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Photo by Matthew Rodgers Anthrax fans were dealt a surprise last week when guitarist Rob Caggiano announced his exit from the band . The thrash metal veterans, who have seen a resurgence in recent years, have yet to name Caggiano’s replacement, but that won’t stop fans from speculating who might join the band. We’ve come up with our own list of potential fill-in guitarist candidates and are seeking your opinion as to who you would like to see rocking with the boys. With the ‘Metal Alliance’ tour looming, the most obvious phone call might be placed to Dan Spitz, who held the lead guitarist position from 1983-1995 and then returned to the group from 2005-2007 during their ‘Among the Living’ lineup reunion trek. WIth Anthrax set to play ‘Among the Living’ in full on this tour, Spitz would be a logical choice. Anthrax could stay inside the thrash community for a pair of possibilities. With Metallica off the road and digging through Kirk Hammett ‘s riff catalog , could the guitarist be lured out to join his “Big 4″ buddies? And we know that Exodus ‘ Gary Holt has done an admirable job filling in for Anthrax pals Slayer during Jeff Hanneman ‘s recovery period from a bizarre spider-bite infection. He’s also well versed in the ways of thrash metal and could slide in for Anthrax in a pinch. The rest of our list has more to do with wishful thinking. For instance, Zakk Wylde ‘s name is almost always mentioned when a high profile metal guitarist opening comes up. And after serving under Ozzy Osbourne for years, we know he works well with metal royalty. We also know that Mark Tremonti grew up on thrash metal. As a musician who has juggled many projects successfully, we think he’d be able to join up with Anthrax between Alter Bridge sessions and Tremonti touring. And what about two prominent guitarists who are currently without bands? With Rage Against the Machine not recording or lining up performances, how about Tom Morello lending his slight of hand to Anthrax’s tracks? Meanwhile, there’s no talk yet of Disturbed regrouping and David Draiman seems committed to getting his Device project off the ground, so how about drawing Dan Donegan out of hiatus to rock with Anthrax. And our final suggestion is for Anthrax to pull a fellow New York legend out for some shows. Lou Reed already has experience working with thrash titans Metallica, so why not let him take a stab at it (so long as there’s no ‘Lulu’ prose laid over the top of ‘Indians’). There you have it, our dream list of potential guitarists for Anthrax’s upcoming tour. Who would you most like to see perform with the band? Let us know in the Readers Poll below: Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/most-anticipated-2013-metal-tour-readers-poll/” title=”Previous Readers Poll: Most Anticipated Early 2013 Metal Tour” align=”center”]
Island Def Jam My Darkest Days announced over the weekend that their guitarist Sal Costa (pictured at far right above) had left the band , but the musician’s exit actually dates back several months. With the news now out, the guitarist talked about the specifics of the split and why it took so long to reveal with Noisecreep . Costa explained that he actually left the band in October, but the decision to announce his departure was put on hold until everyone felt they were ready to proceed. He added, “Leaving a band isn’t easy. There are relationships from both the band, fans and people who work for you that you have to give an explanation to. I really wanted to sort out everything before any public announcements were made.” The mohawked musician says that even though he had prepared to leave for some time, he stayed on to play shows because he felt he owed it to the fans who paid their money to see the lineup as it was. He also stated that the group was still trying to sort out how they wanted to continue and he felt it would be unprofessional to leave them in a bad situation. As for why left, he explained, “When I think of a band, I think of a group of artists sitting in front of the same canvas painting different parts of the same scenery. I had felt for a long while that I was painting a different scene on a different canvas altogether. We were just not on the same page on many fronts. However, that is okay. Everyone is entitled to their own journey. That is the beauty of life. How can I tell my fans to follow their heart and dreams and then not do the same for myself? That would be hypocritical for me to stay.” Though the band has yet to name a replacement, they have stated in recent days that work has begun on their third studio album. Costa, meanwhile, is currently on his honeymoon after marrying his longtime girlfriend, and has yet to reveal his next musical project. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/my-darkest-days-save-yourself-lyric-video-premiere/” title=”Next: Watch My Darkest Days’ ‘Save Yourself’ Lyric Video” align=”center”]
Courtesy of Slayer There isn’t much middle ground that thrash legends Slayer share with Mexican mariachi bands, which is why this next video is incredible. Not only did Los Angeles-based metal-meets-mariachi band Metalachi perform an insanely weird version of Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood,’ but they did it with the one and only Dave Lombardo behind the drum kit. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has never been one to pass on a good jam session, having experimented with bands Fantomas and Philm in the past, but this jam session is about has pure as can be. The dichotomy between Lombardo’s ferocious drumming and Metalachi’s brilliant ridiculousness blend together perfectly for a hilarious Mexican gumbo. According to the band’s Facebook profile, the members of Metalachi crossed the boarder from Juarez, Mexico into the U.S. only to discover a partially buried copy of Black Sabbath ‘s ‘Paranoid’ album waiting for them on the other side. After meeting their destiny on American soil, Metalachi has become “the greatest metal band to ever live,” so apparently Dave Lombardo is jumping on the bandwagon early before the group begins to play sold-out arenas. Check out this footage of Metalachi performing ‘Raining Blood’ with a little help from Dave Lombardo. Metalachi Perform Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood’ with Dave Lombardo [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-slayer-songs/” title=”10 Best Slayer Songs” align=”center”]
Facebook: Metallica Metallica fans have been drooling for the band’s upcoming 3D concert film ever since the band filmed footage for the movie over the summer of 2012. Small details have been revealed by band members, but this latest revelation put forth by drummer Lars Ulrich may be the most captivating piece of the puzzle yet. In a recent interview with Classic Rock Magazine , Lars Ulrich revealed that the 1976 Led Zeppelin concert film ‘The Song Remains the Same’ has been a major influence for Metallica’s 3D movie, especially when it comes to its more avant-garde qualities. “There are four members in Led Zeppelin, four members in Metallica, it’s a full-length movie, and there’s a lot in this film that does not take place onstage,” begins Ulrich. “The major difference is that the stuff that takes place offstage in the Metallica movie does not feature any members of Metallica. It’s two separate worlds – a Metallica show and a story that unfolds in a parallel universe – and at some point they intertwine.” Ulrich also commented on the possibility of prolific producer Rick Rubin working on Metallica’s next album, which appears to be set for a 2014 release. “I love Rick. We all love Rick,” Ulrich assures. “We’re in touch with Rick constantly. We’ll see where it goes. It would stun me if the record came out in 2013. We’ve got to finish this 3D movie, which is what we’re doing right now.” The live footage featured in Metallica’s upcoming 3D flick was recorded in Vancouver, Canada during the band’s August 2012 performance. The film is expected for a Summer 2013 release. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/metallica-obsessed-couple-baby-orion/” title=”Metallica Fans Name Newborn Baby ‘Orion'” align=”center”]
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images Guitarist K.K. Downing may have officially retired from Judas Priest in 2011, but the rocker apparently isn’t one to stray too far from the stage. After spending time in the last few years pursuing various business opportunities , Downing is returning to the music scene as a promoter. The guitarist tells the Shropshire Star that he’s interested in finding new, young talent and providing them with a showcase to get their music heard. As such, he’s announced a pair of shows in Wolverhampton and Birmingham where he’ll highlight some rising stars. Downing’s promotion firm will operate under the moniker The Future of Heavy Metal, and it finds him collaborating with industry veteran Dave Coleman to discover the talent. The guitarist says, “The Black Country and Birmingham are known as the home of heavy metal. Back in the ’70s and ’80s the area produced so many good bands from Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to Judas Priest and even Slade. In some ways it’s been difficult for other bands to fill the void. Now it’s time for the next generation to step up to the plate.” Among the bands he’s currently promoting are local acts such as Hostile, Left Unscarred and Under Blackened Skies, as well as French outfit Moray Firth. The first show will take place May 15 at the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton, with the second show scheduled for May 17 at the Asylum in Birmingham. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-judas-priest-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Judas Priest Songs” align=”center”]
Motley.com Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler, his former management company Kovac Media Group and Tyler’s lawyer, Dina LaPolt, have been entrenched in a legal battle since October 2012, regarding issues with the singer’s stint as a judge on ‘American Idol.’ Tyler’s former management company accuses the singer’s lawyer allegedly sabotaged a multimillion dollar deal for the Aerosmith legend, resulting in Tyler’s exit from the popular TV show. As if this wasn’t dramatic enough, the Hollywood Reporter reports that Mick Mars and Tommy Lee of Motley Crue are now involved in another issue between both Kovac Media Group and lawyer Dina LaPolt, adding to the whirlwind of serious allegations. Although both Steven Tyler and Motley Crue are both caught in the middle of legal battles between Kovac Media Group and Dina LaPolt, the issues involving both bands are separate. Kovac Media Group, run by Allen Kovac, claims that LaPolt’s actions cost Steven Tyler his ‘American Idol’ deal, apparently worth a total of $6-$8 million. Despite Kovac’s claim, Tyler denies any sort of sabotage took place and has taken the side of LaPolt. After Kovac filed the Steven Tyler lawsuit, the media mogul added new claims, alleging that Dina LaPolt, in an act of retaliation, has been conspiring to set up her own management company in order to steal Motley Crue, who Kovac has represented for 15 years. Much like Steven Tyler, Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee are also supporting LaPolt, both Crue musicians having filed legal paperwork in an attempt to halt Kovac’s legal proceedings against their lawyer. Mick Mars first heard of the Steven Tyler case on Oct. 15, and was left aghast to say the least, claiming he was “completely shocked and mad that Motley Crue’s manager had sued our lawyer. I trust Dina implicitly, to the point that she is my trustee if I die or become disabled.” Meanwhile, Mars also says that Motley Crue never authorized a $200,000 transaction between the band’s business manager, Pam Malek, and Kovac to repay a loan that Kovac had given to Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, who is no longer a shareholder in the band. Malek has since been dismissed by the band, with Mars claiming “she was controlled by [Kovac].” Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, meanwhile, is echoing the same sentiments as Mars, and is upset that he now has to give a deposition on the matter. For much more detail on this legal squabble, see the full story by the Hollywood Reporter . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-remembers-near-fatal-drug-overdose-25-years-later/” title=”Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx Recounts Near-Fatal Overdose 25 Years Later” align=”center”]
Lava/Universal Republic Black Veil Brides kick off 2013 with the release of their third studio album, a concept record titled ‘Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones.’ With 19 tracks, this massive opus begins with ‘Exordium,’ one of several spoken word cuts on the disc. It speaks of religion, God, inner strength and more. ‘In the End’ is the first single off the album and leads a series of anthems such as ‘I Am Bulletproof,’ ‘ New Years Day,’ ‘Devil’s Choir,’ and ‘Nobody’s Hero.’ Throughout the album, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx provide stellar riffs, while Ashley Purdy delivers pounding bass lines and Christian Coma offers some thunderous drum patterns on the skins. Despite the heaviness, there are also flashes of beautiful orchestration album, especially on the instrumental piece ‘Overture.’ Frontman Andy Biersack shows off his softer side in tracks like ‘Done for You’ and ‘Lost It All,’ the latter of which features Biersack’s girlfriend, Juliet Simms, a finalist on ‘The Voice’ and member of the band Automatic Loveletter. Black Veil Brides also call on some of their other comrades, such as the Used’s Bert McCracken, who offers his raw vocals on the track ‘Days Are Numbered,’ which features a ‘Crazy Train’ like riff throughout. Wil Francis (also of William Control) is the voice of Fear on the record’s powerful spoken word tracks ‘F.E.A.R.: Transmission 1: Don’t Stay’ ‘ F.E.A.R. Transmission 2: Trust,’ ‘F.E.A.R. Transmission 3: As War Fades’ and ‘ F.E.A.R. : Final Transmission.’ In our interview with Biersack, he talks about the ‘F.E.A.R.’ tracks by saying, “I’ve sort of just like the whole Orwellian, dystopian future – I like the idea that it doesn’t seem to crazy or far off that there could be someone who is this omnipotent, omniscient power that tells you what to do.” Biersack continues, “I like the idea of having the narrative told through the perspective of the bad guy more than anything else. You rarely ever hear something narrated through the villain’s perspective and it was fun.” Other notable tunes on the album include the title track, ‘Wretched and Divine,’ which maintains a balance of heaviness and melody, and ‘We Don’t Belong,’ which has soft yet menacing vocals in its verses, mixed with a catchy chorus. Biersack shows a bit of vocal range with ‘Resurrect the Sun,’ where he starts off soft and almost lullaby-like, but then belts out the chorus. Meanwhile, ‘Shadows Die’ is a rollercoaster of emotion and tempo that is one of the best, if not the best track, on the album. For a relatively young band that has achieved a rabid fan base in such a short time, Black Veil Brides could have rested on their laurels and delivered a standard rock album. However, ‘Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones’ is an ambitious effort that shows the band is willing to take chances in their fast-rising career. ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-veil-brides-singer-andy-biersack-everybody-is-wretched-and-divine/” title=”Next: Andy Biersack Talks ‘Wretched and Divine'” align=”center”]