Epochal Artists, EMI / Halestorm Official Site Trapt definitely brought some serious competition to the Cage Match with their track ‘Bring It,’ as they beat out Buckcherry’s ‘Gluttony’ over the weekend. But will they be able to do it again as they face today’s heavy hitters? Halestorm heat things up with their new single ‘Freak Like Me’ off of their latest album, ‘The Strange Case Of…’ The band is nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for ‘Love Bites (So Do I),’ and also have a few shows at the end of January and European festival gigs scheduled for March. Go here for a full list of dates. So will the “freaks” come out to support Halestorm or will Trapt fans ‘Bring It’ for another win? Get in on the action and vote for your favorite track in the poll below! (This Cage Match will run until Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8AM ET. Fans can vote once per hour! So come back and vote often to make sure your favorite song wins!) Listen to Trapt, ‘Bring It’ Listen to Halestorm, ‘Freak Like Me’ Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. Email Me When Cage Match Winners Are Announced Enter your email address below to receive the Loudwire newsletter, which will include notification of the daily winner of the Cage Match, as well as our top stories of the day. Email Rules of Cage Match: Fans can vote once per hour for their favorite song. If a song remains the reigning champ for five straight cage matches, it is retired to the Loudwire Cage Match Hall of Fame. With so many great songs out there, we have to give other bands a chance!
Facebook: Alter Bridge After recently announcing that they would be releasing their fourth album in 2013, the members of Alter Bridge have now started working on the new disc. On Friday (Jan. 4), the band posted the picture on the left of guitarist Mark Tremonti and singer Myles Kennedy in the studio on Facebook with the caption “It begins today.” And today (Jan. 7), they stated, “Writing on ‘AB4′ has begun. Very productive sessions so far!” The band will try to get in as much work as possible over the next couple of weeks, as both Tremonti and Kennedy will be out on the road very shortly. Tremonti is heading out with his solo band for a tour of Europe and the United States in February and March, as his latest single ‘Wish You Well’ starts to heat up rock radio. Meanwhile, Kennedy will be out on the road with Slash in Europe starting Jan. 31. See the dates here . The upcoming Alter Bridge album will be the follow-up to 2010′s ‘ABIII,’ which yielded the hit singles ‘Isolation’ and ‘Ghost of Days Gone By.’ Tremonti is also working on a new album with Creed . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/alter-bridge-new-album-world-tour-2013/” title=”Next: Alter Bridge Reveal New Album + Tour Plans” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Lit have had one heck of a journey as a band, releasing their fifth studio album, ‘The View From The Bottom,’ last year after an eight year break. They were also recently part of 2012’s ShipRocked Cruise, which featured numerous talented acts on a boat sailing from Florida to the Bahamas and back. While on the cruise, we had the chance to chat with frontman A. Jay Popoff about the new how, how the tragic death of their drummer Allen Shellenberger affected the band, as well as future plans for Lit and much more. Lit have endured numerous hardships as a band; how has that made you stronger individually and as a group? It definitely changed perspective on the big picture. This band has always been a brotherhood, you hear any band say that but our band literally grew up together. To lose a brother, it’s hard enough not only when you’re best friends and you’re partners in something like Lit – it’s our business and our life, it’s like losing a limb. It definitely brought the rest of us together — Kevin [Baldes] and Jeremy [Popoff] and I –and [we] pulled some deeper, sentimental songs when we wrote ‘The View From The Bottom.’ There are songs that are therapeutic for us. Lyrics have always been important to us but it’s a little less about the partying and drinking – we have those songs on here but it’s more about, just life. What does the title ‘The View From the Bottom’ specifically mean to you? It was an image that came to us more than what it actually says. On the cover, it’s us raising our glasses and it’s sort of like this new beginning in a way and we have a song called ‘Here’s To Us’ – this whole record is all about family and unity and that’s just the toast. ‘The View From the Bottom’ is looking up at the bottom of a glass. It was great seeing you onstage [during your ShipRocked set]. You guys have been away for a while – what did you guys miss most about playing shows and touring? That was the part we missed the most – getting out there. We did continue to do occasional one off shows, it was just enough to keep us going but really getting out on the road over the summer was awesome – just everyday waking up on the tour bus, hanging out after. You have nowhere else to go except back on the bus so it’s cool to hang out with people and reconnect with fans, new fans that were too young to come out to the shows before –we’re meeting a lot of those people and now they’re old enough to drink, so a lot of raising glasses with new people. What made you guys decide to write and create music again? Nathan Walker, our drummer now, he was really close with Allen [Shellenberger], it was when we decided to induct him into the group — I don’t know it was weird, everything just lined up and that’s when songs started to flow. We continued to write because we’re songwriters outside of the band, as well, but actual Lit music just wasn’t coming to us, everything we would right we’d be like “That’s not Lit.” My brother and I we do most of the writing and the songs just started feeling like Lit again and so we just went for it. Was there every a moment where you thought you and the rest of Lit might not ever make music together again or did you feel that it would take some time and happen naturally? We knew that we would always make music together because there really isn’t any other option. We’ve spent our entire lives doing this and it’s just what we are and we just have such a cool fanbase all over the world and constantly getting hit up by people who want new music. I just felt like we owed it to ourselves as a band, we owed it to the fans that have been so patient and we didn’t want to put out some half assed record just because it had taken so long. We wanted to deliver something that we’re proud of. What are plans for Lit in 2013? We’re planning on getting back out on the road and probably writing another record, too. We’re not going to sit around and wait, we’re feeling creative. The fire’s back and passion’s there and we just want to keep it going. Watch Lit’s Music Video for ‘The Broken’ ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/shiprocked-2012-korn-in-this-moment-p-o-d-more-day-2-recap-gallery/” title=”Check Out Photos of Lit Performing on 2012 ShipRocked Cruise” align=”center”]
Robert Cianfione, Getty Images It’s a new year and Dream Theater isn’t wasting any time getting back to work. Guitarist John Petrucci has checked in online with a photo update , showing off the band’s studio and suggesting that recording is about to commence with the caption, “Let the fun begin …” Petrucci, recently speaking with Metal Insider , revealed that the group was in the early phases of preparing for a new disc. He explained, “So far it’s not very developed at all. We’re scheduled to go into the studio in January … We have a handful of ideas we compiled while we were on the road, and we have those archived. And since I got back from the road, and have had some time off, I’ve been spending more time compiling, writing and demoing some things.” The guitarist said that there is a definite direction that’s in place for the new album and all of the details concerning players and studio time are locked in. While Petrucci was reluctant to talk about the specific direction, he did add that he prefers not to wing it when heading into the studio. He explained that the band members have met and everyone is on the same page and in the right headspace toward achieving their common musical goal. As for Mike Mangini, the drummer who took over for Mike Portnoy with the band’s last album, Petrucci says this will be the first time he would be included in the writing process. “He going to be in from day one, so we’ll write together as a full group,” says the guitarist. “The tapes that we have from doing that a bit on the road have been incredible. At soundcheck, if I’d come in with an idea and we’d start jamming on it, he was really quick and had great creative concepts. I think it’s going to be a very cool experience.” Facebook: John Petrucci [button href=”http://loudwire.com/dream-theater-two-night-dvd-shoot-buenos-aires/” title=”Next: Dream Theater Shoot Buenos Aires Shows for DVD” align=”center”]
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Machine Head ‘s Robb Flynn has plenty to get off his chest and he’s reviving his online diaries as his forum. Among the topics on his mind as part of his ‘ The General Journals: Diary of a Frontman … and Other Ramblings ‘ missive was his recent performance at the Mitch Lucker Memorial Show, honoring the late Suicide Silence frontman with an acoustic cover of Black Sabbath ‘s ‘Die Young.’ Flynn says the night was rife with emotion and he, as much as anyone, was nervous about what he would deliver to the event. The vocalist says, “Suicide Silence guitarist Mark Heylmun and I spent the previous night working on my acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Die Young.’ We soundchecked it twice with Scott on tremolo guitar; I was surprisingly nervous, maybe because it was the first time playing it live, maybe not being able to rely on my usual bravado/attitude/’roar’ was a bit daunting. It was 3 acoustics and a vocal, naked and all about the passion.” The frontman says he was surprised at the “amazingly good reception” he received and got a bit choked up toward the end of the song, but he was proud about nailing the high scream in the bridge. “It was weird though,” says Flynn. “The choking up made it more real. There was a lot of emotion in the air and people were moved. They felt something. We all did. I bet even Mitch did.” The performance can be seen in the video posted below. Flynn also used his online diary as a forum to discuss his most recent favorite albums — Stone Sour ‘s ‘House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 1′ and He Is Legend’s ‘It Hates You.’ Of Stone Sour, Flynn admits that he wasn’t that much of a fan in the past, but says he can’t stop listening to the new disc. “This new stuff is freakin’ ridiculously good,” says Flynn. “The production is massive, freaking MASSIVE! Jay Ruston did a fantastic job on the mix — great arrangements, great lyrics. ‘Absolute Zero’ is a stone cold monster rock tune.” Flynn also singled out ‘Taciturn’ and ‘Influence of a Drowsy God’ among his favorite cuts. As for He Is Legend, the Machine Head frontman says he just recently discovered the band’s music. He adds, “I haven’t been so blown away by a band in a long time, sort of like Alice in Chains meets ‘Diamond Eyes’-era Deftones , but released before Deftones made ‘Diamond Eyes.’ [They’ve got] insanely amazing rock vocals, super down-tuned guitars, cool ambient parts with some seriously legit metal guitar chops.” He counts ‘That’s Nasty’ and ‘China White III’ off the ‘It Hates You’ record as some of his top songs. For more of Flynn’s life and music musings, click here . Watch Robb Flynn’s Performance of ‘Die Young’ at the Mitch Lucker Memorial Concert [button href=”http://loudwire.com/machine-head-robb-flynn-struck-by-new-york-city-taxi-slams-all-that-remains-onstage/” title=”Next: Robb Flynn Struck By NYC Cab” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire My Darkest Days are down a member as they start to work on their next album. The band revealed via their social networks that guitarist Sal Costa (pictured at right above) is leaving the group after three years of growth and success. Costa joined My Darkest Days in 2009 and was part of their first two records — their self-titled 2010 release which spawned the breakout single ‘Porn Star Dancing’ and their 2012 follow-up, ‘Sick and Twisted Affair,’ which yielded the hit rock singles ‘Casual Sex’ and the title track. In addition to his lead guitar work, Costa also provided some vocals on the band’s songs. The band tweeted about Costa’s departure as well as their current progress on a new record. The tweets read as follows: Band Member Sal Costa is leaving My Darkest Days.The band is currently writing for their new album and it will be… fb.me/E0pNYEGf — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 Its Sad news and we wish him well. Thanks to all our fans and friends out there.and for those about to RockWe salute you!!Matt — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 Goin over the tracks for the next MDD album in 2013!!!…Wheres your HORNS at?!!! #MDDARMY We love ALL of YOU!!!!! — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 ‘Sick and Twisted Affair’ was a heavier effort than the band’s debut and Costa revealed that the group’s consistent touring with hard rock acts definitely played a role in the musical transformation. As the band begin writing for their third studio album, it is not known what direction the group is taking. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/my-darkest-days-sick-and-twisted-affair-video/” title=”Next: Watch My Darkest Days’ ‘Sick and Twisted Affair’ Video” align=”center”]
Leon Halip, Getty Images Everyone’s a critic, but some are a little more harsh than others. Still, that doesn’t mean an artist has to sit back and take it and Kid Rock had a few notes after receiving a fairly poor review of his Palm Beach show Dec. 30. The review, which ran in the Broward-Palm Beach New Times , began with sub-heading “Better Than: ‘Jock James: Volume 5′ before launching into a particularly harsh review that opened with, “It has been said that a jack-of-all-trades is a master of none. However, while someone like Dave Grohl feeds his children by disproving the aforementioned statement, Kid Rock has managed to spin a career out of what boils down to on-stage vivisections of the term.” While the writer offered up some objectivity, stating that Rock high-energy performance was professional and that his band consisted of top caliber players, he also commented, “Kid Rock’s songs simply are not very good.” He added, “The curious thing is that, despite it being fairly common knowledge that Kid Rock totally sucks, there was a full audience — with a minimum ticket price in the range of $60.” In response, Rock provided his own critique of the poor review. In a posting at his website , he called the critic “the biggest hater, jackass, miserable p—- critic on Earth.” He went on to add, “He is such a miserable p—- it makes me laugh to read how much he or she hates me, but has to admit everyone had a blast! He probably really enjoys Radiohead shows!! Haha. I bet if you ask anyone who was at the show, a good time was had by all!” Rock also added, “Happy New Year to all, and yes, ‘Let’s get s— faced!’ (I know this critic fails to believe that’s what most folks do on New Years!! IDIOT!). Hahaha. He is exactly the type of a–hole me and Sean Penn were making fun of in ‘ Americans .’” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/kid-rock-2013-rebel-soul-u-s-tour-dates-openers-buckcherry-hellbound-glory/” title=”Next: Kid Rock Announces 2013 ‘Rebel Soul’ Tour” align=”center”]