Slayer Announces Metal Blade Catalog Re-Issues Coming

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Slayer is officially done, but not gone.

The legendary thrash metal band has partnered with Metal Blade Records to re-issue all four of the albums that it released through the label. The band made the announcement Wednesday through a news release distributed to the media.

The albums — Show No Mercy (1983), Haunting the Chapel (1984), Live Undead (1984), and Hell Awaits (1985) — are scheduled for release Oct. 22 on CD, vinyl, and cassette. The specifications for each platform’s release is noted below. Pre-orders are open.

Show No Mercy re-issue versions
– jewelcase CD
– cassette (featuring a fold-out J-card and a smokey tint cassette shell)
– 180g black vinyl
– transparent red / black split vinyl (US exclusive)
– orange marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
– transparent red / black splatter vinyl (US exclusive)
– orange / red melt vinyl (EU exclusive)
– red / white splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 1000 copies)

Haunting the Chapel re-issue versions
– jewelcase CD
– cassette (featuring a fold-out J-card and a smokey tint cassette shell)
– 180g black vinyl
– opaque red / black split vinyl (US exclusive)
– red / white marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
– black / white splatter vinyl (US exclusive)
– red / white melt vinyl (EU exclusive)
– red / black splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 1000 copies)

Live Undead re-issue versions
– jewelcase CD
– cassette (featuring a fold-out J-card and a smokey tint cassette shell)
– 180g black vinyl
– midnight blue / black split vinyl (US exclusive)
– grey / black marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
– clear / blood red splatter vinyl (US exclusive)
– blue / white / black splatter vinyl (EU exclusive)
– blue / black splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 1000 copies)

Hell Awaits re-issue versions
– jewelcase CD
– cassette (featuring a fold-out J-card and a smokey tint cassette shell)
– 180g black vinyl
– transparent orange / black split vinyl (US exclusive)
– red marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
– transparent orange / black splatter vinyl (US exclusive)
– orange / red splatter vinyl (EU exclusive)
– red / yellow / black circle splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 1000 copies)

More information on Slayer’s upcoming live dates is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.slayer.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slayer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/slayer

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Trivium Debuts New Single, ‘In The Court Of The Dragon,’ Companion Video

Courtesy: Roadrunner Records

Trivium opened the weekend with its first new music in more than a year.

The band premiered its new single, ‘In The Court of the Dragon‘ and its companion video Friday. The pair’s premiere comes more than a year after the debut of the band’s then latest album, What The Dead Men Say.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘In The Court of the Dragon’ is an intense, heavy, guitar driven composition. Its thrash stylistic approach and sound lends it to comparison to works from Slipknot just as much as from Slayer. As an added note, Isahn (Emperor) composed the orchestration for the single’s opening.

The lyrical content featured alongside that musical arrangement is taken from a classic story, according to front man Matt Heafy.

“The title of the song came from a short story by Robert W. Chambers,” he said. “The story is filled with dread and uncertainty, and that felt fitting for the times we’ve all been living in for the last year. Rather than a direct re-telling, we decided to go a different route and build our own narrative around the music that we were creating.”

The video for Trivium’s new single is a nearly 10-minute presentation that tells the story discussed by Heafy. Even more interesting is its finale, which seems to connect back to the video for one of the singles featured in What The Dead Men Say. That revelation will be left for audiences to discover for themselves.

In other news, Trivium is scheduled to return to the road this summer with Megadeth, In Flames, and Lamb of God. The band’s tour is scheduled to launch Aug. 20 in Austin, TX and to run almost a month and a half, winding down Oct. 2 in Quebec City, QC. The tour features performances in cities, such as Danville, VA; Concord, CA and Boise, ID.

The band’s tour schedule is noted below.

TRIVIUM ON TOUR:
8/20 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater
8/21 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
8/22 — Woodlands, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
8/24 — El Paso, TX — Don Haskins Center
8/25 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater
8/26 – Wichita, KS – Cotillion Ballroom (headline)
8/27 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
8/29 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Federal Theatre
8/31 — Reno, NV — Reno Events Center
9/1 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
9/2 — Concord, CA — Concord Pavilion
9/4 — Portland, OR — Moda Center
9/5 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
9/6 – Boise, ID, Revolution Concert House (headline)
9/9 — Tinley Park, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
9/10 – Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE w/ Black Label Society
9/11 — Danville, VA — Blue Ridge Festival*
9/12 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/13 — Boston, MA — Leader Bank Pavilion
9/15 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion
9/16 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
9/18 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center
9/19 — Clarkston, MI — DTE Energy Music Theatre
9/20 — Cincinnati, OH — PNC Pavilion
9/22 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
9/24 — Mount Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
9/25 – Des Moines, IA – Knotfest Iowa*
9/26 — St. Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
9/28 — Minneapolis, MN — Armory
9/30 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage
10/1 — Laval, QC — Place Bell
10/2 — Quebec City, QC — Centre Videotron
*Festival Date featuring all 4 bands

More information about Trivium’s new single and tour schedule is available along with all of Trivium’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.trivium.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trivium

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriviumOfficial

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Metal Rock Films’ New Thrash Metal Retrospective Will Resonate With Thrash, Metal Aficionados

Courtesy: Metal Rock Films

Throughout their rich histories, the rock and metal communities have seen a lot of “hot spots” develop across America.  Seattle, during the 90s was the hub for the burgeoning “grunge” scene.  Atlanta, for decades has been its own hub for so many kinds of rock  and metal.  Sevendust calls Atlanta home as do the like of Stuck Mojo, The Black Crowes, and Mastodon.  New York City has often been known as one of the key cities (if not the key city) in which the hardcore punk movement started.  The San Francisco Bay area meanwhile is where the thrash metal scene got its start.  The Bay Area and the thrash scene that developed therein are the focus of the recently released independent “rock-umentary” Bay Area Godfathers.  Released Nov. 10 on DVD by Metal Rock Films, the 90 minute retrospective is a presentation that thrash metal fans will find worth watching at least occasionally.  That is proven in part through its central feature, which will be discussed shortly.  The pacing that results from the main feature’s presentation presented plays its own key part to the retrospective’s presentation and will be discussed a little later.  The bonus content that accompanies the main feature adds some appeal to the overall presentation and will also be discussed later.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of Bay Area Godfathers.  All things considered, it is a presentation that serves as a good starting point in an examination of what is just one of metal’s many sub-genres.

Bay Area Godfathers is a presentation that thrash metal fans will find worth watching at least occasionally.  That is proven in part through the 90-minute program’s main feature.  The main feature follows the genre’s growth from its infancy in the early 80s to its growth in popularity in the late 80s.  Audiences learn through the presented history that the genre’s development was apparently somewhat unexpected.  That is because in the lat 70s and early 80s, pop, disco and other genres were still very prominent and popular in the San Francisco Bay area.  Even with those genres still being popular, audiences learn that there was a movement in the underground away from those more popular genres and acts and toward the heavier rock world.  The guerilla style presentation is not the spit-shined work that audiences might expect from say MTV, VH1 or ay of those well-known outlets.  The story is told through first hand accounts and stories of the musicians and bands that rose to popularity in the early days of thrash.  The interviews are captured with ordinary cameras.  There are no wireless microphones to amplify the speakers’ voices.  There is no editing to clean up the look and sound of the interviews.  They are presented wholly in a very distinct DIY fashion.  At the same time, the program is clearly segmented into specific portions (E.g. thrash’s early days, the division of punk and thrash, the growing popularity of thrash on rock radio and magazines).  That clear segmentation helps to keep viewers engaged and entertained throughout the course of the documentary.  Between this and the fact that the story is told mainly by those who were part of the genre’s evolution (in place of lots of third hand narration), and the video that helps tell the stories, this main feature in itself gives audiences quite a bit to appreciate.

While the main feature in Bay Area Godfathers mostly ensures viewers’ appeal, it is not a perfect presentation.  The pacing that results from the in-depth tale does suffer at points throughout the program.  While Bay Area Godfathers’ run time is listed at 90 minutes, there are times when it feels like it runs a little bit longer because of the pacing.  Whether that is due to the lack of that extra narration or maybe just a little bit too much in the way of anecdotes and stories is anyone’s guess.  Maybe it is the result of both of those elements.  Regardless, there are moments in the program that do feel as though they are dragging more so than at others.  Thankfully, that is not the case throughout.  That aside it is still noticeable, so it does detract from the documentary’s presentation at least to a point, just not enough to make the program fail.

Once audiences have made their way through the main feature of Bay Area Godfathers (or even before), they also have some bonus content to watch.  The documentary’s writing/directing/producing team of Bob Nalbandian and John Strednansky discusses favorite memories of the early days of the thrash metal scene in the bay area.  The men also share their thoughts on topics such as the impact of the scene on the overall metal community and why the pair even got started making its “Inside Metal” film series.  The history behind this aspect is interesting as it takes listeners briefly into the bigger history of the rock ad hard rock scene in California.  The discussion on the roots of the metal scene in the Bay Area in the early 80s shows the seriousness of the team’s dedication to the genre.  It is refreshing to hear from the men, that this was not just some pet project, but something that stemmed from their own love for the genre.  On a completely random note, as the men are talking (apparently in a hotel lobby) a figure walks to the elevators behind them in what looks like the outfit of the Kansas Jayhawks mascot outfit.  All that is visible from the camera angle is from the waist down, but it certainly makes for a funny moment as the mascot stands there pacing a little, waiting for the elevator as the men talk.  In discussing the favorite memories, Stradnansky talks about his first “Metal Monday” show, seeing Motley Crue and how that changed his life.  It is its own continued testament about the love that these men had for their project.  There are even discussions about favorite clubs, which adds to the discussions about the clubs featured in the documentary.  This enriches that aspect of the presentation even more.  Between this, so much more in the nearly 10-minute bonus and everything featured in the documentary’s main feature, this presentation proves itself a relatively entertaining and engaging presentation for thrash and metal aficionados in general. 

Metal Rock Films’ recently released thrash metal retrospective Bay Area Godfathers is a presentation that rock and metal aficionados alike will find intriguing.  They will find it as a presentation that is worth watching occasionally.  That is proven in part through its main feature, which takes viewers back through the early history of thrash metal in the San Francisco Bay area.  The rich, in-depth story told in the main feature is presented largely through first hand stories and anecdotes from those who were part of the scene at the time.  Some are well-known names while others are less so, creating a rich starting point in the history of the genre.  For all of the content that the main feature offers audiences, there are some occasional issues with the feature’s pacing.  There are moments throughout the documentary in which the story feels like it slows down.  Thankfully those moments are not enough to derail the program.  The bonus content that accompanies the documentary’s main feature adds a little more enjoyment an engagement to the whole.  Together with everything in the main feature, the two elements join with the better elements of the program’s pacing to make the retrospective/history piece worth at least an occasional watch.  Bay Area Godfathers is available now.

More information on this and other titles from Metal Rock Films is available along with all of the company’s latest news at:

Website: http://metalrockfilms.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InsideLAmetMovieDoc

Twitter: http://twitter.com/insideLAMetal

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Slayer Announces Dates For Final World Tour: Leg Five

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Slayer’s worldwide farewell tour will officially run into summer 2019.

The band announced the dates for Leg Five of its final world tour on Monday.  Leg Five will bring the band back to North America for a series of dates through May, starting May 2 and running through May 25.  Lamb of God, Amon Amarth and Cannibal Corpse will serve as support for the tour.

The band’s new dates are noted below. The announcement follows the recent announcement of the sixth leg of the tour, which will take Slayer across Europe during June and July.  Those dates — and those of Leg Four — are included with the dates for Leg Five.

MARCH
Leg Four:  Australia Japan South Pacific
(Anthrax and Behemoth will support on headline dates) 
7   Brisbane Riverstage Brisbane Australia
9   Download Festival Sydney Australia
11  Download Festival Melbourne Australia
15  Eventfinda Stadium Auckland New Zealand
17  Horncastle Arena Christchurch New Zealand
21  Download Festival Chiba Prefecture Japan
23  Pulp Summer Slam Manila Philippines

MAY
Leg Five:  North America
(Lamb of God, Amon Amarth and Cannibal Corpse will support on all dates) 
2   Ak-Chin Amphitheatre Phoenix AZ
3   Isleta Amphitheatre Albuquerque NM
5   UTEP/Don Haskins Center El Paso TX
7   Bert Ogden Arena Edinburg TX
8   The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory Dallas TX
10  MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Tampa FL
11  Coral Sky Amphitheatre West Palm Beach Florida
13  Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington WVa
14  Merriweasther Post Pavilion Columbia MD
16  Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center Noblesville IN
17  Providence Medical Center Amphitheatre Bonner Springs KS
19  DTE Energy Mush Center Clarkston MI
20  Covel Centre Youngstown OH
22  Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa ON  CANADA
24  BB&T Pavilion Camden NJ
25  Xfinity Center Mansfield MA

JUNE
Leg Six:  Europe(Support acts for headline dates TBA)
4  Arena Gilwice Gilwice Poland
6  Sweden Rock Solvesborg Sweden
8  Rock Am Ring Nurburgring Germany
9  Rock Im Park Nurnberg Germany
11  Sports Arena Budapest Hungary
13  Leipzig Arena Leipzig Germany
14  Nova Rock Nickelsdorf Austria
Weekend of June 14-16
Download Donington Park UK
19  Arena Geneva Switzerland
21  Graspop Metal Meeting Dessel Belgium
23  Hellfest Clisson France25  Tipsport Arena Prague Czechoslovakia
28  Tons of Rock Oslo Norway
29  Tuska Open Air Helsinki Finland

JULY 
July 3-6
Resurrection Festival Viviero Spain
5   VOA Heavy Rock Festival Lisbon Portugal
7   Rock The Castle Verona Italy
10  Metalheadmeeting Bucharest Romania
11  Airport Park Sofia Bulgaria
13  Rockwave Festival Athens Greece
Weekend of July 27-28*
Heavy Montreal Parc Jean-Drapeau Montreal QC

AUGUST  
3  Messegelande Balingen Germany

More information on Slayer’s final world tour is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.slayer.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slayer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slayer

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like ” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Slayer Announces Dates For European Leg Of Its Farewell Tour

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Slayer is preparing to say goodbye to its European fans.

The band has announced the dates for the next leg of its worldwide farewell tour, which will take the band across Europe.  The tour is currently scheduled to launch November ` in Dublin, Ireland before heading to the UK for a handful of dates and then on to Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and a number of other locations across Europe.

Longtime guitarist Kerry King said the decision to take the tour to Europe had been planned for a long time, and that the reaction to the tour in the U.S. has been motivating for the upcoming European run.

“We always knew this tour would take us into 2019, and we’ve been blown away by the response we’ve been getting here in North America,” King said.  “We’ve heard about fans who have driven five, six hours or flown in from other cities or countries to see us, so we want to assure our fans that we’ll be on the road through 2019 and will get to as many places around the world as possible to make it easier for everyone to come and see us one last time.”

Front man Tom Araya shared King’s appreciation for the fans and their reaction.

“I just want to take the time out to say thank you to all our fans who have made this first part of this tour phenomenal,” Araya said.  “You really are loyal dedicated fans and we appreciate that so much from you.  We still have quite a few places to play, so next year, keep your eyes and ears open so you can catch us live one last and final time.  Again, thank you!”

Before the band heads to Europe, it will perform for audiences at Mexico at the ForceFest in Tijuana, Mexico on October 7.  Plans are also in the works for live performances in South America, Australia and Japan as part of its continued farewell tour.

The current schedule for the European leg of Slayer’s farewell tour is noted below.

OCTOBER
7         ForceFest @ Campo De Golf Teotihucan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico  (headline)

NOVEMBER
1         Dublin 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
3         Wembley Arena, London, UK
5         Cardiff Arena, Cardiff, UK
7         Birmingham BCA, Birmingham, UK
9         Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK
10        Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
12        Glasgow Hydro SSE, Glasgow, UK
14        Westfalenhalle 1, Dortmund, Germany
15        IJsselHal, Zwolle, Netherlands
17        Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain
18        St. Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
20        Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
21        Halle 622, Zurich, Switzerland
23        Stadthalle, Vienne, Austria
24        Freiburg, SICK ARENA, Freiburg, Germany
26        Barclaycard Arena Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
27        Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland
29        Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
30        Messchalle, Erfurt, Germany

DECEMBER
2         Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
3         Royal Arena, Kobenhavn S, Denmark
5         Hovert, Stockholm, Sweden
6         Oslo Spektrum Arena, Oslo, Norway
8         Helsinki Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland

2019
JUNE
23        Hellfest Open Air, Clisson, France  (headline)

More information on Slayer’s upcoming live dates is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.slayer.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slayer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/slayer

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lamb Of God Unveils Another Track From Its New Burn The Priest Covers Album

Courtesy: Epic Records

Lamb of God is giving audiences another preview of its forthcoming covers collection, Legion: XX.

The band will release the album under its former name, Burn The Priest next Friday, May 18.  In anticipation of the album’s release, the band is streaming now, its cover of the Bad Brains hit song ‘I Against I.’  Its release comes on the heels of the band’s covers of Accused’s ‘Inherit The Earth‘ and Big Black’s ‘Kerosene.’

‘I Against I,’ ‘Inherit The Earth’ and ‘Kerosene’ are just three of the covers included in this new tribute to Lamb of God’s roots and its influences.  The record’s full track listing is noted below.  Pre-orders for Legion: XX are open now.

Legion: XX track listing:

1. Inherit The Earth (originally performed by The Accused)

2. Honey Bucket (originally performed by Melvins)

3. Kerosene (originally performed by Big Black)

4. Kill Yourself (originally performed by S.O.D.)

5. I Against I (originally performed by Bad Brains)

6. Axis Rot (originally performed by Sliang Laos)

7. Jesus Built My Hotrod (originally performed by Ministry)

8. One Voice (originally performed by Agnostic Front)

9. Dine Alone (originally performed by Quicksand)

10. We Gotta Know (originally performed by Cro-Mags)

Audiences might get to hear some of the covers included in this new LP as Lamb of god tours in support of the album on Slayer’s farewell tour.  That tour’s current tour schedule is noted below.  Tickets and VIP packages are available here.

LEG ONE

(In addition to support from LAMB OF GOD, Slayer leg one headline dates will also feature support from Anthrax, Behemoth, and Testament.)

 

MAY

11   FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA SOLD OUT

**12   Fox Theater, Pomona, CA – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

13   Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA

16   Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC

17   South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC

19   Big Four, Calgary, AB   SOLD OUT

20   Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AB   SOLD OUT

22   Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB

**23   The District, Sioux Falls, SD – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

24   The Armory, Minneapolis, MN   SOLD OUT

25   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL

27   Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI  SOLD OUT

29   Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON   SOLD OUT

30   Place Bell, Montreal, QC   SOLD OUT

JUNE

1   Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT   SOLD OUT

2   PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

**3   The Dome at Oakdale, Wallingford, CT – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

4   Santander Arena, Reading, PA   SOLD OUT

6   Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

7   Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH

9   KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA

10   Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA

**11 The Ritz, Raleigh, NC – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

12   Veteran’s United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA

14   PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC

15   Orlando Amphitheater, Orlando, FL

16   Montebello Rock Fest, Montebello, QC – FESTIVAL DATE/LAMB OF GOD ONLY

17   Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land, Houston, TX   SOLD OUT

19   The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX   SOLD OUT

20   Austin360 Amphitheater, Austin, TX SOLD OUT

LEG TWO

(In addition to support from LAMB OF GOD, Slayer leg two headline dates will also feature support from Anthrax, Testament, and Napalm Death.)

 

JULY

26   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH

27   Impact Music Festival, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor, ME

29   Northwell Health at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY

31   The Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA

AUGUST

1   Times Union Center, Albany, NY

3   Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY

4   Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY

6   Budweiser Gardens, London, ON

7   Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI

9   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO

10   Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA

12   Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

13   Walmart AMP, Rogers, AR

15   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX

16   The Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK

**17   Sokol Auditorium, Omaha, NE – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Napalm Death

18   Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater, Denver, CO

19   USANA Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT

21   Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID

**22   Knitting Factory Concert House, Spokane, WA – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Napalm Death

23   Sunlight Supply Amphitheater, Portland, OR

24   White River Amphitheater, Auburn, WA

26   SAP Center, San Jose, CA

LAMB OF GOD will also join Slayer on their newly announced European headline tour dates as direct support, featuring additional support from Anthrax and Obituary. See below for all confirmed tour stops.

EUROPEAN DATES

NOVEMBER

1         3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

3         SSE Arena, Wembley, England

5         Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales

7         BCA, Birmingham, England

9         Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

10         Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England

12         Hydro SSE, Glasgow, Scotland

14         Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany

15         Ijsselhal, Zwolle, Holland

17         Palacio Vistalegre Arena, Madrid, Spain

18         St. Jordi, Barcelona, Spain

20         Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy

21         Halle 622, Zurich, Switzerland

23         Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria

24         Sick Arena, Freiburg, Germany

26         Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg, Germany

27         Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland

29         Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany

30         Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany

 

DECEMBER                

2         Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany

3         Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark

5         Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden

6         Spektrum, Oslo, Norway

8         Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland

More information on Legion: XX is available online now along with all of Lamb of God’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.lamb-of-god.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lambofgod

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lambofgod

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

Slayer To Re-Issue “Repentless” On Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Slayer is giving audiences one more high-powered metal treat before it hits the road for its farewell tour.

The band announced this week that it will release a limited edition vinyl box set pressing of its now final album Repentless this summer.  Repentless: 6.66 Inch Special Collector’s Edition Vinyl Box Set will be released fittingly on June 6, International Day of Slayer.

The box set will be available in separate black, red and gold-colored vinyl pressings, with only 2,500 copies of each box set produced worldwide.  The sets will consist of six single vinyl EPs, each measuring 6.66 inches in diameter, and each will contain two songs from Repentless.  The red and black disc sets are expected to retail for $66.66 and the gold set for $73.99.  Pre-orders are open now.

The announcement of the new limited edition box sets is just the latest big news from the band as it prepares for its end.  It will hit the road one last time beginning May 10 for an extensive worldwide farewell tour.  The schedule for the tour’s first two legs — each consisting of dates across North America — is noted below.

LEG ONE

(Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament will support)

MAY

10   Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA  SOLD OUT

11   Five Point Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA  SOLD OUT

13   Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA  SOLD OUT

16   Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC  SOLD OUT

17   South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC

19   Big Four, Calgary, AB   SOLD OUT

20   Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AB   SOLD OUT

22   Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB

24   The Armory, Minneapolis, MN   SOLD OUT

25   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL

27   Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI   SOLD OUT

29   Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON   SOLD OUT

30   Place Bell, Montreal, PQ   SOLD OUT

JUNE

 1    Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT   SOLD OUT

 2    PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

 4    Santander Arena, Reading, PA   SOLD OUT

 6    Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

 7    Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH

 9    KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA

10   Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA

12   Veteran’s United Home Loans  Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA

14   PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC

15   Orlando Amphitheater, Orlando, FL

17   Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, Houston, TX   SOLD OUT

19   The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX   SOLD OUT

20   Austin360 Amphitheater, Austin, TX  SOLD OUT

LEG TWO  

(Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death will support)

JULY

26   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH

27   Impact Music Festival, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor, ME

29   Northwell Health at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY

31   The Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA

AUGUST

 1    Times Union Center, Albany, NY

 3    Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY

 4    Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY

 6    Budweiser Gardens, London, ON

 7    Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI

 9    Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO

10   Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA

12   Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

13   Walmart AMP, Rogers, AR

15   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX

16   The Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK

18   Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Denver, CO

19   USANA Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT

21   Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID

23   Sunlight Supply Amphitheater, Portland, OR

26   SAP Center, San Jose, CA

More information on Slayer’s upcoming tour dates, its forthcoming limited edition vinyl box set and more is available online now at:

Website: http://www.slayer.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slayer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slayer

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lamb Of God Announces Release Date, Specs For New Burn The Priest Covers LP

Courtesy: Epic Records

Before it was Lamb of God, Lamb of God went by another name — Burn The Priest, and this May, Burn The Priest will mark its 20th anniversary with a new covers album.

Legion: XX is scheduled to be released Friday, May 18 via Epic Records.  The 10-song record will features covers of hits from the likes of Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, Big Black, Ministry, Melvins, Quicksand and others.  In anticipation of the album’s release, the band is currently streaming the video for its cover of the album’s lead track, ‘Inherit The Earth,’ originally composed by The Accused, online now here.

The album’s full track listing is noted below.

Legion: XX track listing:

1. Inherit The Earth (originally performed by The Accused)

2. Honey Bucket (originally performed by Melvins)

3. Kerosene (originally performed by Big Black)

4. Kill Yourself (originally performed by S.O.D.)

5. I Against I (originally performed by Bad Brains)

6. Axis Rot (originally performed by Sliang Laos)

7. Jesus Built My Hotrod (originally performed by Ministry)

8. One Voice (originally performed by Agnostic Front)

9. Dine Alone (originally performed by Quicksand)

10. We Gotta Know (originally performed by Cro-Mags)

Audiences might get to hear some of these covers live starting May 10 when Lamb of God hits the road as support for Slayer on that band’s farewell tour.  The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

LEG ONE

(In addition to support from LAMB OF GOD, Slayer leg one headline dates will also feature support from Anthrax, Behemoth, and Testament.)

 

MAY

10   Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA

11   FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA SOLD OUT

**12   Fox Theater, Pomona, CA – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

13   Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA

16   Pacific Coliseum Vancouver, BC

17   South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC

19   Big Four, Calgary, AB   SOLD OUT

20   Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AB   SOLD OUT

22   Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB

**23   The District, Sioux Falls, SD – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

24   The Armory, Minneapolis, MN   SOLD OUT

25   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL

27   Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI  SOLD OUT

29   Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON   SOLD OUT

30   Place Bell, Montreal, QC   SOLD OUT

JUNE

1   Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT   SOLD OUT

2   PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

**3   The Dome at Oakdale, Wallingford, CT – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

4   Santander Arena, Reading, PA   SOLD OUT

6   Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

7   Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH

9   KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA

10   Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA

**11 The Ritz, Raleigh, NC – LAMB OF GOD headliner + Behemoth

12   Veteran’s United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA

14   PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC

15   Orlando Amphitheater, Orlando, FL

16   Montebello Rock Fest, Montebello, QC – FESTIVAL DATE/LAMB OF GOD ONLY

17   Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, Houston, TX   SOLD OUT

19   The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX   SOLD OUT

20   Austin360 Amphitheater, Austin, TX

LEG TWO

(In addition to support from LAMB OF GOD, Slayer leg two headline dates will also feature support from Anthrax, Testament, and Napalm Death.)

 

JULY

26   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH

27   Impact Music Festival, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor, ME

29   Northwell Health at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY

31   The Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA

AUGUST

1   Times Union Center, Albany, NY

3   Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY

4   Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY

6   Budweiser Gardens, London, ON

7   Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI

9   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO

10   Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA

12   Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

13   Walmart AMP, Rogers, AR

15   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX

16   The Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK

18   Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Denver, CO

19   USANA Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT

21   Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID

23   Sunlight Supply Amphitheater, Portland, OR

26   SAP Center, San Jose, CA

Tickets and VIP packages are available online now here.

More information on Lamb of God’s upcoming Burn The Priest covers album is available online along with all of its latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.lamb-of-god.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lambofgod

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lambofgod

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tommy Victor Is In His Prime On His Latest Prong Recording

Courtesy: Steamhammer/SPV Records

Later this month, Prong will release its latest album to the masses, and the record, Zero Days, is one of this year’s top new hard rock and metal offerings.  The record, the 12^th full-length studio recording from Tommy Victor and his ever-rotating roster of fellow musicians, is everything that audiences have come to expect from Prong – heavy yet infectious riffs and grooves, and equally hard-hitting lyrical content. That is evidenced early in the album’s run in the form of ‘Divide and Conquer,’ which will be discussed shortly.  The full-on thrash riffs and social commentary of ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ shows just as much as ‘Divide and Conquer’ what makes this record another enjoyable offering from Prong.  It will be discussed later.  ‘Self Righteous Indignation’ also serves, with its musical arrangement and lyrical content, why this record represents everything that Prong’s fans have come to expect from the band.  It is hardly the last of the songs included in this record that serves that purpose, too.  The record boasts 10 other songs that could just as easily be used to show why Prong has crafted another solid offering in Zero Days and why it is.  The whole of the album’s 13 songs shows the album to be, again, one of this year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

Veteran hard rock outfit Prong’s latest album Zero Days is everything that Prong’s fans have come to expect from the band and then some.  The album, Tommy Victor’s 12^th album under the Prong moniker, utilizes a solid mix of musical arrangements and hard-hitting lyrical content to make it one of this year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

That is evidenced early on in the driving composition ‘Divide And Conquer.’  The melodic hard rock arrangement at the song’s center harkens back to some of the best songs included in the band’s 1996 album Rude Awakening and its forebear, Cleansing (1994).  That is evidenced through the song’s straight forward guitar arrangement and Victor’s own vocal delivery style.  Drummer Art Cruz’s own work behind the kit adds to that feel even more as does that of bassist Mike Longworth.  The whole of those parts makes this arrangement one of the album’s best musical compositions.  The songs’ lyrical content builds on the foundation created by the arrangement and strengthens the song even more.

The lyrical content presented in ‘Divide and Conquer’ strengthens the foundation created through the song’s musical arrangement because it hits just as hard as the arrangement with its commentary. Victor sings in the song’s lead verse, “There’s no relief/There’s just regret/Want to forget/Just can’t believe/Really don’t want any part of that/Just another bad experience/For what’s positive or negative/Maybe it’s all just relative.”  He and his band mates go on to sing in the song’s chorus, “You can’t go through life without these conditions/Divide and conquer/You can always rely on opposition/Face the sorrow/You can’t go through life without some division/Divide and conquer…”  This comes across as a message about accepting the good and bad in life rather than just the good.  This is of course only this critic’s own interpretation and should not be taken as gospel.  That interpretation is made just as much as Victor sings in the song’s second verse, “You only see what you gotta get/You cannot get what you cannot see/Always forced into compromise/Always have to make the sacrifice/Things are not what they seem to be/Living in a false reality.”  From here the song returns to its chorus before making its way to its end, reminding listeners that negative will always come with positive, and that people should expect both sides in life; that only seeing one side is close-minded.  Again, this is only this critic’s own interpretation.  Hopefully it is somewhere in the ballpark of being right.  Regardless, it can be agreed by everyone that whatever the message, it definitely is hard-hitting.  When that message is coupled with the song’s driving musical arrangement, the urgency of understanding the message is driven home even more, making this song both musically and lyrically a work that so many people (especially in today’s world) should hear, proving why it is such an important addition to Zero Days.  It is not the album’s only stand out song.  ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ is another of the songs that serves to show why Zero Days is another solid offering from Prong, despite what some critics might have people believe.

‘Divide and Conquer’ is one of the best examples of how much Tommy Victor and company have to offer audiences on its latest album Zero Days.  Its driving musical arrangement and equally hard-hitting lyrical content couple to make the song a work that will entertain audiences while also leaving them thinking quite a bit.  The impact from the song’s musical and lyrical content makes it only one of the album’s best additions.  ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ hits just as hard as ‘Divide and Conquer.’  Just as with the aforementioned work, that is due in part to the song’s musical arrangement, which instantly conjures thoughts of Slayer, Hatebreed and others of that ilk.  That speaks for itself.  Considering that, the next step here is to examine the song’s lyrical content, which at least to this critic seems to be a commentary about the bigotry and racism that has become far too prevalent across the nation ever since the rise to power of the nation’s current “leader.”  That is inferred right off the top as Victor sings, “Forced into tolerance of what we disdain/Being irrational is how we exist/Someone goes around and it makes no sense/They are labeled and then disgraced/Caught in the ignorance and try to explain.”  He goes on to bring out the foolishness of the hateful views that are being expressed by singing, “I don’t care if you exist…Don’t f****** tell me it is what it is.”  He goes on in similar fashion from here with the same musical and lyrical fire, indicting those close-minded masses of the nation (and the world possibly) pointing out the dangers of their views, and the foolishness of those views.  It is a powerful statement both musically and lyrically that will be timely as long as such people and views exist in the world.  Considering this, it is clearly evident why this song is so important to the overall presentation of Prong’s new album. It is not the last of the record’s key compositions either.  ‘Self Righteous Indignation’ is yet another of the album’s most important songs.

‘Divide and Conquer’ and ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ are both key additions to Prong’s 12^th full-length studio recording.  That is thanks to the songs’ powerhouse musical arrangements and the equally hard-hitting commentaries contained within each song.  The whole of those elements within each song makes each song a clear example of what makes Zero Days such a strong new effort from Prong.  They are not the album’s only key works, though.  ‘Self Righteous Indignation’ is yet another of the album’s most important works.  As with the previously discussed songs, that is due in part to the song’s musical arrangement, which can easily be compared to works from the likes of Fear Factory, White Chapel and other similar acts with its heavy, crunching, down-tuned guitars, pounding drums and equally heavy bass line.  Keeping this in mind, it is only one part of what makes the song stand out so distinctly from the record’s other tracks.  The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note here as its musical arrangement.

The lyrical content presented in ‘Self Righteous Indignation’ seems to this critic at least as a commentary about those people who think themselves so much better than everyone else.  That is inferred as Victor sings in the song’s lead verse, “A victim/Of the system/Who gives a damn about your needs/Won’t listen/To criticism/Disgust for everyone who cheats/My heart is cold/I cannot pray/I can’t look way/What may unfold/Your dismay/Just total disdain/Self/Righteous/Indignation.”  That seeming commentary continues in the song’s second verse as Victor sings, “No wisdom/So distant/A great sense of psychic grief/existence/Of symptoms/distaste for everything that’s cheap/It’s always known/All the demands/The helping hands/have no control/What you don’t have/Gets way out of hand.”  Once again, this is all just this critic’s own interpretation and should not be taken as the only interpretation.  It only seems to this critic that this song, lyrically, addresses those people who have that unnecessary God complex of sorts.  Sadly, there are far too many people of this sort around the world, and if that is indeed what Victor is addressing here, he does quite the job of addressing the matter.  Keeping that in mind, the song’s musical arrangement expertly couples with the power in the song’s lyrics and Victor’s own powerhouse vocal delivery.  It delivers a message of pure anger aimed at those people in question; a message that, again if that is the intended message, definitely hits home in a big way, showing once more why this song is such a key addition to Zero Days.  It is hardly the last of the songs that could be examined to show what makes Zero Days such a strong new effort from Prong.  Any of the other 10 songs that fill out the rest of the album could be examined just as easily as this work and the previously discussed works.  Considering this, the whole of this record shows Prong at its prime; a work that will definitely impress any of the band’s fans new or old.  They make the record a work that deserves a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

Prong’s latest full-length studio recording Zero Days shows Tommy Victor at his prime along with the band that he founded so many years ago.  It is a record that shows despite all of the band’s lineup and label changes, is still as relevant and powerful today as it was in its infancy.  That is exhibited from start to finish through the album’s powerhouse musical arrangements and its equally hard-hitting lyrical content.  The two elements together make the album in whole one of this year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.  It will be available Friday, July 28 via Steamhammer/SPV Records.  More information on Zero Days is available online now along with all of Prong’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.prongmusic.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/prongmusic

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Dark Horse Comics To Release New Slayer Comic Book

Courtesy: Dark Horse Comics

First Slayer conquered the metal realm.  Now it has its eyes set on another realm.

The band will see its very first comic book released later this month via Dark Horse Comics.  The comic, Repentless #1, will be released January 25. It will be the first in a 3-book series.  Audiences can get a six-page preview of issue #1 now here.

Repentless is based on the videos from the band’s hit 2015 album by the same name.  The videos were directed by B.J. McDonnell (Hatchet III) and scripted by director/producer Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros., The Death of Superman Lives).

Front man Tom Araya said the story presented in Repentless is meant to carry on the message presented by the band so many times in previous albums.

“We’re telling the story that we’ve always told about society and how humans treat each other,” Araya said.

The inside artwork for Slayer’s new comic book was illustrated by “Twilight Zone” artist Guiu Vilanova.  Issue #1’s cover art was designed by Eisner Award-winning British comics artist Glenn Fabry.  Eric Powell (The Goon, Hillbilly) designed the cover art for Issue #1’s variant cover.

More information on Slayer’s new comic book is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.slayer.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slayer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slayer

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.