KILL DEVIL HILL releases Revolution Rise on 10/29/13

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The first Kill Devil Hill record kicked everyone in the ass. The second, Revolution Rise, will not only kick your ass, it will crush your ears and your mind as well. Revolution Rise shows the growth of Kill Devil Hill as a band. If you are not familiar with them here is a quick rundown: in 2011 Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Dio),Rex Brown (Pantera, Down), Mark Zavon (W.A.S.P.), Dewey Bragg (Pissing Razors) came together to create the force that is Kill Devil Hill.

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Now, on to the new record Revolution Rise!

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1. No Way Out
2. Crown Of Thorns
3. Leave It All Behind
4. Why
5. Wake Up The Dead
6. Long Way From Home
7. Where Angels Dare To Roam
8. Stained Glass Sadness
9. Endless Static
10. Stealing Days
11. Life Goes On

     The album opens dirty and nasty and grabs you right away and lever lets go. The vocals of Dewey Bragg have the right amount of power for  a band like Kill  Devil Hill. He knows when to sing clean and when to insert the insane metal screams to make your ears bleed. Mark Zavon brings some very tasty licks to the mix. Combing rhythm with leads he knows when the shred needs to be added to suit the track. The legendary Vinny Appice provides the thunder for Kill Devil Hill, and it is thunderous. It’s like having Thor come down from Asgard and sit in with your band. And then there’s Rex Brown, one of my personal favorite bassists. I have loved Rex’s bass lines for a long time now. I have seen Rex perform live and he is a chest crusher, it continues with Kill Devil Hill and on Revolution Rise.

     While it is hard to pick stand out songs on a record as good as Revolution Rise there are a few I have gone back to a couple of times.

     “Wake Up The Dead”- this track has a dark and heavy groove perfect for those scary nights

     “Stained Glass Sadness” – There are those thunderous drums in the intro and they lead into a track that has me closing my eyes and getting lost in my mind.

     “Crown Of Thorns” –  Yup, my neck already hurts from listening to this track, you know what I mean. In fact, here’s a listen:

     Kill Devil Hill – Revolution Rise final thoughts: This is a record to be enjoyed LOUDLY (so everyone around you can enjoy it as well) and with your favorite libation. It sounds great in your vehicle (warning: other drivers will think you insane as your rock your ass off to it.) I can only imagine the AWESOMENESS of these tracks performed live.

     It’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s KILL DEVIL HILL!!!

     -the Hellion

An interview with John Corabi

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John Corabi has been one of my favorite vocalists for quite a while now. I got to have a candid conversation with him about his career past and present. Sit back and enjoy this lengthy interview:

     Here is a cool video of John performing “Seasons Of Wither” with Frank Hannon. We discussed his love of this song in the interview:

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     thanks Jen Kowalski from Rat Pak Records!

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

    -the Hellion

TWO NEW MOTÖRHEAD TRACKS! Listen to ‘End Of Time’ via Pitchfork and ‘Going To Mexico’ via MTV NOW!‏

TWO NEW MOTÖRHEAD TRACKS! Listen to ‘End Of Time’ via Pitchfork and ‘Going To Mexico’ via MTV NOW!

Official “AFTERSHOCK” Listening Party @ Rainbow Bar & Grill on October 18 from 9-11PM

New Album “Aftershock” Hitting Stores on October 22, 2013 via UDR Music

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“Just finished listening to “Aftershock”. It’s incredible… they never fail to deliver! If you love Rock and Roll, you must get this album!!!”– Triple H, 13-time World Champion and Chief Operating Officer of WWE

“The new MOTÖRHEAD album ‘Aftershock’ is so ridiculously good. If u don’t buy it Lemmy will personally come to your house & defile your sister!” – Don Jamieson “That Metal Show”

“All [Lemmy] and his mates have done is put together one of their best albums in the last 20 years.” – MSN.com

“WOW! The new MOTÖRHEAD record is one of the best, start to finish, they have ever done.  LOST WOMAN BLUES is da bomb.”  –Classic Rock Revisited

 MOTÖRHEAD has released two more killer tracks cut from their upcoming 21st studio album, Aftershock! Today,Pitchfork.com is streaming ‘End Of Time’, and MTV.com is streaming ‘Going To Mexico’. Two more blistering tracks to tide you over until the release of Aftershock on October 22, 2013 via UDR Music.

Recorded at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, Aftershockis a true leveler, a crushing confirmation of everythingMOTÖRHEAD stands for, marching from the dust storm to deliver 14 belting statements which see MOTÖRHEAD in perhaps their best writing form for years.

 You can pre-order the next chapter of MOTÖRHEAD’s legendary catalog now in Limited Edition Digipack format viaAmazon.com at this link. The album is also available for pre-order now in regular CD format and vinyl (gatefold – 180-Gram Single LP) format (digital coming soon).

MOTÖRHEAD’s single ‘Heartbreaker’ is spinning now on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal and Ozzy’s Boneyard channels.

MOTÖRHEAD recently announced their upcoming official listening party, taking place at the world-famous Rainbow Bar & Grill located at 9015 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood. The event is taking place on Friday, October 18th from 9:00-11:00 PM, upstairs. Come listen to the brand new MOTÖRHEAD album Aftershock before it’s released on October 22nd, enjoy free Rainbow Pizza and win MOTÖRHEAD prizes! The first 100 MOTÖRHEAD fans get in free!

Finally, all of the bands involved in the Noisecreep.com‘Most Anticipated Release of October’ Poll were great sports, but MOTÖRHEAD’s Aftershock came out on top! Thanks to all who voted.

 

Learn more about MOTÖRHEAD at these websites:

 

Official Lemmy Facebook:www.facebook.com/OfficialLemmy

Official MOTÖRHEAD Facebook:www.facebook.com/OfficialMotorhead

Official MOTÖRHEAD Twitter: @MyMotorhead

Official MOTÖRHEAD Website: www.imotorhead.com

Hank 3 – Sunshine Theater 10/05/13

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“Livin’ day by day’s all we can do.” – Hank 3

     There was a very diverse crowd outside of the Sunshine Theater Saturday night. Old, young, metal heads, country folk, all there to see Hank 3. I struck up a conversation with some very cool Native American youths in the crowd. They were decked out in Hank 3 gear and excited for the show. One guy said they anxiously peruse his website waiting for tour dates every year. Devoted and supportive fans indeed. I mentioned to them that I had had a very cool interview with Hank 3 the previous week:  handed them my card and they said they would check it out. We finally got in the venue and people mobbed the merch booth eagerly grabbing some of Hank 3’s kick ass gear. The die hards then packed themselves in against the barricade and waited in anticipation for the man himself to take the stage. We were in for a three hour set from Hank 3, and we were ready.

Die hard fans of Hank 3

Die hard fans of Hank 3

Hank 3 had told me during the interview that when the show says it starts at 8:00 pm, it starts at 8:00 pm and he was true to his word. The band hit the stage running and began their country set in earnest. Cranking out the old songs with the new and the fans singing along it was a truly enjoyable set.

Hank 3's country lineup.

Hank 3’s country lineup.

Hank 3

Hank 3

I grew up listening to Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr. and now I am listening to Hank 3. While Rock N’ Roll has always been my mainstay I can easily get behind the country stylings of Hank 3 because he brings the swagger and attitude of Rock N’ Roll to it. It was very refreshing to see the many rock fans step out of their boundaries and embrace his music.

 

Set two began with the members of the country line up leaving the stage (with the exception of stand up bassist Zach Shedd) and Hank 3 doing a minor clothing change. The two of them (plus a drummer whose name I did not catch) ripped into some “Hellbilly” music that, unless you were dead, had your head nodding and your feet tapping. A little bit of Rockabilly, a little bit of punk, this set was fast and furious and fun.

Hank 3 2nd set

Hank 3 2nd set

Zach Shedd

Zach Shedd

Hank 3’s final set of the evening yet again brought a quick clothing change and Zach leaving Hank 3 solo onstage. The lights went down and clips from Tribulation 99 a film by Craig Baldwin played on the screen above the stage. There was a greenish tint to the lighting and a pickup level light on the microphone stand. This led into the Third and final “Stoner/Doom” set. Heavy distortion on the guitar and vocals combined with the lighting and film backdrop made it a trippy and out of this world experience.

Hank 3 3rd set

Hank 3 3rd set

Hank 3 3rd set

Hank 3 3rd set

Going to a Hank 3 show is like going to three concerts in one. You leave a Hank 3 show tired but satisfied. I took this last shot in order for you to understand something about Hank 3. Those are the boots of a working man. And that is what Hank 3 is, what other performer do you know who performs a three hour set?  Thank you Hank 3, from the bottom of our twisted hearts.

Hank 3's boots

Hank 3’s boots

 

It’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s HANK 3!!!

-the Hellion

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIDDLE CLASS RUT RELEASE “DEAD EYE”

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Los Angeles, CA (October 2, 2013 ) – Fresh off their summer run on this year’s Uproar Festival, MIDDLE CLASS RUT have released “DEAD EYE,” the blistering new single from their critically acclaimed album, PICK UP YOUR HEAD (Bright Antenna Records). The band recently released the song’s lyric video, which was created by vocalist/guitarist Zack Lopez and can be seen at:

 

. A live version of “Dead Eye,” shot for Audiotree, can be seen at:

 

 

On November 2nd, Lopez and vocalist/drummer Sean Stockham will join Stone Temple Pilots and Cage The Elephant at the Fall Buzzfest Xxxi at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX, before heading overseas for a European tour. The new live shows see MCR amplifying its previous two-man-band setup by adding a bassist, guitarist and percussionist. Explains Zack, “We were talking about our touring and figuring out how to play the new songs live and realized we had two choices: either we play to a laptop loaded with tracks, which would be lame, or we bring in some guys to fill out the sound, which seemed cooler. Sean was a little reluctant at first, which then made me reluctant, but we agreed to at least try it.” So how are people reacting? After seeing the band live practically every day this summer, fellow Uproar touring artist and Seattle Weeklycolumnist Duff McKagan wrote, “Middle Class Rut should be the biggest thing on modern rock radio right now.”

 

Produced by the band and mixed by Grammy winning producer Dave Sardy (Johnny Cash, LCD Soundsystem, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds), PICK UP YOUR HEAD is the follow-up to 2010’s No Name No Color, which featured the hit single “New Low,” a top five hit at alternative radio, and whose video (http://bit.ly/Ketxkv) amassed more than 4.3 million YouTube views.

 

The Sacramento, CA-based MCR toured endlessly in support, sharing stages with Muse, Social Distortion, Them Crooked Vultures, Alice In Chains, 30 Seconds To Mars and Linkin Park, while drawing rave reviews from the likes of NME, the BBC,Alternative Press and Kerrang, among many others.

 

The band is raising the bar with PICK UP YOUR HEAD, which earned a 4 ½ star review from Alternative Press, who claimed the record “reconfirms that MCR are one of the most exciting current rock bands.” The Village Voice spotlighted MCR as one of the highlights on this year’s Uproar Festival, writing, “Listening to Middle Class Rut live feels a bit like having an enormous train hurtling towards you–an enormous train that happens to be on fire.” The Chicago Tribune gave the album a 3 ½ star review, calling it “tight and terrific” and USA Today singled out the band with a “Song of the Week” spotlight for lead track “Aunt Betty.”

 

Stockham and Lopez have been playing together since they were teens posting up in Zack’s mom’s house in  Sacramento  writing and recording. Prior to the release of No Name No Color, the duo released three EPs, and in mid-2011, put out “Hurricane,” a 10-inch vinyl release featuring the band’s resplendent cover of Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” with exclusive acoustic live versions of “New Low” and “Dead Set” (recorded at Maida Vale Studios and XFM Studios respectively) as b-sides.

 

http://mcrut.com
@MiddleClassRut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DETHKLOK’s “METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA” Airs Sunday, October 27th on Adult Swim + Original Score, Featuring 50-Piece Orchestra, Being Released as Full-Length Album on October 29th‏

DETHKLOK’s “METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA” Airs

Sunday, October 27th on Adult Swim

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Original Score, Featuring 50-Piece Orchestra, Being Released as Full-Length Album on October 29th

 

Special Video Teaser Available for Viewing NOW

 

Adult Swim Television Special Features Special Guests

JACK BLACK, MARK HAMILL, MALCOLM MCDOWELL, and Cannibal Corpse’s GEORGE “CORPSEGRINDER” FISHER

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In METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA we pick up directly after the abduction ofDETHKLOK guitarist Toki Wartooth in the season four finale. With his life in danger, his only salvation can come from the four most selfish human celebrities on Earth—his bandmates, extreme metal band DETHKLOK. Will they be able to get past their own egos to help someone besides themselves? Find out in this one-hour heavy metal rock opera special with a completely original score.

 

Created by Brendon Small, the animated one-hour special, METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA, airs Sunday, October 27 at Midnight (ET/PT) on Adult Swim. This once-in-a-lifetime DETHKLOK experience includes special guests Jack Black, Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, and Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher.

 

Watch a first look of the special HERE.

Download artwork from the special HERE.

 

The original score from METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA will be released as a full-length album on October 29, 2013. And this isn’t just your average metal record— this is full blown musical featuring a fifty-piece orchestra. This full-length album features the bonus DETHKLOK single ‘Blazing Star’ and orchestral movements (produced by Brendon Small and Emmy winning composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica/Walking Dead). Also included with the album will be a bonus “making of” featurette with Executive Producer/creator/writer/musician Brendon Small and cast/musicians.

 

Legendary powerhouse metal drummer Gene Hoglan returns to join Brendon and DETHKLOK. Other musicians include bassist Bryan Beller (DETHKLOK/THE ARISTOCRATS/ JOE SATRIANI), and Mike Keneally (DETHKLOK, FRANK ZAPPA, JOE SATRIANI).

 

Creator Brendon Small states, “This is not like anything we’ve ever done. This is a full blown musical- metal combined with symphonic passages, classic musical theatre, high stakes drama, emotional moments, and yes totally ridiculous comedy. I drew from all of my influences to make this the most unique project I could dream of. This is easily the best thing we’ve ever done with the show and the music. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

 

Composer Bear McCreary states, “I have been a fan of Metalocalypse for many years, and I am fortunate to call Brendon Small my friend. METALOCALYPSE: the DOOMSTAR REQUIEM A KLOK OPERA provided us the opportunity to collaborate that we’d always been looking for. I had a blast helping Brendon realize his vision for a fully-produced orchestral score to accompany his drop-tuned guitars and pounding double kicks.  This opera takes his catchy songwriting to a whole new level, and I was thrilled to help out.”

 

More information is coming soon. Please visit www.adultswim.com for information on the television special.

 

For more updates on the music and show, follow Brendon Small on Twitter at @_brendonsmall.

 

 

Even more to come!!!

at the Aria Booth - NAMM 2013

at the Aria Booth – NAMM 2013  – photo by Charlie “MF'” Owens

 

Spent the weekend chilling with the family and enjoying my birthday weekend. Remembering the loss of Cliff on my birthday, and just slowing down for a minute. Now, looking forward: We have tons of killer interviews in the works, shows we are going to shoot and review, CD’s to write about, and new bands to put into your heads. I am amazed at the growth of this site in a year. Thanks to all who support and have given us the opportunity to do what we love. Please hit us up with bands, features you’d like to see and your take on the site, love to hear from ya! Remember, the Hellion Rocks and Bleach Bangs Radio love you all!

-the Hellion

The bassists of Metallica, my thoughts and opinions

A conversation arose today at work about Metallica. This lead to talking about the various bassists that have been in the band. This conversation got me thinking and has led me to write my thoughts and opinions down.

Ron McGovney – 1982: Ron was the original bassist for Metallica. There are very few recordings of Ron with the band. It is said he left the band due to conflicts with band members. You can hear Ron if you are lucky enough to have Metal Massacre Volume 1. This, by the way, is a great record.  Ron left the band and closed his chapter with Metallica.

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Cliff Burton – 1982 to 1986: Cliff Burton will always be my favorite Metallica bassist. It is my opinion that Cliff brought a sense of heaviness to the band. He was that “cool guy” that everyone wanted to be or that guy that we all wanted to hang out with, and the one that your parents wouldn’t approve of. The records Cliff made with Metallica remain my favorites. Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning, Master Of Puppets, are Metallica at its finest. Cliff had such a presence and skill about him. He inspired a lot of musicians in his time. Unfortunately the world lost Cliff on 09/27/86 (my 22nd birthday by the way). Thank you Cliff for the music you left with us.

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Jason Newsted – 1986 to 2001:  Jason had some pretty big shoes to fill, and grieving band members to contend with.   The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, …And Justice For All, Metallica, Load, and Reload are the studio albums Jason made with the band. In my opinion after …And Justice For All the band headed in a direction that began to alienate their hardcore fans. I feel Jason was grossly under appreciated during his time with Metallica. I was familiar with Jason from his previous band  Flotsam And Jetsam and was impressed with his playing. Unfortunately things didn’t work out with Jason and Metallica and they parted ways. Jason is currently killing it with his new band Newsted which showcases his talents.

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Robert Trujillo – 2003 to present: Robert has always been one of my favorite bassists. However, not for Metallica (I know, I know, a bold statement.) Rob has only recorded one studio album, Death Magnetic. Rob is a seasoned bassist, I first heard of him with Suicidal Tendencies. Wow! I was hooked instantly by his style and stage presence. Infectious Grooves, Jerry Cantrell, Black Label Society,Glenn Tipton, Mass Mental? Ozzy, Robert got around. I was, however, disappointed when I heard of his joining Metallica. I just feel that his style and presence does not lend anything to Metallica (again, this is just my opinion).

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Well, there you have it. My opinions on the bassists of Metallica. Not dragging anyone through the mud just voicing my thoughts. I think that Metallica has evolved as the members have grown and experienced life changes. While there is nothing wrong with this, they have grown into a band that no longer interests me. Their new music does not attract me in the least.

I am interested in your thoughts, please chime in and leave some feedback!

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

– the Hellion

Some very cool HERETIC news!

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MINDCAGE – Our Own Devices CD review

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I receive a lot of CDs for review. Sometimes there are those which stand out from others. Our Own Devices is one such CD. While I have been hesitant about putting a genre to bands. sometimes it has to be done. I have had a while to digest this CD and delve into its depths and it falls into the Progressive Metal category. From the opening it grabs a hold of you. The formula that came together to make this CD come to life is nothing short of miraculous. The musicianship and vocal work are world-class and the world should step up and take notice. The CD is full of songs that are uniquely Mindcage and yet familiar to the ears. Just when you are lost within the dystopian  world Mindcage paints with Our Own Devices its over and you find yourself back in your own everyday world reaching for the replay button to hear it all again. Stellar vocals, killer riffs, chest crushing bass and thunderous drums all included.   There is a very cool story being told in this CD and I challenge you all to find it and come back here and post about your thoughts and musings.  Here is the track listing:

1.    Cadence March

2.    For All Mankind (The Dark Design)

3.    Our Own Devices

4.    The Human Race

5.    At Full Steam

6.    Firefly

7.    The One Constant

8.    Arabella’s Arc

9.    The Serenity Sequence (Renaissance Pt. I)

10.  The Grand Restoration (Renaissance Pt. II)

     I have been trying to pick some standout tracks and there are only two that I can put above any of the others. “The Human Race” and “Firefly” love ’em both and I think you will as well. Kudos to Mindcage for an OUTSTANDING piece of work.

Be sure to check Mindcage out online at: http://www.mindcagemusic.com and https://www.facebook.com/mindcageband and if that isn’t enough check out the video for “The Human Race” :

     Special shout outs to Kinematic Music for getting behind a band like Mindcage and to Michael Wagener for incredible mixing and production.

     “Our Own Devices from Mindcage will leave you breathless and wanting more.” – the Hellion