Monthly Archives: November 2014

Was Dimebag really that great?

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 photo credit: Chad Lee

THIS POST IS IN NO WAY INTENDED TO DISRESPECT THE MEMORY OF DIME

 

It has been almost ten years since Dimebag was shot to death onstage. It just so happened that I was talking to a very well known guitarist today (he wished to remain anonymous) about Dime and the impact he has had on the music community. His opinions and thoughts made me think about Dime and his influence.

I see so many people sporting the pink goatee and citing Dime as their main influence in guitar playing. But was he REALLY that good a player? I mean are there any songs by him that are truly game changers? Or is it “cool” to like him and therefore “cool” to cite him as an innovator? In my discussion with my friend the statement was made that Pantera filled a niche in the metal community and that was all it was.

In my opinion Dime played with heart and soul and THAT is good enough for me. If you look at the so called “A-List” guitar players you might find that their “skill-level”, or “technical mastery” might be lacking but their heart and interpretation was spot on.

I am just curious what you, loyal reader, have to say about Dimebag. Not looking for a slamming of him just some intelligent feedback.

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it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

-the Hellion

King Creature releases video for “In Hell”

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A while back I fell in with a bunch of miscreants from the UK, KING CREATURE. These lads have a special place in my heart. Working their collective asses off they have learned from their idols and developed a sound worth listening to.  Making waves in the UK they have recently rubbed elbows with Down, HELLYEAH, and Kill Devil Hill. I can only expect better and better things from these guys. They have just released a new video for their track “In Hell”. I find that I hear nods towards COC, Down, Sabbath, and BLS in it. Very well done guys! Check out “In Hell” right here:

All Hail KING CREATURE!!!

-the Hellion

Help a touring band out!!!

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OK Rockers listen up! Send an email to janaya64@msn.com and tell me why you like Crowned By Fire. Every entry wins something special and one entry wins something very cool and it helps them get on the road!!!. You have two days to get your emails in! Put CBF in the subject box please! FUEL THE FIRE!!! – the Hellion

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FUEL THE FIRE!!!

-the Hellion

 

Crowned By Fire: FUEL THE FIRE!!!

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Hitting the road is rough these days. My buds in Crowned By Fire are fixing to bring their unique sonic assault to the masses and need your help to do it. They are offering some very cool merch and perks on their indiegogo site. Shirts, downloads, one-of-a-kind articles, it’s all here! Rock N’ Roll is not dead and Crowned By Fire is on a mission to FUEL THE FIRE!!!! SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!!

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click the link and support:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fuel-the-fire–2

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!

-the Hellion

FREAK KITCHEN Video For “Freak of the Week” Streaming Now!

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FREAK KITCHEN Video For “Freak of the Week” Streaming Now!

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New Album Out Now!

Swedish trio FREAK KITCHEN are back with Cooking with Pagans, their eighth and most frantic album to date. The album was released on September 16th via Laser’s Edge.  The album can be ordered HERE.

Thanks to a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, bringing in almost $150,000, a very ambitious animated video, directed by legendary artist (and author of Blacksad) Juanjo Guarnido to the track “Freak of the Week” has finally been completed by a world-class team of animators. The video premiered at the New York Comic Con and can be viewed HERE.

FREAK KITCHEN has always been a tremendously respected live act and for the first time the energetic live vibe of FREAK KITCHEN has been captured in the studio. With influences stretching from AC/DC to classical South Indian music the three Norsemen, lead by guitar virtuoso Mattias IA Eklundh, truly have a sound of their own. Cooking with Pagans offers eleven intense original songs plus a sophisticated punk pop version of the 1936 hit “Goody Goody” like you’ve never heard it before. Cooking with Pagans is solid, inspired song writing (not to say playing) from start to finish.

FREAK KITCHEN will tour the world from November and the better part of 2015 to support their new release.

Cooking With Pagans Track Listing:

1. Professional Help

2. Freak of the Week

3. Sloppy

4. Goody Goody

5. (Saving Up For An) Anal Bleach

6. Private Property

7. Mathematics of Defeat

8. I Don’t Want to Golf

9. Hide

10. Come Back to Comeback

11. Ranks of the Terrified

12. Once Upon a Time in Scandanaviastan

 

Band Lineup:

Mattias IA Eklundh: Vocals, Guitar

Christer Ortefors: Bass, Vocals

Bjorn Fryklund: Drums

 

For More Info Visit:

http://www.freakkitchen.com

https://www.facebook.com/freakkitchen

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

-the Hellion

 

GARY CLARK JR. INVITED TO PERFORM AT FOO FIGHTERS 20TH ANNIVERSARY BLOWOUT IN WASHINGTON, DC ON JULY 4, 2015

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GARY CLARK JR. INVITED TO PERFORM AT FOO FIGHTERS 20TH ANNIVERSARY BLOWOUT IN WASHINGTON, DC ON JULY 4, 2015

CLARK IS A FEATURED GUEST ON NEW HBO DOCUMENTARY SERIES 
FOO FIGHTERS SONIC HIGHWAYS THAT DEBUTED THIS PAST 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

 

GARY CLARK JR LIVE, IN STORES NOW

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November 10th, 2014 – (Burbank, CA.) – Gary Clark Jr. is a featured guest on HBO’S critically acclaimed new documentary series Foo Fighters Sonic Highways on an episode that debuted this past Friday, Nov 7th (Check local listings for multiple repeat showings). Foos’ frontman, Dave Grohl, has described the series, which was made concurrently with the Foo Fighters’ upcoming eighth album of the same title as “a love letter to the history of American music.” The band visits eight legendary studios in eight different cities across U.S. as they write and record the album. Friday’s episode featuring Clark was shot in his hometown of Austin, TX. Clark is seen performing with the Foo Fighters on their new song “What Did I Do / God Is My Witness” from the Sonic Highways’ album.

 

The singer, songwriter, and guitarist will also perform at the Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowoutshow on July 4th, 2015 at Washington D.C.’s RFK Stadium, alongside Buddy Guy, Heart, Joan Jett, LL Cool J and others. Tickets on sale now.

 

In September, Clark released Gary Clark Jr. Live, which features blistering performances that span his gigs at clubs, theatres, arenas and festivals from the past 18 months of non-stop touring. Each track was captured as purely and spontaneously as it was performed on the night with absolutely no overdubs. Response to his first official live set has been fantastic:

 

“This rising Texan’s two-CD set is his defining moment, a generous blast of prowess that backs up the future-of-blues-guitar promises made in Gary Clark Jr’s name since his burst-out performance at Eric Clapton’s 2010 Crossroads Festival. Wherever he chooses to go from here, he has what it takes to get there.” – Rolling Stone Magazine

 

“It’s no secret that Gary Clark jr is a force to be reckoned with. Backed by a tight little wrecking crew, he evokes the image of a steam engine via the chooga-chooga of his guitar even as his vocals slide cooly overtop, sounding impossible level. No filler. No overdubs. No noodle.” – Spin.Com

 

Since well before the release of his major-label debut album in 2012, this smoldering guitar hero and bluesman has been damned with high praise: His live show is so good, said the rabble, that no studio record could ever do him justice. “Gary Clark Jr. – LIVE” (Warner Bros.), a demolition derby on two discs, is one way to answer that claim, and no less welcome for being totally obvious.” – The New York Times


“If you like guitars, you’ll love Gary Clark Jr. tracks like ‘Bright Lights’ and especially ‘Numb’ rumbles with defiant grungy volume and power.” – LA Weekly


“This is how it should have gone down in the first place…focusing on the guitarist/singer’s greatest strength – namely , his scorching onstage performances…mesmerizing” – Tone Audio Magazine

 

Watch a trailer for the album here. More Gary Clark Jr. news to be announced soon.

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

-the Hellion

BLACK TUSK Bassist Jonathan Athon Passes Away

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BLACK TUSK Bassist Jonathan Athon Passes Away

“It is with deep regret and saddened hearts that we must tell you that Athon passed away this morning from injuries sustained from his motorcycle accident. Doctors told us that he suffered irreparable brain damage shortly after the accident. He has been in a coma and sustained by life support until now. As per his wishes, we removed Athon from his life support systems and his organs will be donated. His body will be cremated and a memorial is being planned for family and friends in Savannah. He was 32 years old and will be forever missed. Thank you all for your support during this devastating time for us, it would have made him proud.”
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     sad news indeed…
     -the Hellion

Introducing Virginia Sludge Rockers MAMMOTH BLACK: New Album “Death Is Not Ashamed” Out December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records‏

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Introducing Virginia Sludge Rockers MAMMOTH BLACK:

New Album “Death Is Not Ashamed” Out December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records

 

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Introducing MAMMOTH BLACK – the newest and grittiest band to come out of Virginia. Self-described as heavy sludge rock, the band will release their debut album Death Is Not Ashamed on December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records. Production on Death Is Not Ashamed was completed earlier this fall with Dick Hodgin (COC, Velvet Revolver) at Osceola Studios in Raleigh, NC. The layout for the album was created by Joshua Fitzwater.

The album is available for pre-order soon via iTunes and CD Baby, as well as right now at MAMMOTH BLACK’s Bandcamp (Mammothblack@bandcamp.com).

 

If you pre-order via Bandcamp, you get ‘Open Death Letter’ as an instant download! Can’t wait? Check out a new music video for the track here:

Death Is Not Ashamed Track Listing:

1.      Open Death Letter

2.      Sheep Skin

3.      Self Pity & Self Deception

4.      Limb from Limb

5.      Death Mask

6.      Suffer

7.      Die Faster

 

MAMMOTH BLACK will perform at their official album release show, taking place at Shakas in Virginia Beach, VA on December 12th. The show will also feature performances from Gritter, Irata, and Saltine. For more information, visit www.shakaslive.com.

 

MAMMOTH BLACK plans to tour the U.S. east coast this January through March, stopping in select cities. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.

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In other news, MAMMOTH BLACK’s Brett Lloyd and Gritter’s Ryan Kent will also be releasing a book via Dead Books Publishing in January 2015 called Screaming On The Way Down. Stay tuned for more details on the book.

 

To learn more about the band, please visit www.facebook.com/mammothblackva.

 

MAMMOTH BLACK is:

Brett Lloyd – Vocals

Billy Strong – Guitar

Ross Becker – Guitar

Steve “Tombstone” Ross – Bass

Corbitt Carroll – Drums

 it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

the Hellion

 

PRONG Announce New Covers Album and 2015 Tour Dates!‏

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PRONG Announce New Covers Album and 2015 Tour Dates!

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European Headline Tour kicks off on April 17, 2015

New Record “Songs From The Black Hole” out March 2015

 Fresh off their US Tour, American Power Trio PRONG finished an album of cover versions, putting their distinct spin on an array of tracks originally recorded by artists such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, Adolescents, The Sisters Of Mercy, Killing Joke, Hüsker Dü and Neil Young.

Tommy Victor: “PRONG is excited to announce 2015 European tour dates in conjunction with our upcoming release “Songs From The Black Hole”. Along with the standards and selected tracks from our newest albums, we will be performing our versions of classic influential masterpieces, as featured on the new record. The tour has us returning to England, remarkably, for four shows after our premier UK festival appearance at Bloodstock. It will also be great to head back to Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Austria and Holland with a new set and another new PRONG release, “Songs From The Black Hole”!

SPV/Steamhammer will be releasing the album as a special CD and LP edition in Scandinavia on March 25th, in Germany on March 27th, inEurope on March 30th and in the USA on March 31st 2015.

More details will be revealed soon.

PRONG European Tour 2015

17.04. NL-Groningen – Vera

18.04. NL-Sittard – Volt

19.04. B-Kortrijk – De Kreun

21.04. UK-Birmingham – O2 Academy 2

22.04. UK-Liverpool – O2 Academy 2

23.04. UK-London – O2 Islington Academy

24.04. UK-Bristol – O2 Academy

25.04. F-Savigny le Temple – L’Emreinte

26.04. CH-Pratteln – Z7

27.04. A-Graz – PPC

28.04. A-Vienna – Szene

29.04. D-Munich – Feierwerk

30.04. D-Berlin – C-Club

01.05. D-Cologne – Underground

02.05. D-Essen – Turock

03.05. D-Hamburg – Knust

Agency: Seaside Touring

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For More Info Visit:

http://www.prongmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

http://www.spv.de

       it’s loud, it’s it’s dirty, it’s PRONG!!!

     -the Hellion

RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR Brand New Digital Single Out Now, Stream Available!‏

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RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR Brand New Digital Single Out Now, Stream Available!

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Manga metal moshers RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR have released their brand new digital single, ‘Dressed All In Black’. The song is now available via all known download & streaming platforms. Click to order @ iTunes, Amazon, Google!

Stream ‘Dressed All In Black’ at: http://youtu.be/XeNyEiRD_es

The song comes off the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Welcame, which will be released November 21 via Nuclear Blast Records. Welcame was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Zeuss (MADBALL, HATEBREED, EMMURE).

The album will be available as limited edition digipak including a so-called obi, a traditional Japanese paper strip, wrapped around the CD. Two special bundles including a different rare and limited T-Shirts can be pre-ordered as well. Welcame will also be available on black vinyl as well as on Japanese style white vinyl with a red label (Nuclear Blast Mailorder only.)

While waiting for the whole cluster bomb of an album to be released, a few selected legends of the hardcore and metal world have already gotten a sneak peak and are overwhelmed:

“ROTNS really know how to bring that old thrash sound current! Their NYHC influenced style mixed in with their original mojo is something that appeals to many extreme music enthusiast world wide! Killer band!”

Roger Miret | AGNOSTIC FRONT

“What a sick mixture of some of the greatest influences from the 90’s, I love what they are doing!”

Billy Graziadei | BIOHAZARD

“Hardcore will never die as long as bands like ROTNS are carrying the torch. A crushing album!”

Mille Petrozza | KREATOR

„This is some HEAVY stuff with a youthful, hip hop kind a flare/flavor, what can I say… they definitely demonstrate their saiya style!“
Freddy Cricien | MADBALL

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Welcame will contain the following tracks:
01. What The Fuck
02. Welcame [Furyo State Of Mind]
03. The New Path
04. Samurai Spirit
05. Dressed All In Black
06. Again And Again
07. Tyson
08. Bosozoku
09. Simon Says*
10. Authentic
11. Blast ‘em All
*PHAROAHE MONCH cover

Check out what RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR are about with this playlist of all their official videos to date! Among these are brand new tracks ‘Welcame[Furyo State Of Mind]’ and the PHAROAHE MONCH cover ‘Simon Says’ – both taken from the upcoming debut album!

This playlist contains:
‘Welcame [Furyo State Of Mind]’ – the album’s title track (250.000+ clicks)
‘Simon Says’ (stream only, no video) – PHAROAHE MONCH cover (53.000+ clicks)
‘Demonstrating My Saiya Style’ (1.000.000+ clicks)
‘Sound Of Wolves’ (900.000+ clicks)
‘Phoenix’ (1.300.000+ clicks)

‘Protect Ya Chest’ (895.000+ clicks)

RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR is:
Vithia – vocals
Air-One – guitar
Eva-B – guitar
Fabulous Fab – bass
Hokuto No Kev – drums

www.riseofthenorthstar.com | www.facebook.com/rotnsofficial | www.nuclearblast.de/riseofthenorthstar

      it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!…and we LOVE it!

     -the Hellion