Posts Tagged ‘video-game’

System of a Down Unveil First Tour Dates of 2013

Facebook: System of a Down System of a Down fans have been patient in recent years, with the group spending a lot of time on hiatus pursuing other musical avenues. Though the band has reunited for a series of shows over the past two years, there has been no talk about future albums or dates … until now. System have revealed their first two performances of 2013 , set to take place in August. The band has signed on to play Sweden’s Getaway Rock Festival on Aug. 9 and will also perform at the Frequency Festival in Austria on Aug. 16. Tickets for both events are currently available . At present, it is not known if these shows will lead to an extended run of performances, but the announcement of the two festivals provides a ray of hope. However, expectations should be tempered as the group’s members have other projects in the works for 2013 as well. Singer Serj Tankian released his ‘ Harakiri ‘ solo album last year and also spent time raising funds to perform his ‘ Orca ‘ symphony piece. However, at last check he was still composing a score for the ‘ Morning Star ‘ video game and had music from two side projects — Fuktronic and Jazziz Christ — in the works. Meanwhile, the website of guitarist Daron Malakian ‘s Scars on Broadway  band teases that a new EP and album are coming soon. When pressed about new System of a Down music last year, Tankian told Loudwire , “It’s a good question and the answer is the same — we haven’t made plans of recording the new record as of yet. When we do, everyone will know. We haven’t really discussed another record as of now with any of the guys really. It’s just something that when it’s the right time, we’ll do it.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-toxicity-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Next: System of a Down – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]

Rock Star Cameos in Video Games

EA / Activision (2) Rock music and video games make for a brilliant marriage. Anyone who has ever sat down to play a Tony Hawk skating game has left with a library full of new favorite song. So, when one of your favorite musicians appears as a character within one of your favorite video games, even the most season gamer can’t help but feel giddy like a teenage girl before prom. From well-known cameos, to surprise appearances and unlockable characters, there are a myriad of rockers who have been immortalized in video game form, including members of Metallica , Nirvana , Limp Bizkit and many more. We’ve teamed up with a number of our partner sites for a list of musicians and celebrities who have starred in video games. Click below to check it out: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/metallica-tony-hawk-pro-skater” title=”See the Rock Stars Who Have Starred in Video Games” align=”center”]

Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows Says Upcoming Album Has ‘Sabbath / Zeppelin’ Feel

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com After revealing recently that  Avenged Sevenfold  were about six songs into a writing their upcoming album. M. Shadows has now given a big hint as to what direction the band will be taking on the disc. He also has laid out a timetable for the album’s release.  He explains to Metal Hammer  that the new disc will not sound very much like ‘Carry On,’ the band’s recent release for the video game ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II.’ ”The new album has a lot more of a [Black] Sabbath / [Led] Zeppelin feel to it than ‘Carry On’,” says Shadows. “There’s definitely more Sabbath in what we’re writing, and we’re proud of ‘Carry On,’ but this album is going to be on a whole new level.” As to when the new album will be released, Shadows revealed, “We’re halfway through [writing the new album]. We’re shooting for late January-early February [to head into the studio] and to have the album out in the Summer. I’m pretty sure, with what I’ve been told already, we’re looking to go overseas first, so you guys will be seeing it before everyone else!” As for the band appearing as characters in the closing credits of the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ video game, Shadows remarks, “It’s a trip! It’s crazy! We had to do all this motion-capture and play a gig to nobody, but we didn’t get to see anything until the game came out. You saw it when I saw it!” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-perform-carry-on-as-characters-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii/” title=”Next: Watch Avenged Sevenfold in ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II” align=”center”]

Win a Linkin Park ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter’ Prize Package!

Warner Bros. / EA Linkin Park recently teamed with the EA video game ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter’ to showcase their latest single, ‘Castle of Glass,’ and the band is now teaming with Loudwire to offer fans the chance to win a great prize package based around the game and the band’s latest album. The prize package includes a copy of ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter’ (in either PlayStation or Xbox format), Linkin Park’s current CD, ‘Living Things,’ a Linkin Park t-shirt and a ‘Medal of Honor’ / Linkin Park digital badge. Linkin Park are off to a solid start with their ‘Living Things’ album. ‘Burn It Down’ was a major hit over the summer, and the band have followed with ‘Lost in the Echo,’ while both ‘Powerless’ and ‘Castle of Glass’ have received lots of buzz, as well. You can watch the ‘Castle of Glass’ video below. The Linkin Park ‘Living Things’ album is currently available in stores and online . So is ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter,’ which can be purchased here . And be sure to hit “like” here  on Facebook in order to unlock exciting exclusive ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter’ game content, including tips and tricks from Linkin Park. To enter to win the Linkin Park ‘Medal of Honor Warfighter’ prize package, follow @loudwire and @linkinpark on Twitter and ReTweet this announcement of the giveway. Be sure to get in on the contest now, as it ends Nov. 19. Watch Linkin Park’s ‘Castle of Glass’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-in-the-end-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Linkin Park – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]

Zakk Wylde Unveils Video Teaser For ‘Guitar Apprentice’ Instructional Video Series

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Zakk Wylde ’s new signature edition guitar instruction collection titled ‘Guitar Apprentice’ is now available exclusively at Guitar Centers in the U.S. as of Oct. 1 and now the leader of the Black Label Society has released a humorous clip to promote his rock ‘n’ roll lessons. Recorded live at Wylde’s on Black Vatican studio in Los Angeles, Calif. ‘Guitar Apprentice’ takes a song and methodically breaks it down to fifteen different levels of playing so anyone can follow along. Starting with one chord, users work their way up to playing all the guitar parts including all headbanging solos, but at their own pace. The set offers detailed explanations of all the details from signature rhythm patterns to tones and even pedals and gear. In the clip below Wylde barks out ‘This ain’t no video game!’ to the camera, but it actually was a video game that inspired the project. Wylde told MusicRadar.com that when the developers of the project approached him they asked him what he thought about the ‘Guitar Hero’ video franchise. “I said it was awesome,” Wylde said. “Who knows – you could have the next Jimmy Page or Dimebag or Yngwie coming out of that thing. Some kid starts out on that, and eventually he says, ‘Man, I want to get a real guitar.’ That’s what you want to happen. To me, anything that promotes the guitar is good.” Wylde also noted that this isn’t easy, so be prepared. “We’re talking from a very beginner to being about to play the solo to f—ing ‘Crazy Horse’,” Wylde explained. “And you can do it, too, but you have to put in the hours. You’ve got to practice and get your technique together. But it’s all there, man.” Head over to www.guitarapprentice.com for more information on the Zakk Wylde Signature Edition Guitar Apprentice. Watch Zakk Wylde’s Video Teaser for ‘Guitar Apprentice’

Avenged Sevenfold Members Guest on Machine Gun Kelly Track

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Rap/metal collaborations have been common since  Anthrax and Public Enemy teamed up for ‘Bring the Noise.’ Now, Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows and guitarist Synyster Gates have lent their talents to a new song by hip-hop artist Machine Gun Kelly. ‘Save Me’ (listen below) is the opening song on Kelly’s debut album ‘Lace Up,’ which was released today.  He talked about the track recently on MTV’s RapFix Live. “I actually got one of the greatest metal bands to be featured on it, Avenged Sevenfold. It’s definitely an eargasm if you’re into cross genre.” In addition to A7X, ‘Lace Up’ has guest spots from hip-hop luminaries such as Lil Jon, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Jon, DMX, Young Jeezy, Twista, Tech N9ne, Dubo and Bun B. Speaking of Avenged Sevenfold collaborations, Shadows also shared vocals with Chris Jericho the song ‘Sandpaper’ off Fozzy’s recent album ‘Sin & Bones.’ He recently joined Fozzy   onstage in Los Angeles to perform to perform the song. As fans anxiously await a full album of new material, Avenged Sevenfold have released the single ‘ Carry On ,’ which is from the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ video game that’s set for a Nov. 13 release. That song has entered the Loudwire Cage Match Hall of Fame after defeating tunes by artists including  Five Finger Death Punch, Soundgarden and Marilyn Manson . Listen to Machine Gun Kelly feat. M. Shadows and Synyster Gates, ‘Save Me’ (Explicit Language)