Blackened Recordings – Metallica are bringing their Orion Music + More Festival to Detroit next year. [ Loudwire ] – The members of Lostprophets have issued a statement on the charges against singer Ian Watkins . [ Loudwire ] – Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante shares his thoughts on the band’s Grammy nomination and discusses their upcoming covers release. [ Loudwire ] – The lineup for the Mitch Lucker Memorial Show has been revealed and Suicide Silence will film the show for a DVD release. [ Loudwire ] – Black Sabbath ‘s Tony Iommi has been named to the National Guitar Museum Board of Advisors. [ Loudwire ] – Vince Neil ‘s former bassist is threatening legal action over his tax woes. [ Loudwire ] – AC/DC recently gave into iTunes and now their videos are available for download as well. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – As we wait for the supposed end of the world as predicted by the Mayans, check out Ultimate Classic Rock’s list of Top 10 Doomsday Songs. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – The popular Bamboozle Festival will not return in 2013. [ Diffuser.fm ] – With the anniversary of late Clash frontman Joe Strummer’s death approaching, check out Diffuser’s list of the 10 Best Joe Strummer Songs. [ Diffuser.fm ]
Facebook: Suicide Silence The cameras will be rolling when the members of Suicide Silence and their all-star lineup of guest vocalists team up for a memorial concert to salute the band’s late singer, Mitch Lucker . The vocalist died in a motorcycle crash Halloween night and the idea of the show is to not only pay tribute to the singer, but to also raise money for the future education of Lucker’s daughter, Kenadee. The ‘ Ending Is the Beginning: Mitch Lucker Memorial ‘ event will take place tomorrow night (Dec. 21) at the Fox Theater in Pomona, Calif. and a majority of the lineup has been revealed. Hellyeah ‘s Chad Gray , As I Lay Dying ‘s Tim Lambesis and All Shall Perish ‘s Eddie Hermida were the first names revealed for the event. In the weeks since, Asking Alexandria ‘s Danny Worsnop, Whitechapel ‘s Phil Bozeman, Winds of Plague ‘s Johnny Plague, Of Mice & Men ‘s Austin Carlile, Impending Doom ‘s Brook Reeves, After the Burial’s Anthony Notarmaso, Disfiguring the Goddess’ Cameron “Big Chocolate” Argon, former Bury Your Dead musician Myke Terry and ex-Suffokate member Ricky Hoover have also joined the bill. The band did state via their Facebook page that the show will be shot for a future DVD release and that there would be some “big names” that were not revealed in advance of the show. All proceeds from the performance and presumably of the forthcoming DVD would go to the Kenadee Lucker education fund. For more information on how you can donate, click here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/suicide-silence-donation-page-benefit-daughter-late-singer-mitch-lucker/” title=”Next: Suicide Silence Launch Donation Page for Kenadee Lucker” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com / Facebook: Alan Vine Alan Vine, a former bassist and personal assistant for Motley Crue ‘s Vince Neil , is threatening legal action against his former employer if he doesn’t help resolve his current tax issues. Vine, who was a member of Neil’s band in the early 2000s, claims that the singer’s manager wrongly reported his salary, thus leading the IRS to look into his financial background, and he’s asking for some help in clearing things up. Vine spells out his troubles in an open letter to Metal Sludge , claiming that his work with Neil close to a decade ago has landed him in some hot water. Vine says he’s reached out to Neil on several occasions, but has been blown off each time and is not even sure if the singer is aware. However, despite his reluctance to take legal action, it’s now come to a point where something must be done and he’s taking his issues public in hopes that Neil will respond before legal action must be pursued. In his letter, he states: I was Vince’s Bass player and personal assistant at one time. I have been trying to straighten out a tax issue with him for several years now to no avail. I didn’t want to resort to attorney to sue Tenvin Inc., but after several blow offs I CAN’T STAND IT ANY MORE!!! Vince’s scumbag business manager Burt Stein reported me to the IRS (1099) for making a boatload of $$$$ which I was never paid. I didn’t want to sue him, but now he leaves me no choice. He is now taking $$$ away from my two boys that I raise by myself. I am totally disgusted on how a guy like Vince, who could fix this with a simple phone call and avoid the court system, can’t be bothered. I am a stand up guy who never did Vince wrong EVER!!!! I could of sold him out many times over but NEVER DID!!!! The IRS has been holding my tax returns for 7 years now on my Child Tax Credit for Hollywood who is now 7 and also the tax credit for my youngest son Indrid Wolfgang for 4 years as well… DO THE MATH ON THAT!!!!! I grew up listening to Motley Crue and couldn’t believe I was working for one of my heroes and it has come to this. I am sure Vince is completely in the dark about this and has no Idea. I have tried to approach Vince about this SEVERAL times and was met with the same blow off. He told me to tell people when I worked for him. Tonight was the last straw. I contacted Dana Strum via email to get on the list for tonight show in Coconut Creek, Fla. because being a single dad I can’t afford tickets. Dana responded and was gracious enough to leave 2 tickets and 2 after show passes. Thanks Dana. The show was good. You and Zoltan and Blando are rock solid … thanks … After the show was over, I went with the after show passes to the waiting area and Vince’s Guy came and said, ‘Sorry folks band left.’ I got pissed and said, ‘Sure dude, I used to do you job.’ I pulled out my old laminate and said tell Vince he owes me $ and stop bull sh—ing these fans and just say what’s true, like sorry Vince can’t be bothered, have a nice day. Then I left the venue and was driving through the parking lot by the backstage area and saw the band leaving and proceeded to yell through the gate, ‘You f–ing a–hole. I’m gonna sue you,’ and a few other vulgarities. I have mad respect for Motley Crue, Sixx, Tommy, Mick, and Vince, too. It just sucks that my kids have to suffer because of this. I bet if I had a huge set of fake t–s and was dumb as a box of rocks because of the bleached blond hair and had a pair of hotdog lips, I would have had a better result. ‘LIVING ON A JET MAKING LOVE TO SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM’ … ha, what a joke. Vince, Dana has my email if you want to fix this. Otherwise I am getting a lawyer Monday. Respectfully, Alan Vine [button href=”http://loudwire.com/vince-neil-apology-gun-control-twitter-battle/” title=”Next: Vince Neil Offers Apology Over Gun Control Debate” align=”center”]
Metal Blade Records Swedish metal outfit Ghost have been pounding away in the studio, working to complete their latest effort and the band is happy to announce that ‘Infestissumam’ will arrive next spring. The follow-up to the critically hailed ‘Opus Eponymous’ album was produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones, Death Angel) and will be released by Loma Vista Recordings. The 10-track set features the song ‘Secular Haze,’ which the band debuted live during their performance in Linkoping, Sweden over the weekend. Video from the show can be seen below. ‘Secular Haze’ is also available as a free download at the band’s website . If you doubt their dedication to all things hard and heavy, one of the band’s nameless members recently stated about their position toward rock , “Us being faceless and dressing apart from standard couture was a way for everyone to be able to connect with the concept. Being from a metal background, we know that it’s all about looking the part — the choice of shoes you wear, for some bands, proves the value of the song. It’s just a d–k-measuring competition. Hard rock is about who has the biggest d–k and pop music is about who’s got the smallest. I guess we’re pretty average. But in order to have a big d–k, you have to have it mentally.” Ghost, ‘Infestissumam’ Track Listing 1. ‘Infestissumam’ 2. ‘Per Aspera Ad Inferi’ 3. ‘Secular Haze’ 4. ‘Jigolo Har Megiddo’ 5. ‘Ghuleh / Zombie Queen’ 6. ‘Year Zero’ 7. ‘Idolatrine’ 8. ‘Body and Blood’ 9. ‘Depth of Satans Eyes’ 10. ‘Monstrance Clock’ Watch Ghost Perform ‘Secular Haze’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/nameless-ghoul-of-ghost-talks-touring-anonymity-more/” title=”Next: Ghost Member Discusses Band Anonymity” align=”center”] ?
A&M / Octone After releasing the Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan -directed video for ‘ We Are ‘ a couple weeks back, Hollywood Undead have now unveiled a behind-the-scenes clip chronicling the making of the video. The five-minute clip includes a behind the scenes look at some of the stunts performed in the video, plus plenty of commentary from Crahan. From drugs to crime to violence to fire, there’s never a shortage of something interesting in the video’s concept. Band member Johnny 3 Tears talks about the single as follows: “The song [‘We Are’] is about collective resistance. It’s the silent majority, but we’re using Los Angeles as the backdrop. Every time we work with Danny (Lohner, producer), he takes our music to the next level. Think of it as an ode to our misled youth.” ‘We Are’ is from Hollywood Undead’s forthcoming third album ‘Notes from the Underground,’ due for release on Jan. 8, 2013. Watch the Making of Hollywood Undead – ‘We Are’
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire It’s no surprise that Metallica ’s inaugural Orion Music + More Festival earlier this year in Atlantic City, N.J., was a major success, and now the legendary metal act has announced plans for the 2013 edition of their popular festival. The second annual Orion Music + More will be held in Detroit on June 8-9, 2013. Even though no acts have been revealed just yet — aside from headliners Metallica, of course — if 2012’s Orion was any indication, then next year’s lineup should be impressive. When we recently spoke to Kirk Hammett about a second Orion Music + More Festival prior to it being officially announced, he had this to say, “The intention is to definitely do another one. We’re kind of getting our thoughts together on how that might be, where it might be and what our approach to it will be.” Hammett continued, “It was just so much fun. But as for details on the fest, you know, it’s too early in the process right now. I can assure you of one thing, there is going to be another ‘Kirk’s Crypt.’ Bigger and better, two stories this time!” The 2012 Orion Festival was complete with numerous stages of music, a car show, Kirk Hammett’s Horror Crypt, a skate ramp and much more. The massive event was held at Bader Field in Atlantic City and featured an eclectic mix of hard rock and indie acts. Check out our coverage of Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2012 Orion Fest. The 2013 teaser video below shows highlights from Orion 2012, as Metallica rocked New Jersey so hard, it likely shook the whole East Coast. Stay tuned for more details. Watch the Trailer for the 2013 Orion Music + More Festival
Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images Right after Anthrax ‘s ‘I’m Alive’ was nominated for the 2013 Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance Grammy Award , we hopped on the phone with Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante for a congratulatory conversation. Having been placed against Halestorm , Iron Maiden , Lamb of God , Marilyn Manson and Megadeth , Benante shared an excited and interesting perspective on the Grammys, both past and present. This is Anthrax’s fourth Grammy nod, the band’s first since their collaboration with Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise,’ was nominated in 1994. We asked Benante about past winners and if they deserved the golden gramophone, along with a b-sides and covers album that Benante says may be released in early 2013. Your Grammy opponents are pretty tough this year. You’re against Halestorm, Iron Maiden, Lamb of God, Marilyn Manson and Megadeth. What are your thoughts on those artists? Well, this is a difficult question because some of the artists I don’t really listen to. Some of the artists I do know and listen to. With Megadeth and Maiden … we look up to Iron Maiden so much. If you took Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, the common denominator there would probably be Iron Maiden. In some way, shape, or form, we all kind of modeled our band with Iron Maiden in mind. Not just that band; there’s other bands but I’m saying they played a pretty big role in the shaping of those four bands. So to be nominated with Iron Maiden, it’s just f—ing awesome. Looking up your past nominations for the Grammys, the one thing that’s easy to spot is that all those nominations came when Joey Belladonna was on vocals. So to you, how essential is the performance of Joey when it comes to these nominations? Well, it’s the classic Anthrax sound when we were nominated prior. I couldn’t be happier with the way that this record [‘Worship Music’] came out and you know, it’s something that I touched on in the statement that we made was this record, more so than a lot of other records, there was so much blood, sweat and tears that went into this record and I don’t know if those other records that are nominated could say the same thing. I mean, I’m not taking anything away from those other recordings, but all I can say is that I know how much went into making our other record. When I saw that we were nominated it just kind of made everything, “Wow, all that hard work and we get noticed.” It made sense to me. It wasn’t just making another record, you know? It was a different thing, it was different experience and it was a life changing experience. The first Grammy you were nominated for was for ‘Persistence of Time’ and you were against Judas Priest’s ‘Painkiller,’ which is incredible, Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Piece,’ which is amazing and Suicidal Tendencies, ‘Lights… Camera… Revolution!” But then the Grammy went to Metallica’s ‘Stone Cold Crazy.’ [Laughs] Yeah, I remember that! I think that was soon after the Metallica /Jethro Tull thing. It’s kind of funny where the Grammys have gone. I remember the first rap category, it wasn’t televised and there was a big uproar about that and then nowadays, there’s like three rap categories or more are on there and that are televised. It’s funny to see how it’s turned. It’s unfortunate that the metal one isn’t going to be televised though. Well, yeah. Take out one of those other categories and you know give (a category to metal) because I always said this: heavy metal and hard rock — the fans are the most loyal fans that really attach themselves to a genre of music. It’s not a fickle form of music. You can tell a metalhead walking in the street, you can tell what they are all about and it’s a lifestyle, it’s a way of life. It’s funny how people go that route and it’s how other people don’t go that route. I always found it kind of fascinating how I grew up listening to the Beatles and yet when I was in my teens, I latched onto that style of music, but I always kept the Beatles as my main sort of influence. So looking back on it your first Grammy nomination in 1991, who do you think should have won? I think Metallica should have won it for their ‘Black Album’ in 1992. I don’t agree with ‘Stone Cold Crazy,’ but you know, it’s hard to say who should have won. Of course I’ve got to pick myself, but it did include Megadeth and Judas Priest in there as well, those are all albums that went on to have legendary status. But, you know, look at the Grammys back in the day. Did the Beatles ever win or did Led Zeppelin win a Grammy at that time? Fun facts: Led Zeppelin have never won a Grammy and were only nominated once for Best New Artist in 1970. However, Zeppelin were given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2005. The Beatles won only five Grammys from 21 nominations during their active career. In 1995, Anthrax’s collaboration with Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise,’ went up against Megadeth’s ’99 Ways to Die,’ Pantera’s ‘I’m Broken,’ the Rollins Band’s ‘Liar,’ and the band who won that year was Soundgarden for ‘Spoonman.’ Do you think you guys should have won that year? I think Anthrax and Public Enemy should have won that year, but the people would have said, “No, because that’s not heavy metal.” But isn’t that what the Grammys are all about? You know, kind of branching out, different forms of music combining, different art forms? Anthrax and Public Enemy should have won the Grammy that year. That was definitely a strong piece of metal history. So when it comes to 2013, I’ve read that you guys would “like to” release an album sometime next year. Are there any solid plans right now for a 2013 album? The only thing that we’re working on right now, as far as a record, are some B-sides and some cover songs that we’ve been really, really enjoying making. It’s been a while, but it’s just because the band has been busy doing shows and stuff like that. [We’re covering] a lot of classic rock songs that we’ve just ingested throughout the years and shaped a lot of us and the musicians that we came to be. There’s a song by Boston, there’s a Rush tune, there’s a Cheap Trick tune, there’s a Thin Lizzy tune, there’s an AC/DC tune … We just said ‘F— it.’ These f—ing songs may be very popular, some of them may not be very popular, but we’re going to do it. That’s what we set out to do. So, this record will probably be out the beginning of the year. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-charlie-benante-2013-grammy-nomination-complete-shock/” title=”Charlie Benante on Grammy Nod: ‘It Was Just Complete Shock'” align=”center”]