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Jeff Irwin (WILL HAVEN) On Chi Cheng (Deftones) “I Feel That He Truly Was An Angel On Earth”

 

Originally formed in 1995 as an underground act in Northern California, Will Haven has taken their distinct brand of extreme music to the masses over the years on tours with huge names such as Slipknot, and fellow Sacramento representors, Deftones. Chino Moreno even co-produced Will Haven’s 2007 release, ‘The Hierophant’ along with Far’s Shaun Lopez. The band would later work with Slipknot’s percussionist, Chris “#3” Fehn who would take over bass duties on 2011’s ‘Voir Dire’ which was listed among Metal Hammer’s “Top 50 Albums of the Year.” The current lineup now consists of founding members, Grady Avenell (vocals) and Jeff Irwin (guitar); along with Mitch Wheeler (drums), Anthony Paganelli (guitar), and Adrien Contreras (bass). ‘Muerte’, the band’s first album to be released under the Minus Head Records label, was recorded secretly at Pus Cavern studios in Sacramento with the help of Joe Johnston engineering and co-producing; along with guitarist, Jeff Irwin. Mastering was handled by Logan Mader (Devil You Know, Fear Factory, Periphery). Special guest appearances include Yob’s Mike Scheidt on the song “No Escape,” and DeftonesStephen Carpenter who contributes writing and performance on closing track, “El Sol.”  Continue reading

LIFE OF AGONY Announce “Rise Of The Underground” US & Europe Tour 2018

New York’s LIFE OF AGONY has announced dates for a headlining trek called “Rise of the Underground Tour 2018” spanning the USA and Europe. The shows will begin with two sold-out, hometown warm-up gigs April 18th& 19th at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, and conclude November 2nd as headliners of The Sound of Revolution Festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Full list of dates are below.

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Elijah Witt (CANE HILL) “Nickelback Is A Hit Machine”

 

Cane Hill formed in 2011 in New Orleans. They took their time finding their sound and released their self titled debut in 2015, then released their first full length in 2016 titled ‘Smile’. This is the album that truly got fans to open their eyes. The band doesn’t just impress in the studio either. We had the opportunity to see Cane Hill at 2017’s Chicago Open Air and their performance was one of the most dominating of the weekend, which is saying a lot considering the lineup was packed with heavy metal icons like Slayer, Behemoth, Lamb Of God and Body Count. The band has announce they were releasing a new album titled ‘Too Far Gone’ in 2018. Everyone was excited for the album, but when it dropped they quickly brought on a fire storm of new bands. ‘Too Far Gone’ has been one of the most talked about albums this year. Elijah Witt stated about the album “A lot of these songs reference a time in our lives when we were really headstrong about what we were doing as far as drugs were concerned and believing we were invincible. It took this shift as we realized we were losing ourselves. I think it’s lucky we recognized that before it became a problem. We definitely went a little bit past our limit, and we’re coming to terms with those mistakes. We went too far gone with everything. The title encapsulates the entire era.” They are the fresh meat in the nu-metal genre and they are proving that newer bands can crank out material that can compete with the elder nu-metal that are still relevant today like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and Papa Roach. ‘Too Far Gone’ will likely be one of the best albums of the year for most people. The genre has only had a handful of bands still keeping the sound of the late 90’s and early 2000’s alive, but that has changed with Cane Hill turning heads and proving they can unleash an album that makes those veteran acts realize there is new competition in their genre.  Continue reading

DESERTFEST LONDON Artist Preview – Full Line-Up Included!

The UK’s premier independent festival Desertfest London returns over the May bank holiday (May 4th-6th) with what can only be described, as unquestionably it’s most biggest and broadest line-up yet!

Now in its 7th year, the festivities will take place across multiple venues in London’s Camden Town including the famous Underworld and breathtaking Roundhouse. With over 70 acts announced across the whole metal spectrum, together with the biggest names in sludge, doom and psych!

Not only that, as par tradition Desertfest will be holding their annual pre-festival party at The Black Heart on May 3rd featuring a full headline set by North Carolina’s A.S.G and London’s own Flash House as support! (Pre-festival tickets here)

Read below for full headliners and bands that are not to be missed! (Full weekend line-up follows article. Weekend and day tickets available here). Continue reading

CHROMATIC POINT Pushes The Boundary Of Prog With New Music Video, “Clockwork”!

Macedonia? Anyone? Betcha didn’t know any bands from the land of the great Alexander from Macedon! Alright let me do the honours of shedding some light on you in introducing one of the most creative and intriguing bands from Europe. Headbangers! introducing the ever so vibrant, and one of my all time favourites, ethno progressive(yeah, this too!) band CHROMATIC POINT, from the Balkan land of Macedonia(FYROM). “Chromatic” as they sound both musically and visually, the band incorporates every sense of the word and just goes on to show the frantic and seemingly chaotic nature of it’s sonic virtuosity. Just like the rapidly changing “flight of the bumblebee”. See what I did there? Yup, that was your daily dose of classical music puns!

All right let’s stop beating around the bush and get to the point. So, this Balkan progressive powerhouse has just unleashed their brand new music video, “Clockwork” today, which the band says has been taken off their “next studio material“. Let’s get dissecting the new chops!

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STRAPPING YOUNG LAD And DTP Form New Band With ‘Secret’ Vocalist!

 

Whilst the Devin Townsend Project may be on hiatus for the foreseeable future, with the man himself, the big ‘D’ following other musical pursuits. What better way to fill the void then with a brand new band featuring members from Devin’s past and present, the Devin Townsend Project and ex-members of Strapping Young Lad! Continue reading

ALICE IN CHAINS Adding Finishing Touches To New Album; Unveils More North American 2018 Tour Dates

ALICE IN CHAINS have announced dates for the second leg of their North American headline tour, which kicks off August 22 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC. The new dates are part of a worldwide trek that will see ALICE IN CHAINS performing across North America and Europe. Dates are listed below and ticket info can be found HERE.

ALICE IN CHAINS (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and vocalist/guitarist William DuVall) are currently putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to 2013’s critically-acclaimed album, ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here‘. That album entered Billboard’s Top 200 chart at No. 2 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums Chart, Top Rock Albums Chart, Hard Rock Albums Chart and iTunes Rock Album Chart and its first two singles, “Stone” and “Hollow,” both hit No. 1 on the rock charts.

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MEKA NISM Release “The War Inside” Video From Upcoming EP [Video Stream]

Florida based alternative metallers Meka Nism have just released the official video to the single “The War Inside”, off their forthcoming The War Inside’ EP.

The debut single is a visual representation of the internal struggles that some of us battle with throughout our lives – from anxiety to depression, addiction to insecurity. In the video, the story is one of self-healing, reflected through the spiritual journey of the shaman. Frontwoman Meka portrays both her own lost soul fragments, and her own hero. She faces her fears by confronting them head on in each of her energy centers, portrayed by six butoh dancers (Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra and Third Eye Chakra).

Meka says “We each have the power and courage to face our struggles and to save ourselves from all that we are desperately fighting. The intention behind “The War Inside” is to help inspire and create the energy to empower others to take their own healing journey and know that everything we need to win our war is already inside of us.” Continue reading

CLOAK Unveil New Tour Dates; Will Support MAYHEM

Atlanta, GA’s metal quartet CLOAK have announced new dates surrounding their tour supporting MAYHEM. CLOAK will kick off their tour on March 25 at Kentucky’s Blood of the Wolf Festival, and will perform across Baltimore, Columbus, and Waterford, NY before joining MAYHEM. A full list of confirmed tour dates can be found below.

CLOAK are touring in support of their debut full length, ‘To Venomous Depths‘. It is available across various CD and LP formats here. The album is also streaming across BandcampSpotifyApple Music and more!

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MADBALL Finish Recording New Album ‘For The Cause’ Featuring ICE-T Guest Appearance

New York hardcore veterans, Madball have finished recording their upcoming album, ‘For the Cause,’ which will feature a guest appearance from rapper/Body Count frontman, Ice-T.  About being featured on the record, Ice-T commented, “It‘s an honor to record with the legendary Madball. Body Count draws its closest similarities to NY Hardcore. This is a natural.” Singer, Freddy Cricien added, “It’s truly an honor to have Ice-T on our record! I grew up on his music from his early hip hop stuff till now. He’s an iconic figure but also a ‘class act’, you don’t always get both at once. Ice has a great respect for NYHC and Madball, means the world. This was meant to happen…. real recognizes real.” Continue reading