I’m in a little bit of a time crunch this week, but I don’t think it should make a difference (hopefully).
As promised, this week I’ll take a look at a variety of metal-related releases throughout the rest of the year that caught my eye (bands I listen to, have heard of, or at least know something about).
Then of course there’s some more news and briefs, and my thoughts of the new Nightwish album to wrap up.
Let’s see, I’ll listen to some Slayer and Chevelle while working on this, so let’s get on with it …
Man, there’s a lot of metal still to be had before the end of the year. I figured I’d just go through some of the releases that caught my eye …
On Oct. 19 we have:
3 Inches of Blood: Advance and Vanquish
This Canadian band’s sound is compared to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but with a modern twist. This is the group’s Roadrunner debut.
Diecast: Tearing Down Your Blue Skies
This is the Boston-based band’s first release with a new singer (and after a three year hiatus). The band’s sound is a subtle mix of metal and hardcore.
The Haunted: rEVOLEr
I’m totally psyched to pick this up after hearing the band on a Century Media sampler. If the rest of the album holds up, this could be one of the best metal releases of 2004.
Six Feet Under: Graveyard Classics 2
Looks like a death-metal tribute to AC/DC (including the tracks “Hells Bells” and Back in Black”). The band featured an all-star line-up from the death metal community. At times the vocals are a little too abrasive, but this should be a solid offering.
Then, on Oct. 26 we have:
Chimaira: The Dehumanizing Process
This band really reminds me of Slayer: solid, balls-out heavy metal. The band usually sounds tight and the vocals are aggressive and heavy.
Powerman 5000: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Vol. 1
Since the false break-up of the band we’ve gotten a release of the “lost” album “Anyone for Doomsday,” and now this: sort of a mis-mash of demos and hard to find tracks, including tracks off the band’s “Bloodsplat” disc (which was eventually re-recorded for the major-label debut). Some of this stuff will be a little too funky for fans from the “Tonight…” era.
Nov. 2 looks promising:
Arch Enemy: Dead Eyes See No Future
A nice little EP from these Swedish heavyweights. In addition to the title-track, the disc features three live tracks (including “We Will Rise”) and three covers: Carcass’ “Incarnated Solvent Abuse,” Manowar’s “Kill With Power” and Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction.” I am so there…
A Perfect Circle: eMOTIVe
This is the collection of covers the band did including John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Black Flag’s “Gimme Gimme Gimme” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”
Hopesfall: A-Types
My best-friend is into this band but the vocals just don’t “do it” for me. For fans of A Static Lullaby, Norma Jean or Poison the Well.
Rammstein: Reise Reise
I thought there was a review of this album floating around Inside Pulse, but alas, it must still be on its way. German metal at its finest. I don’t own any of their albums, but they put on a hell of a live show.
Anything on Nov. 16?
A Perfect Circle: aMOTION
This is a counterpoint offering, featuring a remix CD and DVD package with live clips.
First up, we have new stuff from A Static Lullaby.
What I’m assuming is an Alice in Chains greatest hits collection called “Essential Alice In Chains.”
American Head Charge finally have a sophomore offering in the works titled “The Feeding.”
Audioslave and Avenged Sevenfold are working on new ones.
Coheed And Cambria has a follow-up to its major-label debut: “Good Apollo: I’m Burning Star IV: Vol. One From Fear Through The Eyes Of Men” (now that’s a mouthful!).
Cold moves to Atlantic and prepares “And A Sad Song Lives On.”
There’s also new stuff in the works from the Deftones, Finch, Funeral For A Friend, In Flames, and Limp Bizkit.
The Mars Volta is working on its second album “Frances The Mute.”
Meshuggah‘s “Catch 33” should be out early in the year. Mudvayne is working on a new album.
nine inch nails‘ “Bleed Through” should see the light of day. A best of collection is in the works for Sepultura.
Slayer is in the studio as we speak.
The very cool Still Remains (whose debut is hard to come by for some reason in my neck of the woods — might have to special order it) will debut on Roadrunner with “Of Love And Lunacy.”
And finally, looks for releases from System Of A Down and Taproot.
According to a posting over at Ozzyhead.com, Ozzy Osbourne’s forthcoming box set will include, amongst other things, a brand new CD of covers. One of the tracks set to appear is a cover of The Beatles’ “In My Life.”
From Blabbermouth.com: In an interview with the Guitar Center earlier this year, Ozzy spoke about the huge influence The Beatles have had on his musical career.
“The biggest break in my life came when THE BEATLES hit,” Ozzy explained. “They totally sucked me in and I thought, ‘That’s my way out, my music.’ I used to fantasize, as all kids do, about Paul McCartney marrying my sister and all that crazy stuff. That set me off into music and my first gig ever, at the fire station in my hometown.”
The many musicians performing with Osbourne on the set includes former Alice in Chains guitarist along with Ozzy’s band which includes axe-man extrodinaire Zakk Wylde.
In other Osbourne-related news, MTV.com has uploaded a 90-second video featuring some of the “Battle for Ozzfest” audition rejects.
Apparently, “Battle for Ozzfest” is a new, weekly, unscripted series, chronicling the intense nationwide search for eight hard rock bands competing for the chance to perform on stage on Ozzfest’s worldwide 10th Anniversary tour. The show is brought to us (of course) courtesy of Sharon Osbourne (a woman who can’t stand to not see her family’s name in lights at least twice a day).
In addition to performing at Ozzfest, the winning band will receive touring money, brand new band gear and a possible record deal.
From the show’s press material: In the premiere episode, Sharon and Ozzy turn the competition upside-down as there’s one big twist that the bands don’t know about – and that’s just a taste of things to come.
God, I wish reality TV would just die already.
Season one of the Osbournes was a hit due to the curiosity factor. Now Ozzy is a shell of his former self … hell, MTV exploited his near-death on an ATV to get ratings. Who is watching this?
But hey, if you’re interested in this “Battle for Ozzfest” thing, tune in to MTV on Monday, Oct. 25 at 10:30 p.m.
..:.. Heavy Metal 365 days a year ..:.. Chicago-based Black Planet, a company specializing in unique and collectable heavy metal merchandise, will be offering a 2005 Heavy Metal calendar beginning in November. The full-color month-to-month wall calendar features concert photography and a slew of heavy metal trivia (from the anniversary of Bathory’s first rehearsal to “Ride the Lightning” turning 20 or Bruce Dickinson’s birthday). The Calendar will be sold online and through a host of underground distributors. More information will be announced soon.
..:.. Tommy Lee in college makes for good TV how exactly? ..:.. From a post over at Blabbermouth: Within Lee’s first few days on campus, a producer sought special treatment for him in a residence hall dining room, telling students that the rock star might want their table. In addition, there’s already been much documentation of the camera crew setting up shots and getting “pretty people” in them with Lee. As if we needed any more evidence there’s nothing “real” about reality TV.
..:.. Guns N’ Roses still in the market for a guitarist ..:.. Guns N’ Roses recently issued a statement refuting reports that the band are close to finding a replacement for departed guitarist Buckethead. The statement, as posted at Blabbermouth, reads as follows: “To set the record straight no one – we repeat no one – has been invited to join the band. … We will let you know when there is credible news on this subject.” To read the statement in its entirety, check this out.
..:.. Video news ..:.. Slipknot’s video for “Vermilion” is now available online here. The clip is the first part of a two part storyline which will continue with the bands upcoming video for their track “Vermilion Pt. 2”. Megadeth’s video for “Die Dead Enough” is posted over at MTV.com. In other video news, Mudvayne will be filming a video for the new track “Fucking Determined” at the Avalon in New York on Oct. 17. The band’s next album is due in early 2005.
The Haunted: “rEVOLVEr
Nightwish: “Once”
Sum 41: “Chuck”
Skinlab: “Nerve Damage”
Breaking Benjamin: “We Are Not Alone”
I’ll admit, this was a little rushed this week (crap at work, as usual). I’m really surprised by the new Nightwish release “Once.” A review will show up on the site in the next few days. I won’t ruin it now — but I will say this, I listened to clips of the band before and didn’t like it, but when you actually sit down and listen to the whole album … wow!
And that’s that. As always, drop me a line. Until next time, I’ll be here at Inside Pulse making sure no metal news falls through the cracks.
Take it easy…
