Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Only six months after the live return of vocalist Jesse Leach to Killswitch Engage , the band has announced that they will embark on a 2012 tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their landmark album ‘Alive or Just Breathing.’ During the monthlong North American tour, Killswitch will be playing the album in its entirety. Shadows Fall and Acaro will support the trek. Last month, it was revealed that Killswitch Engage would be headlining the 2012 California Metalfest, with the marquee announcement of their performance being that the band would be playing every song from ‘Alive or Just Breathing.’ Perhaps due to the immense fan reaction of both excitement and jealousy of fans who aren’t able to make it to California, Killswitch will now give fans across North America an opportunity to experience the 10-year-old album before the year is up. Killswitch Engage announced the news via their Facebook page accompanied by the words, “This is for all the fans.” The announcement came in video form, mixing film from 2002 (which gives an unexpected wave of nostalgia to those who remember the album’s release) with footage from 2012. The video continues to say, “‘Alive or Just Breathing’ 10 Year Anniversary Tour. Performing the entire record from beginning to end … with special guests Shadows Fall and Acaro,” before scrolling through the upcoming tour dates. “I honestly never thought I would have the opportunity to sing these songs on stage with Killswitch again,” says Jesse Leach in a press release. “Now here I am back in the band and celebrating 10 years of the release of this record. I am absolutely thrilled for this tour. I can’t wait to sing ‘Rise inside’ and ‘Just Barely Breathing’ among others. On top of it all, we have our good friends in Shadows Fall and Acaro joining us. This tour will be one we will all remember! ” Check out the announcement video and the full list of tour dates below. Killswitch Engage Announce ‘Alive or Just Breathing’ 10th Anniversary Tour Killswitch Engage, ‘Alive or Just Breathing’ 10th Anniversary Tour Dates 11/24 – San Bernardino, Calif. – NOS Event Center (California Metalfest VI) 11/25 – San Francisco, Calif. – Slim’s 11/27 – Seattle, Wash. – Studio Seven 11/28 – Portland, Ore. – Hawthorne 11/30 – Boulder, Colo. – Fox Theater 12/01 – Kansas City, Kan. – Beaumont Club 12/02 – Dallas, Texas – Trees 12/04 – Tampa, Flo. – State Theater 12/05 – Pensacola, Flo. – Vinyl 12/07 – Asheville, N.C. – Orange Peel 12/08 – Atlanta, Ga. – Masquerade 12/10 – Chicago, Ill. – Bottom Lounge 12/11 – Columbus, Ohio – Alrosa Villa 12/12 – Toronto, Ontario – Opera House Dec. 14 – Buffalo, N.Y. – Town Ballroom 12/16 – Lancaster, Pa. – Chameleon Club 12/17 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Willamsburg Music Hall 12/18 – Burlington, Vt. – Higher Ground 12/19 – Northampton, Mass. – Pearl Street 12/20 – Portland, Maine – State Theater [button href=”http://loudwire.com/killswitch-engage-members-discuss-new-song-jesse-leachs-return-more/” title=”Watch our Video Interview with Killswitch Engage” align=”center”]
Trixie Textor / Ethan Miller / Ian Gavan, Getty Images Rise Against got a little help from a couple of friends for a star-studded rendition of the Bruce Springsteen song ’The Ghost of Tom Joad’ in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday night (Sept. 29). Tom Morello , who has spent a good portion of the summer turning up at Springsteen concerts to perform his guitar mastery on the track, was one of the guests. Morello’s band, Rage Against the Machine , also recorded their own version of the song. Morello and Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath have found a lot of common musical and political ground in recent years. Rise Against played Rage Against the Machine’s L.A. Rising event last year, and both musicians have spent plenty of time rallying on behalf of unions at events in Wisconsin and immigrant rights in Arizona . Morello and McIlrath also recently appeared on Occupy movement theme song ‘ We Are the 99 Percent .’ Also joining in for the powerful performance were Gaslight Anthem singer Brian Fallon and MC5 ‘s Wayne Kramer. Gaslight Anthem has spent a fair amount of time touring with Rise Against this year, and are currently opening the band’s North American trek along with Hot Water Music . There are a handful of North American dates left this month before the band heads to South America in November for three shows. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rise-against-savior-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Rise Against: Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”] Rise Against, Tom Morello + More Perform ‘The Ghost of Tom Joad’
Roadrunner French metal masters Gojira have unleashed a punishing video for ‘Explosia,’ the opening track to the band’s 2012 full-length, ‘L’Enfant Sauvage.’ The performance featured in the ‘Explosia’ video was taken from Gojira’s recent performance at New York City’s Webster Hall on Aug. 14. American metalheads had been anxiously awaiting the return of Gojira, who were originally set to join Lamb of God and Dethklok on tour throughout North America. Unfortunately, due to Randy Blythe ‘s Czech incarceration, the tour was canceled much to the disdain of fans. To make up for these canceled dates, Gojira were able to play a small number of club shows before heading up to Canada for the Heavy T.O. and Heavy MTL festivals. The new video for ‘Explosia’ captures the pure heaviness of Gojira’s live performance, which was recounted by Loudwire in our coverage of Gojira’s Aug. 9 show at New York City’s Santos Party House. As our reporter noted, “If the overwhelming energy and aggression wasn’t enough to make to make the night a memorable one, the band’s chemistry onstage was undeniable as each member interacted and smiled face to face with fans.” Get ready for a pummeling of the senses as you check out Gojira’s video for ‘Explosia.’ Gojira, ‘Explosia’
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire After Metal Masters 4 in New York, Phil Anselmo was back in the ‘Big Apple’ for an ass-kicking show with Down at the Best Buy Theater Friday night (Sept. 28). Support for the standout show included Saint Vitus, haarp and Warbeast . As the crowd started multiple “Down” chants, the band graced the stage and kicked off their performance with ‘Eyes South.’ They also went on to play a few new tracks from their latest disc ‘ Down IV Part I – The Purple EP ’ such as their single ‘Witchtripper,’ ‘Misfortune Teller’ and ‘Open Coffins.’ The crowd unleashed as they performed fan favorites like ‘Temptation’s Wings,’ ‘Lifer,’ ‘Ghosts Along the Mississippi,’ ‘Stone the Crow,’ and ‘Bury Me in Smoke’ among numerous others. Frontman Phil Anselmo exuded passion and vigor onstage as he looked fans eye-to-eye, transfixing their attention every step of the way. The force of the band onstage is a powerful one with the hard-hitting riffs of Pepper Keenan and Kirk Weinstein along with the deep bass lines of Pat Bruders and the thunderous percussion of Jimmy Bower behind the skins. Not to mention the chemistry between all of the members of Down onstage is infectious to say the least. Another band who was welcomed warmly by the East Coast crowd was Saint Vitus, who gave one hell of a performance as fans opened up a mosh pit and shook the foundation of the Best Buy Theater. To see metal legends like Saint Vitus onstage was quite a treat and watching lead guitarist Dave Chandler shred it up with his teeth was the cherry on top. Warbeast and haarp, who are part of Anselmo’s label Housecore Records, kicked off the night of metal goodness. To find out where you can catch Down and their tour mates, visit here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/down-witchtripper-video/” title=”Next: Watch Down’s ‘Witchtripper’ Video” align=”center”] Down: Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Saint Vitus: Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Slayer have sparingly worked on new music this year, focusing mostly on their touring with the Mayhem Festival, but according to singer Tom Araya, the group is working hard to make sure their twelfth studio album arrives next year. Araya tells Seven Sisters Post , “We are working on a new album, aiming for a 2013 release. We are experimenting with a lot of sounds. What we can tell you is that the new album will be very Slayer.” The vocalist says that even though they are now elder statesmen in the world of metal, it hasn’t mellowed them out any. He adds, “We have maintained our signature intensity, which is the heavy and fast. Age, huh? Slayer has lived up to its signature intense music and crazy lyrics for the last 30 years with every new album that we come out with.” Over the summer, guitarist Kerry King had stated that while it was still early in the process, the fact that fellow guitarist Jeff Hanneman was still recovering from the flesh-eating spider bite had no role in their progression. The guitarist stated that they had secured engineer Greg Fidelman for a 12-day window that yielded two new songs, with several other tracks in various forms of completion, but that it was his hope that the band would block out some time in October to fully attack the record. At present, there are four late October shows in India and Japan, and then nothing on their tour schedule until the Soundwave Festival in February 2013. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/slayer-disciple-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Next: Slayer: Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]
Cindy Ord, Getty Images It’s never a surprise to see Andrew W.K . popping up in the most unexpected places with his ‘Party Hard’ mentality and endless source of party tips for friends and fans. However, his latest public appearance at the ‘My Little Pony’ convention was certainly a unique one. Each year the fans and followers of ‘My Little Pony’ gather for their annual ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’ Convention, and this year, Andrew W.K. served on a panel at the convention in Strongsville, Ohio. Andrew W.K. is never short on inspiring words and his message for the fans was one of individuality and joy, saying, “The amount of joy being conjured up in this room … it will spread through the whole universe. You should feel proud of that; that’s a real achievement.” He also commented on the inclusive nature of the event and the overall acceptance he felt right away. “It’s a humbling experience … to be a part of something, even if it’s like a neighborhood,” said Andrew W.K. “It doesn’t mean you’re giving up a part of yourself. We choose to get together and celebrate our uniqueness.” The ‘My Little Pony’ franchise began in the early ‘80s with the line of pony doll figurines geared towards young girls and has carried on with cartoons and animated features including the latest televised series ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.’ Strangely enough, according to Rolling Stone , a subculture of older teen men and adults who watch the show referred to as ‘bronies’ made up the majority of the attendees in Andrew W.K.’s panel. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/andrew-w-k-party-hard-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Andrew W.K.: Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Jim Dyson, Getty Images There’s been a loss in the Kiss family, as singer Paul Stanley is mourning the death of his mother, Eva Eisen. Eisen passed away Saturday (Sept. 29) at the age of 88. The official cause of death was not given. The vocalist has not only credited his mother with his love of music, but stated that she has always been there to support him through his musical endeavors, often turning up at Kiss shows. Kiss had recently come off the road, finishing “ The Tour ” with Motley Crue that was one of the highlights of the summer concert season. The band’s new album, ‘ Monster ,’ arrives Oct. 9. Stanley made a public statement about his loss at the Kiss website . It read: My mother found so much pleasure and fulfillment in all the various types of music that she loved so. It was through her that I, too, found that same passion. She lived long enough to see, enjoy and love an extended family that included her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She found numerous ways to contribute to her community and was appreciated and loved by those who knew her. My mom was the matriarch of our family and words cannot express our loss. His bandmates also chimed in with their thoughts and condolences in a brief posting. It read: From the earliest days of Kiss until recently, Eva was always seen by fans at New York-area shows. We send our deepest sympathies to Paul and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Loudwire wishes to send our condolences to Paul Stanley and his family on their loss. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/beyond-the-bridge-guitarist-keyboardist-simon-oberender-passes-away/” title=”Next: See Other Rockers We’ve Lost in 2012″ align=”center”]