Jo Hale, Getty Images The Darkness ‘ reunion will continue beyond their ‘Hot Cakes’ album and guitarist Dan Hawkins says that fans shouldn’t expect too long of a turnaround before a new record arrives. The guitarist tells Billboard , “I think it’s important the next album comes out quickly. ‘ Hot Cakes ‘ has been a great introduction to let people know we’re back. Now we need to keep the output up, really.” To that end, Hawkins says the band members have already started looking head to the next release. He explains, “Every day we set up our little [portable] studio and start jotting down ideas. It’ll be out in 2014. This year we’ll be touring and writing, then early 2014 we’ll hopefully be recording it or continuing to write it and get it out later that year.” As for what he’s expecting, Hawkins says, “I think we want to get even more old school. We want to make it even more of a performance record. We just want to be really brave and try to do something as live as humanly possible, warts and all. We’ve lost a bit of that in music today. It’s time to get a bit of character in there, so we’ll be going for something as f—ing Route 1 as possible.” Hawkins says he doesn’t envision any of their past problems resurfacing, adding that the band members are “settling into a nice groove.” He adds, “The music is on 11, the gigs are on 11, but the drug intake is on, like, zero to one. That’s how it should be.” The group is currently on tour and will remain on the road in the U.S. through early February. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/dan-hawkins-of-the-darkness-dishes-on-owning-a-custom-guitar-crafted-for-the-legendary-jimmy-page/” title=”Next: The Darkness’ Dan Hawkins on Owning a Custom Made Jimmy Page Guitar” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Anthrax are still going strong on their ‘Worship Music’ album and will soon offer a new collection called ‘ Anthems ‘ that’s full of cover songs, but the thoughts of a new album have begun to enter the minds of the band’s members as well. Guitarist Scott Ian told Australia’s Loud magazine that while they haven’t officially started on anything yet, he does have an idea as to when they’ll begin. The guitarist explained, “There certainly are ideas. There’s stuff that we never finished from ‘Worship Music’ and some new stuff that we’ve been coming up with, but we haven’t actually gotten in a room yet to start arranging stuff. That’ll probably really start over the next few months and then certainly after August, cause that’s when we finish touring this year. After that we’ll be really focused on writing and getting back in the studio.” Ian says that with the group being a veteran band, there’s not too much worry when it comes to launching the creative process over again for a new record. He adds, “Everybody’s involved in arranging, coming up with melody ideas. Everybody is involved and everybody has a say. It’s a very democratic process. I guess that would be the best way to put it.” As for the band’s guitarist situation after the exit of Rob Caggiano , Ian says, “We’re not really thinking about it at all right now. [ Shadows Fall ‘s] Jon [Donais] is filling in for Rob and that’s about as much as we’re thinking about. We’ve known Jon for a long time. We’ve hung out with him a bunch over the years. I’ve actually worked with him before so, yeah, it kinda was a pretty easy decision to have him come and play with us.” Donais will be on board for the band’s Soundwave shows in Australia as well as their ‘ Metal Alliance ‘ North American trek. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-scott-ian-new-details-guitarist-rob-caggiano-departure/” title=”Next: Anthrax’s Scott Ian Details Rob Caggiano’s Departure” align=”center”]
Rogers & Cowan Twisted Sister ‘s Dee Snider was subject to a little skewering Thursday night (Jan. 24), but it was all for a good cause as the Revolver / Guitar World Rock & Roll Roast raised funds for the MusiCares organization. Snider sat upon his throne throughout the evening as a dais of rockers, comedians and actors each took their shots at the singer. Snider’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ pal Penn Jillette hosted the evening, which featured last year’s roastee Zakk Wylde , as well as Anthrax ‘s Scott Ian , Lita Ford , ‘That Metal Show’ co-hosts Eddie Trunk and Jim Florentine, Snider’s son Shane, and comedians Jim Norton and Craig Gass. Plus, actor Mark Metcalf was on hand to provide his salute, delivering his “Whaddya want to do with your life?” speech before introducing Snider and the panel. In addition, Alice Cooper , Lorenzo Lamas, Sebastian Bach , Donald Trump, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Steel Panther , Brande Roderick, Chris Jericho and Gene Simmons all sent in video tributes. Jillette opened the night citing the “motley crew” that made up the dais, before apologizing to Snider for mentioning “a real rock and roll band.” Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian had perhaps the line of the night, telling the audience, “Twisted Sister tribute bands don’t exist because no one wants to play the same two songs over and over.” Gass also provided a zinger, stating, “Somewhere in America, there’s a county fair with an empty stage.” Alice Cooper, appearing via a video tribute, took his own jab at Snider, congratulating him on his “regionally successful music career,” while Lita Ford showed her concern for Snider telling him she hoped that menopause hadn’t affected his singing voice. The Twisted Sister frontman wasn’t the only target however, as Zakk Wylde told the singer’s son Shane he was worried about his future, adding, “Those are some big gay shoes to fill.” Florentine singled out another rocker, explaining “I thought Scott Ian came to my house, but it was a garden gnome.” And Norton offered up a dig at Ford, stating, “You can tell Lita is a Ford because no one has wanted to get inside her since the early ’80s.” Snider, however, had some revenge at the end of the night, targeting Jim Norton with one of his best barbs. The rocker joked, “Jim Norton’s career is going so poorly, he’s opening for my son, Shane.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/bret-michaels-and-dee-snider-return-for-all-star-celebrity-apprentice/” title=”Next: Dee Snider to Return for ‘Celebrity Apprentice'” align=”center”]
Frontiers Records Sebastian Bach has been putting together a new live document from his recent touring, showing off his prowess on the concert stage. ‘ABachalypse Now’ is a CD/DVD package that’s expected to arrive March 22 in Europe and four days later (March 26) in North America. The ‘ABachalypse Now’ package comes in two configurations — a standalone DVD and the Ultimate CD/DVD Edition. The latter platform offers two CDs full of live music, plus a DVD featuring never-before-seen footage from this past year’s Graspop Festival in Belgium, the entire performance of Bach’s Hellfest set in France and a fully-remixed and remastered show from Los Angeles’ Club Nokia. In addition, the DVD also comes with three bonus music videos. The singer says of the effort , “I am so excited for all of you to witness and experience ‘ABachalypse Now.’ We have included three recent concerts and the footage is totally kickass! It’s remixed and remastered for full audio and video quality. The performances and energy of the crowds are killer throughout the DVD and you really feel like you are at the shows. Prepare yourselves for the coming ABachalypse – now!” All of the footage comes from Bach’s promotion of his latest solo album, ‘Kicking & Screaming.’ Sebastian Bach’s ‘ABachalypse Now’ Track Listing: DVD: 1. Live at Hellfest, France 2. Live at Nokia, Los Angeles 3. Live at Graspop, Belgium 4. Bonus Music Videos: ‘Kicking & Screaming,’ ‘TunnelVision,’ ‘I’m Alive’ CD1: ‘Live at Hellfest, France — June 16, 2012 1. ‘Slave to the Grind’ 2. ‘Kicking & Screaming’ 3. ‘Here I Am’ 4. ‘Big Guns’ 5. ‘Piece of Me’ 6. ’18 & Life’ 7. ‘American Metalhead’ 8. ‘Monkey Business’ 9. ‘I Remember You’ 10. ‘Youth Gone Wild’ CD2: ‘Live at Nokia, Los Angeles — Aug. 2, 2012 1. ‘Big Guns’ 2. ‘(Love Is) A Bitchslap’ 3. ‘Piece of Me’ 4. ’18 & Life’ 5. ‘American Metalhead’ 6. ‘Monkey Business’ 7. I Remember You’ 8. ‘TunnelVision’ 9. ‘Youth Gone Wild’ Live at Graspop, Belgium — June 24, 2012 1. ‘Kicking & Screaming’ 2. ‘Dirty Power’ 3. ‘Here I Am’ 4. ‘Big Guns’ 5. ’18 & Life’ 6. ‘American Metalhead’ 7. ‘Monkey Business’ 8. ‘I Remember You’ 9. ‘TunnelVision’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/sebastian-bach-jeff-george-new-guitarist/” title=”Next: Sebastian Bach Selects New Guitarist Jeff George” align=”center”]
Robert Cianflone, Getty Images – Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler dishes on the band’s ’13′ album and their tour plans. [ Loudwire ] – Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted goes in depth about his current self-titled band’s ‘Metal’ EP and James Hetfield ‘s influence in our new interview. [ Loudwire ] – Alice in Chains and Limp Bizkit have signed on to headline the 2013 Welcome to Rockville festival. [ Loudwire ] – Headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers lead the rock representation at the 2013 Coachella festival. [ Loudwire ] – It’s time to turn up the heat with the 15 Sexiest Rock Music Videos. [ Loudwire ] – Geoff Tate has revealed a few changes in his Queensryche lineup. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Tom Petty has enjoyed an outstanding career. Check out some of his best work with Ultimate Classic Rock’s 10 Best Tom Petty Songs. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Iggy and the Stooges are set tot return with a new album ‘Ready to Die.’ [ Diffuser.fm ] – You know them! You love them! And you can likely pick them out the moment they open their mouth. Check out Diffuser.fm’s list of the 10 Most Distinctive Voices in Rock. [ Diffuser.fm ]
Roadrunner The upcoming sixth album from Killswitch Engage can certainly claim the distinction of “highly anticipated.” It was recently revealed that the disc will be titled ‘Disarm the Descent’ and be released on April 2, but another piece of the puzzle has been released in the form of the album’s cover art (pictured here). ‘Disarm the Descent’ will be Killswitch Engage’s first album in 11 years that features returning vocalist Jesse Leach , the singer having left the metal act shortly after their 2002 full-length ‘Alive or Just Breathing.’ Since Leach’s triumphant return to the band at the 2012 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, the revamped Killswitch have proven themselves as a solid live act, but now fans will get to hear Leach’s studio work on ‘Disarm the Descent.’ The cover art for the upcoming album was designed by Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D’Antonio, which depicts a veiled female figure with flames coming out of her chest. The artwork is stunning and harnesses a gritty a scratched up style fitting of the group’s sound. “To me, this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam’s guidance and faith in my abilities,” Jesse Leach says about the new album. “I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for Killswitch Engage.” Stay tuned for more news on Killswitch Engage’s upcoming sixth album. ‘Disarm The Descent’ Track Listing: ‘The Hell In Me’ ‘Beyond the Flames’ ‘New Awakening’ ‘In Due Time’ ‘A Tribute to the Fallen’ ‘The Turning Point’ ‘All That We Have’ ‘You Don’t Bleed for Me’ ‘The Call’ ‘No End in Sight’ ‘Always’ ‘Time Will Not Remain’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/killswitch-engage-the-end-of-heartache-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Killswitch Engage – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images The world of metal seems to constantly house some strange stories. Although the real stories are often more inconceivable than the fake ones, wrestler Hulk Hogan has finally given a statement about the rumor that he was once asked by drummer Lars Ulrich to become Metallica ‘s bassist. Early last year, Hogan claimed that he was at one point a serious candidate to play bass for the iconic band. “I used to be a session musician before I was a wrestler,” Hogan states. “I played bass guitar. I was big pals with Lars Ulrich and he asked me if I wanted to play bass with Metallica in their early days but it didn’t work out.” Soon after, during an appearance on the Howard Stern Show, Ulrich claimed to have no recollection of asking Hulk to join the band. “That one, when that showed up two or three months ago, I was scratching my head over that one,” states the drummer. “I don’t know Hulk Hogan, I don’t know enough about him… I’m not a huge wrestling [fan]… I certainly have no recollection of doing anything with quote Hulk Hogan endquote.” Almost a year after Hogan’s initial statement, the wrestling legend cleared the air during an interview with Kerrang! : That has rumor has been turned and twisted and thrown in so many different directions — that I auditioned and that I lied and that I never auditioned and they weren’t interested. The truth is I played music for many years before I ever got into wrestling, and when I heard Metallica was looking for a bass player, I would have quit wrestling like that [snaps fingers] to get into Metallica. When I heard they were looking for a bass player, I got my tapes together from the old band, got a couple of tapes together that Simon Cowell produced with me — Green Jelly, and I did an old Gary Glitter song, ‘Leader Of The Gang’, with Simon, back in the day, before he got his break with all the wrestling music and became a huge monster. But I got all that stuff together to send it to Metallica and never heard a word. So they never responded to me. They either thought I was a joke or they thought it was a joke, and it wasn’t me, or I was no good, but I never heard back from them … I tried — but I never did audition for Metallica. I wish I would have. But the bass player they got was so good. My God! Case closed? Check out video of Hulk Hogan talking about Metallica in the new interview with Kerrang! in the clip below: Hulk Hogan Talks to Kerrang! [button href=”http://loudwire.com/top-wrestling-entrance-themes/” title=”Top 10 Wrestling Entrance Themes” align=”center”]