Robert Cianflone, Getty Images Black Sabbath guitarist and master of the riff Tony Iommi has been welcomed into the National Guitar Museum Board of Advisors. Iommi strives to help preserve the legacy of the guitar through the traveling institution, which will showcase its unique exhibit in six different cities between now and September 2015. The National Guitar Museum ‘s traveling instillation, ‘Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World,’ launched its first show in 2011, proclaiming the guitar as “The Most Popular Instrument. Ever.” As metal music’s most important six-string strummer, Tony Iommi is a natural fit to bring additional credibility to the museum and exhibit. “I welcome the opportunity to be part of the National Guitar Museum’s goal to highlight the history of the guitar — the instrument that has been part of my life since I was a teenager,” states Iommi. “There is so much more to the guitar than six strings and a slab of wood. Everything about it is fascinating, from how it is crafted to the legion of people who have played it.” Adds HP Newquist, executive director of the NGM, ”Tony is one of the most important rock guitarists to ever pick up the instrument. His guitar playing has defined the sound of heavy metal for more than four decades, and he has influenced countless thousands — if not millions — of players. Tony’s also had a huge affect on the instrument itself, from establishing the Gibson SG as an iconic guitar on to his own innovations in pushing the boundaries of string and pickup technology.” Iommi has joined a legendary group of guitarists already on the museum’s Board of Advisors, including Steve Vai, Ritchie Blackmore ( Deep Purple , Rainbow), Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Howe (Yes), Liona Boyd, Pat Kirtley and Pete Huttlinger. Once the National Guitar Museum completes its string of instillations, one U.S. city will be named the permanent home of the Museum. Meanwhile, Tony Iommi is currently competing for Rock Titan of the Year in the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards. Place your vote here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com” title=”Former Black Sabbath Drummer Voices Tony Iommi Audiobook” align=”center”]
Thousand Foot Krutch press photo. Thousand Foot Krutch are hitting the road in 2013, and they’re taking along a lengthy list of openers, including former Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch ‘s band Love and Death along with the groups the Letter Black and the Wedding. The U.S. trek, billed as the War of Change Tour, is named for TFK’s current single ‘War of Change,’ off the band’s current full-length album, ‘The End Is Where We Begin.’ The 2013 jaunt launches Feb. 21 in Columbia, Md., and closes out March 17 in Huntington, W.V. Find a complete list of tour dates below. Thousand Foot Krutch, Love and Death, the Letter Black and the Wedding Tour Dates: 2/21 — Columbia, Md. 2/22 — Allentown, Pa. 2/23 — Lancaster, Pa. 2/24 — Asbury Park, N.J. 2/28 — Pittsburgh, Pa. 3/1 — Toledo, Ohio 3/2 — Flint, Mich. 3/6 – Dallas, Texas 3/8 — Lubbock, Texas 3/9 — Helotes, Texas 3/10 – Corpus Christi, Texas 3/14 — Joliet, Ill. 3/15 — Louisville, Ky. 3/16 — Chattanooga, Tenn. 3/17 — Huntington, W.V.
Five Seven Music Happy holidays! It’s a sentiment expressed by many this season, but not quite in the way that Deuce is doing it. The former Hollywood Undead member-turned-solo artist is serving up several digital holiday cards branded with his own sense of humor to them. As seen in the first card above, Deuce and his lovely lady pose for a “family photo” on the couch, with the caption “Yo, I don’t know what Yuletide means, but happy it!” Other digital holiday cards currently available (as seen below) include a Godzilla-like Deuce terrorizing a picturesque town decorated for the holidays by stepping on it and exclaiming in the caption, “Take that, you tiny little Xmas bitches!” The third card features a scantily clad lady with her arms around Deuce as he holds a strategically placed gift-wrapped box with the caption, “Guess what I got you …” It’s clear from the cards that Deuce definitely falls on Santa’s “naughty” list, but still, he’s in the giving spirit by sharing these digital cards and letting fans use them as they wish. The thoughtful rocker did something similar earlier this year by providing his own branded Valentine’s Day cards. You can check them out here . For more on Deuce, visit his Facebook page here . Five Seven Music Five Seven Music [button href=”http://loudwire.com/deuce-i-came-to-party-video-exclusive-behind-the-scenes-look/” title=”Watch Deuce’s ‘I Came to Party’ Behind the Scenes Video” align=”center”] ?
Ian Gavan, Getty Images In shocking news out of the United Kingdom, Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13, along with the possession and distribution of “indecent images of children.” This story comes as a major shock to fans of the longtime singer of the Lostprophets, who have sold 3.5 million albums worldwide throughout the band’s 15-year history. The Welsh group had a No. 1 alternative rock hit in the United States with ‘Last Train Home’ in 2004. According to The Guardian and other reputable sources like BBC News, two women, ages 20 and 24, have been charged alongside Watkins with similar offenses. The three are currently being held in police custody, having already appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court today (Dec. 19). Bail applications from all three parties have been denied. Watkins will remain in police custody until his next scheduled court appearance on Dec. 31. A statement from a police spokesperson reads as follows: A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff magistrates court today. The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children. In order to assist their investigation, South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets.” South Wales police are encouraging those who may have information about the charges to come forth. “Specially-trained staff are available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation and a dedicated telephone number has been set up,” says Senior Investigating Officer Peter Doyle. “I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us … Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken.” Update: The UK newspaper The Independent is reporting that Watkins is being accused of conspiring with one of the arrested women to sexually abuse a 1-year-old girl. In addition, the publication also reports that the singer is accused of two incidents of “sexual touching” involving young children. Moreover, Watkins is alleged to have possessed “extreme” animal pornography. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/shocking-rock-stories-of-2012/” title=”Next: More Shocking Rock Stories of 2012″ align=”center”]
Razor & Tie / Nuclear Blast If a random dude happens to hand you a pamphlet on how the apocalypse is coming, be sure to hand him back this list of upcoming rock and metal releases for January 2013. Hatebreed are set to release their seventh studio album, ‘The Divinity of Purpose,’ on Jan. 29. With the band’s new track ‘Put It to the Torch’ having just been inducted into our Death Match Hall of Fame, it’s certain that hardcore fans are foaming at the mouth for Hatebreed’s next offering. Punk rock legends Bad Religion will release ‘True North,’ their follow-up to ‘The Dissent of Man,’ on Jan. 22. That week will also see the debut album from Love & Death , featuring former Korn guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch on vocals. Black Veil Brides , Helloween, Trapt , Dropkick Murphys, Hollywood Undead and many more bands will unleash their latest efforts in the first month of 2013. Check out our full list of albums below and get ready for some new tunes in the new year. January 2013 Music Releases: Jan. 8: Alice in Chains, ‘Hollow’ (Single) Black Veil Brides, ‘Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones’ Dropkick Murphys, ‘Signed and Sealed in Blood’ Hollywood Undead, ‘Notes From the Underground’ Jan. 15: Rammstein, ‘Videos 1995-2012′ (DVD) Various Artists, ’12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief’ Various Artists, ‘West of Memphis: Voices For Justice’ Jan. 22: Bad Religion, ‘True North’ Helloween, ‘Straight Out of Hell’ Holy Grail, ‘Ride the Void’ Love & Death, ‘Between Here & Lost’ Otep, ‘Hydra’ Rotten Sound, ‘Species at War’ (EP) Stellar Revival, ‘Love, Lust and Bad Company’ Trapt, ‘Reborn’ Voivod, ‘Target Earth’ Jan. 29: Accept, ‘Playlist: The Very Best of Accept’ Cult of Luna, ‘Vertikal’ Funeral for a Friend, ‘Conduit’ Hatebreed, ‘The Divinity of Purpose’ Stratovarius, ‘Unbreakable’ (EP)
In De Goot 10 Years unleashed their latest album, ‘Minus the Machine,’ back in August, and are now riding up the rock charts with the song ‘Dancing With the Dead,’ which follows the disc’s first single, ‘Backlash.’ Three-quarters of the band — singer Jesse Hasek, guitarist Ryan ‘Tater’ Johnson and drummer Brian Vodinh — recently stopped by Loudwire’s office for a chat, with each one naming their biggest musical influences. In addition, the band is teaming up with Loudwire to offer a prize pack consisting of an autographed white vinyl record, a signed poster, a beer coozie, stickers, a flat and a ‘Backlash’ T-shirt (all pictured below). So, check out the members of 10 Years discussing their biggest influences, and enter your info in the contest form below for a chance to win the aforementioned prize pack. And if you’d like to get your hands on 10 Years’ ‘Minus the Machine’ album right away, it’s available at Amazon for only $5 for a limited time. 10 Years Talk Biggest Influences [Loudwire Exclusive] 10 Years Autographed Prize Pack Enter your e-mail address for a chance to win an autographed white vinyl record, a signed poster, a beer coozie, stickers, a flat and a ‘Backlash’ T-shirt. Contest ends Jan. 18, 2013. Click here for official rules . By entering this contest, you will receive email newsletters from Loudwire. You may unsubscribe at any time. Email T-Shirt Size
Facebook: Metallica Worry not, Metallica fans, for your thrash heroes have officially begun the writing process for a new album. As the follow-up to the band’s 2008 album, ‘Death Magnetic,’ the as-yet-untitled album has so far been described by drummer Lars Ulrich as “heavy,” “energetic” and “fast.” Ulrich spilled the beans to Metal Hammer for the publication’s January 2013 issue, describing the potential framework to Metallica’s 10th album, which is expected to drop in 2014. “The stuff that we were banging out yesterday, it felt heavy, it felt energetic, it was loud, it was fast, it was rocking, it was crazy,” gushes Ulrich. “The snare drum was on there and there were guitar solos, in case anybody was wondering. What we’re doing now certainly sounds like a continuation of where we left off four years ago.” Despite Ulrich’s transparency in discussing the upcoming album, the drummer would not confirm nor deny the inclusion of legendary producer Rick Rubin, who took hold of the board during the ‘Death Magnetic’ recording sessions. “I love Rick, we all love Rick,” assures Ulrich. “We’re in touch with Rick constantly. We’ll see where it goes.” Metallica’s 2014 album will be their first to be released via Blackened Recordings , a label the band recently launched after taking ownership of all their master recordings. “It’s always been about control for us as a band,” says drummer Lars Ulrich. “Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100 percent control and putting us in the driver’s seat of our own creative destiny.” Stay tuned for more news on Metallica’s upcoming 10th album as news breaks. [button href=”http://ultimatemetallica.com” title=”Get All the Latest Metallica News Here” align=”center”]