Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’

Soundgarden, ‘King Animal’ – Album Review

Seven Four Entertainment/Republic With a monstrous 16 year hiatus between Soundgarden ‘s last studio release and their newest offering ‘King Animal,’ the group’s fans likely had a lot of questions leading up to the return of one of rock’s most beloved bands. The biggest question of course lies within their sound. While it helped mold a new revolutionary genre back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, does it have staying power for a whole new century? The answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ ‘King Animal’ settles in nicely, picking up right where the band left off so many years ago and taking care of a lot of unfinished business. ‘King Animal’ displays the familiar sounds of Soundgarden without getting too caught up in nostalgia, something that can often handcuff bands trying to rise up from the ashes of their past. The band, feeling revitalized and a sense of renewal with this disc, see their reunion as more of a rebirth rather than a comeback, and the creative inspiration fueling that sentiment can be felt throughout ‘King Animal.’ Although the vibe is undeniably Soundgarden — moody, groove-laden rock — the band’s evolution is on full display, as Chris Cornell’s iconic vocals and Kim Thayil’s guitar work provide a sonic power that’s impeccably complemented by the the rhythm section of drummer Matt Cameron and bassist Ben Shepherd. The first single ‘Been Away Too Long’ serves as a battle cry for the band’s triumphant return. It’s almost as if the band wrote a personal letter to their fans with Cornell’s brooding confessions, “I’ve been away for too long” and “I only ever really wanted a break.” Sixteen years may have been too long indeed, but Soundgarden are clearly back. With everyone in the band with at least one writing credit to their name on ‘King Animal,’ the songs cover a lot of sonic terrain from the explosive drums that fuel ‘By Crooked Steps’ to the ethereal swirling vocals on ‘Blood on the Valley Floor.’ The haunting lingering vibe left by the intricate web of sound spun in ‘Bones of Birds’ is arguably one of the disc’s best offerings, followed by the visual soundscape painted by ‘Taree.’ ‘King Animal’ offers up an eclectic mix of visual imagery, thought provoking prose, all set to a timeless soundscape of flourishing rock with a reminiscent feel. In music, it’s sometimes difficult to stand the test of time but Soundgarden prove with ‘King Animal’ that they did not reassemble simply to preserve a legacy but to build on one that’s already firmly in place.

Machine Head Banned From Orlando, Florida ‘House of Blues’ by Walt Disney Company

Roadrunner Machine Head are currently on tour with Dethklok , All That Remains and the Black Dahlia Murder . With a lineup that is sure to both draw and excite metalheads, one unfortunate part of the United States is going to miss out on the full show, as Machine Head have been banned from ever performing on property owned by the Disney corporation. Thus, the Orlando, Fla. stop of the tour on Dec. 4 will be Machine Head-less. In 2007, Walt Disney Properties banned Machine Head from the ‘House of Blues’ venues in both Anaheim, Calif., and Orlando, the respective cities that are home to Disneyland and Disney World. Machine Head were banned by the company to due the band’s “violent imagery,” “inflammatory lyrics” and the group’s “undesirable fans.” These accusations come from the company that created ‘The Lion King,’ which features antagonist Scar plunging his claws into his brother Mufasa’s paws before allowing him to fall from a cliff only to be trampled to death by a heard of wildebeest. Disney also included the song ‘Savages’ in the film ‘Pocahontas,’ where the character Ratcliffe sings the lyrics, “They’re savages! / Barely even human … Dirty redskin devils,” about Native Americans. “Violent Imagery?” Check. “Inflammatory lyrics?” Massive check. Additionally, the entertainment company was happy to allow Motorhead to write the song ‘Dog-Face Boy’ for the animated film ‘Bolt,’ surely in an attempt to appeal to those same “undesirable fans” and lure them into movie theaters worldwide. The band released the following statement regarding the continuation of the Disney ban: For the third time in a row, the corporate powers behind Walt Disney Properties have once again pressured promoter Live Nation into canceling Machine Head’s performance at a House of Blues venue on Disney property, this time the December 4th show in Orlando, FL. While no one is willing to provide evidence that would prove unfavorable to Disney, sources close to events have suggested that Machine Head remains on a “banned list”, and while Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder will still be allowed to play, the corporate powers at Disney have refused to allow Machine Head to perform. In 2007, Walt Disney Properties banned Machine Head from the House Of Blues venues in both Anaheim and Orlando, citing “violent imagery”, “inflammatory lyrics” and most appallingly “undesirable fans” as the reason. The diversity-impaired corporation began pressuring the promoter with vague threats of liability and reduced job security before placing Machine Head under an internal “review process”. Five days later, Walt Disney Properties would convey their alarming decision to the band, less than 48 hours before the first date of 2007′s anti-war, anti-religion, anti-conservative-themed “The Blackening” album headline run at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, CA. A stunned Machine Head announced the details and disgust regarding the situation and let fans know of the then-rescheduled show 70 miles away at The Glass House in Pomona. In retaliation for that public announcement, Disney cancelled the band’s then-upcoming performance at the House Of Blues in Orlando, citing the same absurd reasons, though they would only publicly state that they had “changed musical formats” at the venue. Machine Head wish to once again extend their gratitude to Live Nation and the House Of Blues for their poise and tolerance throughout these ridiculous developments, unbelievably transpiring here in these United States Of America in this year 2012. As they are not on Disney property and therefore not subject to the corporation’s alleged coercionary tactics, the current dates with Dethklok, All That Remains and The Black Dahlia Murder at the Dallas and Houston House Of Blues will go on as scheduled. Unfortunately, Machine Head’s Florida performance will not be rescheduled in an effort to avoid creating any conflict with the existing dates on the tour. All refund requests will be honored. Machine Head assure fans that all refund requests for the Dec. 4 show will be honored. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/machine-head-to-unleash-machine-f-ing-head-live-double-album/” title=”Next: Machine Head to Unleash Live Double Album” align=”center”]

Trent Reznor Soundtrack for ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ To Be Released Separately

Karl Walther, Getty Images As one of the most anticipated video games in history, ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ is set to make an enormous impact in the world of gaming on Nov. 13. Along with what promises to be a unique gaming experience, the musical score for ‘Black Ops II’ was created by Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor . The first ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ game had broken the record of the largest ever entertainment launch in history within any form of entertainment, breaking the record 24 hours after its release and bringing in a staggering $650 million within five days of its release. That record has now been surpassed by ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.’ With a true artistic desire to be a part of yet another groundbreaking moment in the entertainment world, Reznor jumped at the chance to create the score for ‘Black Ops II.’ “I look at video games as a true art form,” begins Reznor. “The chance to be involved in something like this is exciting to me. I feel its every bit as viable as film work or music or anything else. The games have gotten more intense and more realistic and more engrossing and deeper. Video game culture has expanded into the largest form of entertainment.” “I was watching the Oscars last year and I see Trent Reznor win the Academy Award,” says ‘Black Ops II’ director Dave Anthony. “A year later, I see him walking around Treyarch [game developers], and I think to myself, ‘Am I dreaming? Trent Reznor is creating the score for our video game.’” The entire 40+ song soundtrack will be given its own individual release on Nov. 13. Reznor’s soundtrack, which also features an original score by Jack Wall, will also come with the physical edition of the game. Watch Trent Reznor + Other Game Developers Discuss ‘Black Ops II’

Eddie Vedder to Play Barack Obama Fundraiser

Eddie Vedder will perform at a Barack Obama fundraiser that’s taking place this Thursday (Sept. 20) in Tampa, Fla. The Pearl Jam frontman will be the entertainment for the night as part of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party reception. The event is being hosted by Lisa DeBartolo and her husband Donn Miggs with those RSVP-ing to the event receiving the exact location of the fundraiser. Entry to the event starts

Motley Crue’s Vince Neil Set to Headline Tybee Island Pirate Festival

As pirates and swashbucklers around the country descend on Tybee Island in Georgia on Oct. 4-7 for the annual Tybee Island Pirate Festival, they’ll have some rockin’ entertainment to close out Saturday night. Motley Crue singer Vince Neil will headline the entertainment portion of the event on Oct. 6. The festival, now in its eighth year, promises a true pirate experience from a pirate village to the coronation of a King and