Archive for December 21st, 2012

Daily Reload: Stone Sour, Megadeth + More

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com – Corey Taylor has elaborate Stone Sour tour and movie plans in the works and he also updates Slipknot ‘s status. [ Loudwire ] – Megadeth bassist David Ellefson is writing his autobiography. [ Loudwire ] – Hollywood Undead ‘s Johnny 3 Tears discusses how America’s youth inspired their current hit, ‘We Are.’ [ Loudwire ] – Deftones ‘ Chino Moreno says that bassist Chi Cheng , who has been in a near comatose state for four years, would appreciate the work they’ve done in his absence. [ Loudwire ] – There’s nothing cooler than when one of your favorite bands turns up in a video game you like. Check out some of the best rock star video game cameos. [ Loudwire ] – Robert Plant says it’s time for Led Zeppelin ‘s members to move on. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – The members of Thin Lizzy are changing their moniker to Black Star Riders for their next release. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – A new study examines the early death rate amongst rock stars. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Coldplay and Jay-Z are auctioning off tickets to their New Year’s Eve show to benefit the Sandy Hook shooting victims. [ Diffuser.fm ]

Green Day Unleash ‘X-Kid’ Video, Unveil 2013 European Tour Dates

The latter portion of 2012 has found the members of Green Day mostly off the grid while singer Billie Joe Armstrong completes his rehab . But the band is taking the first steps in regaining their footing, beginning with a new music video and their first announced dates of 2013. The trio has just delivered perhaps the most lo-fi video ever with their clip for ‘X-Kid.’ The group pulled from musical touchtones of the past in recording their album trilogy and the video for ‘X-Kid’ follows suit. The clip, seen above, features a queued up cassette version of the song, with the “play” button pushed allowing the viewer to watch as the track spools along. Meanwhile, Green Day has been rolling out 2013 dates in anticipation of their return. It looks as though the band will surface again in Europe first before playing other parts of the world. The first date is scheduled for May 24 at Fiera Milano Live in Milan, Italy with shows currently booked through mid-July. When the band return to the road, they’ll have all three albums worth of new material available to them, as ‘ Tre ,’ the final piece in their trilogy, recently arrived in stores. Green Day’s 2013 European Tour 5/24 — Milan, Italy — Fiera Milano Live 5/25 — Trieste, Italy — Piazza Unita’D’Italia 5/27 — Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro — Kalemegdan Park 5/29 — Vienna, Austria — Krieau Rocks 6/1 — London, England — Emirates Stadium 6/5 — Rome, Italy — Ippodromo Le Capannelle 6/6 — Casalecchio Di Reno Bo, Italy — Unipol Arena 6/8 — Nuremburg, Germany — Rock Im Park 6/9 — Wershofen, Germany — Rock am Ring 6/16 — Holland, Netherlands — Pinkpop Festival 6/18 — Lodz, Poland — Atlas Arena 6/21 — Moscow, Russia — Olympic Arena 6/23 — St. Petersburg, Russia — SKK Arena 6/26 — Helsinki, Finland — Rock the Beach Festival 6/28 — Norrkoping, Sweden — Bravalla Festival 6/30 — Oslo, Norway — Ullevaal Stadium 7/2 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Refshaleoen 7/4 — Werchter, Belgium — Werchter Festival 7/5 — Arras, France — Mainsquare Festival 7/10 — Nimes, France — Festival de Nimes Arena 7/12 — Lisbon, Portugal — Optimus Alive Festival 7/13 — Bilbo, Spain — Bilbo BBK Live Festival [button href=”http://loudwire.com/green-day-stray-heart-video/” title=”Next: Watch Green Day’s ‘Stray Heart’ Video” align=”center”]

Corey Taylor Reveals Stone Sour’s Elaborate Touring Plans + Latest on Slipknot’s Next Album

Adam Bettcher, Getty Images Yes, we’ve not even turned the calendar on 2013 yet, but Stone Sour ‘s Corey Taylor is thinking so far ahead that he says 2014 may be an even bigger year for the band than what’s immediately on the horizon. The vocalist tells Billboard that he has grand plans once both parts of his ‘House of Gold & Bones’ double album are out. The singer says, “Not next year, but 2014, we are plotting and planning a world tour that is very special, where we do two nights in one place. We play Part 1 top to bottom, the next night Part 2 top to bottom involving a pretty elaborate stage thing that we’re cooking up now. And once we do that, we’re gonna film everything and try to put together a very comprehensive DVD set.” In addition to the tour, Taylor says he still has it in his mind that he wants to shoot a two-part feature film based around the album’s concepts. He adds, “I know the people I want to cast in it. I know the people I want to produce and direct it. Hopefully I can get it done. There’s no ceiling to what we can do with it, so I’m pretty excited.” Taylor also revealed that Stone Sour will start promotion of ‘House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 2′ fairly soon, as their next single will be the track ‘Do Me a Favor’ from that album. He states that after ‘Do Me a Favor’ arrives, the band may alternate releasing singles between the two albums. As if that weren’t enough, Stone Sour are on schedule to release their four-part graphic novel that will arrive shortly after the street date for ‘House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 2.’ In addition, the band will spend a good portion of 2013 on the road, as well, and already have North American dates lined up with Papa Roach shortly after the beginning of the year. Taylor also took the time to address his other band, Slipknot , who are set to play four shows next year, including Ozzfest Japan and the Download Festival . As for a new Slipknot album, Taylor says, “We’re throwing demos at each other. Once we all kind of see what the album could be, that’s when we’ll go in. I think the worst thing that we could do as a band, and we’re different from other bands, the worst thing that we could do is go right in and do something that feels forced, because the fans will see right through that, and we’ve never done that. So to me it makes more sense to kind of let the album come to us.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/stone-sour-music-video-absolute-zero/” title=”Next: Watch Stone Sour’s ‘Absolute Zero’ Video” align=”center”]

Oblivion, ‘Reclamation’ (End of World Version) – Exclusive Video Premiere

All Shall Perish guitarist Ben Orum announced his sudden departure from the band on Dec. 12. Citing his family life and desire to be an attentive father, Orum felt the amount of touring with All Shall Perish would affect his personal life too greatly. However, Orum’s passion for music remains in tact, as he now handles bass duties for death metal band Oblivion, who are unveiling a music video for the song ‘Reclamation’ exclusively here on Loudwire. Deemed the ‘End of the World Version,’ Oblivion’s new video for ‘Reclamation’ delivers an apocalyptic theme just in time for fans to experience before the world actually ends later today. Oblivion definitely didn’t phone it in when it comes to their ‘Reclamation’ video, as proven by some captivating visuals crumbling city centers and full-on nuclear disasters. “This is our second video from our upcoming debut album, ‘Called to Rise,’” vocalist Nick Vasallo tells us. “This is also the first video to feature our two new members: Ben Orum (ex-All Shall Perish) and Victor Dods (from Hacksaw to the Throat, R.I.P.). The director, Brandon Hunt, made a special ‘End of the World’ version for all our fans just for today. Enjoy.” Although Orum has moved from guitar to bass after leaving All Shall Perish, his technical abilities are still acutely spotlit within ‘Reclamation,’ as are the talents of his fellow Oblivion band mates. Check out the debut of Oblivion’s music video for ‘Reclamation’ in the player below, and pre-order the band’s debut album, ‘Called to Rise’ (packaged with a t-shirt for only $10 total) by clicking here . The disc is set to drop on Jan. 1, 2013. Oblivion, ‘Reclamation’

Rock Star Cameos in Video Games

EA / Activision (2) Rock music and video games make for a brilliant marriage. Anyone who has ever sat down to play a Tony Hawk skating game has left with a library full of new favorite song. So, when one of your favorite musicians appears as a character within one of your favorite video games, even the most season gamer can’t help but feel giddy like a teenage girl before prom. From well-known cameos, to surprise appearances and unlockable characters, there are a myriad of rockers who have been immortalized in video game form, including members of Metallica , Nirvana , Limp Bizkit and many more. We’ve teamed up with a number of our partner sites for a list of musicians and celebrities who have starred in video games. Click below to check it out: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/metallica-tony-hawk-pro-skater” title=”See the Rock Stars Who Have Starred in Video Games” align=”center”]

Top 20 Songs: Week of December 16-22, 2012

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire In this week’s edition of Loudwire’s Top 20 Countdown, Soundgarden continue to hold the top spot with their single ‘Been Away Too Long’ from their first album in 16 years, ‘King Animal.’ Shinedown and their latest single ‘Enemies’ remain in the No. 2 spot this week. Avenged Sevenfold also stay steady at No. 3 with their track ‘Carry On,’ while Volbeat ’s latest single ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ jumps a few sports to come in at No. 4 this week. Slash ’s new single ‘Standing in the Sun’ featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators rounds out the Top 5. Other songs of note on the list include Stone Sour ‘s tune ‘Absolute Zero,’ as well as All That Remains ‘ new track ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Same Old Trip’ by Chevelle . Papa Roach make their return to the Top 20 list this week with their track ‘Where Did the Angels Go’ off of their latest release ‘The Connection.’ Check out the Top 20 songs below and be sure to tune in to Loudwire Radio this weekend to blast these tracks at full volume. Loudwire Radio Top 20 Songs of the Week: 20. Papa Roach, ‘Where Did The Angels Go’ 19. Linkin Park ‘Lost in the Echo’ 18. P.O.D., ‘Higher’ 17. Adelitas Way, ‘Alive’ 16. Nonpoint, ‘Left for You’ 15. Green Day, ‘Let Yourself Go’ 14. Three Days Grace, ‘Chalk Outline’ 13. 3 Doors Down, ‘One Light’ 12. Young Guns, ‘Bones’ 11. In This Moment, ‘Blood’ 10. Deftones, ‘Tempest’ 9. Five Finger Death Punch, ‘The Pride’ 8. Chevelle, ‘Same Old Trip’ 7. All That Remains, ‘Stand Up’ 6. Stone Sour, ‘Absolute Zero’ 5. Slash, ‘Standing in the Sun’ 4. Volbeat ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ 3. Avenged Sevenfold, ‘Carry On’ 2. Shinedown, ‘Enemies’ 1. Soundgarden, ‘Been Away Too Long’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/loudwire-radio-station-list/” title=”See Which Stations Air Loudwire Radio” align=”center”]

Lars Ulrich Ponders Future of Metallica

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Metallica just keep rocking along, year after year, becoming one of metal’s most enduring acts. But with that longevity comes the possibility of complacency, which is something that drummer Lars Ulrich says he doesn’t think will ever happen. The drummer tells Metal Hammer that the band’s drive and ambition will keep them from ever breaking up, as long as they’re fit enough to keep on going. He explains, “I don’t think I’ll ever be bored of being in Metallica. I think that one of two things can happen. One, is the physicality of what we do — if we don’t have the strength to do it physically anymore. We will always have the strength to do it mentally, so I’m not worried about that. But if there ever comes a time when we feel that it’s not going on all 12 cylinders, then I hope that we have the guts to walk away from it.” Ulrich says the other thing that could happen is the evolution of outside interests. He ponders, “Is there a chance that when I’m 55, I’ll want to write a movie? Or that James Hetfield will want to make a country record? Or that Kirk Hammett will want to go surfing for a year?” While that is a possibility, Ulrich says he feels the band members will always find their way back to Metallica. He adds, “I don’t think I’ll ever wake up and go, ‘I’m bored of being in Metallica,’ because of the nature of who we are as people and the dynamics in our personalities. We always make it interesting for ourselves. That’s why we do crazy s— like ‘Some Kind of Monster’ and the 3D movies. We throw ourselves these challenges. It’s to make sure that boredom never sets in.” When asked what he thinks his 18-year-old self would think about what he’s doing now, the drummer explained, “I think he’d think that he’s alright. He does a pretty good job of keeping it real and dealing with all the things he does. I realized that I say one phrase quite often: ‘I’m doing the best I can.’ I think the 18-year-old would look at the 48-year-old and go, ‘He’s doing the best he can.’” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/many-faces-metallica-lars-ulrich/” title=”Next: The Many Faces of Lars Ulrich” align=”center”]