Donald Kravitz, Getty Images When we arrived at Bader Field the day before Metallica ‘s Orion Music + More festival, we were greeted with the band rocking out to one of our favorite tunes, ‘Creeping Death.’ It turned out that they were performing their usual pre-show soundcheck, working out all the kinks before they kicked off their first ever two-day fest. For those who weren’t lucky enough to be in Atlantic City to experience Orion, the band released both nights’ performances as downloads via LiveMetallica.com . While those cost money to download, Metallica has now released that Friday soundcheck as a free download . The soundcheck includes the aforementioned ‘Creeping Death,’ ‘Hell and Back’ from the ‘Beyond Magnetic’ EP and the instrumental ‘The Call of Ktulu.’ With this being a soundcheck, the band was not playing as serious as they would during an actual live performance. This is obvious when frontman James Hetfield, while jamming on ‘Creeping Death,’ decides to skip out on singing the first verse. This looseness provides a unique listening experience for ‘Tallica fans, making this a download you won’t want to miss. Orion Music + More was held at Bader Field in Atlantic City on June 23 and 24, 2012. It was Metallica’s first music festival that they created and the band has promised to turn it into an annual tradition. Download Metallica’s Orion Music + More Soundcheck here. [button href=”http://ultimatemetallica.com” target=”_blank” title=”Click Here For Complete Metallica Coverage” align=”center”]
Ethan Miller, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Linkin Park deliver an emotionally gripping new video for ‘Castle of Glass’ dealing with the hardships of military families. [ Loudwire ] – While we wait for a new album from Nine Inch Nails , check out our list of the the band’s 10 Best Songs. [ Loudwire ] – Chevelle frontman Pete Loeffler took a frightening tumble during a show in Tucson earlier this week. He’s still rocking though … from a chair. [ Loudwire ] – There’s sad news to report from the world of death metal, as 29-year-old Sons of Azrael frontman Joe Siracuse has passed away. [ Loudwire ] – What better way to wish David Lee Roth a happy 57th birthday than by counting down the Top 10 Van Halen Songs. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – The Stone Roses reunion many thought would never happen is actually thriving and surviving into 2013. [ Diffuser.fm ] – Metal vets Voivod keep on rocking with the release of their new digital single, ‘Mechanical Mind.’ [ Rock Music Report ]
Dark Horse Comics As an extension of Stone Sour ‘s double album ‘House of Gold & Bones,’ vocalist Corey Taylor is creating a comic book. A four-issue miniseries will be written by Taylor and published by Dark Horse Comics to accompany the two-part Stone Sour album. Set to drop on Oct. 23, ‘House of Gold & Bones – Part 1,’ Stone Sour’s fourth full-length album is one of the most anticipated releases of 2012. The second part of ‘House of Gold and Bones’ does not have an official release date as of this posting, but we know that Corey Taylor, who also provides vocals for Slipknot , will be appearing at New York’s Comic Con this week (Oct. 11-14), according to Roadrunner Records . Corey Taylor recently spoke about his passion that led to his animated endeavor. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Taylor. “I’ve always been very critical of when comics go south and basically pull the fan out of what the potential is. It’s me pretty much putting my money where my mouth is.” He continues, “Especially in (the music) industry, you’re encouraged to not only appear to be as youthful and arrogant as possible, but you’re encouraged to make your own terrible decisions and have this kind of abhorrent behavior. People think that it sells. I figured out a long time ago that that’s so boring and so clichéd. To me, it was about shuffling that off and figuring out who do I want to be? Who do I want to try to be? Who do I want to aspire to be?” Get ready for Stone Sour’s ‘House of Gold & Bones,’ which will drop on Oct. 22. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-involvement-in-anthrax-worship-music-stone-sour-the-travelers-pt-1-snippet-unveiled/” title=”Next: Corey Taylor on Almost Singing for Anthrax” align=”center”]
Twitter: @ChevelleInc The stage can be a dangerous place, and Chevelle singer-guitarist Pete Loeffler found that out firsthand Monday night (Oct. 8) in Tucson when he took a tumble off the front of the stage. Ever the trooper, a hurting Loeffler managed to return to finish out the set after a brief intermission where he was deemed well enough to perform. He was seated for the remainder of the show. After the show, the vocalist headed off to the hospital and the X-rays showed no broken bones. However, Loeffler did have plenty of swelling and was given a knee brace to keep things stable. After getting the singer checked out, the band tweeted: Thanks to the fans who stuck around after Pete damaged his knee bad tonight. He came b@ The Rialto Theatre instagr.am/p/QjRLQhC-bg/ — Chevelle (@ChevelleInc) October 9, 2012 Pete’s update- x-rays show no broken bones, but knee is still too swollen f@ Mission Hospital Laguna Beach instagr.am/p/QlC-LMC-Vs/ — Chevelle (@ChevelleInc) October 9, 2012 Chevelle do not expect to miss any shows as a result of Loeffler’s injury. However, the singer may have to perform seated for the few remaining dates while the recovery from the accident begins. Watch Pete Loeffler Perform After Taking the Fall [button href=”http://loudwire.com/chevelle-the-red-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Chevelle – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images After a creative detour into the world of soundtrack scoring over the last few years, Trent Reznor is ready to revive Nine Inch Nails , and because of that we're going to count down the 10 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs. One thing is for certain, Reznor has kept things interesting over the years. He's explored industrial dance tracks ('Down in It' and 'Sin'), worked through some thrashier moments ('March of the Pigs,' 'Wish' and 'Head Like a Hole'), and dug deep into the soul for some deeply emotional catharsis ('Hurt,' 'Something I Can Never Have'). He's questioned both political ('Capital G,' 'The Hand That Feeds') and religious ('Terrible Lie') leaders, and all the while sustained a loyal following always anxious to see where he taking things next. So step right up and check out the 10 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs. ? 10 'Survivalism' From: 'Year Zero' (2007) ? ? Trent Reznor not only adapted with the times for 2007 album, 'Year Zero,' he ventured beyond and incorporated a futuristic concept for the disc. The blips and beeps of electro-aggression of 'Survivalism' set the pace throughout, while Reznor tells a futuristic tale of processing the images we're presented on a daily basis. He exclaims, “ I got my propaganda / I got my revisionism / I got my violence in hi-def ultra-realism / All a part of this great nation / I got my fist / I got my plan / I got survivalism .” Listen to 'Survivalism' ? ? 9 'Sin' From: 'Pretty Hate Machine' (1989) ? ? After 'Down in It' and 'Head Like a Hole' found success in the clubs, Nine Inch Nails chose the ultra-danceable, synth-led track 'Sin' as the final single from 'Pretty Hate Machine.' Reznor dips into themes of sexual control, belting such lines as “ You give me the anger / You give me the nerve / Carry out my sentence / While I get what I deserve .” Listen to 'Sin' ? ? 8 'The Hand That Feeds' From: 'With Teeth' (2005) ? ? After years of railing against his own demons, Trent Reznor turned his attention elsewhere with 2005's 'With Teeth.' The breakout single from the disc, 'The Hand That Feeds,' turned the spotlight on the human race's following of political and social leaders, with Reznor challenging the listener, “ Just how deep do you believe? / Will you bite the hand that feeds? / Will you chew until it bleeds? / Can you get up off your knees? / Are you brave enough to see? / Do you want to change it? “ Listen to 'The Hand That Feeds' ? ? 7 'March of the Pigs' From: 'The Downward Spiral' (1994) ? ? 'March of the Pigs' is a must for the 10 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs, as it shows Trent Reznor's musical growth. The track delivers sleepy piano breakdowns, Chris Vrenna's percussive onslaught, and a blast of aggression that has made the song a circle pit favorite. In the one-shot video for the track, Reznor couldn't contain the adrenaline, thrashing about into his fellow musicians and tossing the microphone away on multiple occasions leaving stagehands to retrieve it for him. Listen to 'March of the Pigs' ? ? 6 'Down In It' From: 'Pretty Hate Machine' (1989) ? ? 'Down In It' is a perfect choice for the Top 10 Nine Inch Nails Songs, as it was the track the officially kicked everything off for the band. It was issued as a teaser cut prior to their breakout hit 'Head Like a Hole,' and gave a glimpse of how the band could find a blend between heavy industrial music and something more club-oriented. Listen to 'Down in It' ? ? 5 'Closer' From: 'The Downward Spiral' (1994) ? ? Nine Inch Nails hit on something in the summer of '94 when 'Closer' became a monster hit. The funky track with the morphed bass and drum line definitely hooked listeners, but both radio and TV needed edits for the profanity-laced lyrical and sexually explicit visual content that came with the song and video. Even with the edits, the track went on to become one of the biggest songs of their career. Listen to 'Closer' ? ? 4 'Terrible Lie' From: 'Pretty Hate Machine' (1989) ? ? 'Terrible Lie' has become one of Nine Inch Nails' live favorites over the years, with the track frequently either kicking off or near the front of the band's sets. Reznor's early angst is on full display here, asking the big questions about faith and religion, begging for a sign of a higher power, and becoming dismayed when his questions aren't answered. Listen to 'Terrible Lie' ? ? 3 'Wish' From: 'Broken' EP (1992) ? ? Nine Inch Nails were in full industrial mode with 'Wish,' a thrashy gem of a track that blended Trent Reznor's tormented vocal delivery with a full on guitar assault. Oddly enough, Grammy voters got behind Nine Inch Nails ahead of their massive fame, rewarding the band with 1993's Best Metal Performance Grammy for 'Wish.' According to the book 'Nine Inch Nails: Self Destruct,' Reznor would later joke that his epitaph should read: “Reznor: Died. Said 'fist f—' and won a Grammy.” Listen to 'Wish' ? ? 2 'Hurt' From: 'The Downward Spiral' (1994) ? ? Not all of Nine Inch Nails' songs got their intensity from the instruments. The minimalist track 'Hurt' was every bit as heavy as the band's other work, and definitely packed an emotional punch. The track accurately portrayed isolation and depression, with Reznor often performing the song alone at the center of the stage with horrific images flashing on a screen behind him. The track took on even more resonance when legendary country crooner Johnny Cash made it one of his final recordings. Listen to 'Hurt' ? ? 1 'Head Like a Hole' From: 'Pretty Hate Machine' (1989) ? ? We bow down before the first big hit that Nine Inch Nails served. 'Head Like a Hole,' with its synth bass meets primal scream sound effects, proved to be an interesting concoction. It borrowed industrial influence from Ministry , but also had elements of thrash metal in it. Lyrically, Trent Reznor was in full snarl, raging against the almighty “God Money.” Reznor says in the song, “ You're going to get what you deserve ,” and what 'Head Like a Hole' deserves is the No. 1 spot in our Top 10 Nine Inch Nails Songs. Listen to 'Head Like a Hole' ? ? What Is Your Favorite Nine Inch Nails Song? There you have it – the 10 Best Nine Inch Nails Songs, in our humble opinion. What songs would you like to see on this list and what songs should be dropped? Should we have included a tune from 'The Fragile'? Here's your chance to let us know what you think. Share your thoughts in the comments section below. ?
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Three Days Grace and Papa Roach make strong showings on the latest Billboard 200 album chart, as both bands’ new discs debut in the Top 20. ‘Transit of Venus’ from Three Days Grace lands at No. 5 in its first week, selling 48,000 copies. Our review of the album states, “They’ve stepped out of their comfort zone, ditched the formula, and went all in, holding nothing back in the true spirit of rock. The reward clearly outweighed the risk on this one and the additional elements enhance the songs without taking them hostage and the identity that Three Days Grace has forged for the past 20 years is clearly better for it.” Papa Roach’s new album ‘The Connection’ also debuted in the upper echelon of Billboard 200, coming in at No. 17 with 22,000 copies sold. Our review of ‘The Connection’ reads, “The band mines the well of interpersonal connections again with their latest record. Jacoby Shaddix, a master at baring his soul in tracks like ‘Last Resort,’ ‘Scars,’ and ‘Broken Home,’ puts his heart clearly on his sleeve with the standout track ‘ Before I Die .’ ” After debuting at No. 2 last week, Green Day ‘s ‘ ¡Uno! ‘ slips to No. 11 this week, selling another 29,000 copies. Topping the album chart this week is ‘Babel’ from Mumford and Sons, followed by Muse’s ‘The 2nd Law.’ New albums from Between the Buried and Me , Converge and Nonpoint were all released this week, and we’ll see how they do on next week’s Billboard 200.
Christopher Polk / Carlo Allegri, Getty Images Green Day may be off the road due to Billie Joe Armstrong ‘s rehab stint , but the group is finding plenty of other ways to remain in the spotlight. One of them will happen on Oct. 19, when the group’s music is used to soundtrack an episode of the CBS crime drama ‘CSI: NY.’ According to the band’s website , songs such as ‘Stop When the Red Light Flashes,’ ‘Amy,’ ‘Night Life,’ ‘The Forgotten,’ and ‘Kill the DJ’ will help tell the story of the episode. In the episode itself, Lindsay (Anna Belknap) is injured while trying to stop the attempted murder of a political candidate. CSI: NY executive producer Pam Veasey states, “My ultimate goal was to tell a story without dialogue, and Green Day’s music and lyrics beautifully accompanied the visuals making it a very special episode.” The band stated, “We were stoked when we found out ‘CSI: NY’ wanted to use our music instead of dialogue to narrate the first few acts of the episode. It’s the first time something like this has been done on the series, and we are blown away with what we’ve seen.” ‘CSI: NY’ airs Fridays on CBS at 8PM ET/PT. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/green-day-uno-album-review/” title=”Next: Green Day’s ‘Uno’ – Album Review” align=”center”]