration of all things COFFEE and METAL, and we’re going to show them all a GREAT time!!”
ECC Marketing Director Thom Hazaert adds, “The Ellefson Coffee Co. store has turned out to be an amazing way for David to have a permanent face in his hometown, while being able to tie in EMP, Jackson, Dean, SIT, and everything else in our universe. With the huge sense of Megadeth history in Jackson, we are excited to be able to create a really unique and amazing fan (and Coffee) experience, that, as predicted, is turning out to not only be a highlight for the people of Jackson, but a destination for Megadeth fans from around the World.”
Join the party at Ellefson Coffee Co. April 7-9th at 404 Second St, Jackson, MN, 56143.
More information at:
ELLEFSON COFFEE COMPANY: http://www.facebook.com/ellefsoncoffeecojackson – http://www.facebook.com/ellefsoncoffeeco – http://www.ellefsoncoffeeco.com
EMP Label Group: http://empmerch.com – http://emplabelgroup.com
ALPHA OMEGA Management: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlphaOmegaManagement
MEGADETH lead guitarist Kiko Loureiro has issued via his official Facebook Page:
ATTENTION: STOLEN GUITAR!!
Hello everyone, unfortunately, I have bad news to share. While traveling to California last week for the Megadeth Bootcamp, my new Ibanez Guitars LACS KIKO guitar (serial number LA0283) was stolen from me. After arriving in Los Angeles, I was surprised to find that my bag was destroyed and completely empty when I received it from the international baggage claim conveyor belt. It was a large bag which was carrying my custom guitar in a hardcase and a Nord keyboard as well. Both were gone upon arrival. I was looking forward to making the Boot Camp the first official appearance of this guitar, to share for all in attendance, but unfortunately, this could not happen. I have filed a claim reporting the theft but have yet to get an explanation as to what happened, so I am now forced to take the matters into my own hands. Here are some pictures that I posted of the guitar when I first received it. If you have any info about the whereabouts of this guitar please send an email to me: stolenibanez@kikoloureiro.com or Megadeth Management : +1 (310) 450-7132
