Rick Diamond, Getty Images Might there be some new album progress in the Pearl Jam camp? Bassist Jeff Ament revealed that the group did recently meet with producer Brendan O’Brien, which may be a sign the band is ready to resume work on their long-awaited follow-up to the 2009 effort, ‘Backspacer.’ O’Brien has a lengthy history with Pearl Jam, lending his production and mixing talents to the ‘Vs.,’ ‘Vitalogy,’ ‘No Code’ and ‘Yield’ albums. He was solely focused on mixing for the ‘Binaural’ and ‘Riot Act’ discs, before resuming his production duties on ‘Backspacer.’ Several members of Pearl Jam, including Ament himself , have spoken in recent months that the group was “ halfway ” through the recording process of their new album. However, the band members also spent quite a bit of time apart in the latter portion of 2012 and beginning of 2013 with the idea that they would resume recording when the time felt right. Ament tells Rolling Stone , “There’s a lot of ideas kind of floating around right now. I mean, the cool thing about taking a year away from [Pearl Jam] is, you know, we could almost start from scratch and it wouldn’t really be that big of a deal, you know? I hope it comes out this year at some point.” However, if completing a Pearl Jam record doesn’t come to fruition this year, Ament says he’s prepared to continue with his side project RNDM. He adds, “We have another RNDM record ready. If RNDM’s my band for the next year, I’m stoked.” At present, RNDM are considering adding more tour dates and recording a bit more depending on how everyone’s schedules work out. Regardless of Pearl Jam’s progress on a new album, the group will be getting in some touring this year. The band has already announced a handful of dates around the world, with a special show planned for Chicago’s Wrigley Field in July. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-pearl-jam-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Pearl Jam Songs” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Megadeth are inching closer to a new record. In their latest online update, singer Dave Mustaine provides the news that mixing has begun on their forthcoming release. Though the band has yet to reveal any key details like an album title, artwork, track listing or release date, they have been diligent in keeping fans up to date on the progress of their new disc. The group has been working on their fourteenth collection at Vic’s Garage studio in San Marcos, California. Mustaine revealed in his brief posting , “Played guitar, sang and did some minor adjustments yesterday to songs one-four. Mixing has begun and you’ll have something soon to hear! I’m so pumped.” Mustaine’s posting follows another entry from bassist David Ellefson , who commented earlier last week , “Really some great, great songs taking shape at this point in the recording process. I told Dave [Mustaine] today that one of them totally reminded me of the earliest stuff back when we first met — fast, rippin’ and fully bringing the REAL old-school Megadeth sound!!!” The group has been working with producer Johnny K on the effort and expects to release it via a new record label later this year. Footage of the band in recording sessions can be seen below. For members of the band’s Cyber Army fan club, drummer Shawn Drover will be dropping in for a chat this Thursday night (Feb. 7) at 7PM ET. For details on the Megadeth Cyber Army, check here . Watch Megadeth in the Studio Watch Megadeth in the Studio [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-megadeth-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Megadeth Songs” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Dave Grohl has discussed his desire to bring the Sound City Players to stages around the world and having just completed a stellar show in Los Angeles, he’s revealed the next destination will be at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom Feb. 13. There are a few tweaks to the lineup from the Sundance Film Festival and Los Angeles shows, but Grohl and his Foo Fighters bandmates will be joined during the evening by Stevie Nicks , John Fogerty , Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick ‘s Rick Nielsen , Rage Against the Machine ‘s Brad Wilk, Nirvana ‘s Krist Novoselic , Fear’s Lee Ving, Queens of the Stone Age ‘s Alain Johannes and Masters of Reality’s Chris Goss. In a recent podcast interview with Nerdist.com , Grohl stated that he would like to bring shows to New York, London, Berlin, Sydney and the South by Southwest festival in Austin. However, at this point, the New York date is the only one that’s confirmed. Tickets for the New York show go on sale this coming Tuesday (Feb. 5) at 4PM ET. Get them via Ticketmaster here . Dave Grohl’s ‘Sound City’ movie is currently screening in select theaters and is also available for purchase online here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/dave-grohl-sound-city-documentary-cast-soundtrack-details/” title=”Next: See the ‘Sound City’ Film + Soundtrack Details” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Great news for Black Sabbath fans! The heavy metal icons have finished recording their new album, have started to plot their next world tour and as an added bonus, there is a positive update on guitarist Tony Iommi’s health. [ Loudwire ] – Exclusive: Bullet for My Valentine showcase the screams from their upcoming album ‘Temper Temper.’ [ Loudwire ] – Stone Sour reveal ‘House of Gold & Bones Part 2′ release date and offer details on the album’s first single. [ Loudwire ] – The championship round of the Loudwire Rock Bowl is here with Pantera taking on Metallica . Vote now! [ Loudwire ] – Soundgarden , Alice in Chains , Deftones and more to play 2013 Carolina Rebellion Festival. [ Loudwire ] – Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler dresses in drag for surprise return to ‘American Idol.’ [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose suffers setback in lawsuit against Activision. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Radiohead’s Thom Yorke DJs New York fashion event for Rag & Bone. [ Diffuser.fm ] – The Misfits share full album stream + announce in-store signings in New York City and New Jersey. [ Rock Music Report ]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Although Slayer have a way to go in recording their next album and there is no set timetable for when it may come out, guitarist Kerry King has stated that he is “very comfortable saying” that the record will see a 2013 release date. ‘That Metal Show’ host Eddie Trunk spoke with King at the 2013 NAMM convention and nabbed a comment from the legendary thrash guitarist. “We have two songs that we completed last May and just need mixing,” reveals King. “We have another that just needs vocals and leads and me and [drummer] Dave [Lombardo] are working on a complete new one that we haven’t demoed. The whole hold-up now that seems to happen with every album we do is that Rick Rubin wants to change distributors. So we’re left in limbo until he lands somewhere. Realistically we are without a deal, but we plan on staying with Rick. When that gets settled we will start recording. I’m very comfortable saying that it will be out this year.” King also commented on the health of guitarist Jeff Hanneman , who is still recovering from necrotizing fasciitis after suffering a spider bite. “Not to sound weird, but when you get off tour, you scatter. And [it’s not] because I hate him, I don’t talk to him because I had enough of him! I don’t even talk to [singer] Tom [Araya]. The only reason I talk to Dave is that we rehearse all the time. When I go off tour I just want to go chill and be Kerry, not Kerry King. From what I know he’s still trying to get basic in the game.” Hanneman has unfortunately not been able to contribute to the next Slayer record as of yet. “I have enough material on my own if need be, but I’m open,” King says. “If Jeff comes to the party with some new material, hell ya! I will play all the guitars. I’ve been playing all the guitars for years anyway, except for Jeff’s leads.” Check out Eddie Trunk’s full interview with Kerry King below. Slayer’s Kerry King Talks With Eddie Trunk ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-slayer-songs/” title=”10 Best Slayer Songs” align=”center”]
Epitaph As one of modern punk rock’s most prolific acts, Alkaline Trio have been constantly putting out music since the band came together in 1996. It feels like a strange knock to the skull to hear that Alkaline Trio will soon be releasing their ninth studio album, but the Trio have just released the first single, ‘I Wanna Be a Warhol,’ from their upcoming 2013 album. After what will likely be Alkaline Trio’s longest drought between 100-percent-new full-length albums, the band will release their yet-untitled ninth studio album this year. As a first strike from the upcoming disc, Alkaline Trio have just unleashed the song ‘I Wanna Be a Warhol’ along with a lyric video with a vintage biker theme. As a reference to famed artist Andy Warhol, the song parallels the need to be appreciated the way an art collector pines over and shows off a masterful painting. The track bares a classic Alkaline Trio sound reminiscent of ‘Good Mourning’ or ‘Crimson’ with a slight synth twist, containing lyrics such as, “ Give me a taste of your misery, let’s go / Won’t you please come play chemistry and sorrow / I can’t believe anything that you’re telling me, let’s go / The walls are closing in and melting nice and slow. ” Check out Alkaline Trio’s new song ‘I Wanna Be a Warhol’ and its accompanying lyric video below: Alkaline Trio, ‘I Wanna Be a Warhol’
Tim Whitby, Getty Images It’s official! Black Sabbath have completed recording their upcoming album , ’13.’ Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler announced the exciting news to Eddie Trunk in a video interview (seen below) at the NAMM convention, in addition to offering an update on guitarist Tony Iommi ‘s current battle with cancer. In the interview, Butler spoke all about all things Black Sabbath. “We’ve finished recording it,” reveals the bassist of the album. “Tony’s back in England putting down a couple of solos. Then we start mixing it in Febraury and it will be out in June. The provisional title is ’13? — unless we can come up with something more constructive. I’ve written most of the lyrics. Ozzy comes up with the titles and then gives me an inspiration to write the lyrics. I think we’ve got 16 songs and I’ve written 14 sets of lyrics.” Butler also updated fans on Black Sabbath’s touring plans. And guess what folks? They’re going all over the world! “We start at the end of April in New Zealand, then we go to Australia, then Japan,” begins the bassist. “June, we’ll be promoting the album, then July and August [is] USA. Then October is South America and Europe in November and December.” Black Sabbath were planning on touring extensively in 2012, but the lymphoma diagnosis of legendary riff master Tony Iommi stalled the heavy metal band’s plans. However, Butler has good news to spread about Iommi’s health. “[Tony]‘s doing well; he’s really responding well,” Butler assures. “He has to go and have his medication every six weeks. But yeah, he’s really coming along well; he’s really doing well.” As for who will be drumming with the band, that is still not determined. After original drummer Bill Ward left the outfit over contract disputes, Tommy Clufetos filled in for the few shows that Sabbath played last year. However, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk plays on the actual album. “We’re not sure yet; we don’t know. ‘Cause I think Brad’s got commitments with Rage Against the Machine. So it’ll probably be either Tommy or Brad, depending on their commitments.” So does that mean Rage Against the Machine might be touring in 2013, too? Fingers crossed! But getting back to Sabbath, if everything goes to plan, 2013 should be an incredible year! Watch Eddie Trunk Interview Geezer Butler [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-thankful-looking-forward-next-year/” title=”Next: Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi ‘Looking Forward’ to 2013″ align=”center”]