David Livingston, Getty Images For many metalheads, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick is considered one of the greatest of all time. As one of the most talented and sonically diverse guitarists in music today, Skolnick possesses the skills of a master metal, jazz and symphonic artist, which is why he’s the perfect teacher and host for the new series ‘Louder Education.’ Established by Metal Injection and Peavey, ‘Louder Education’ is hosted at Tomato’s House of Rock (T.H.O.R.) in New York City. Along with Skolnick, ‘Louder Education’ is co-hosted by Chris ‘Tomato’ Harfenist and is attended by the T.H.O.R. students, a collective group of young musicians looking to hone their creative abilities. The first episode of ‘Louder Education’ features Charred Walls of the Damned drummer Richard Christy , who also had legendary runs playing with Iced Earth and Death . Additionally, Christy can be heard on the Howard Stern Show as an on-air personality and master prank caller. The drummer shares his life’s story as a musician, including how he was recruited to play for Death, living life on the road + much more. As is if this wasn’t cool enough for the T.H.O.R. students to witness, some of the kids even got the opportunity to jam Death’s classic track ‘Crystal Mountain’ with Richard Christy manning the drums. Check out the first episode of ‘Louder Education’ and check back for more installments on MetalInjection.com . ‘Louder Education’ Episode 1
Jo Hale, Getty Images Over the course of his illustrious career, Duff McKagan has been in a lot of bands — and he touched on pretty much all of them during a recent interview with FasterLouder , looking back on his stints with Guns N’ Roses and Neurotic Outsiders while looking ahead to his future with Loaded , as well as weighing in on where Velvet Revolver might be headed. “I have no idea,” McKagan admitted when asked where the search is at in the effort to replace Scott Weiland in the band’s long-vacant lead singer slot. “I think it’s at nowhere. I think everybody just kind of got sick of talking about it, because there’s really no guy, so there’s nothing that me or Slash or Matt [Sorum] or Dave [Kushner] could say that would change the course of this question. So there’s nobody now, I think the longer that Slash is out touring, and that I’m out touring, people will stop asking as much. Maybe once it’s settled down, we’ll find the guy.” Asked which of his bands he’s most proud of, McKagan diplomatically responded, “I’m just proud of the fact people will still come and see me play. I don’t know if there’s one band in particular. I think just the whole arc has been jaw dropping for me, really. I’m proud of it all.” That includes his split from Jane’s Addiction , which he says happened because his tenure was always “more to service that band … for a minute.” He added, “It’s weird for me, a guy who’s always started his own bands, it’s kinda hard to come into a band with a 20-plus year history and try and fit in.” As for his current group Loaded, it sounds like McKagan is just out having fun; as he noted at one point during the interview, “If you see me doing something, I like doing it. … Rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t pay all the bills for sure. Record sales pay some of the bills, but these days no one’s really making a ton of money from selling records, maybe Linkin Park or Pearl Jam .” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/duff-mckagan-shares-battle-with-depression-post-9-11-attacks/” title=”Duff McKagan Shares Post 9/11 Battle With Depression” align=”center”]
Down Records/Independent Label Group Six songs from Down are better than a full album of tunes from many other bands. The title of the band’s new EP, ‘Down IV, Part 1 – The Purple EP,’ is incredibly long for an extended play, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.The quintet makes efficient use of the space they’re working with and not a second is wasted. The EP is like a high quality, low-calorie meal. It fills you up, sustains you, gives you energy and makes you feel good, but with none of these excess pounds or throwaway fillers. Of course, it leaves you wanting more, because Down are that good, but you’re not starved. You’re satisfied. Singer Philip Anselmo is in as good of shape vocally as he has been in years. His low rumble hasn’t sounded this healthy or this commanding since the Pantera days. ‘Levitation’ roars with a moshable groove and guitar-tistry. It’s eerie and by the time Anselmo shows up to partner up with the equally dominant riffery, you’re consciousness will be elevated to a higher state. ‘Witchtripper’ positions itself as a modern anthem, opening with a short squall of feedback before pounding your skull into a fine dust with its rhythmic roar. Close your eyes for a minute and you’ll swear parts of Anselmo’s delivery sound like a young, robust Ozzy Osbourne . Even with its heft and its girth, the song’s melodic bluster makes it catchier than germs on a packed subway car. Anselmo provides the rumble of thunder over the bottom-feeding riffs on ‘Open Coffins,’ as well. ‘The Curse Is a Lie’ is a doomy, sonic sign of the apocalypse, and it boasts equally swamp-dwelling guitar sludge that was reared deep in the NoLA bayou. The ominous, lower-than-low tones are heavier than the atomic weight of lead. ‘This Work Is Timeless’ is a little faster and a little chunkier than the songs that come before it, but it’s just as thick and heady. ‘Misfortune Teller’ closes the EP and it packs the most potent groove of the bunch, and on an EP laden with potent grooves, that’s really saying something. Overall, Down make no effort to hide their Black Sabbath worship on these six meaty, muscular songs. But this EP is by no mans paying homage. Down soak their riffage in a metallic gumbo found only in NoLA, and it’s uniquely their own. But Down aren’t all bones and braun. This EP is the work of true metal artisans who aren’t afraid to be unpolished and dirty. What’s more metal than that? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/down-iv-part-1-the-purple-ep-prize-pack/” title=”Enter for a Chance to Win a ‘Down IV, Part 1’ Prize Pack” align=”center”]
Tim Whitby / Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images Actress Lindsay Lohan is in trouble with the law again, thanks to a late-night hit-and-run that left a New York pedestrian with a wounded leg and earned Lohan another trip to the hoosegow on Wednesday (Sept. 19). But if Slash is to be believed, the whole thing is a big misunderstanding. The legendary guitarist took to Twitter to express his support for Lohan, claiming that “The situation last night w/Lindsey was a lame paparazzi stunt” and insisting, “She didn’t do anything. it’s being blown out of proportion.” Lohan had attended Slash’s show at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom earlier that night (check out our review + photo gallery of the gig). As TMZ points out, paparazzi weren’t involved in this particular incident, and Slash wasn’t even present when it occurred, so while his tweet is certainly the 21st-century equivalent of gallant, we may want to take it with a grain of salt. On the other hand, he was with Lohan immediately prior to the accident, and can therefore counter claims that, as TMZ put it, she “reeked of booze” when she clipped a pedestrian with her car. The NYPD’s version of events actually backs this up; according to the New York Daily News , police didn’t administer a Breathalyzer at the scene, and they “don’t think she was impaired” — but she’s still being charged with leaving the scene of an accident. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/slash-featuring-myles-kennedy-spread-apocalyptic-love-at-new-hampshire-gig/” title=”Next: Slash Concert Review + Photo Gallery” align=”center”] ?
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”]