Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: Deftones fans have a new song to check out as ‘Leathers’ just arrived online. Plus, the full track listing for ‘Koi No Yokan’ has surfaced. [ Loudwire ] Convicted mass murderer Charles Manson sends Marilyn Manson a postcard that expresses, um, well, you tell us. [ Loudwire ] Amy Lee says that another extended break is coming after Evanescence ‘s next tour concludes. [ Loudwire ] What hard rock and metal were you listening to 20 years ago and what has stood the test of time? Check out our list of the Top 10 Albums of 1992. [ Loudwire ] Sinead O’Connor is hoping she has some pull with Russian officials. The singer penned a letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeking Pussy Riot ‘s freedom. [ Diffuser.fm ] Who doesn’t like a good jam? The all-star Sunflower Jam event in London saw the collaboration of Alice Cooper and Queen ‘s Brian May onstage together. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Sister Sin performed with Doro throughout Europe and now the two acts will take their show on the road in the U.S. [ Rock Music Report ]
Michael Buckner, Getty Images Coheed and Cambria have been known to pull out every stop to create an overall concept for their albums, but for ‘ The Afterman: Ascension ,’ singer Claudio Sanchez is at least preparing the band’s fans for the next chapter with a video series explanation. Those who follow the group know their dedication not only to the music but also in creating an interweaving story with the songs and overall discs that the listener can dig into deeper should they choose. The first of a nine-part explanation of the album’s concept has just surfaced, with Sanchez detailing through words and illustrations where we’re at when the latest musical chapter begins. “Our main character Cyrus Amory is about embark on this journey into the unknown,” reveals Sanchez. “He essentially discovers the energy source and what its relationship is to the planets and the doors are opening and in come these apparitions that I’m not sure that he can see, but the viewer can see that there is something mysterious and interesting coming through.” The first trailer, subtitled ‘The Hollow,’ can currently be seen at the band’s website , and further chapters revealing the concept’s details are expected to continue at least up to the release of ‘The Afterman: Ascension’ on Oct. 9. Fans can currently pre-order the ‘Amory Award Edition,’ which comes with a 78-page book, four CDs, a VIP Tour laminate, a medallion certificate and a documentary DVD on the album, as well as a free download of the single ‘Domino the Destitute’ and entry to an online area with private transmissions and music download access here . Watch Coheed & Cambria’s ‘The Afterman: Ascension’ Conceptual Trailer [button href=”http://loudwire.com/coheed-and-cambria-release-video-trailer-for-double-album-the-afterman/” title=”Next: Coheed and Cambria Reveal ‘The Afterman’ Album Trailer” align=”center”]
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has enjoyed working with metal-loving comedian Brian Posehn on a couple of tracks in the past and those good times have led the metal icon to reportedly sign on for a full album with the comedian. Metalinjection.net reports Posehn revealed the collaboration during a visit to SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal studio. In the past, Posehn roped in Ian for the songs ‘ Metal by Numbers ‘ and ‘ More Metal Than You ‘ on his previous albums, and this time rather than bolstering his comedy with the songs, they’re planning a full “comedy-metal” release. Posehn told host Jose Mangin that one of the songs will be titled ‘Satan Is Kind of a Dick,’ and that there will also be some metal covers on the album, though perhaps not glaringly obvious ones. For instance, on his last album, Posehn amped up the wattage on Kenny Rogers’ ‘ The Gambler ‘ to give it that metal feel, and he revealed that he and Ian had discussed the possibility of giving a metal spin to the A-Ha classic, ‘ Take on Me .’ The comedian says there may also be a few other metal cameos on the effort, but he wasn’t ready to divulge who just yet. Though a title or release date have yet to be announced, Posehn confirmed that the disc will come out through Megaforce Records. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-fight-em-til-you-cant-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Next: Anthrax: Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]
Facebook: Iced Earth According to various news sources, Century Media Records have filed a lawsuit against more than 7,000 music fans for illegally downloading Lacuna Coil ‘s ‘Dark Adrenaline’ and Iced Earth ‘s ‘Dystopia.’ Since news of the lawsuit broke, discussion of the legal action has been rampant over the internet, with Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer sharing his personal views in a new statement. Although NorthJersey.com broke the news on Aug. 5, the story had only been discovered by the online metal community a few days ago. Reminiscent of the recent suit against All Shall Perish fans who illegally downloaded the band’s 2011 album, ‘This is Where it Ends,’ a total of 3,136 defendants have been targeted for illegally downloading ‘Dark Adrenaline,’ while 4,327 others are being pinned for downloading ‘Dystopia.’ Much like in the All Shall Perish case, the ‘Dystopia’ lawsuits were not brought to the band’s attention before being filed, according to a statement Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer posted via the band’s Facebook page: It has come to my attention that Century Media is suing fans over illegal downloads of (among others) our latest album,’Dystopia’. I felt it was important to clarify that we had no knowledge of this motion and were, sadly, not asked permission. We all know the music industry is changing. We have been adapting to this model by embracing legal streaming services such as Spotify and by bringing our music to places we have never played before by touring our proverbial asses off. As much as we respect that the labels are having a harder time selling music, we feel this is a misguided effort and want to make sure our fans know we would have not given our consent would we have been asked. Metal Insider recently reported that they had contacted Century Media for a statement, and although no official response has been made, an anonymous Century Media employee states that nobody at the American offices knows anything about the suit and that they are checking in with their European branch to see if they have any information. Additionally, as of this posting, no Lacuna Coil members have commented on the situation. Check out the lawsuit’s paperwork below and stay tuned for more news as the story develops. Century Media Lawsuit Paperwork Century Media Ltd v Does 1 944 No 12 Cv 3868 (DNJ)
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire / Ethan Miller, Getty Images Down and former bassist Rex Brown reunited onstage Tuesday night (Sept. 18) for the first time since the musician exited the band last year. The veteran rocker and longtime cohort of Down singer Phil Anselmo dating back to the Pantera years, came out to perform during the encore songs of ‘Stone the Crow’ and ‘Bury Me in Smoke’ during the group’s set in Dallas. (Watch footage below.) Brown first took leave from the band in 2009 while suffering from pancreatitis. Anselmo stated in an interview, “I gave it my all and I love Rex Brown with all of my f—ing heart and soul, but goddamnit he will not put down that f—ing bottle for any of us.” During his absence, the band had Patrick Bruders fill in for Brown and the bassist remained after Brown revealed his exit from the group last year. Brown later found a new musical home in a band called Kill Devil Hill . Down just released the first of four scheduled EPs yesterday. Dubbed ‘ Down IV Part 1 – The Purple EP ,’ the set has already spawned the single ‘ Witchtripper .’ ? Watch Rex Brown Play With Down [button href=”http://loudwire.com/down-iv-part-1-the-purple-ep-prize-pack/” title=”Next: Win a Down Prize Pack” align=”center”]
AFP, Getty Images / Andreas Rentz, Getty Images It’s widely known that Marilyn Manson came up with his stage name by combining the monikers of actress Marilyn Monroe and infamous convicted mass murderer Charles Manson. The two names were chosen by Marilyn Manson because he felt that the pair were the two biggest icons of the 1960s. Apparently, the shock rock icon is pretty infamous himself in the mind of Charles Manson, as a postcard from the prisoner to the rock star has been leaked online. It seems as the name ‘Manson’ has come full circle from one infamous icon to the other. Although Charles Manson seems like a complete mental case, the notorious cult mastermind is one of the most quotable public figures in recent history. Some have even found deep meaning within the ‘ATWA’ philosophy of Charles Manson, which is an ecological mandate that stands for ‘Air, Trees, Water, Animals’ and/or ‘All The Way Alive.’ Whether or not Charles Manson’s handwritten letter to Marilyn Manson contains any sort of wisdom is up to the reader, but either way, it’s an interesting and bizarre read: To Marilyn Manson – It’s taken me a long time to get there from where I could touch M. Manson. Now I got a card to play – you may look into my non-profit, ATWA, and give Manson what you think he’s got coming for Air, Trees, Water, and you. Or I will pay Manson what you think Manson got coming – the music has make Manson into Abraxas Devil, and I’m SURE you would want some of what I got from what I got. It’s a far out balance. Beyond good and bad, right, wrong. What you don’t do is what I will do – what you did a sing-along, and let it roll and said how you saved me a lot of steps – I don’t need, it’s not a need or a want. Couped – coup. Ghost dancers slay together and you’re just in my grave Sunstroker Corona-coronas-coronae – you seen me from under with it all standing on me. That’s 2 dump trucks – doing the same as CMF 000007 Charles Manson As of this posting, there has been no word of Marilyn Manson responding to, or even having read the letter, but if he does, we’ll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, check out this video of Marilyn Manson covering Charles Manson’s song ‘Sick City.’ [Thanks to WGRD.com ] [button href=”http://loudwire.com/marilyn-manson-born-villain-is-my-comeback/” title=”Check Out Loudwire’s Recent Interview with Marilyn Manson” align=”center”] Charles Manson’s Handwritten Letter to Marilyn Manson MansonDirect.com
ivandeprume.com The recently reunited Healer consists of original White Zombie drummer Ivan de Prume along with guitarist/vocalist Scott ‘SVH’ Von Heldt (Love and Death, Brian ‘Head’ Welch). To celebrate the 20th anniversary of White Zombie’s ‘La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume I,’ Healer will release a cover of the track ‘Black Sunshine’ from that album (listen below). Healer, which also included Violinist Martin St. Pierre (Cirque du Soliel), released the album ‘Awakening’ in 2005, mixing hard rock, metal and world music. They toured periodically for a couple of years, including a stint on the Vans Warped Tour, but split in 2008. ‘Black Sunshine’ was recorded during sessions for a planned EP. “We started covering ‘Thunderkiss ‘65′ and ‘Black Sunshine’ in our live set and the vibe was very fresh and original because of the violin and world elements we had as a band” says Von Heldt. “When it came time to work on new material we recorded ‘Black Sunshine’ just to get a feel for blending that raw Zombie element with our own original twist and in the end I think we ended up with a pretty kick ass version of an already classic metal track!” Last year de Prume and Von Heldt started working on material again, and hope for a new Healer release by early 2013. ‘Black Sunshine’ will be available Oct. 31st via iTunes, Spotify, and other online retailers. Ivan de Prume was White Zombie’s drummer from 1986 to 1992 and appeared on the band’s first three studio albums. After leaving White Zombie, de Prume built a studio and has done producing and engineering work. He’s also in the White Zombie tribute band House of Zombie . Listen to Healer – ‘Black Sunshine’