Roadrunner Nu-metal pioneers Korn have announced that they’ll be playing two shows with former guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch , who will be performing his first full sets with the band since 2004. German rock festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park will both see Head back in Korn during its 2013 dates. The 2013 festivals will both be held on June 7 – 9 and will feature headline acts such as Stone Sour , Bad Religion, Five Finger Death Punch , Bullet for My Valentine + more. The Rock am Ring festival will be held at the Nurburgring racetrack in the west of Germany, while Rock im Park is around the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg in the south of Germany. Korn announced that they will be playing “two special Korn shows featuring special guest and original member Brian ‘Head’ Welch performing full concerts with the group for the first time since 2004.” Welch is currently fronting a new project called Love and Death. Listen to their song ‘The Abandoning’ here . Welch recently joined the Korn onstage for the first time since his departure to play ‘ Blind ‘ with Korn at the 2012 Carolina Rebellion festival. Soon after, Korn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer told The Pulse of Radio that he would be open to Welch one day rejoining the band . “It’s just something that has to be super well-planned and it has to come naturally,” says Munky. “And our experience with him on Saturday has all started from a positive place, and it wasn’t forced and it was just natural. So I think if everything optimistically runs like that, that’s all I can hope for. I’m really happy just to reconnect with my old friend.” Check out the websites for the upcoming Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/korn-here-to-stay-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Korn – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Jo Hale, Getty Images Black Label Society recently wrapped up a Canadian tour, and Rock Cellar caught up with frontman Zakk Wylde for a wide-ranging conversation about those shows and numerous other subjects. Wylde talked about the influence the late guitarist Randy Rhoads had on him. “One of the biggest things I learned from him is construction, and where you can go with a solo by playing Randy’s music. He was a brilliant soloist who had such a melodic sense — there’d be a beginning, middle and end, as he could tell a whole story in a song.” When Wylde joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987, he said his aim was to remain faithful to Rhoads’ guitar playing as much as possible. “Even those very first shows, everyone was rooting for me because they knew I was on the team, and loved Randy Rhoads as much as they did. They could see I played Randy’s stuff exactly his way, and had the highest respect for what he did. There’s no way you can fill his shoes, so you just have to give respect to his music and play it accurately. You have to, because this is the house that Rhoads built. And without Randy Rhoads, there never would have been a Zakk Wylde.” A huge fan of Black Sabbath, Wylde and his wife recently had a son and named him Sabbath . He gave his take on the new album Sabbath is in the midst of recording. “Put it this way – if anybody’s going to be working on the new Sabbath record, it couldn’t be in better hands than [producer] Rick Rubin,” Wylde said. “Father Rubin is a massive Sabbath fan as well, and if anything Rick is going to make sure it turns out to be an awesome Sabbath record.” The interview also features Wylde recalling a funny encounter that happened when Ozzy Osbourne visited him at his studio. “He looks up at this poster I have on the wall of Aleister Crowley, and he goes, ‘Zakk [assuming Ozzy’s voice ], who’s the fucking bald-headed c–t on the wall?’ And I’m just f—ing cracking up. So Ozzy says, “What the f—’s so funny?” And I said, ‘Dude, you don’t know who that is?’ Ozzy goes, ‘Why the f— should I know who he is? Who the f— is it?’ So I said, ‘Ozzy, you’ve only been singing about him for the last 30 f—ing years! It’s Aleister Crowley, bro!’ There’s a pause, then Ozzy says, ‘Oh, is that what he looks like?’ I kid you not.” In addition to being a guitar wizard, Wylde is a man of many other talents as well. He has a line of signature hot sauces, hosts a sports talk radio show and wrote the book ‘ Bringing Metal to the Children ‘ that was released earlier this year. Black Label Society head south for a tour that begins Nov. 11 in Mexico, which will also take them to Argentina and Brazil. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/zakk-wylde-to-host-sports-talk-radio-show/” title=”Next: Zakk Wylde to Host Sports Radio Show” align=”center”]
YouTube Black Dahlia Murder are in the midst of a lineup change, with drummer Shannon Lucas leaving the band to pursue outside projects. The split appears to be amicable though, as Lucas says he will continue to support the band as best he can and was instrumental in naming his replacement. In a video posting, Lucas states, “Some of you may have heard that I was sitting out on the current Dethklok tour. That is correct. I’m also stepping back from BDM to pursue some other things in life. Filling in right now is a kid named Alan Cassidy. He played for Abigail Williams for a little while and he is an outstanding drummer. I was active in helping the band pick him as a fill-in. There’s no permanent member yet. Alan’s just filling in for now. He plays the parts just like they are on the record and he’s an outstanding drummer, so if you go see him, show him some love. He’s a good dude.” Lucas went on to thank the fans for coming to the show, buying tickets and merchandise and supporting their albums. As for the group he’s leaving behind, the drummer adds, “I wanna thank the band for giving me some of the best years of my life and records that I am very, very proud to be a part of. I’ve always loved BDM and I will always continue to be in the background and help them out, watch them grow, further their career and put out more records.” At present, Lucas says he’s booked January studio time to track drums on a project he has with Killswitch Engage ‘s Adam Dutkiewicz and Cannibal Corpse ‘s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher. He’s also got a grind project that will follow that’s expected to feature some name players. And on the business side, he and his wife are building up to the launch of a tattoo shop just outside of Richmond, Va. Watch Shannon Lucas’ Black Dahlia Murder Exit Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/the-black-dahlia-murder-lead-guitarist-ryan-knight-talks-metal-new-record-at-orion/” title=”Next: Black Dahlia Murder’s Ryan Knight Talks Metal” align=”center”]
Columbia Records Trent Reznor fans were recently treated to ‘ Keep It Together ,’ the lead song from the ‘ An Omen ‘ EP from his How to Destroy Angels outfit. Now the full six-song disc has found its way online for fans to check out. Aside from the moody digitalism of ‘Keep It Together,’ the set includes such new standouts as the plucky and somewhat folky ‘Ice Age,’ Reznor’s wife Mariqueen Maandig’s melodically mesmerizing showcase ‘On the Wing,’ and the vintage groove of ‘The Loop’ among others. ‘An Omen’ is serving at the precursor to a full-length disc that will follow. Though a title and release date for the album has not been announced, it is expected within the next year. The new EP drops in stores onTuesday (Nov. 13). Reznor recently revealed that How to Destroy Angels signed to a major label because of what it could offer them going forward, as he views the group reaching a different audience than just those who know him for Nine Inch Nails and needing a way to get new listeners. He explained , “The main reason I do what I do is I want to do something that matters. I want to be able to create art that reaches the maximum amount of people on my terms … That was a key component … Because it came down to us — us being the band now — sitting around and identifying what our goals were. And the top priority wasn’t to make money. It was to try to reach the most amount of people, and try to reach the most amount of people effectively, that doesn’t feel like it’s coming completely from my backyard. Because I don’t want this project, ultimately, to just be dismissed as a ‘side project’ or … (loud sigh) … a ‘patronizing affair with Trent and his wife.’ Sounds terrible, you know?” In other Trent Reznor news, the singer just revealed he’s begun working on Nine Inch Nails music and he’s also set to appear on the ‘ Call of Duty: Black Ops II ‘ soundtrack that arrives later this month. Check out the stream of the ‘An Omen’ EP (via Hype Machine ) below. Listen to How to Destroy Angels ‘An Omen’ EP [button href=”http://loudwire.com/mariqueen-maandig-hottest-rockstar-wives/” title=”Next: Mariqueen Maandig – Hottest Rockstar Wives” align=”center”]
Ethan Miller, Getty Images For fans of Korn , we’ve got some big news. And for fans of Baby Korn, we’ve got even bigger news! It’s time to light up a cigar for Korn guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer and his wife Evis, who just added a new member to their family. Son D’Angelo DraXon Shaffer was welcomed into the world Wednesday, Nov. 7. Shaffer’s wife Evis delivered the news in a Facebook posting. She explained, “My husband James and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son D’Angelo DraXon Shaffer, born simply perfect this beautiful day of Nov. 7, 2012 8:44AM at 8 pounds, 3 ounces. We are so excited to share this joyful news of our little angel’s arrival.” The guitarist also has a daughter from a previous relationship. The new arrival should give Shaffer a brief respite from the music, but perhaps only temporarily as he’s been promoting his Fear and the Nervous System project and taking care of his Korn duties. Korn recently issued the concert disc ‘The Path of Totality Tour — Live at the Hollywood Palladium,’ and the guitarist recently revealed that creative sessions for their next album were currently under way. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/korn-members-stage-name-origins/” title=”Next: Korn Member Stage Name Origins” align=”center”]
SoundgardenWorld.com For a long while, Soundgarden had ‘been away too long,’ to borrow the title of the band’s latest single, but now they’re back and building up steam for the release of their new album ‘King Animal’ on Nov. 13. Speaking of their single ‘ Been Away Too Long ,’ the band is teaming up with Loudwire to offer you an exclusive sneak peek of the song’s official music video (watch below). This particular snippet of the video centers on a young woman who garners the attention of two dogs that begin to pursue her through the hallways and corridors of what appears to be an abandoned building. What does it all mean? We’ll have to wait until Friday (Nov. 9) to see the premiere of the full ‘Been Away Too Long’ music video on VEVO to get the complete answer. Meanwhile, ‘King Animal’ arrives in stores on Tuesday, but the band recently offered a free stream of the album to give fans an advance listen. The disc is currently available for preorder at iTunes . In support of the album’s release, Soundgarden are making a handful of November promo stops . The group just announced three intimate shows in New York City, Toronto and Los Angeles. In addition, they’re performing a song on ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ on Monday, Nov. 12, as well as a full concert for the ‘Live on Letterman’ webcast that night. Watch a Sneak Peek of Soundgarden’s ‘Been Away Too Long’ Video [Exclusive] [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-soundgarden-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Soundgarden Songs” align=”center”]
Reprise Deftones ‘ seventh studio album, ‘Koi No Yokan’ is without a doubt one of the most anticipated releases of the year. The veteran act has compiled one of the most celebrated discographies of the past 20 years, and although the album won’t see a release until Nov. 13, the entire ‘Koi No Yokan’ album is now available for streaming in full. Rolling Stone has just posted the entire record, and so far the reaction from fans has been incredibly positive. We’ve been amping up Deftones fans for several weeks, as the songs ‘ Leathers ‘ and ‘ Tempest ‘ were released to tease ‘Koi No Yokan,’ but now fanatics can hear the complete album, which boasts eleven tracks total. After the success of the band’s 2010 full-length, ‘Diamond Eyes,’ Deftones returned to the studio with a greater confidence riding off the creative accomplishments of the album. “Because we got through making that record, it was so well received and we loved it, it was a confidence-builder [for] all of us as a band,” frontman Chino Moreno tells Rolling Stone . “So when we went in to make this record, I think we carried a lot of that over with us. There was no doubt.” Moreno continues, “Diamond Eyes was capturing lightning in a bottle. We had just come together, had a lot of constraints in terms of time, so we’re just banging things out. This time we had a little more chance to experiment and just play.” Without further ado, get the hell over to Rolling Stone and listen to ‘Koi No Yokan’ in full: [button href=”http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/deftones-unleash-angst-and-tension-in-new-album-koi-no-yokan-premiere-20121108″ title=”Listen to Deftones, ‘Koi No Yokan’ in Full” align=”center”]