Iced Earth Live In Ancient Kourion One Of 2013′s Best Live Recordings

Courtesy: Century Media

Iced Earth’s new live release, Live in Ancient Kourion is an example of a live release done right in so many ways.  With its combination of solid audio and visual recording and equally impressive packaging, this triple-disc release has set itself in this critic’s list of the year’s best live recordings.

So much can be said of Live in Ancient Kourion.  So what better starting point than its packaging.  The packaging for this release is the first factor that scores points.  It is presented in a triple-disc gatefold package with the DVD and each of the set’s two CDs placed into their own spot in the packaging separate from one another.  There are those that might argue against this form of packaging, and more in favor of the traditional plastic packaging with dual sided insert for the CDs.  Given, this is an ergonomically sound form of packaging.  But it isn’t without its faults.  The use of the plastic packaging increases the risk of accidentally cracking the case or even the insert that would hold the audio portion of the recording.  One of the quick retorts to the use of plastic casing would be the risk of getting the material used for non-plastic packaging wet.  But in reality the risk is just as great for water damage with both plastic and non-plastic packaging.  So that argument is instantly negated, thus making the packaging in which this set is presented that much better of a choice.

Having noted the packaging of this new live release, the next step is to take a look at the recording’s audio and video quality.  The overall audio and video mix of this recording is just as impressive as its packaging.  It goes without saying that this is the most important part of any live recording.  Sadly, there are live recordings out there that are not bootlegs, yet their audio and video mixes are either slightly or completely out of balance, leaving listeners to wonder how experienced the engineer(s) behind the board was/were.  Luckily for fans of Iced Earth and for the band itself, that can’t be questioned in the case of Live in Ancient Kourion.  The mix is expertly balanced both on this recording.  Hearing the pyrotechnics go off on the audio portion is one thing.  But hearing and seeing it throughout the video portion makes the experience all the greater, whether this marks the first time for fortieth seeing Iced Earth live.  Being that this is the most important factor of all in this and any live recording, it goes without saying that Iced Earth fans and that members of the Metal Nation the world over have in this release a concert recording that definitely lives up to the reputation of being one of the year’s best live recordings.

Getting into the actual performance, one can’t help but marvel at the ability of current front man Stu Block to carry a career’s worth of music from this band.  Considering the number of singers that have fronted Iced Earth, he shows in his performance that this doesn’t factor at all.  He shows full confidence throughout the near two and a half hour, twenty-seven song set.  Just as incredible is that this far into the band’s career, Bloc’s band mates show no sign of rust or age.  The songs are just as full of power as they were when the band’s original lineup first recorded them.  Once again, the only thing left to say in taking into account the band’s stamina along with the recording quality and packaging is that this performance is Iced Earth at its live best.  It is one of the best live recordings of the year both in the metal community and in general.  It is available now both in stores and online and can be ordered direct online from the Century Media Records store at http://www.cmdistro.com/Item/Iced_Earth_-_Live_In_Ancient_Kourion_-2CD+DVD_Digi-/44761.

Fans overseas will get to see Iced Earth live this Summer and into 2014, even after picking up this new live release as it tours in support of Live in Ancient Kourion.  Fans around the world can keep up with all of the band’s latest tour updates and news when they “Like” Iced Earth on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OfficialIcedEarth.  Fans can also follow the band on its official website, http://www.icedearth.com. 

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Fates Warning Announces Plans For New Album, Tour

The members of Fates Warning have kept themselves quite busy in the past year or so.  Now, after taking some time apart doing their own projects, the band’s members—Ray Alder (Vocals), Frank Aresti (guitars), Jim Matheos (guitars), Joey Vera (bass), and Bobby Jarzombek (drums)—have collectively announced that it will hit the road this Fall and Winter in support of a new album, which the band plans to start work on this Spring.

The band has announced that it plans to get back in the studio to start working on its eleventh full length record.  It is planning on having the new record out this Fall just in time for its upcoming tour.  That tour is schedule to start November 15^th at Mojoe’s in Joliet, IL.  Tickets will go on sale beginning this coming Wednesday, March 27^th.  The twenty-two date tour is currently scheduled to run through December 14^th.  To keep up with the latest tour and album updates, go online to the band’s official website, http://www.FatesWarning.com and its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/FatesWarning.

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Iced Earth Offers Fans A Taste Of Its Upcoming Live Release

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Iced Earth is giving fans a taste of what’s to come on its new live release, Live in Ancient Kourion.  The band has released a live audio track of the song, ‘Damien’ which audiences will get to experience firsthand on the band’s new live DVD.  Fans can check out the track now online at http://www.bravewords.com/news/200770.  Along with the new live audio track, fans can also check out both the official trailer for the upcoming live release as well as a full live performance of the band’s song, ‘Dystopia.’  The trailer is available to watch now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbG32SVXd9Q and the official ‘Dystopia’ live video can be watched online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFBDjXsu7hk.

Live in Ancient Kourion will be available April 16^th in the U.S. and April 15^th overseas in Europe.  It can be pre-ordered now at http://www.cmdistro.com/Search/iced_earth_live_in_ancient_kourion. 

The band has a handful of performances set up this summer in support of its new live release starting with a performance at the Burning Sea Festival in Croatia on June 8^th.  To get a full listing of tour dates and to get all the latest news from Iced Earth, go online to http://www.facebook.com/officialIcedEarth, http://www.icedearth.com, and http://www.myspace.com/icedearth.

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Iced Earth Announce New Live Release, Tour Dates

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Iced Earth is preparing to release its very first ever live DVD/Blu-ray.  Live in Ancient Kourion will be released in the United States on Tuesday, April 16^th and April 15^th in Europe.  The upcoming live release is taken from the band’s epic two and a half hour concert held at the ancient amphitheatre in Limassol on the island of Cyprus.  The amphitheatre itself is roughly six thousand years old.  The upcoming live show will be released both in DVD and Blu-ray format and a deluxe package that includes the complete show on a double-disc CD set.  The audio portion of the show will be available both in double-disc CD set and a triple-disc gatefold vinyl set.

The band will be touring this summer in support of its new live release.  It will be performing at a handful of Summer festivals beginning June 8^th at the Burning Sea Festival in Croatia.  Live in Ancient Kourion can be pre-ordered now in all its formats.  European audiences can pre-order the album at https://www.cmdistro.de/Search?q=kourion. American audiences can pre-order the new release at http://www.cmdistro.com/Search/kourion.  And audiences can even check out a trailer online now for the upcoming release.  It can be viewed via YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbG32SVXd9Q.

To get a full listing of tour dates and to get more information on IE’s new upcoming live release, audiences can go to the band’s official website, http://www.icedearth.com, its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/OfficialIcedEarth, or its official MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/icedearth.

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New Music Festival Coming To South Florida

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

A brand new music festival is coming to Florida.  The first annual Fort Rock festival will be held Sunday, Aril 14^th at the JetBlue Park in Fort Meyers, Florida.  The festival’s initial lineup has already been announced.  It includes:  The Offspring, 3 Doors Down, Stone Sour, Papa Roach, Volbeat, In This Moment, Escape The Fate, Device (with David Draiman), Pop Evil, Otherwise, Mindset Evolution, and a whole bunch more.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 23^rd at 6am EST and will be available online at http://www.FortRockFestival.com.  General Admission tickets are $44.50.  General Admission Party 4-Packs are also available at a cost of $129.50.  VIP tickets are available for $89.  Discounted hotel tickets will be available soon.  There will be two pre-sale events before general tickets go on sale.  The pre-sales will take place on the Fort Rock website as well.

Fort Rock is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and AEG, part of the team behind the annual Rock on the Range festival, Carolina Rebellion festival and Welcome to Rockville festival.  It is sponsored by Fort Meyers radio station 99X, Monster Energy, Jagermeister, and f.y.e.

For all the latest updates on band lineups and more, audiences can go online to the official Fort Rock website, http://www.FortRockFestival.com or “Like” its Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/fortrockfestival.

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Buckcherry’s New LP One Of 2013′s Best Rock Records

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Buckcherry is back.  And it’s back with a vengeance.  This L.A.-based band’s sixth full length studio release is one of the best rock records of 2013.  It is everything that audiences have come to expect from the band right from the get-go.  The album’s opener and lead single, ‘Gluttony’ is a balls-to-the-wall, take no prisoners rock and roll anthem that grabs listeners and refuses to let go until the song’s last second.  Front man Josh Todd’s vocals are as strong as ever on this song as he delves into the first of the seven deadly sins on which the semi-conceptual album is based.  The thing is that it’s a rather rebellious song.  He sings defiantly to the critics who look down their noses at the song’s main character for his excesses, “You say I eat too much/You say I smoke too much/So what am I supposed to do?”  This is just one line but it serves as a prime example of Todd’s character musically flipping the bird to said critics.  This is definitely one of those songs to which so many audiences can relate.  So it makes for an excellent re-introduction to the band’s long-time fans and first impression for those who are new to the band’s music.

The band barely lets up once ‘Gluttony’ ends.  From there, it launches immediately into the equally hard rocking, ‘Wrath.’  With its driving bass line, scathing guitars and equally striking lyrics, ‘Wrath’ is bound to be another instant hit with fans.  Todd sings right from the start, “Hey man/Do you wanna get a fist so hard/Do you wanna see who’s in charge/I’m gonna show you your future/Hey man/You think you’re strong enough/To play this game/It’s gonna burn/Like acid rain/You’re gonna need some sutures.”  Much like ‘Gluttony’ this song is also bound to be a fan favorite both on the album and at the band’s live shows.

The softest that Buckcherry gets on this album comes in its closer, ‘Dreamin’ of You.’  The full-on acoustic song is quite the contradiction to the nonstop energy exuded by the album’s other material.  On a deeper level though, it’s a fitting closer.  After so much ferocity aimed at the world (including past loves), here is a character who is seems to be pleading to one of those lost loves.  He is singing, “Dreamin’ of your face/You’re all mine/Transcending through this/Space and time/I have so much faith/It’s our time/There’s so much out there/To embrace/You can never turn away/When you fly so high/But you might as well stay/There’s no limit to the sky/But you’re always tellin’ me/You’re not afraid of change/It’s our time to shine/Dreamin’ of you/Dreamin’ of you/Dreamin’ of you/Dreamin’ of  you.”  This ballad style-song gently lowers listeners onto another musical shore by its end after the rollercoaster ride on which they were taken through the course of the album’s other tracks.  By the time the song’s final notes fade away, audiences know that they have just experienced something special; not just with this single song, but from the album as a whole.  Fans can hear songs from Confessions both in standard edition and deluxe edition with bonus DVD next Tuesday, February 19^th.  And audiences will get to hear some of the songs from the new album this weekend as the band performs tonight in Nashville, TN and then at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC tomorrow night.

Fans can order the band’s new CD and get tickets to the band’s shows online through its website, http://www.buckcherry.com.  Fans can also keep up with all the latest updates and more from the band online at the band’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/buckcherry.

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Voivod Releases Cover Art, Album Info For New LP

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Legendary Canadian Prog-metal band Voivod is back.  And the band has released the first hints of its first new album since its 2003 self-titled album.  Target Earth is slated to be released in the U.S. January 22^nd, 2013.  It will be released not only as a standard CD, but also as gatefold double vinyl, and a limited edition box set.  Details on the box set will be released soon.

Target Earth was recorded at producer Pierre Remillard’s Wild Studios and mixed by Sanford Parker.  It sees the return of the band’s original bassist, Blacky (Jean Yves Theriault).  It marks the first record that he’s done with the band since 1991’s, Angel Rat.

The track listing for Target Earth is:

1.  Target Earth

2.  Kluskap O’Kom

3.  Sympathy for the Enemy

4.  Mechanical Mind

5.  Warchaic

6.  Resistance

7.  Kaleidos

8.  Corps Etranger

9.  Artefact

10.  Defiance

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/ 381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Alpha Tiger Releases Video For First Single

German based rock band Alpha Tiger has released the video from the first single off of its Century Media debut, Beneath The Surface.  The album’s first single is titled, ‘From Outer Space.’  The video for the song was filmed at Germany’s famed SO 36 club.  The video mixes a very 80’s style stage performance by the band with some equally interesting b-movie style scenes.  Fans can check it out for themselves online now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q9f-gZV58s&feature=youtu.be.  The band’s Century Media debut is set to be released stateside on Tuesday, February 5^th.

Fans can check in on all the latest from Alpha Tiger online at its official website, http://www.alphatiger.de, and on its Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/AlphaTigerBand.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/ 381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Otherwise Releases New Lyric Video, Announces New Tour Info

Century Media band Otherwise has released the lyric video for its new song, ‘I Don’t Apologize (1000 Pictures).’  The video for the band’s new single sees the song’s lyrics set against a backdrop of old photo negatives burning with a sepia tone effect as front man Adrian Patrick sings, “No I don’t apologize/For taking back the life/That I deserve/It’s like we took a thousand pictures/Just to watch them burn.”  Thus audiences get the effect of negatives burning.  It’s quite the interesting video to watch from a band whose album is one of the year’s top general rock records.  Fans can check out the video online now at http://youtu.be/WuJxY94ali8.

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Along with its new video, the band has also announced that it will be touring in support of its album alongside Daughtry and 3 Doors Down.  The tour will kick off late next month.  Fans can check out the full tour lineup online at http://www.weareotherwise.com, http://www.facebook.com/otherwiseofficial, http://twitter.com/weareotherwise, and on the Century Media Records website, http://www.centurymedia.com

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Fear Factory adds one more to the list of 2012′s best metal albums

Static-X, Rammstein, and Spineshank are all some of the bigger names in today’s world of industrial metal.  But if not for Fear Factory, none of those bands–or any other for that matter–likely would have become as famous as they are.  Fear Factory broke industrial metal through as an acceptable standard with the release of its 1992 debut album, “Soul of a New Machine.”  The band built a worldwide fan base from there on, with albums centered on stories of man versus machine.  Now two decades later, Fear Factory continues to pave the way as a leader in both the industrial metal community and the metal community as a whole despite both changes in labels and band members.  Fans will hear that loud and clear on June 5th with the release of the band’s eighth album, “The Industrialist.”

“The Industrialist” is one of Fear Factory’s best album’s to date.  Just as the band’s previous release, “Mechanize” has been compared to “Soul of a New Machine”, “The Industrialist” is easily compared to another of the band’s mega hit albums, “Demanufacture.”  The two albums are very similar both musically and lyrically.  While it doesn’t go the exact same route of man vs. machine, “The Industrialist” does take the route of man using machine to destroy himself and wipe himself off the face of the Earth.  Fans who pick up the special expanded edition of the album will get the full story written by frontman Burton C. Bell in a companion booklet.  The band’s website, http://www.feafactory.com also offers a trailer that explains the premise behind the album’s story.  It’s all the more motivation to pick up the expanded edition and get the entire story behind the album.

Musically, the album is just as crushing not only as “Demanufacture”, but as anything that Fear Factory has written.  The album’s opener sets the tone for what’s to come with its title track.  It’s clearly old school Fear Factory.  From the guitars to the bullet sharp work of new drummer Mike Heller, this track alone will bring out fond feelings of nostalgia among all Fear Factory fans.  As precise as his drumming is here–and throughout the album–one wouldn’t even know that Raymond Herrera wasn’t the man behind the kit.  Another of those moments comes in ‘Depraved Mind Murder.’  Heller’s work on the drums is just as tight on this song.  Of course, he isn’t the only one who impresses.  Vocalist Burton C. Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares have seemingly mended their fences.  And the pair are a force to be reckoned with.  Bells vocals are as strong as ever on ‘Recharger’ and ‘Depraved Mind Murder.’ 

“The Industrialist” is a top notch album from Fear Factory.  The entire band works like…well…a well oiled machine (yes that’s a bad pun).  However, as great as the band works together, the people behind the glass played a hand in the album’s creation, too.  Back on board again is long time producer Rhys Fulber (Frontline Assembly).  Fulber has had his hand on nearly every one of Fear Factory’s records.  That familiarity with the band obviously played a major role in how impressive “The Industrialist” turned out.  Greg Reely (Paradise Lost, Machine Head) mixed the album.  The combination of two such accomplished individuals made for quite the expectations from this album.  And the album more than lived up to said expectations.  Add in the album artwork of Anthony Clarkson (Devin Townsend), and long time fans of Fear Factory will have on June 5th, what is some of Fear factory’s best work to date.

The band is currently on tour in support of its upcoming tour, alongside Shadows Fall on the “Noise in The Machine” tour.  It will be in Winston-Salem tonight at Ziggy’s.  Fans can keep up with the band’s full tour itinerary and more on the band’s website, http://www.fearfactory.com, its Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/fearfactory, and on its Twitter page, http://twitter.com/fear_factory.