Machine Head’s New Live LP Its Best Live Release Yet

Courtesy: Roadrunner Records

Machine Head has been a leader in the metal world since the release of its groundbreaking debut album, Burn My Eyes, in 1994.  In the near two decades since the release of that album, this pounding metal “machine” has only gotten better with every release.  Even through an alleged dispute with Roadrunner Records at one point, this band has persevered and improved with every release, proving to the entire metal world that it has and continues to mean business every time out.  That success translates not just to the band’s full length studio releases, but also to its live releases.  With the release of its third overall live release, Machine Head has proven once more why it is not just one of the top metal bands in the world, but also one of the best live metal bands in the world, too.

Machine F**king Head Live is Machine Head’s latest live release.  For those who have never had the opportunity to experience this band live, this release is just like the band’s studio albums.  Experiencing this band live is equivalent to attending a master class on how to put on a successful live show.  The band’s first live release, Hellalive was good.  The band’s live DVD, Elegies was better.  This new release is near the peak, if not the peak, for a live Machine Head release.  Sure the pyro is a great effect.  But it’s the band’s music and stage presence that continues to make it a leader both in the metal world and the live metal community.  It opens fittingly with the audience chanting the phrase that would become the title of this release as the show’s opener, ‘I Am Hell’ slowly built until it absolutely exploded much to the joy of those in attendance.  The energy of this opener was pummeling to say the least.  And the band barely let up from there as it launched right into another more recent song in ‘Be Still And Know.’  All four of the band’s members—Adam Duce (bass) Robb Flynn (guitars/vocals), Phil Demmel (guitar) and Dave McClain (drums)—do their part on this song, keeping both the music and the audience moving.

While this new live release didn’t come with a companion DVD or even Blu-ray, the energy of both the band and the audience translates quite well even purely in audio format.  By the time the band kicks into the anthem that is ‘Imperium’, Machine Head have collectively worked its audience into an absolutely wild frenzy.  One need not even see the show to understand that.  The reaction between front man Robb Flynn and the audience is enough to know that.  Not a moment is wasted from this point on throughout the new double disc live release as the band not only owns the stage with each performance, but completely dominates and destroys it, blowing away audiences over and over.  By the time the final strains of ‘Davidian’ fade away, fans new and old alike will leave this live release completely breathless.  Audiences will have grown to understand by the final moments of this release just why Machine Head is and always will be one of the metal community’s elite both in the studio and on the stage.

Machine F**king Head Live is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct online via the Roadrunner Records store at http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Machine+Head.

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Dream Theater Re-Signs With Roadrunner Records

Photo Credit: Roadrunner Records

The members of veteran prog-rock band Dream Theater have re-signed with Roadrunner Records.  The announcement comes fresh off the heels of the band’s 2011 release, A Dramatic Turn of Events and supporting world tour—James Labrie (Vocals), Mike Mangini (drums), John Petrucci (guitars), John Myung (Bass) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards).  The band released a statement regarding the re-signing.  “We are all very excited to be re-signing with Roadrunner Records!  Over the past 5 years, from the release of Systematic Chaos to our latest, A Dramatic Turn of Events, we’ve developed strong creative and professional bonds with everyone at Roadrunner as well as many great friendships along the way”, the band collectively noted. 

The band expanded on those relationships with Roadrunner Records, stating, “Roadrunner’s commitment and dedication to Dream Theater has been evident to all of us from the very beginning, and is consistent in all departments and on all levels, right on through to the top.  Roadrunner is a record label that is not only great at what they do but who truly understand what Dream theater is all about as well as the amazing people who support us all around the world whom we proudly call our fans.  They are a record company we relate to as an organization firmly rooted in its ideals and mission, while always pushing the envelope in an effort to keep things moving ever forward.  We’ve reached many career defining milestones while at Roadrunner and are all incredibly pumped in anticipation of our continued future together.”

Having re-signed with Roadrunner, Dream Theater is set to begin recording its new album in 2013.  While the band gets ready to record its new album, fans can follow the latest developments from the band online at http://.www.dreamtheater.net, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180, http://twitter.com/DreamTheaterNet, and http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater. 

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Heartist A Solid Mix of Metalcore And Emo

Courtesy: Roadrunner Records

Southern California based Heartist is a good fit on Roadrunner Records’ current artist roster.  And it’s an equally good fit for fans of bands the likes of As I Lay Dying, My Chemical Romance, and Set It Off.  The way that the band melds together its guitars and screaming vocals with the more melodic keyboard parts and actual singing makes the band’s debut EP, Nothing You Didn’t Deserve a record that metalcore and emo fans will appreciate.

Nothing You Didn’t Deserve opens with its lead single, ‘Disconnected.’  Front man Bryce Beckley writes in this song, “Can you remember/What brought us here/Or are you just as/Lost as I am?”  He goes on in the chorus, writing, “I’m disconnected from the ones above/I’m disconnected from the ones/Who fell in between/And I stray from this pathway/Though there’s still nothing/Left of me.”  The introspective nature of these lines will get any listener thinking.  It comes across as giving the vibe of someone feeling emotionally alone and lost in the world.  It’s the sort of lyrical topic to which younger audiences will easily relate.

On a different note, the band takes a different road on ‘Rhinestone.’  This time, the band seems to take the more traveled road with what comes across as a song based on a broken relationship.  Again, front man Beckley’s vocals capture the emotion of a person having finally gotten to the point after a breakup of realizing what was really wrong in the relationship.  In an odd sense, it’s almost sort of a self-empowerment moment.  Beckley sings on this track, “I should have learned/From the things that/I told myself/I’d never do/All along/The liar was you/Show your true colors/Let them see.”  This could easily be used from the angle of either a male or female, as there’s no gender assigned to the song.  Again, as young listeners are just finding themselves, this is a very good song for them.  It will serve as a big help for them as they navigate the rough waters that are personal relationships.

Both ‘Rhinestone’ and ‘Disconnected’ offer their own takes on the trials and tribulations of life.  The topics served up in this record mixed with the music make it easily accessible to the band’s key audience.  And it gives those same audiences something to build the hype over the eventual release of the band’s Roadrunner debut.  In the mean time, audiences will get the chance to see the band live this Fall and Winter as it hits the road on the “It’s Now or Winter” tour alongside a handful of other acts.  The band will kick off its tour in San Bernardino, CA on November 24^th before making its way down the West Coast and to Texas.  From there, the band will make stops in Georgia and Tennessee before making its way through the Midwest and Northeast.  Fans can get a full tour itinerary along with all the latest news on the band online at http://www.heartistband.com and http://www.facebook.com/HeartistBand.

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Knotfest Performance Times Announced

Organizers behind the first annual Knotfest concert festival have announced the performance times for the two day festival.  Slipknot will headline the festival both days.  The band will take the stage at 9:30pm this Friday and play until 11pm.  Saturday night, the band will take to the stage at 10:20 and will play until midnight.  Lamb of God headlines the second stage both nights.  The band, who was previously uncertain for the festival until very recently, will start its performance Friday night at 8:25pm.  It will take the second stage at 9:15pm Saturday night.

Prong and Dillinger Escape Plan will share main stage duties, with Prong opening the main stage Friday afternoon at 3:55pm.  Dillinger Escape Plan opens the main stage Saturday afternoon at 4:30. 

Machine Head, Deftones, Serj Tankian, Gojira, Cannibal Corpse and others will also be on hand.  To get a full rundown of performance times, fans can go online to http://www.knotfest.com.  Fans can also get all the latest from Slipknot online at http://www.slipknot1.com.  Tickets and VIP packages are still available.  They can be purchased online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/KNOTFEST-tickets/artist/1741056 and http://vipnation.com/programs/knotfest-2012.  Hotel accommodations can be made at http://knotfest.com/aug-17.  More information on camping options is available at http://www.tempotickets.com/knotfestcamping.

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LOG Frontman Blythe Freed, Band To Perform At Knotfest

The news has already spread throughout the music world.  Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe has been released from a jail in the Czech Republic.  As a result of Blythe’s release, Lamb of God has been confirmed for the upcoming Knotfest August 17th and 18th. 

Knotfest will perform Council Bluffs, IA on the 17th and Somerset, WI/Minneapolis, MN on the 18th.  Organizers of the Knotfest commented on this breaking news saying, “We are honored to present Lamb of God and thrilled to learn that Randy will be onstage for what is sure to be an amazing moment at Knotfest.” 

Also scheduled to perform at Knotfest are:  Deftones, Machine Head, Serj Tankian, Cannibal Corpse, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Urge, Prong, Gojira, and a whole lot more.

Information on tickets for Knotfest is available online at http://ticketmaster.com/KNOTFEST-tickets/artist/1741056.  and for information on VIP packages for Knotfest, go to http://vipnation.com/programs/knotfest-2012.  For more information on Knotfest, go to http://www.knotfest.com.

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Dream Theater Takes Top Honors In Rolling Stone Poll

Dream Theater has earned a high honor from rollingstone.com.  The band’s 1999 album, “Metropolis Part 2:  Scenes From A Memory” has taken home the top prize for the readers’ poll on readers’ favorite Prog Rock Albums Of All Time.

“Metropolis Part 2:  Scenes From A Memory” was the band’s fifth full length studio release.  It was the long fabled follow-up to the band’s song, ‘Metropolis Part 1:  The Miracle and The Sleeper’, which was on the band’s breakthrough 1992 LP, “Images & Words.” 

This honor follows up the band’s dual 2011 honors from rollingstone.com.  The band earned the #2 spot on the website’s “Top 10 Metal Bands of All Time” poll and #10 spot on its “Best Prog Rock Bands of All Time” poll.  Both the band and rollingstone.com staff reacted to this year’s honor.  “All of us in Dream Theater are so grateful to our fans for their incredible support in voting our album Metropolis PT. 2 Scenes From A Memory as the number 1 album in Rolling Stone’s poll for ‘Your Favorite Prog Rock Albums of All Time,’” said the members of Dream Theater. 

Staff from rollingstone.com responded to the huge number of votes for Dream Theater, saying, “If we had kept in all the Dream Theater albums, Images and Words would be number two, and Awake, Octavarium and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence would also be listed here. Lumping them all into this top spot was the only way to handle the flood of Dream Theater votes.”  The band’s fans can read even more on its win by clicking this link or pasting it into their browser:  http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-your-favorite-prog-rock-albums-of-all-time-20120725/1-dream-theater-metropolis-pt-2-scenes-from-a-memory-0257304#ixzz21ktIiOga.

Dream Theater just finished up the Summer North American leg of its tour in support of its latest album, “A Dramatic Turn of Events.”  The band will head down to South America next for the last leg of its world tour.  That tour will start Wednesday, August 8th.  A full slate of upcoming dates can be found at http://www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.  And fans can get even more news from the band online at http://www.dreamtheater.net, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180, http://twitter.com/DreamTheaterNet, and http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater.

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Slipknot “{sic}” As Ever On Download Blu-Ray Re-Issue

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision/Roadrunner Records

When the nine-man metal machine that is Slipknot released its self-titled debut album thirteen years ago, this musical monster instantly became one of metal’s biggest names.  In the years since that album’s release, Slipknot has maintained its spot as one of metal’s elite.  Its albums have gone multi-platinum.  And its last real concert DVD, “Disasterpieces” (2002) was a mega hit in its own right.  2006’s “Voliminal” was more a documentary than a concert DVD.  So it doesn’t count.  Now, Slipknot has a brand new live blu-ray re-issue of its 2010 DVD,” {sic}nesses:  Live at Download” due out next week.  This blu-ray is an excellent introduction to the legendary intensity that is a live Slipknot show for the uninitiated.  And for longtime members of the Maggot Corps who might not have been able to pick up the DVD a couple years ago, it’s a welcome new live release from the band.

“{sic}nesses:  Live at Download” is one more absolutely amazing live show from Slipknot.  It has all the intensity of the band’s show from “Disasterpieces.”  The only real difference is that unlike in “Disasterpieces”, fans don’t get to see the show from the POV of the band this time.  That’s not an entirely bad thing, though.  Having already done it once, would have meant wearing it out had they done that again.  However, the same energy felt in that show was felt this time, too.  It just came from the vantage point of the people behind the scenes, recording the show.  The people behind the scenes are to be commended, too.  They caught every bit of energy from both the stage and the audience of 80,000 concert goers and translated it expertly for people watching the show from home. 

The band’s Download set lasted roughly an hour and a half.  The band barely let up throughout that near ninety minute performance.  Even when it moved into the likes of ‘Dead Memories’, the energy was still there.  Every pit was in full motion the entire night.  And every person there was singing every word to every song.  Flags flew in the crowds representing no fewer than ten different nations.  It is simply a performance to behold.  As noted already, whether a new fan or a longtime member of the Maggot Corps, this brand new live release from one of metal’s top acts is top notch.  Perhaps the only down side to the entire thing would be the tour documentary included as a bonus feature.  Tour documentaries are really nothing new to any band’s live releases.  But it takes nothing away from the concert, which is why fans will pick up this release.  Viewer discretion should be exercised with this release as there is explicit language and nudity.

“{sic}nesses:  Live at Download” will be available next Tuesday, July 31^st.  It will be available in stores and online.  It can be ordered online at http://www.eagle-rock.com/product/EVB334239/%28Sic%29nesses+Live+at+Download.

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Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson Teaming Up For Fall Tour

Photo Credit: Rick Fagan

LOS ANGELES, CA–Shock rockers Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson are heading out on tour together this Fall for the “Twins of Evil” tour.  The tour will begin September 28th at the Desert Uprising Festival in Phoenix, Arizona.  The pair will tour the U.S. through October 31st before heading overseas together for the European leg of the tour, beginning November 26th.  Also along for the ride will be Korn front man Jonathan Davis as his alter ego J Devil. 

Manson joins the upcoming tour in support of his most recent album, “Born Villain.”  That album debuted in the top ten of the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.  It also snagged the top spot on the Heavy Album chart and Independent Album chart.  When asked for his thoughts on the tour, Manson had this to say:  “I have sympathy for the Whore of Babylon that gave birth to these twins of evil, and this abomination of a tour.”  He noted the expected intensity of the tour, saying, “There is no babysitter, and there is no repairing her womb. If Rob Zombie doesn’t f*** you up, than I surely will.  Hide all drugs and firearms…I’m coming to town.”

Photo Credit: Rick Fagan

For Rob Zombie, the tour will get audiences ready for the release of the upcoming album, “Mondo Sex Head.”  “Mondo Sex Head” will feature a variety of re-mixes of classic Rob Zombie songs from the likes of Jonathan Davis, The Bloody Beetroots, Photek and more.  Zombie also spoke on the tour, saying “Finally!  Why did the most obvious tour take so long to happen?  Who knows?  Who cares?  It’s happening now.”  He also added his thoughts on what to expect, saying, “If good taste is the chief enemy of great art, then we should be able to fill the Louvre with this f***ing tour.  Be prepared for something wicked this way a-coming.”

Fans can get a full listing of tour dates from both artists online at http://www.marilynmanson.com and http://www.robzombie.com. 

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“Anger, Denial, Acceptance” a strong re-introduction for Spineshank

Courtesy: Century Media

Los Angeles, California based Spineshank was one of the leading bands at Roadrunner Records when it released its first three albums from the late 1990′s up to 2003.  But after the release of its Grammy nominated third album, “Self Destructive Pattern”, fans were shocked to hear that the band had parted ways.  Johnny Santos went on to moderate success with another band, Silent Civilian, while the remaining band members kept themselves busy, too.  Fast forward nine years.  After seemingly working out whatever caused the original breakup, the band has finally released a brand new album that mixes the best elements of both “The Height of Callousness” (2000) and “Self Destructive Pattern”(2003) while moving in a different direction, too.

“Anger, Denial, Acceptance” has already met with mixed reviews among fans.  Most of the fans who are seemingly displeased with this record are the ones who wanted the band to stay the same.  But what those fans are missing is the fact that the band does incorporate its older sound with its attempts to stay up with the changes in the metal community.  The album’s opener, ‘After The End’ is a perfect re-introduction to fans.  It feels like it could have fit easily onto “The Height of Coullsness.”  That track is followed by another welcome memory of the past in ‘Nothing Left For Me.’  This one feels like it belonged with the band’s material from “Self Destructive Pattern.” 

After ”ADA”‘s first two tracks, listeners are treated to something a little different from Spineshank in the album’s title track.  Is this song style anything new to the metal community?  No.  But is it new territory for Spineshank?  Yes.  And the band pulls it off with just as much ease as the album’s other work.  Odds are that the influence of having more melodic metal alongside the band’s older industrial sound is thanks to Santos’ time in Silent Civilian.  Audiences should keep in mind that if a band continues to do the same kind of music over and over again album after album, fans will have the likelihood of abandoning said band.  So for Santos to bring in that influence actually adds more depth to Spineshank’s repetoire. 

“ADA” Isn’t dominated by the more speed/melodic metal influences.  As noted, even with those songs on the album, the band does maintain a modicum of its former sound.  For example, after pounding through the album’s title track, it’s follow-up, ‘I Want You To Know’, and ‘Murder-Suicide’, Spineshank gets back to its older sound in ‘I Am Damage.’  More open minded audiences will also really enjoy ‘Everything Everyone Everywhere Ends.’  This piece carries the band’s older sound while adapting to the current metal scene at the same time.

A long time has passed since the metal community last heard from Spineshank.  A lot has changed in that time.  Spineshank has embraced the change and released an album that true open minded fans will appreciate.  There are touches of Spineshank’s older music, along with proof that the band can move in a new direction if it wanted.  Given it’s nice to hear that older sound.  But the band has proven it can take newer soudns and put its own spin on said sound.  In short, true open minded fans will see that Spineshank has proven on “ADA” that change can be a good thing.  It just has to be “ACCEPTED.”

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Dream Theater discusses the ups and downs of life on the road

Good morning, everyone.  I hope that your week is going well so far.  I think I’m actually catching up on all these reviews that I’ve got.  Though my desk at home would make me think otherwise.  But I digress.  Dream Theater recently sat down for an interview about life on the road.  And thanks to my contacts, I’m happy to be able to share that interview with you this morning in its entirety.  So while you’re downing that morning cup of coffee , why not check out this brand new interview? 

1. How do you navigate the challenge of keeping in touch with loved ones while traveling?

John Petrucci (Guitar and Vocals):  While international data plans on cell phones and Wi-Fi access just about everywhere have made this a lot easier than it was 10 years ago, it can still be difficult. It’s especially hard when the time zone I’m in is so off from New York, like Asia or Australia for example. Being flipped around by 180 degrees is confusing for everyone! Sometimes a quick text or FB message just to connect can be just the thing to bridge the gap between phone calls or Skype sessions. Obviously the best thing is when my family joins me on tour!

Jordan Rudess (Keyboards and Continuum): I try every form of communication tool available. Been through Treos, Blackberrys  iPhones, Ipads, Nooks–tablets of all shapes and sizes and computers–all for the purpose of connecting with the loved ones. There is not an app or communication software that has gone untouched by these hands.

Jon Myung (Bass): I pretty much have Skype running on my laptop when stationary and either leave a voicemail or e-mail before my kids go to bed for the night.

Mike Mangini (Drums):  The way that I navigate keeping in touch with loved ones while I am on the road is to carefully time when I use Skype to speak with my wife and kids while putting off other emails and Internet-related things for downtime.

 

2. Do you unpack or live out of your suitcase on the road?

JP: With the exception of setting up my computer and devices each day, I find that it’s best not to spread out too much and to keep things in the suitcase. This way there is less of a chance of leaving something behind.

JR:  Usually it is pretty much right outta the suitcase!!

JM: Definitely live out of my suitcase, it’s like a personal locker.

MM: I have learned not to unpack my suitcase and to never put things in the drawers or closets for fear of forgetting items (again).

 

3. On a day off in a city, what do you do with your time? How do you find out which restaurants to go to?

JP: The first thing I do is find a gym and get a good workout in. I also find that I can usually fit in a healthy practice or writing session. The privacy of a hotel room coupled with the occasional jet lag makes for a very creative headspace! Honestly, sometimes it’s great to just relax and catch up on some TV shows or watch a movie. There are amazing restaurants all around the world and usually we communicate with one another as to which cool spot someone may have stumbled upon in town. Sometimes just a quick e-mail to say that the room service is good works as well!

JR:  I try to do a walk in every town I get to. It’s really important to me that I get out in the light because otherwise I feel trapped and start getting this weird dark feeling! As far as restaurants, I usually ask the concierge at the hotel or just walk until I feel the vibe.

JM: I usually ask around for a good place locally or sometime venture out by foot and see where I land; the rest of the time it’s getting quality sleep.

MM: When I have a day off in a city, I normally stay in the room to eat, sleep and catch up on emails and news. That has changed as I’ve gotten my golf game back. Now I look to play golf when it is possible…Dinner usually entails meeting up with a band or crew members. The iPad comes in handy for finding restaurants, but personal recommendations are the way to go.

 

4.  Have you ever had a rough time going through customs?

JP: It’s sort of hit or miss. Usually things go pretty smoothly with no questions asked. Other times, however, seemingly for no reason, they will pull you aside and go through every bag in detail. It’s a real pain and when you’re traveling with a group of 20 or more people–it becomes a major inconvenience!

JR: It’s always interesting. There is the time the Pirate tried smuggling in some bananas, but I’ll let him tell you about that if he likes.

JM: In general it goes smoothly–no real complaints from me.

MM:  I have been harassed by customs agents three times after i told them that I was a musician each time. One agent told me that his son was a musician and that “all musicians do drugs.”  I did everything to bite my tongue and not ask him if he arrested his son since “all musicians do drugs.” 

 

5. Is there one item that you always bring on tour to remind you of home?

JP: It’s difficult being away from my home, wife and kids. Everything reminds me of them! I do have hundreds of pictures in my photo library on my phone and computer that I constantly scroll through to help bring me closer.

JR: There are many. And they are all gadget-related and start with i……

JM: Just pictures and videos on my iPhone–it helps keep things in perspective.

MM: One item that I bring on tour to remind of home is a written note from my children.

 

6. What is your favorite album or songs to play on the long travel days?

JP: Travel days are great for catching up on new music that I’ve been looking forward to checking out. Just sitting on an airplane for hours with no distractions (apart from those annoying captain addresses) ensures a great listening environment and my undivided attention.

JR: These days it’s Apparat’s album The Devil’s Walk

JM: Lately, I have found myself listening to the Diamond Eyes album by the Deftones.

MM: My favorite music to listen to these days on long touring travel days is Planet X.

Fans can keep up with all things Dream Theater online at http://www.dreamtheater.net and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180

To keep up with all the latest entertainment news and reviews, go to http://www.facebook.com/PhilsPicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can also keep up with all the latest entertainment news and reviews at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.