Tag Archives: Zakk Wylde

PET PEEVES: Who’s your favorite/best guitarist?

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There are so many polls, questions, battles, etc., etc., on who’s the best guitarist. I feel that this is a question that can never be truly asked or answered. In my opinion each and every guitarist that I listen to is distinctly different. I often wonder what Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Zakk Wylde, Tony Iommi, Dimebag, Randy Rhoads, and many more, would think (or would have thought) of all of these comparisons. For me, there is such joy in the diversity of styles in rock n’ roll. If everyone tried to sound like each other what would be the point? I say enjoy the bad ass guitarists that are out there and do yourself a favor and seek out the new crop of players that are trying their hardest to be heard. I just had to put this out there after seeing all of the recent polls and battles out there. Now, let’s talk about some  axe slingers you should be listening to.

     Justin Manning:

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Justin is the guitarist for the band Crowned By Fire. Incredible riffs, blinding speed, and a certain uniqueness in style make Justin a player to watch. check Justin and Crowned By Fire in the video for “Witch In The Window” : 

 Redd Yoachum:

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Redd is the lead guitarist for Scattered Hamlet. Redd plays with an old soul. He makes you feel the music that he plays, his passion fills your ears with sonic joy. I feel the guitar heroes who have passed on are smiling down on Redd. Here is the live version of “Skeleton Dixie”: 

 Craw Cajun:

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Craw is the guitarist for All Hail The Yeti. Craw is another one of those guitarists that when they play it gets right into your soul. All Hail The Yeti’s self titled release  was my top CD for 2012. This is a band on the move and Craw is a player headed for legendary status. Check out Craw’s playing in “The Art Of Mourning” : 

These are but three of my favorite guitarists that I feel should be getting more attention in the world. If you have any by all means bring to my attention! You can reach me at janaya64@msn.com or on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/theHellionRocks

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

the Hellion

ROCK THE SOLDIERS PROJECT!!

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     ATTENTION ALL BANDS!!! 

Music has helped me get through a lot of hard times in my life. I know our troops across the globe are having some rough times as well. I am starting this project to get bands to sign copies of their CDs and send them to me so I can in turn send them to the various branches of the military around the world. I believe a signed CD would help to lift their spirits and give them a moment or two of joy to their stressful days.

Please if you want to get involved send signed CDs to:

James Anaya

“Rock The Soldiers Project”

PO Box 2055

Moriarty, NM 87035

     This is a not for profit endeavor I just want to spread the gift  of music  to those in service to our great country. Thanks!

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

     the Hellion

 

Zakk TV? Now our miserable lives are complete!

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     A very cool series from the Boss himself. Now if only we had some Black Label Crunch cereal or Skully Charms with marshmallow guitars to go with it!!! Enjoy, my BLS Family, and GI/FD!

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

the Hellion

BLACK SABBATH – some thoughts and reflections on the past, present, and future leading up to 13.

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http://www.blacksabbath.com/

     I have been a Black Sabbath fan since the moment I heard “Planet Caravan” when I was 6 years old. Since then I have felt like I was with them from high to low. Listening to Sabbath has taken my mind to different planes of existence and back, floating away on the guitar licks of Tony Iommi, my heart beating in time to the drumming of Bill Ward, the dark and monstrous basslines of Geezer Butler, finally, the madcap lunacy of the voice of Ozzy Osbourne. From the self titled Black Sabbath to Never Say Die!, Sabbath was there for me. And then things changed.

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     1979- Ozzy and Sabbath had parted ways!!!! Say it wasn’t so!!! What was going to happen now? I so wanted to hate Heaven And Hell, but I couldn’t. I was familiar with Ronnie James Dio from his prior work but didn’t think he could replace our beloved Ozzy, but it worked. Then Bill Ward was gone as well and Vinny Appice was in. This marked the start of many lineup changes to come. The Mob Rules was released and was a truly amazing piece of work.

     Well, as we all know, Ozzy launched a stellar solo career and Sabbath released several more records with varying lineups. There were several reunions but no full blown release with the classic lineup until now (well sort of).

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     Enter 13 – The long standing rumors were true,  Black Sabbath: Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill were going to record a new record!!! Then, amidst great controversy, Bill Ward was no longer part of the project. Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave was to fill in behind the kit. I will withhold my personal feelings on the matter. I heard that one of my favorite producers of all time, Rick Rubin, was working with Sabbath on this. It is my opinion that pretty much anything Rick works on is amazing (note that I said pretty much and not everything).  I am hopeful that 13 will return us to the storytelling, journeys of Sabbath past…. we can dream….

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

the Hellion

Chad Erickson’s CARVED ROCK LEATHER!!!

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     I have met many great people in the music community Chad Erickson is one of them. He has made awesome leather works for a lot of people in the music world. He recently made a custom leather cuff for me with the Hellion logo. Check out his page and give him a like at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carvedrockleather/

Adam Joad from Scattered Hamlet guitar strap.

Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper guitar strap

the Hellion custom cuff

custom strap for Justin Manning from Crowned By Fire!

Crowned by Fire – Southern Horsepower Tour 2013 03/28/13

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Ever since Crowned By Fire hit my radar I have been jonesing to see them live. I have been lucky enough to have become friends with guitarist Justin Manning, and interviewed him  on several occasions. When the promise of new music via a new EP called SPACE MUSIC FOR CAVE PEOPLE was announced the metal world shivered in anticipation. Add to the fact that it was being recorded at The Black Vatican (Zakk Wylde’s personal studio) AND was being produced by the one and only Sterling Winfield (Pantera, HellYeah, Damageplan, yeah that guy) make it a winner straight out of the gate.

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Even cooler was the announcement of their Southern Horsepower Tour 2013. The Metal Gods were smiling down on me when it was revealed that the tour was starting in my hometown. FINALLY I would be able to experience Crowned By Fire in person. The day had finally come.

The day of the show was it was hard to stay focused on work but I managed. A text and then phone call with Justin let me know they were closing in on my home town. They wanted a day room to freshen up before the show so a quick phone call to the man Trev McKendry (band manager) and info was passed along and the band was taken care of.

I met the guys as they were getting ready for the show and found them to be just as awesome as I had hoped them to be. I wanted to do something nice for them and get them dinner before the show. We headed towards a restaurant that was near the venue but it had unfortunately gone out of business. There was a local brew pub right next to the venue that served food so to the Farside Brew Pub it was. Pizza was ordered and Charles, the proprietor, took care of the beer needs. With bellies full, and good craft beer enjoyed,  we were off next door to the venue.

The amount of gear that the guys pulled out of their trailer seemed endless. It was miraculous how they had fit everything into such a small trailer.

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Eventually the gear was in and the set up began. We were all awestruck by the awesomeness of the gear as it was un-crated and revealed. Justin had some wonderful guitars with some awesome stories behind them. The Green V OV Doom and its custom paint work by the AWESOME Jason Oberly .

Green V OV Doom with custom paint by Jason Oberly.

Green V OV Doom with custom paint by Jason Oberly.

Probably one of the more surreal moments of the night was getting to hold in my hands the guitar given to Justin by the one, the only Zakk Wylde. I could feel the immense power emanating from it as it was in my grasp. I was holding the mighty Ol’ Betsy in my grasp. It also had a custom strap made by Chad Erickson of Carved Rock Leather!!!

in awe that I am holding a guitar given to Justin by Zakk Wylde.

in awe that I am holding a guitar given to Justin by Zakk Wylde.

     After watching Justin warm up with licks that would kill a mere mortal it was time. As I was shooting pics of the stage I heard Justin call my name, I handed my camera off to Charlie M.F. Owens and went to see what Justin needed. I was again floored when he told me I was introducing the band. Well, now I was not only going to see one of my favorite bands, I was going to introduce them as well.

Introducing Crowned By Fire

Introducing Crowned By Fire

“Well alright Hooligans! Are you ready for CROWNED BY FIRE?!?!?!” I roared into the microphone and it was on. Exploding on to the stage Crowned By Fire delivered everything I expected, and then some. The band lineup was spot on, Jonathan Paschall brought the thunder from his throne on high, Chris Breedlove  handled the bottom end like a boss, Michael Pacheco kicked your ass with his guitar, and you thanked him for it, John Fitterer   stalked the stage like some deranged shaman belting out vocals from some primal age. And then there is Justin Manning , his wizardry of the fretboard was mystical and enthralling. The combination was perfect. We were treated to some of the new songs from the above mentioned impending release as well as some tracks from the always awesome PRONE TO DESTROY. 

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     Wow! What a show! It did not disappoint! Crowned By Fire is a band not to miss and EVERYONE needs to experience it! I will leave you with a video from the show, this is “Buried Away” enjoy!

the Hellion

PS: A special shout out to Chad Miller for keeping the guys geared up and tuned up! Make sure you stop and shake this mans hand for helping to keep the guys runnin’!

Justin and Chad preshow

Justin and Chad preshow

P.S.S. extra special thanks to Lindsey Thompson for handling the merch area, and various and sundry needs. She will prove invaluable to the guys on this tour.

Justin and Lindsey at dinner

Justin and Lindsey at dinner

Crowned By Fire, Classic American Metal? You bet your ass they are!

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Thank you to Revolver Magazine!!!

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I was recently given the opportunity to give shout out to some of my favorite bands in the pages of Revolver Magazine! It was an honor to be able to mention Black Label Society, Corrosion Of conformity, Down, Clutch, Crowned By Fire, All Hail The Yeti, Gypsyhawk, and my Brothers in Scattered Hamlet. These are bands that are close to my heart and in my ears daily. Check out these Awesome bands:

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www.blacklabelsociety.com
https://www.facebook.com/blacklabelsociety?fref=ts

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http://www.coc.com
https://www.facebook.com/corrosionofconformity

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http://www.down-nola.com
https://www.facebook.com/down

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http://pro-rock.com
https://www.facebook.com/Clutchband?fref=ts

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http://www.crownedbyfire.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire?fref=ts

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http://www.allhailtheyeti.com
https://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti?fref=ts

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http://www.metalblade.com/gypsyhawk/
https://www.facebook.com/Gypsyhawkusa?fref=ts

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http://www.scatteredhamlet.com
https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?fref=ts

 

I was also given the chance to give a shout out to the late great Randy Rhoads and how lucky I was to have seen him play before his tragic passing. Thanks Revolver Magazine, thanks from the bottom of my heart!!

 

the Hellion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS: New Quote Snippets from Kerry King and Philip Anselmo Released!‏

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THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS: New Quote Snippets from Kerry King and Philip Anselmo Released!

 

Hitting Stores April 9, 2013 — Written by NYC Music Scene Veterans Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins

 

Featuring Exclusive Photography by Iconic East Coast Photographer Frank White

 

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“The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists, compiled by Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins, is the ultimate look at the world of heavy metal via the ease and convenience of a list. No stone is left unturned here, and I mean no stone. If you think you have a list about metal that isn’t in this book, chances are you’re wrong. Both Jenkins and Abrams have exhaustively researched and brainstormed Merciless and delivered a look at their beloved genre that is informative and fun.” – Iann Robinson, CraveOnline.com

THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS, written by NYC music scene veterans Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins, is set to be released on April 9, 2013. Touted as being “the most opinionated compendium ever written concerning Heavy Metal”, THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS is comprised of 208 jam-packed pages representing all that is glorious across the world of Heavy Metal. The book features dozens of never-before-seen photographs from iconic East Coast photographer Frank White.

The foreword for THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS comes from one of the most respected names in the genre, Slayer guitarist extraordinaire Kerry King, with a candid and passionate afterword from Pantera/Down frontman Philip Anselmo.

“This book will appeal to metalheads because it’s what they love. They’ll get to laugh at the industry and at themselves. Any information is good information, and metal kids want it.” – Kerry King (Slayer)

“I am an unabashed heavy metal fan, and I know as well as anyone, that metal fans can be an extremely loyal lot. But we are a very critical lot too. With each new movement, a new, defiant, outspoken, and sovereign audience is born. Music is older than all of us, so its history is ours to writhe in and absorb.” – Philip Anselmo(Pantera/Down)

There are numerous other contributions from key metal luminaries and industry personnel like:

Scott Ian (Anthrax)

Gary Holt (Exodus)

Max Cavalera (Sepultura/Soulfly)

Katon W. DePena (Hirax)

John Gallagher (Raven)

Danny Lilker (Nuclear Assault/SOD)

Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show)

Jon & Marsha Zazula (Megaforce Records)

Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records)

Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica Producer)

ILL BILL (Heavy Metal Kings/La Coka Nostra)

MC Serch (3rd Bass)

Richard Christy (Charred Walls of the Damned/The Howard Stern Show)

Monte Conner (Roadrunner Records/Nuclear Blast Records)

Borivoj Krgin (Blabbermouth.net)

Shaun Glass (Soil/Dirge Within)

Betsy Weiss (Bitch)

Presented in the form of dozens of factual, random and often outrageous lists, THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS dares to call many out for being the worst instead of being the best. It points out the triumphs, as well as the miserable failures concerning metal, from a diehard fan’s point-of-view.

TMBML leaves no stone unturned, often blurring the lines separating fact and hilarity. You want to know about album covers that feature goats on them? WhatMotorhead icon Lemmy’s warts might tell you if they could speak? The achievements Iron Maiden would never have reached had their original vocalist Paul Dianno remained in the band? Well then, this book is for you.

To pre-order THE MERCILESS BOOK OF METAL LISTS, please visit Amazon.com. You can learn more about the book at the official Facebook page orAbrams Books.

 

 

For press inquiries and additional information, please contact Adrenaline PR and Maria Ferrero at 732-462-4262 or maria@adrenalinepr.com.

About the Authors

HOWIE ABRAMS:

Howie is a former…lots of things, including record label A&R rep, music publisher and artist manager. Abrams grew up in his beloved NYC as part of its Metal and Hardcore scenes and has always carried the torch for aggressive music. He was the co-founder of the influential hard music label In-Effect Records, where he signed bands such as Agnostic Front, Nuclear Assault and Sick of it All among others. Later, as the Senior Director of A&R at Roadrunner Records, he inked Vision of Disorder, Madball, Shelter and others, plus, he handled marketing duties for groups such as Sepultura, Type O Negative, Biohazard and more. Howie also worked at Jive Records/Zomba Music, as well as Warner Music.

SACHA JENKINS:

Sacha Jenkins loves heavy music. He grew up in New York City, and has produced books about both hip-hop and also graffiti, including ego trip’s The Book of Rap Lists, and Big Book of Racism. He’s produced some television too, and plays guitar in a band called The White Mandingoes along with Darryl Jenifer of the legendary Bad brains.

 

Conrad Viz introduces us to ANCIENT SPELL!!!

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https://www.facebook.com/ancientspellband

 

     I had the great pleasure of interviewing Conrad Viz from Ancient Spell today. Sit back, relax, and fall under the spell……..

GET TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT GUITAR WIZARD JUSTIN MANNING

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/148831261916027/?fref=ts

 

Justin Manning is a local southern CA rocker born and raised Los Angeles and is currently one of the
founding members and lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Crowned By Fire. This shredder started his
musical journey as a drummer at the age of 10 and became the “First Chair” drummer in his Junior High
marching band and local school band. He always inspired to be a guitarist and it was not until the age
of 12 when he received a red and white Fender Stratocaster for Christmas from his father. Not knowing
where to begin playing guitar, Justin used his knowledge of reading drum music to incorporate it into his
guitar playing, a distinct signature to his rhythm playing still heard to this day.
He listened to records from the likes of Guns N Roses, Van Halen and Ozzy Osbourne and learned
playing the solos off the records by creating music patterns and on many occasions played guitar with his
friends to gain more experience.

At around this time, he met a graduate of Musicians Institute who became his mentor and taught Justin
to play scales and on many occasions would take him to various band rehearsals with the likes of Lemmy
from Motorhead, El Duce (The Mentors), Jimmy Bain (Dio) and other major rock stars. Justin would
sometimes sit in as a drummer for these bands when the actual drummers missed their rehearsals. It was
at this ripe age of 13 that Justin’s calling to be a musician came to be.

At the age of 16 with a bass his mother bought him, he joined the local band Men in Black as a bass
player and played the local clubs on the sunset strip. He shortly left the band to start a new Pantera-
esque inspired band, again taking the helm as lead guitarist. It was during this time that he met Zakk
Wylde and was asked to be his guitar tech and in less than 24 hours was on a plane to Arkansas to start
the Black Label Society and Crowbar tour. This gave Justin the opportunity to meet some of the greats,
most notably the members of Pantera and other notable rock stars. This opportunity gave Justin a taste of
what life on tour really is as well as a vast amount technical experience.

When he returned back home from the BLS tour, Justin became the personal assistant to Zakk’s wife
Barbaranne, helping with her the various necessities. He also became Zakk’s protégé during the Ozzfest
tour that same year and appeared on the TV show the Osbournes.

Justin started various bands and held regular day jobs at ESP and Schecter Guitar Research as a guitar
technician. While at ESP he became acquainted with George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) who gave him
the opportunity to work as a bass tech for Anthony Esposito (Thin Lizzy, Lynch Mob, Ace Frehley) and he eventually took the reigns as Georges tech. Justin
was asked on several occasions to actually play on stage with Lynch Mob as a second guitar player
doubling the rhythm and leads for the guitar legend himself.

Upon his return home he started a few bands one which will eventually turn into the current band
Crowned By Fire with co-founder John Fitterer and released an EP and their latest full album “Prone To
Destroy” recorded in Florence, Italy and distributed under a European label.

Justin still remains close friends with Zakk Wylde, George Lynch and also with Tommy Victor (Danzig,
Prong, Ministry) who has offered him a gig as his guitar tech on the Danzig Legacy Tour which includes
Danzig, Samhain and The Misfits on their tour in the coming months. Justin carries various major
endorsement deals and mainly plays his favorite Les Paul specially given to him by the great Zakk Wylde.

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https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire?fref=ts

the Hellion