June, 2007 Archive
BEHEMOTH – Too dangerous for Poland?
MTV.com reports: This week, a Polish anti-sect organization dubbed “The All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects” released a list of artists it claims “promote Satanism” or “encourage murder and animal sacrifice” with their music. The group plans to distribute the list to a number of Polish politicians next month, in hopes that the officials will ban said artists from performing in the Central European nation.
The list includes, among others, MARILYN MANSON and SLAYER — who, oddly enough, are touring the U.S. together this summer. Another act making the list is one of Poland’s own, blackened death metallers BEHEMOTH — who’ll also be touring the U.S. this summer, as part of this year’s 11th annual Ozzfest.
Adam “Nergal” Darski, BEHEMOTH’s frontman, said he questions the motives of the APCFDAS and thinks the attempt to ban his band from performing in his native land is, well, ridiculous.
“You have these politicians who, for some reason — probably just for self-promotion — want to fight this kind of stuff,” he explained. “This is music. This is art. This is some kind of expression, and this is our expression. For some reason, they think it has a negative influence on kids, so they want to stop it. So they made this list that’s going to come out next month, and BEHEMOTH is #1. … I’m not sure if they’ll [be able to enforce it], because it’s a violation of the most basic democratic rules. It’s very extreme and very dangerous.”
“Extreme” and “dangerous” — two words Nergal often uses to describe BEHEMOTH, but obviously with different connotations. Regardless, the threat of a potential Polish ban hasn’t put the fear of God in BEHEMOTH. In fact, the band has booked a handful of Poland dates, which it intends on playing immediately following Ozzfest’s August 30 finish in West Palm Beach, Florida. It’s all part of BEHEMOTH’s campaign to spread the word about The Apostasy, their seventh full-length album and follow-up to 2004’s Demigod that lands in stores July 17 — less than a week after Ozzfest’s Seattle launch.
“If you have a record like this in your hands, and you have so many tour opportunities and so many people [supporting you], all you have to do is get your ass on a plane or in a van — if there’s a need — and just tour every f—ing corner of the world, and make sure that every kid has a copy of this f—ing record,” Nergal said with authority. “No compromise — no rest for conquerors.”
The title to the new album refers to apostasy, the state of having forsaken your professed belief set, often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes. Different from the band’s previous works, The Apostasy features choirs, piano interludes and a horn section. Overall, Nergal said the album is a bold statement on the current state of international Catholicism — the dominant faith among Poland’s populace. But only those willing to comprehend the message will get it.
“There’s a beautiful and very epic meaning behind this title, and it’s a great statement, because of its rebelliousness,” he explained. “BEHEMOTH has always been about rejection, rebelling against various things. It’s not about rebelling against religion. The religious aspect is so important, especially in [this day and age] when the majority of wars are caused by religious conflicts. We actually speak about things that are present [on this album], that are important in the modern world. Smart people will be able to recognize this.
“This album is ritualistic,” he continued. “I would say that there is a barbaric touch to this record, and that’s what I love about music. This is a disturbing, dangerous record, and we are here to make people think. This is not just entertainment. People need to have this awareness that BEHEMOTH isn’t just entertainment. We are a disturbing, dangerous band, and we do all of this to make people think for themselves. Kids these days, they have no one to really look up to. I think BEHEMOTH’s message, some people at first might think it’s very negative. I think it’s actually very positive.”
Musically, The Apostasy is just as epic and extreme as anything BEHEMOTH have done before, but there’s an intensity to the LP that’s been missing from the band’s previous efforts, Nergal said. The goal with this record wasn’t to just push the brutality envelope.
“I wanted to make sure that, when you play this music to a jazz musician or a classical musician, I want those people to listen and say, ‘This is controlled chaos,’ but then on the other hand, they’ll be like, ‘Hey, these guys really know how to play,’ ” Nergal enthused. “We are an extreme band. But extreme metal doesn’t mean you don’t have to have musical value. It’s a very musical record, and we’ve improved as musicians a lot. I just wanted to make sure extreme-metal music [could] also be very high-quality music.”
According to Nergal, BEHEMOTH jumped at the chance to play this summer’s Ozzfest, despite the fact that they wouldn’t be paid to perform. They will have to rely exclusively on merch sales to get them through.
“It still feels unreal to me,” he said. “These people have to really have big balls to bring bands like NILE and BEHEMOTH on the bill — to bring dangerous music to the masses. We are not the most mass-appeal, happy band around. We’re not a radio-friendly band either. I can’t wait to go onstage and just blast insane music for these people and see what their reaction is. I would say that we are going to do our best, [so that] people remember the shows. We’re ready to conquer the world.”
If you miss BEHEMOTH this summer, don’t fret — Nergal said the band will be returning to the States this fall for a co-headlining run with JOB FOR A COWBOY and GOJIRA. He also said fans can look forward to an EP — featuring live tracks and some outtakes from The Apostasy sessions — later this year and should expect a BEHEMOTH DVD early next year.
Anal C*nt's Seth Putnam Selling Leg Braces
That's right. Here's a one of a kind collector's item for the more dedicated A.C. fan. This is taken straight from the auction's description:
HERE ARE MY LEG BRACES I WORE AFTER I GOT OUT OF MY COMA AND HAD TO RE-LEARN HOW TO WALK AGAIN. ONE OF THEM IS BROKEN BECAUSE I FELL DOWN WHEN I WAS DRUNK. THEY HAVE MY NAME (S. PUTNAM) ON THE BACK OF THEM. I WORE THEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. NOW I CAN WALK AGAIN. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE ANAL C*NT, SETH PUTNAM, CRIPPLE, COLLECTABLE AROUND. IN THE PICTURES, ONE OF THEM YOU CAN SEE MY NAME ON THEM, AND THE OTHER ONE IS TOO FAR AWAY, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE LEG BRACES.
Check out the direct link right here.
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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Slay Godzilla and Shred At the Same Time
Godzilla giving you problems again? Check this beast out.
It's an ESP custom shop made for The Alfee's guitarist Takamizawa. The Alfee is considered to be one of the biggest rock acts in Japan. Their guitarist, Takamizawa, is well known for themed guitars; including this one of a kind. The catch? Well, it's $4500 on ebay. Claiming that it's priced for $12,000 brand new, ESP considers this to be a bargain.
If you want to know more about this, click here for the direct link to ebay.
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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DARKEST HOUR post new video
DARKEST HOUR have posted the video for the song “Demon(s)” MySpace page. The song comes from the forthcoming DARKEST HOUR album “Deliver Us” due July 10 via Victory Records.
The official DARKEST HOUR website
The official DARKEST HOUR MySpace page
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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DARKTHRONE post details for new album
“Finally! 18 months after the first recordings for the new album, DARKTHRONE is done. End of July will see the release of the new EP ‘NWOBHM‘ (New Wave Of Black Heavy Metal). This EP contains four songs on CD version, and two songs on the 7" vinyl version. There is one new exclusive song on both versions called ‘Hedninger Fra Helvete‘ (Heathens From Hell). The TESTORS cover song ‘Bad Attitude‘ is added on the CD version.
CD contains in this order: ‘Wisdom Of The Dead‘ (a different recording than the version on the album), ‘Canadian Metal‘ (same recording as the album version, but different vocals added), ‘Hedninger Fra Helvete‘ (exclusive new song for this EP) and ‘Bad Attitude‘ (cover song of American TESTORS). Vinyl version contains ‘Hedninger Fra Helvete‘ and ‘Canadian Metal.’
The new album is called F.O.A.D. and will be released in September.”
The current F.O.A.D. tracklisting:
01. These Shores Are Damned
02. Canadian Metal
03. The Church Of Real Metal
04. The Banners Of Old
05. Fuck Off And Die
06. Splitkein Fever
07. Raised On Rock
08. Pervertor Of The 7 Gates
09. Wisdom Of The Dead
The official DARKTHRONE website
The official DARKTHRONE MySpace page
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM post more songs online
SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM have posted a few more songs from their recently released album, “In Glorious Times”, at their MySpace page.
RAMMSTEIN begins work on new album
In a press release on the band's official website, RAMMSTEIN revealed that they have recently begun work on a new album. "After more than a year break the band has returned in good spirits – the gentlemen have started writing new songs! Unfortunately, due to the current album production, RAMMSTEIN will not play any shows this year."
The success of 2005's 'Rosenrot' left many RAMMSTEIN fans craving more. The new album will be the band's 7th venture into the recording studio.
The Official RAMMSTEIN Website
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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CD Review: August Burns Red – Messangers
Buy a neck brace. That seems to be the message that August Burns Red is trying to get across with their sophomore release Messengers. In a scene so oversaturated that it seems like every time you take a shit a new metalcore band is born, ABR takes this style to a completely different level, catapulting this relatively young band to the forefront of the genre.
Not much has changed in the formula since their debut release Thrill Seeker, but if ain’t broke don’t’ fix it. Ferocious breakdowns working alongside finger blistering guitar work and drumming that will bring you dangerously close to an aneurysm all congeal into a record that will stay in your cd player for quite a while. At first listen, the fact that the band has a new frontman almost goes unnoticed. Jake Luhrs brings the same passion and intensity to the album as his predecessor Josh McManness, as well as a similar voice and vocal style. Lyrically Jake keeps an essential part of ABR alive; memorable and catchy song lyrics without jumping into whiny emo singing that will make you want to cut yourself. Lyrics like ‘Clear a path, side to side’ and ‘What was once your life is now your jail cell’ will have you hanging out your car window screaming at pedestrians.
Messengers waste’s no time with the first track ‘Truth of a Liar’ which jams some adrenaline down your throat. If you are hoping for a chance to take a breath, you will be waiting until the album comes to an end. The tracks push forward unrelentingly with songs like ‘The Blinding Light’ and ‘Black Sheep’, with a borderline ridiculous amount of tempo changes and breakdowns that can only be played at the highest volume possible. The record comes to a close with an epic of sorts; ‘Redemption’, which is the first time on the record that the band’s religious influence comes across on the album. The only complaint about the record is the absence of guitar solos. We know these boys can shred, yet they never show us a true solo which would add an entirely new dimension to their sound.
It is hard to find an album these days that is technical enough to hold your attention span for more than a week, while providing enough raw emotion and attitude to stay true to what this musical genre is all about. August Burns Red proves once again that they are true masterminds of their craft, and are undoubtedly one of the new heavyweights for other albums to compete against this summer.
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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CD Review: Skinless – Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead
I know this review is about a year over due, but I felt that it was about time someone gave this band a little publicity. SKINLESS is a bone crushing, head stomping, gut ripping and explosive New York based death metal band. Yes, I know many of you are rolling your eyes, yawning and muttering a litany of "well duh, everybody knows who they are," but bear with me for a second- this article is for the poor and unfortunate souls who have yet to experience the majesty and grandeur that is SKINLESS. I myself only discovered SKINLESS about a year ago with the release of 'Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead.' I was in the parking lot after a local metal show in Houston. I was chillin on the hood of my friend's car when all of a sudden a thundering goodness came bursting out of his car's speakers… it was SKINLESS' last album, 'From Sacrifice to Surival' and boy was it groovy. That same flesh ripping goodness permeates every riff and nuance of their newest album (even though it's a year old now.)
'Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead' combines elements of death metal and grindcore to produce SKINLESS' signature sound. Running just over 30 minutes, 'Trample' takes you on a bumpy ride through a battlefield of gritty, sweeping guitar riffs, booming double-kick bass drum driven songs and frighteningly intense vocals. This album also features SKINLESS' characteristic song introductions. From "War… it's fantastic!" to a quote from the film Patton, these audio clips add another extreme element to the mix. Anyone who is a fan of real, gritty, no-holds-barred death metal or grindcore will love SKINLESS. And for those of you who are already SKINLESS fans and haven't picked up 'Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead,' what the hell are you waiting for? You remember what your first SLAYER concert felt like, or the adrenaline induced feeling of your first mosh pit? That's what this album sounds and feels like. Buy it, love it.
- Posted on June 21, 2007
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SLAYER reissues Christ Illusion
SLAYER is set to re-release "Christ Illusion" at the end of this July. The re-release will feature a bonus DVD and the track 'the Final Six.' Details about the DVD's content have yet to be released, but it's a safe bet that it will feature the traditional "making of-" featurette and their newest video for 'Eyes of the Insane.' This re-issue is in anticipation of the controversial new SLAYER/MARILYN MANSON co-headlining tour set to begin July 25th in Florida.
DARKEST HOUR webisode
Here at this MySpace page is one of many DARKEST HOUR webisodes, this one detailing the filming of the video “Demon(s)”. Darkest Hour’s newest album, “Deliver Us” is due out July 10th via Victory Records.
The official DARKEST HOUR website
- Posted on June 20, 2007
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ONSLAUGHT sneak preview for upcoming DVD
- Posted on June 20, 2007
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GOGOROTH seek archival pictures and post video
“GORGOROTH is currently looking to collect archival images of the band to be used in an upcoming project. Fans, journalists and photographers who have rare, personal or live photographs or other images of GORGOROTH from the '90s are requested to share these images with the band. Copies are OK; you do not have to share your originals. Anyone who has such images and would like to submit them can send a message to gorgorothofficial@gmail.com. Contributing collectors will be much appreciated and credited appropriately.”
- Posted on June 20, 2007
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MISERY INDEX begin European tour, release split 7', and post new songs
MISERY INDEX has also announced that they expect to release a split 7" with Switzerland’s MUMAKIL later this year. Record label and release dates are still pending. Until then, you can hear one song from the upcoming split, and one song from the last MISERY INDEX 7", “Hang ‘em High” at their MySpace page.
The official MISERY INDEX website
- Posted on June 20, 2007
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GOREFEST post new song online
- Posted on June 20, 2007
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Lambesis' Attorney Claims Tim Used Steroids
Jeff Hanneman Memorial Celebration Details
Revolver Golden Gods Black Carpet Report
Win FREE Tickets To MAYHEM FEST
