Tag Archives: Metallica

Metallica/Lady GaGa

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I have been asked by several people what my thoughts on the Metallica/Lady GaGa performance last night on the Grammys.

I haven’t watched any of the so called “award” shows in a very long time. My reasoning is that I do not feel it adequately represents reality. I think that if they want a REAL version they should put it to vote to the people who are listening to that particular genre of music. Now, on to the Metallica/GaGa performance.

Because I was asked I looked online and saw the performance. In my opinion it was a train wreck from the get go. I think that it was someone’s grand idea to try and cross pollinate fans of Lady GaGa and Metallica. While I feel, both are great performers on their own, they added nothing to each other. I was also bothered by the “mosh pit” dancers on stage. It seemed too contrived, any one of you who has been “caught in a mosh” know what I mean. As for the technical glitches, hey it’s Rock N’ Roll and we have ALL lived through them.

All in all, it was painful for me to watch. I said it and I’ll stand by it.

-the Hellion18222_506710132693748_815406802_n

Metallica: Hardwired…to…

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“Hit The Lights” was the first track I ever heard from Metallica. I liked the energy and aggression I heard. I thought myself “These guys have something here.”

Well, we all know how that turned out. Metallica, for me at least, has had its ups and downs. But this is something to expect when people grow and their life situations change around them. In the beginning there was a hunger in them, a drive, a sense of angry passion to be heard, they had something to prove.

Over time Metallica went through some changes that like it or not affected the direction of the band.

By the time Kill ‘Em All was released the lineup consisted of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Cliff Burton. The kings of thrash were ready to kick ass and take names.

We got two more fantastic records from this lineup Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets before the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton. This is where I feel the first chapter closed and the band began to undergo some changes.

The hard choice for them at this time was to find someone who could step up and climb aboard the speeding freight train that was Metallica at this time. That someone had some seriously big shoes to fill as Cliff Burton was a fan favorite. Metallica tapped Jason Newsted to fill those shoes. We probably have all heard the stories of the hazing, the turning down of the bass during recording, blah blah blah, yada yada yada. This was band business and not fan business and we can only speculate as what really went on. This, however, I feel was the catalyst for change in Metallica.

…And Justice for All gave us a different Metallica sound than we were used to. In my opinion a more mature less frantic sound. Not all together bad, just different than before. The next release, Metallica, furthered that change and ultimately became their best-selling record to date and broadened their fan base immensely while at the same time alienating some of their hardcore fans. Suddenly people who looked at you like you were crazy for liking Metallica before were “fans”. And, again this is just my opinion, they became drunk with success.

Despite what we have all heard the members of Metallica are all human and such, subject to the limitations of that. Life experience and growth is what I attribute to the changes in style we saw with the release of Load and Reload. Less thrash and more experimental musical songs combined with image change further pushed their early hardcore fans away and thrust Metallica into the mainstream world.

I happened to respect their changes and growth. While I loved the early aggressive sound, I found an appreciation for this new sound that reflected life changes even as I found myself growing and maturing.

And then, another shakeup, Jason Newsted was out of the picture. No replacement was announced and producer Bob Rock filled in on St. Anger and we were let into the inside world of their lives and problems with the film Some Kind of Monster. The release St. Anger gave us yet another style of Metallica. People panned the writing and production, and others panned the recording. The fair-weather “fans” that came on board with Metallica silently folded their Metallica shirts and placed their CD’s and records on dusty shelves and moved on to the next flavor of the month. The hardcore fans continued to grumble and listen to the early stuff and prayed for a return to the thrash sounds of old…

I have been a longtime fan of Rob Trujillo’s work and was excited to hear of his addition to the Metallica lineup. I had to wait until Death Magnetic dropped to get that chance. While I found this to be a good, solid record I had still expected a little more. Good but not great in my opinion. I did catch them on the Death Magnetic tour and the energy and passion given to the old school tracks was fantastic to see. I refused to give up on Metallica.

I am not even going to speak on Lulu as I feel it not to be a Metallica album (maybe I’ll talk about it down the road on a collaborations article).

All of this leads us to today. Metallica broke the internet yesterday when they released the new track “Hardwired…to Self-Destruct”. All day long I saw back and forth postings about the track. Name calling, bashing, criticisms, speculations…. on and on. My personal thoughts on it? I liked it. Did I love it? Not really. Do I appreciate it? ABSOFRICKINGLUTELY!!!

I posed the question on Facebook yesterday asking if a band that was once relevant could once again gain said relevance in today’s day and age where people just want to hear the “hits” and only the “hits”. Yes, I was talking about Metallica and the upcoming album Hardwired…to Self-Destruct. Given the effect they had on the internet yesterday what do YOU think?

 

It’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s METALLICA!!!

  -the Hellion 

Metallica has jumped the shark (in my opinion)

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Many years ago some pissed off disaffected young men decided to tell the world how they were feeling. Their medium: loud, fast, and aggressive music, their name? METALLICA!!!!

When James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich got their shit together and put Dave Mustaine and Cliff Burton in the lineup they were ready to shake up the Rock N’ Roll world. They were loud, obnoxious, and very much what we needed in music at that time.

They then went to New York to record their debut record with which they planned sonic assault on the eardrums of the world, which is when they began their race to “jump the shark” so to say.

Nobody was madder and more disaffected than Dave Mustaine (if you doubt me listen to his music even to this day). When they kicked him out and replaced him with Kirk Hammett from Exodus they started down that road to the shark.

While we got some really good music from Metallica in the early days the clock was ticking for our young anarchists.

Keep in mind these are just my thoughts on Metallica and how I feel they have jumped the shark. Like I stated earlier I believe their path to jumping said shark was with the dismissal of Dave Mustaine. I do indeed own every release by Metallica and I have passed my judgment as this: the so-called Black album was the demise of Metallica in that I feel the loss  of any fire and passion in their music. Yes, there were some great tracks here and there in the subsequent records but none that were solid from open to close.  Now am I saying Metallica sucks? Not a chance, they just aren’t making the music that I fell in love with anymore. I will continue to purchase their future releases and give them a fair listen and hope for that spark to reappear, but I am not holding my breath. I will thank them for the back catalog of music that still put my fist in the air but inside I weep when I listen to St. Anger….

Rest In Peace Cliff Burton, I have always admired and respected you and your style of playing.

 

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

-the Hellion

 

Ok, ok, I get it!!!

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So, people are calling me out on my Facebook statement from earlier today. After hearing about the Metallica/Budweiser beer thing. I posted: “Drink some beer with our name on it so you don’t care if our next record is terrible…” I then commented on my own post: “What’s next Megabeer, Five Finger Hard Punch?”

It was all in fun people, but I get it. I’m close enough to people in the industry to understand the struggle. Being a musician in today’s world is harder than ever. That is why many of them have chosen to diversify their interests. That is why we have seen so many hot sauces, coffees, restaurants, clothing lines, guitars and gear, etc., etc. from artists these days. The problem that can arise from this, in my opinion, is that I feel the music gets lost in all of the hustle and bustle.

So, in conclusion, pay more attention to the music instead of the “stuff”! Now go buy some music and band merch, and hit up a show or two!!!

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

-the Hellion

THE WINERY DOGS AND VINNIE PAUL DROP BY THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF VH1 CLASSIC’S “THAT METAL SHOW”

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THE WINERY DOGS AND VINNIE PAUL DROP BY THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF VH1 CLASSIC’S “THAT METAL SHOW”

Guitar Legend Yngwie Malmsteen Returns and Shreds as Guest Musician

PHOTO - TMS Week 11#636443

(March 27th, 2014 – New York, NY) – VH1 Classic’s centerpiece in original programming “That Metal Show” returns this week with Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, and Mike Portnoy of The Winery Dogs. The band drops by to update hosts Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson, and Jim Florentine on how things have been going since the release of their debut album, released last July. The band also unveils a new deluxe edition of their debut that will be released in the near future. Unfortunately, the band leaves mid-show because they were performing that night in New York City. TMS Alum, Vinnie Paul, returns for a third time to the show and finishes the show alone. Vinnie fills the hosts in on the latest Hell Yeah record, recounts tales from the road, and once again definitively states that the rumors of the possible Pantera reunion with Zakk Wylde on guitar are completely false. Vinnie eloquently states: “They call it a ‘reunion’ for a reason, it means that all original members will be returning.  Well, with Dime no longer being here, that’s not possible.  We had fourteen amazing years together, and in my humble opinion there’s no way to do that. I don’t want to tarnish the legacy of Pantera, and my brother.  This just needs to be left alone, as it is, and it’s time for us to move on, man.” Vinnie Paul also enlightens the hosts in the “Put It On The Table” segment as he answers the lightning fast Q&A portion of the show. Episode eleven of “That Metal Show” airs this Saturday, March 29th at 11:00PM ET/PT.

PHOTO - TMS Week 11#636462 

Guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen returns to TMS but this time as the guest musician. Yngwie wowed the hosts, guests, and crowd with his amazing fretwork and improvisational abilities. He even takes a full guitar solo in the final segment of the show that is not-to-be-missed.

Episode eleven also features a “Metal Modem” segment with Michael Poulson, of Volbeat, checking in from his home in Denmark. Michael fills in the hosts about what is going on with Volbeat’s upcoming tour, what it was like to tour with Metallica, and how great it was to be on the road with Hell Yeah and Vinnie Paul, hoping they can do it again soon. The “TMS Top 5” tackles the Top 5 Greatest Hard Rock Trios with all three hosts only agreeing on one band, Rush. This week’s “Stump The Trunk” finds Eddie regaining his dominance over the audience’s questions. When he gets one wrong it allows a lucky fan to win one of Billy Sheehan’s basses; autographed by the Winery Dogs, which of course brings out everyone’s favorite Miss Box Of Junk, Jennifer.

Since the January 18th premiere of Season 13, “That Metal Show” continues to bring their audience the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. The season 13 finale airs on April 5th at 11:00PM ET/PT with guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, comedians Artie Lange and Jim Breuer, and Yngwie Malmsteen as guest guitarist, earning the distinction as being the only repeat performer in season 13.

This season marks some monumental changes for the show as it returns to New York City for Season 13. Previously the show was taped over several days, in a course of a week, at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. The new season is now shot at Metropolis Studios on Tuesday nights, for broadcast that Saturday. Season 13 also consists of 12 new episodes making it the longest season in the series history. Fans can also catch the complete season 12 and brand new exclusive bonus clips at ThatMetalShow.VH1.com and on the new VH1 app. New episodes of season 13 launch on the web and in the app every Sunday morning following the show’s on-air premiere.

“That Metal Show” premiered on VH1 Classic in November 2008 and since has become the only place for all things hard rock and heavy metal on cable television. The show has been visited by some of the biggest names in the genres including members of Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Pantera, Anthrax, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Queensrÿche, and Heart.

“That Metal Show” is a production of VH1 Classic. Lee Rolontz, Jeff Baumgardner, and Keshia Williams serve as executive producers for VH1.

VH1 Classic brings you the best metal, rock, soul and pop from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. The channel features the gods of rock – from Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Iron Maiden to Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and Dire Straits – in marquee concerts and music specials, and of course, tons of classic music videos. Recent big events include “National Metal Day” (11.11) and “Metal Evolution”, an 11-part documentary series on the history of metal.  When it comes down to it – all music should go to 11.

 

Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine Reveal RONNIE JAMES DIO “Rainbow In The Dark” Cover Track – Featuring Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci & Jason Christopher‏

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Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine Reveal RONNIE JAMES DIO “Rainbow In The Dark” Cover Track –

Featuring Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci & Jason Christopher

 

Grab this Track and More — Get the RONNIE JAMES DIO “This Is Your Life” Compilation – Pre-Order via iTunes

 

Win an ASG Series Dio Guitar from GuitarWorld.com!

 

This Is Your Life is the #1 Hard Rock/Metal Album // Top 10 Overall on Amazon!

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Album Artwork by Mark Sasso

his Is Your Life Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Ronnie James Dio With Renditions of his Greatest Songs from Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio

Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino

 

 

Dual premiere alert! Today, Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine have partnered up to reveal a stellar rendition of ‘Rainbow In The Dark’, performed by Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, and Jason Christopher. The track appears on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute compilation This Is Your Life, available April 1, 2014 via Rhino in physical and digital versions. Take a listen now at Revolvermag.com or GuitarWorld.com!

While visiting GuitarWorld.com, make sure to enter to win an awesome ASG Dio Vision Guitar! The guitar features a solid basswood body and set neck, a rosewood fingerboard, Mother of Pearl inlays, and more. View a full description at ArtistSeriesGuitar.com, and enter to win via GuitarWorld.com now.

Don’t be the last in line – reserve your digital copy now via iTunes here, or physical via Amazon here. As a bonus with your iTunes pre-order, you’ll get a free, instant download of Motörhead and Biff Byford of Saxon’s rendition of Rainbow’s ‘Starstruck’. In addition, all digital versions of This Is Your Life, will include a newly recorded version of Black Sabbath’s ‘Buried Alive’ re-imagined by Jasta, the side project of Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta. This track will be exclusively available on the digital versions.

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Local to New York City? Duff’s Brooklyn is hosting the official This Is Your Life east coast listening and release party this Saturday, March 29th at 10:00PM. The event is free and you must be 21+ to attend. Duff’s Brooklyn is located at 168 Marcy Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

In other Dio event news – on March 17th, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund hosted its 3rd annual Awards Gala at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood, CA, and raised in excess of $90,000 for cancer research and education. Thank you to all who attended and donated! The event included all-star performances from Halestorm, Oni Logan, Rowan Robertson, Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy, Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Tim “Ripper” Owens, Craig Goldy, Bjorn Englen, Simon Wright, Scott Warren, Corey Taylor, Christian Martucci, Scott Ian, Duff McKagan, Jason Christopher, Roy Mayorga, and more – and awards were presented to distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund’s important work. The red carpet was star-studded, with appearances from Rob Halford, Pearl Aday, Vinny Appice, Mark Boals, Ann Boleyn, Dewey Bragg (Kill Devil Hill), Maxwell Carlisle, Mikey Doling (SNOT), Lita Ford, Jeff George, Rita Haney (Dimebags Hag), Kathryn Hanneman (Jeff’s/Slayer widow), Nik Kai, Sin Quirin, Jack Russell (Great White), Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Vext (SNOT), Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), and more.

 

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This Is Your Life is a tribute album created to raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund(www.diocancerfund.org), which features an all-star group of his friends and fans performing 13 of their favorite Ronnie James Diotracks. The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention, and was co-founded by Dio’s longtime manager and wife, Wendy Dio. 100% of the monies received from this album by the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund goes directly into cancer research.

Produced by Wendy Dio, widow of Ronnie James Dio and Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer FundPresident/Founder,  This Is Your Life includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Scorpions, Anthrax, Glenn Hughes and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years. See below for a full tracklisting, chock full of renditions by today’s most stellar classic, heavy metal and hard rock artists!

Ronnie James Dio This Is Your Life Track Listing:

  1. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
  2. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
  3. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
  4. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
  5. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
  6. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
  7. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
  8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
  9. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
  10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
  11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
  12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
  13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
  14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio

Digital Bonus Track: “Buried Alive” – Jasta*

* Previously unreleased

 

New RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life” Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend — Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino‏

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ew RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life”

Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend

 

Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino

 

This Is Your Life Pays Tribute To The Late Singer With Covers Of

His Greatest Songs From Rainbow, Black Sabbath, And Dio

 

Features Newly Recorded Tracks From Anthrax, Halestorm, Rob Halford, Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Corey Taylor, And Tenacious D, Among Others

To Benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

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Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on.

 

To celebrate one of rock’s most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org). Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions,Anthrax, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

 

This Is Your Life will be available from Rhino on April 1, 2014 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.

 

Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio’s career, several spotlight his time with Rainbow, including Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines the Rainbow songs “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King.” Scorpions add a scorching take on “The Temple Of The King” while Motörhead is joined by Biff Byford from Saxon on “Starstruck.” Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain.” The final line-up of Dio’s solo band – Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren – are joined by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) for “Catch The Rainbow,” a track from Rainbow’s 1975 debut.

 

Anthrax and Adrenaline Mob honor Dio’s memorable stint with Black Sabbath with their takes on “Neon Knights” and “The Mob Rules” respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs “I” from Dehumanizer.

 

This Is Your Life also includes songs from Dio’s back-to-back platinum albums Holy Diver (1983) and The Last In Line (1984), withDoro’s take on “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”, Halestorm tackling “Straight Through The Heart,” Corey Taylor (Stone Sour,Slipknot) covering the classic “Rainbow In The Dark” and Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Glass) putting their signature spin on “The Last In Line.” Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Diver,” a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.

 

Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album’s title) with his moving performance of “This Is Your Life.” Originally released on Angry Machines (1996), the song’s lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio’s again.

 

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.

 

 

RONNIE JAMES DIO: This Is Your Life Track Listing:

 

  1. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
  2. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
  3. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
  4. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
  5. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
  6. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
  7. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
  8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
  9. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
  10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
  11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
  12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
  13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
  14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio

 

* Previously unreleased

Kyng To Release New Studio Album Burn The Serum On April 15th On Razor & Tie; First Song Stream On Revolver Now‏

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KYNG TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM BURN THE SERUM ON APRIL 15TH ON RAZOR & TIE
 Hear First Track “Burn The Serum” Now On Revolver
(New York, NY) – Southern California rock trio Kyng will release their new studio album, Burn The Serum (Razor & Tie ) on April 15th.  Burn The Serum was produced by Andrew Alekel(Foo Fighters, No Doubt, Queens of The Stone Age, Clutch) and James A. Rota (Sound City) and was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders LTD and Sword & Shield in Hollywood, CA as well as at Studio 606 in Northridge, CA.
Hear the first song off the album “Burn The Serum” now at Revolver.
Kyng’s Eddie Veliz explains the song, “Burn The Serum is one of the best songs that the guys and I have written so far. It’s extremely honest in the subject matter and the riff.”
On their second full-length album and first for Razor & Tie, the band harks back to the essence of heavy rock ‘n’ roll, forging thunderous percussion to lightning hot riffs driven by a divine vocal howl. At the same time, they keep their eyes wide open towards the future. Kyng find grandiosity in simplicity. The Los Angeles outfit may only boast three members—Eddie Veliz [vocals/guitar], Pepe Clarke [drums], and Tony Castaneda [bass/backup vocals]—but their collective roar could easily tip the Southern California Richter Scale.
Formed in 2008, Kyng broke out of the City of Angels in 2011 with the group’s independent debut Trampled Sun.  The album landed shining critical acclaim for its “California Heavy” sound merging the metallic meanderings of Soundgarden and Queens of the Stone Age with the timeless scope of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. They hit the road with everybody from The Sword and Clutch to Trivium and Megadeth—even being picked to play at Metallica’s first-everOrion Music + More festival. Loudwire raved, “a hard hitting fusion of rocking goodness,” andUltimate-Guitar added, “if they keep churning out records as good as Trampled Sun, they will be mentioned right up there with Mastodon and the like.”
KYNG wrapped up 2013 with the Hellpop Tour with In This Moment, Motionless In Whiteand All Hail The Yeti and will hit the road in 2014 to support of Burn The Serum (tour dates below).  .

 

KYNG Tour Dates
April 26 – Fort Meyers, FL – Fort Rock
April 27 – Jacksonville, FL – Metropolitan Park
May 2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live
May 3 – Concord, NC – Charlotte Motor  Speedway
May 10 – Bangor, ME – Darlings Waterfront Pavilion
May 16– Columbus, OH – Columbus Crew Stadium Rock on The Range

Rock Radio Legend LOU BRUTUS Holds First Ever Photo Exhibition – Ten LOU BRUTUS Concert Photos Are Currently Up for Bid on eBay with All Money Going to Wounded Warrior Project‏

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Rock Radio Legend LOU BRUTUS Holds First Ever Photo Exhibition

Ten LOU BRUTUS Concert Photos Are Currently Up for Bid on eBay with All Money Going to Wounded Warrior Project

Brutus Will Meet with Fans in Madison, WI on Saturday December 14, 2013 at An Exhibition of the Photographs. Select Images Will Also Be Shown in the Lobby of Madison’s Orpheum Theatre That Evening

 

Rock Radio legend LOU BRUTUS, who was recently voted Best DJ in America by voters in the Rock Radio Awards sponsored by Radio Contraband, is exhibiting his concert photography for the very first time with ten of the images currently being auctioned on eBay to benefit Wounded Warrior Project.

The photographs, taken at various locations around the United States, include onstage images of Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Sour, Shinedown, Halestorm, Disturbed, KoRn, Volbeat, and Jackyl. The photos, culled from the thousands Brutus has shot over his career, were chosen via fan votes on his Facebook page. Each has been framed and matted with the mat hand signed by Brutus in pencil.

Apart from his broadcast career, Lou is an accomplished photographer.  His lighthouse photography has graced magazine covers and he has worked the last six seasons as an on field Major League Baseball photographer. He often shoots rock bands as he travels the world to interview them. This is the first time his photography has ever been available for purchase.

 

Brutus will exhibit the photographs and meet with fans at Diego’s at 118 State Street in Madison, WI on Saturday December 14, 2013 beginning at 4:30pm CT. Admission is free to the public. While the auction will be closed by that time, those photos will be displayed as well as other images by Brutus that can be won by raffle with the proceeds again benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. Following which, select images from the exhibit will be set up for viewing in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre in Madison at the Halestorm/Redlight King/Stars in Stereo show.

LOU BRUTUS is best known for his seventeen plus years of national syndication as the host of hardDrive with Lou Brutus and hardDrive XL with Lou Brutus, which can be heard on over 100 radio stations nationwide, as well as his work on other national radio platforms. He has done local shows in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, and Providence.

Brutus has also hosted radio specials and/or created radio channels for Metallica, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Rush, Disturbed, Theory of a Deadman, Smashing Pumpkins, and countless others. He was the very first to give national airplay to innumerable bands including Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Halestorm, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack and Sevendust.

LOU BRUTUS is currently working on his first book. It’s a collection of music industry war stories and photography, mixed with the museum sized collection of music memorabilia he has collected in his travels including thousands of backstage passes, ticket stubs, guitar picks, and concert posters. It will be entitled “One Man – Two Thousand Concerts: The Greatest Freakin’ Collection of Music Junk and Stories in History.” Sample chapter titles include “The Time Our Tour Bus Ran Over A Suicidal Crack Head on the New Jersey Turnpike,” “The Time I Hid in A Broom Closet So Frank Sinatra’s Bodyguards Wouldn’t Break My Legs, Wrap Me in Chain Link Fence & Drop Me Into the Ocean”, and “The Time I Went to the Arctic and Got In A Mosh Pit with A Bunch of Eskimos While Metallica Sang About Fucking A Goat.”

www.loubrutus.com

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The bassists of Metallica, my thoughts and opinions

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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