Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Some of the faces may have changed, but Orgy and frontman Jay Gordon are still rocking it as solid as ever. The band returned to the Roxy in West Hollywood, Calif., Sunday night (Sept. 23) with a set that provided the perfect showcase for the band’s new single, ‘ Grime of the Century .’ The veteran rockers haven’t released a record since 2004, with Gordon eventually tiring of the hiatus, reclaiming the band name and re-staffing the group with former members of Deadsy and the Start among others. With the new lineup featuring guitarists Carlton Bost and Ashburn Miller, bassist Nic Speck and drummer Jamie Miller, Orgy are ready to re-establish themselves in the live setting after spending their recent months in the studio. The group got things rolling with tracks like ‘Dissension,’ ’107,’ and ‘Suckerface’ all showing the new band member’s chops while Gordon was like a live wire bounding with endless energy across the Roxy stage. After getting the audience worked up with the older favorites, the group decided debut their new single live for the first time. The good news for the band is that ‘Grime of the Century’ received one of the biggest responses of the night. The industrial rocker fit right in with the band’s past works, translated well to the stage, and even inspired a circle pit to break out. In addition, a film crew were on hand to capture the song’s live debut. With ‘Grime of the Century,’ the Orgy re-activation seems to be heading in the right direction. The band continued the momentum by following with such favorites as ‘Fiction (Dreaming in Digital),’ ‘Opticon,’ and ‘Eva’ before finishing out the night with their biggest single, their cover of New Order’s ‘Blue Monday.’ During the encore performance, Gordon felt so inspired by the audience energy he decided to take part, leaving the stage and joining the crowd while singing the song. He even boldly ventured into the circle pit for a moment before finally making his way back to the stage. As of yet, there are no finalized details on a full Orgy record, but with ‘Grime of the Century’ leading the way, the comeback is off on the right foot. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/orgy-cancel-five-shows-in-an-effort-to-get-into-the-studio/” title=”Next: Orgy Return to the Studio” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara has made good on his promise to help out his sister Kerri by writing and releasing a benefit song about her that will help raise funds for her breast cancer treatment. Fafara states, “‘Dark Meadowlark’ is about my sister, who is a ray of sunshine, but has a dark sense of humor, much like myself, thus the [track title].” The singer also tweeted, “Love and light to my sister Kerri, diagnosed with breast cancer. She has always had my back since we were kids.” Kerri says, “As soon as my big brother heard … he unleashed the most powerful healer there is – compassion. Not a day has passed without a message of love and encouragement from him. That’s really what gives us the strength to take the next step – knowing that someone cares about us 100 percent.” Even with insurance, Kerri is unable to cover the costs of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation that is yet to come. In addition, she’s relocated from Idaho to California to be closer to the treatment center. To make a donation, you can check out Kerri’s Microgiving website here . To purchase ‘Dark Meadowlark,’ click here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/dez-fafara-dishes-on-devildriver-next-album-love-for-punk-rock-more/” title=”Next: Dez Fafara Discusses Next DevilDriver Album” align=”center”]
Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – After having Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan record bass for their upcoming album, Stone Sour have recruited new touring bassist Johnny Chow from Cavalera Conspiracy. [ Loudwire ] – Motorhead may be readying another live compilation, but singer Lemmy Kilmister already has some ideas about the band’s next studio album and whom he’d like as a guest on the disc. [ Loudwire ] – Green Day returned to stores today with ‘¡Uno!,’ the first album of the band’s trilogy. How does it rate? Check out a review of the disc. [ Loudwire ] – While we remember late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham this week on the anniversary of his death , Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi reminisces about some rather hazardous driving incidents with his pal. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Congrats to Mastodon ‘s recording pal Feist , who received the Polaris Prize Award honoring her for Canada’s best album, ‘Metals.’ [ Diffuser.fm ] – Blind Melon’s frontman Travis T. Warren is stepping away to release his debut solo album, ‘Beneath These Borrowed Skies,’ this week. [ Rock Music Report ]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Musicians have to get their inspiration from somewhere, and Shinedown singer Brent Smith says he owes a debt of gratitude to the ’70s television series ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ and the singer of the show’s theme song, Waylon Jennings , for putting him on the path to music. Smith recalls in the ‘Beacon Moment’ video series (shown below), “I was about four years old and I had a love for the television show ‘The Dukes of Hazzard.’ The funny thing was that I loved the theme song so much that my grandmother got me a 45 of just the Waylon Jennings song.” Smith says that his love of the song really helped define a passion early on in his life. He recalls, “I would play it just over and over and over and over again, and honestly I knew pretty much from that moment that I wanted to be a singer. It’s funny cause I would tell my parents, ‘I want to do what the man’s doing, like on the song.’ And they were like, ‘Oh, you want to be a guitar player or be in a band?’ and I was like, ‘No, I’m gonna be a singer.’” The vocalist says that from an early age, he knew music was his future. He explains, “It was very profound because the way I looked at it, even at a young age, I don’t feel I was ever desensitized to songs or the beauty of being an artist as far as creating songs and being a songwriter. I started writing songs when I was probably six, at least in my mind I did.” Aside from ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ Smith says his dad helped provide his soulful side, turning him onto the music of Otis Redding. The vocalist says that even though he loves rock, you can hear a bit of the Redding influence in his delivery. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/shinedown-bizarre-tour-rider-requests/” title=”Next: Shinedown: Bizarre Tour Rider Requests” align=”center”] Watch Shinedown’s Brent Smith Recalling His First Love of Music ?
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com The boys of Iron Maiden are breaking new ground for rock and metal, as the group will be the first rock band ever to play Stockholm’s Friends Arena. The 50,000-capacity venue is brand new, so Iron Maiden will christen the arena with their pummeling metal tracks on July 13, 2013. “It is a great honor to be the first rock band to be announced to play the new national stadium, especially as we have always had a very close connection with your country and have massively enjoyed every visit,” singer Bruce Dickinson said in an official statement . “We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction from our North American fans to the ‘Maiden England’ tour, which was our most extensive tour there for many years. We had a lot of fun playing the older songs and the fans seemed to love the set list and Eddie’s various incarnations! The band can’t wait to bring this show to our Swedish fans.” “’The Final Frontier’ show in Ullevi last year was magic, along with the very warm reception we received from our friends in Sweden,” bass player Steve Harris added. “It’s terrific to return next year, especially playing in the new national stadium for the first time. This time around we will be playing the older songs and think our fans will enjoy this just as much!” Tickets for the Stockholm show will go on sale on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. (local time), and those who are members of Iron Maiden’s fan club can get in on a special, pre-sale running from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 (local times). [button href=”http://loudwire.com/iron-maiden-the-talisman-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Next: Iron Maiden: Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]
Nuclear Blast Records A couple of weeks after releasing the audio version of ‘For Your Vulgar Delectation,’ Cradle of Filth has unveiled a lyric video for the track from their upcoming album ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors.’ It’s set to be released on Oct. 30. Frontman Dani Filth also details the band’s latest escapades, including a video shoot, on the band’s blog . With the imminent release date for ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors,’ Cradle of Filth has been traveling worldwide doing press. Filth describes in a posting an interesting flight from France to Germany, recalling, “I am sat next to a woman with mild Tourette’s. Mild, as it’s fortunately only random whistling and exclamations as opposed to defamation and swearing, yet strangely enough it’s still unnerving even for @$$%&£@ me. I inadvertently keep my head buried in the Dennis Wheatley ‘Black Magic’ paperback I bought secondhand in Brighton a few weeks back, as landing brings on a bunch of R2D2 style expletives from the poor woman.” Filth also gives a behind the scenes look at the filming of the video for ‘Frost on Her Pillow,’ perhaps revealing a bit too much information. “I have to withstand not taking a poo for nigh on five hours due to the constraint of being physically locked into my costume by a bloody great chain,” explained the singer. “Still, it’s a riot, especially miming to the track, and I make myself hoarse for the first time in years actually singing over the blistering loud PA, then very shrill-sounding having had the bloody great chain swing pendulously back into my testicles, being leather-covered notwithstanding.” As you’d expect from a Cradle of Filth video, there are plenty of interesting characters. Filth describes, “Theres a Canadian Incubus, a glut of wenches, a fearsome-looking voodoo priest who ends up borrowing my contact lenses to become even more fearsome-looking (lovely bloke mind despite the head shrinking curse he puts on me), the beautiful victim Nina and some nice authentic Victorian props, pulpits, a glass coffin and plenty of fire!” Filth has posted several photos of the press junket and video shoot in the blog post. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/cradle-of-filth-unveil-the-manticore-and-other-horrors-track-listing/” title=”Next: Cradle of Filth Unveil ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’ Track Listing” align=”center”] Watch the Cradle of Filth ‘For Your Vulgar Delectation’ Lyric Video
Century Media Records The British djent band TesseracT has employed several different vocalists during their short tenure, with Ashe O’Hara being announced as the band’s latest singer. O’Hara follows Daniel Tompkins, who appeared on the group’s 2011 debut disc, ‘One,’ and Elliot Coleman, who sang on the recent E.P. ‘Perspective.’ O’Hara, who previously provided session work for primarily ambient/alternative projects, says he’s happy to be part of TesseracT. “I have always been an admirer of their work so it’s pretty awesome to be passed such a challenging flame,” says the vocalist. “I am very aware of the anticipation and I am certainly feeling the weight of it; but I am equally excited for what shall be an amazing and s–thot experience!” The band commented, “We realize that the vocalist search seemed like it took a long time, but we wanted to make sure that we found someone who was a perfect fit both on stage and in the studio and Ashe is just that. We very much appreciate the patience and support our fans have shown us and look forward to the next TesseracT chapter.” O’Hara can currently be heard on a teaser of the song ‘Nocturne’ (posted below) from the band’s upcoming sophomore release. The full version of the track will be available as a free stream and download on Oct. 12. “‘Nocturne’ is one of the most uplifting and exciting pieces of music we have created,” the band explains. “It faithfully continues down the same vein of groovy and euphoric progressive soundscapes that we’re known for, whilst at the same time allowing for the musical evolution that is essential for any band that has a lineup change.” Fans will be able to see and hear O’Hara and the rest of TesseracT live when they embark on a short European tour beginning Oct. 17. Watch TesseracT’s ‘Nocturne’ Trailer