Bobby Burns (PRIMER 55) “We’re Either Gonna Do It or We’re Gonna Destroy It”

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This week, Joshua Toomey is joined by guest Bobby Burns, guitarist and co-founder of Primer 55 for a special edition of Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast. The impromptu interview comes fresh on the heels of the tragic news about the passing of longtime Primer 55 vocalist, Jason “J-Sin” Luttrell due to severe health issues just hours prior. Toomey (also of Primer 55 alumni) reminisces about the good times had with Luttrell while a noticeably shaken Burns shares his memories of the band and feelings about the vocalist’s untimely passing. The interview is a somber yet heartfelt tribute to the life and times of Luttrell and the ups and downs of the extreme nature of being in a band like Primer 55. Continue reading →

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY & C.O.C. Shred In Knoxville, Tennessee [Review & Gallery]

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Black Label Society

What to do on a rainy first day of August? You point your truck south and head to The Mill & Mine in Knoxville, TN. Why, you ask? Because someone told me that Black Label Society, Corrosion of Conformity and EYEHATEGOD were going to melt the roof of the building! So I needed to go see for myself! Continue reading →

Review: THE VINTAGE CARAVAN – ‘Gateways’

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Classic rock trio The Vintage Caravan caused an earthquake in the heavy music scene with their self-released debut album “The Vintage Caravan” (2011), and their sophomore record “Voyage” (2012; re-released in early 2014). In 2013 the band was officially signed with Nuclear Blast. Also their reputation as a powerful live band soon got around and gave them numerous possibilities to open up for acts such as Blues Pills and Grand Magus.

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LIGHT THE TORCH Fires Up Headlining Tour In Louisville [Review & Photo Gallery]

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Light The Torch

Guess who’s back, back again.  Howard’s back, tell a friend!  Fresh off a handful of dates opening for the almighty GWAR, lead singer Howard Jones, guitarist Francesco Artusato, bassist Ryan Wombacher, and drummer Mike “Scuzz” Sciulara, collectively now known as Light the Torch, headed out on a headlining run to finish out July in support of their latest release, Revival. Continue reading →

Grunge Legends ALICE IN CHAINS Release New Single, “Never Fade”!

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With two weeks to go before the arrival of the new ALICE IN CHAINS album ‘Rainier Fog‘(BMG), anticipation is ramping up with yesterday’s release of new single “Never Fade“.
 
“Never Fade” is the third ‘Rainier Fog‘ song release following “So Far Under” and “The One You Know” and all three tracks are available as instant downloads by clicking here to pre-order the album ahead of its August 24th release date.

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Jason “J-Sin” Luttrell Vocalist Of PRIMER 55 Has Passed Away!

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Jason “J-Sin” Luttrell was the vocalist of Primer 55, the celebrated nu metal based in Louisville, Kentucky. Jason or “J-Sin” was the vocalist of the band from 1997–2003 and then came back for a short period of time in 2007. However, after only three weeks of touring J-Sin was forced to exit the band due to poor performances and costly antics caused by continued drug and alcohol addictions that would eventually land him in rehab. As of August 10th, Jason was in the ICU at Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto in Southhaven, Mississippi. At around 10:00 AM Central time a relative of the singer stated “As most of you know Jason has been sick for a long time. He is currently in the ICU at Baptist Desoto and is not expected to make it through the day. They are making him as comfortable as possible at the moment.” As of 8:31 PM Central time J-Sin has passed away, our deepest condolences are with his family, friends and band mates past and present.  Continue reading →

Ep. 167 Chuck Billy (Testament) – Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast

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Today is a triple threat of interviews. First up is Chuck Billy of Testament. Chuck is on to talk about his latest vape products under “The Chief” name (Click here to learn more about vapes). Chuck also talks about Practice What You Preach, Slayer tour, and the future of marijuana in America. Marijuana has always been a popular drug, but with it now being used for medical purposes, its popularity has seemed to increase drastically with millions of people using it on a daily basis. Some choose to smoke it as is whereas others like to ingest it in CBD form or perhaps using a flyte pen. It can be used to treat various illnesses and disorders from anxiety and depression to epilepsy and chronic pain, in a variety of methods and forms. Some people enjoy marijuana or marijuana-based products as oils, edibles, or through vape pens and other vaporizers. You can learn more about vapes by visiting IndeJuice. Whatever the use or method, dozens of musicians, including Chuck Billy, Snoop Dogg, and Wiz Khalifa, are now campaigning for it to be legalized throughout America for all to enjoy. If you’re already lucky enough to live in an area where it’s legal and want to try your hand at growing your own, here are the best indoor tents for growing marijuana. You can grow it quite comfortably wherever you like, without the need for a garden.

Next up is Hanno Klaenhardt of Mantar. Mantar is a two-piece band from Germany and have a great sophomore album entitled “The Modern Art Of Setting Ablaze” due August 24th. Hanno and I talk about his living in America for awhile, European festivals and the foreign exchange student I hung out with in high school.

And finally, Richie Cavalera of Incite calls in to talk about the upcoming “Burn N Shred” tour. Richie also discusses their new album that is due in January, being a Cavalera and recording with Steve Evetts.

Robb Rivera of nonpoint gives us his weekly Pick From The Kit and a nonpoint update.

SUFFOCATION To Bid Adieu Frank Mullen With A North American Farewell Tour W/ CATTLE DECAPITATION & More

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Well here we are finally and I say this reluctantly, who would have thought we’d live to see this? Back in March, Frank Mullen the legendary original vocalist of NY death metal pioneers, SUFFOCATION announced that he would be hanging up his boots as their full time member. In a video posted on his Facebook page then, he alongside with Victoria formerly of WWE fame can be seen talking and that’s when Frank says he will be seeking for “new beginnings” and pursue full time acting and a few other projects in the future. And now the time has come for Frank Mullen to actually say goodbye to the legions of death metal and SUFFOCATION fans all over the globe. But.. but, before he calls it a day, he and his band will be trekking all across North America for a final farewell tour, aptly named “Death Chopping North America – Farewell Frank Tour 2018” with sick support coming in from misanthropic gore grinders  CATTLE DECAPITATION, Brazilian death metal legends KRISIUN, and Swedish tech-death sensations SOREPTION. All of this crazy stuff happening this upcoming October / November.

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Aftershock 2018 Spotlight: PLAGUE VENDOR [Video Stream]

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*This is part of our “Aftershock Festival 2018 Spotlight” where we branch out and focus on some of the up-and-coming bands that fans can see at this year’s Aftershock Festival on October 13th & 14th.  This week, we’re checking out PLAGUE VENDOR.*

One of my personal philosophies is that if your music is difficult to categorize, you must be doing something right. Such is definitely the case with Whitier, California quartet Plague Vendor who fittingly classify themselves as “voodoo punk” to describe their style of dark and abrasive, yet often dance-able form of punk rock. At times emerging through are hints of Dead Kennedys, Nirvana, and Raw Power-era The Stooges, but never to an overwhelming degree that overshadows the band’s own uniqueness. Lead singer Brandon Blaine is like a pissed off Jack White with an aggressive and dissonant vocal attack that never fails to add a striking element of chaos or danger to every song. Plague Vendor’s combination of raw simplicity, aggression, and catchiness will have you tapping your foot, nodding your head, and humming along while at the same time feeling a horror movie-like tension pulling you into its sonic madness. This is music that refuses to be confined by a label – and thankfully so. Continue reading →