Author Archives: Axe

About Axe

I'm the guitarist for a Kentucky based southern metal band called Downtrend. We've spent the last decade plus opening for some of the biggest names in rock and metal all over the eastern U.S.. Music is my passion!!

Review: Jake E. Lee’s RED DRAGON CARTEL – ‘Patina’ [Video Stream]

By | |
Comments Off on Review: Jake E. Lee’s RED DRAGON CARTEL – ‘Patina’ [Video Stream]

JAKE E. LEE is one of the most mysterious rock stars to ever walk the planet.  Between living half of his life in exile and the other half melting faces of rock fans all over the world, he has lived an interesting life to say the least.  Now he is back with ‘PATINA,’ the second album released from his latest project RED DRAGON CARTEL available November 9th from Frontiers Music SRL.  The effort features DARREN JAMES SMITH on Vocals, ANTHONY ESPOSITO on bass, PHIL VARONE on drums, and of course JAKE E. LEE on guitar. ‘PATINA’ is extremely different from RED DRAGON CARTEL’S self-titled release in 2013, as it is more of a band effort.  The first album featured many different guests and musicians making cameo appearances from song to song.  With ‘PATINA,’ the foursome got in a room and hashed it out together, giving it a much more fluid listen than its predecessor.

Continue reading →

State Of The Art: West Virginia’s ZEROKING

By | |
Comments Off on State Of The Art: West Virginia’s ZEROKING

ZEROKING

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is West Virginia.*

ZEROKING is a four piece Hard Rock outfit hailing from the city of Charleston WV.  Formed in 2004 by guitarist Shane Day and drummer Chris Webb.  The band’s core lineup was  finalized in September of that year with the addition of vocalist Andy Haught. The next two years saw the group writing original material and performing anywhere and everywhere they could.  After writing only a few songs together it was clearly defined which direction the sound of the band would go in for years to come.  Mid-2006 saw the release of their debut EP ‘The Sweet Sale of Excess’.   After a few personnel changes on bass over the course of the two years, ZEROKING finally added bass player Paul First to the fold. This lineup would prove to be the classic lineup.  More shows and writing followed over the course of the next several years.  The band saw itself billed with some of the biggest names in the rock world, playing shows with major artists such as DROWNING POOL, BLACK STONE CHERRY and POPEVIL to name a few.  All the while the foursome feverishly strived to improve their sound and complete songs for their first full-length album.

Continue reading →

GUS G. Says OZZY Wanted To Perform ‘Blizzard’ And ‘Diary’ In Their Entirety [Audio Interview]

By | |
Comments Off on GUS G. Says OZZY Wanted To Perform ‘Blizzard’ And ‘Diary’ In Their Entirety [Audio Interview]

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G. has established himself as one of the premier guitar gods on the planet.  Gus is best known for his time as the much coveted axe-slinger for Ozzy Osbourne  along with power metal powerhouse Firewind.  On April 20th Gus G. will release his second solo effort titled ‘Fearless’ through AFM Records.  Gus took the time to sit and talk with me about everything ranging from his upcoming solo album, his biggest influences, his time with Ozzy and everything in between.  Interesting to note that Gus stated  Ozzy wanted to play both ‘Blizzard Of Ozz’ and ‘Diary Of A Madman’ in their entirety and back to back for the last 4 or 5 nights of the ‘Scream’ in 2011.   This interview is a must listen for any Ozzy fan.  Hear the entire conversation below. You can pre-order the album here 

Continue reading →

Album Review: GUS G. – ‘Fearless’ [Official Video]

By | |
Comments Off on Album Review: GUS G. – ‘Fearless’ [Official Video]

Greek guitar virtuoso GUS G may be best known for his tenure as Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist, but Gus has now forged his own path with his newest solo venture titled ‘ Fearless’! Available April 20th from AFM Records.  ‘Fearless’ is an out of the box, extremely varied album with everything from amazing straight up rockers, to shred-fest instrumentals and everything in between.

Continue reading →

Metal Icon OZZY OSBOURNE Announces “Farewell Tour”

By | |
Comments Off on Metal Icon OZZY OSBOURNE Announces “Farewell Tour”

Heavy Metal icon OZZY OSBOURNE has announced a farewell tour beginning in May 2018 and running thru 2020.  Osbourne‘s farewell tour will kick off with shows in Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Those will be followed by a couple of early June dates in Russia before Ozzy embarks on on a month-long European leg, including appearances at most of the summer festivals. The beloved rock icon will subsequently headline a North American concert tour also starting in 2018. 

 

Continue reading →

Drum Icon VINNY APPICE Unveils One Of His Biggest “SPINAL TAP” Moments [Audio Interview]

By | |
1 Comment

Drum icon VINNY APPICE (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, LAST IN LINE) is gearing up for a special milestone in his career.  October 27th  he will unleash a new album titled “APPICE – SINISTER” from SPV Records.   “SINISTER” will mark Vinny’s first ever album collaboration with his brother, another drum legend CARMINE APPICE (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE)  Together the brothers have written and recorded 13 new songs with some of their greatest friends and musicians on the planet.  Vinny spoke to METAL NEXUS about the upcoming album.   In the conversation we discussed what it meant for the brothers to finally record an album together,  the recording process and how its changed during Vinny’s career, and one of his biggest “SPINAL TAP” moments that occurred while touring with BLACK SABBATH for the “HEAVEN & HELL TOUR”.   Continue reading →

MARILYN MANSON Unleashes Second Track From Upcoming Album Titled “KILL4ME” (Audio Streaming)

By | |
Comments Off on MARILYN MANSON Unleashes Second Track From Upcoming Album Titled “KILL4ME” (Audio Streaming)

Veteran shock rocker MARILYN MANSON has dropped a second single from his forthcoming album “Heaven Upside Down”.  The track is called ‘KILL4ME’ and can be streamed below. Continue reading →

DROWNING POOL Vocalist Jasen Moreno Says He Used To Help Sell Merch For Them When They Played Local Gigs Together [Audio Interview]

By | |
Comments Off on DROWNING POOL Vocalist Jasen Moreno Says He Used To Help Sell Merch For Them When They Played Local Gigs Together [Audio Interview]

It’s hard to believe that DROWNING POOL vocalist JASEN MORENO is already 5 years into his tenure with the group. Jasen spent some time with METAL NEXUS at the ‘BLUE RIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL’ in Lynchburg, VA and he had a lot to talk about.  We discussed the ‘MAKE AMERICA ROCK AGAIN’ tour that DROWING POOL is currently in the middle of along with SCOTT STAPP of CREED, SICK PUPPIES, TRAPT and more.  Jasen also spoke about his long history with DROWNING POOL before he even joined the band.  He spoke candidly about how they played local gigs together in Texas before they hit the national scene.  He even went on to say that on occasion he would help watch their merch table for them.   Continue reading →

MARILYN MANSON Announces New Album, Releases New Single [Song Streaming]

By | |
Comments Off on MARILYN MANSON Announces New Album, Releases New Single [Song Streaming]

Today veteran shock rocker MARILYN MANSON dropped a new single and announced October 6th as the release date for his forthcoming album”Heaven Upside Down”.  The effort will mark the 10th studio release from Mason. The album was produced by TYLER BATES whom also worked with Manson on his previous studio album 2015’s “The Pale Emperor”. Continue reading →

Review: ARCHAIC KNOWLEDGE – ‘Blade Of The Judge’ [Song Stream]

By | |
Comments Off on Review: ARCHAIC KNOWLEDGE – ‘Blade Of The Judge’ [Song Stream]

Photo Courtesy Of Capone’s

Straight out of the hills of East Tennessee ARCHAIC KNOWLEDGE bring the thunder with their latest release ‘Blade Of The Judge’.  Proving that metal in the mountains is alive and well.

Continue reading →