Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Ever since a gruesome bus crash caused the career of Georgian eclectic collective Baroness to come to a screeching halt, the band has been healing in a multitude of ways. Frontman John Baizley severely broke his left arm and leg, drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni suffered fractured vertebrae, while guitarist Pete Adams was treated for more minor injuries. Despite the horrific pause in the timeline of Baroness, Baizley has written yet another uplifting entry on his health, along with video footage of ‘Stretchmarker’ from their 2012 double album, ‘Yellow & Green,’ played acoustically. Two months after the August bus crash in England, we had the honor to facilitate the very first interview with John Baizley since the accident. Within the hour-long discussion, Baizley opened up about his injuries, the slow recovery process and even how the wreck affected his life as a father. Now, Baizley has released another update, which can be simply described as remarkably inspirational: Simply put: it’s time to get back to it. Since my belated and thankful return to the USA (after our painful test in motor coach-aeronautics) I can definitively say I’ve exhausted my reserve of potential leisure activities (there’s not that many of them, after all). I’ve come dreadfully close to boredom, and in those moments I can’t help but focus on my glaring physical infirmities. Television offers little respite from this relative stasis; I’m sure by now I have sampled every biker-meth-dealer-zombie-low-talking-cop-crime-scene-serial-killer-real-housewife soap opera that is currently being broadcast (and there’s no small number of them). I’ve tried to fill my weekly routine with as much physical therapy as possible but the truth is, PT is not fun, and its benefits come with a great deal of mental/physical/spiritual pain and struggle. Furthermore, I believe I am getting a touch of Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to my doctors and therapists (the highlight of my week should NOT involve a clinic). Music might be the best therapy I have right now. Perhaps it’s both the cause and the cure (the thought has crossed my mind); but I feel lost without it. Pete and I have just spent a long week surveying our musical wreckage and, surprisingly, we are quite well and intact. Sure, there are some substantial obstacles to overcome before we write, record or perform any time soon; but we still have everything we need to get ‘back in’ that particular ’saddle again.’ Most of my peers are familiar with such high-school-gym-teacher poeticisms as ‘risk equals reward’ and ‘no pain, no gain;’ but did any of us every really believe there was any real wisdom in those adolescent platitudes? I didn’t. I am, however, starting to understand the essence of these and many of our other favorite clichés. As odd as it might be for me to write these ‘updates’ after 10 years of personal silence on the internet, I feel that I owe everyone who’s voiced or given their support to Baroness a brief synopsis of our situation and more importantly a heartfelt thanks. Honestly, it has made this ordeal much easier on me. What little publicity that surrounds our crash has given voice to so many people who have shared their own stories of injury, trauma and struggle with us, and has furthered my own faith in the communicative and universal strength of music. As every singer on every stage has nightly said, ‘we wouldn’t be where we are without you.’ Thanks everyone. We look forward to seeing you soon. Here’s a short clip of a song we wrote.” Check out John Baizley and Pete Adams performing an acoustic cover of ‘Stretchmarker.’ Baroness, ‘Stretchmarker’ (Acoustic Jam) [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-of-2012/” title=”Baroness – Best Rock Albums of 2012″ align=”center”]
Metal Blade Swedish ambient heavy metallers Ghost have just released their first offering from their upcoming sophomore album. This offering comes in the form of a new song titled ‘Secular Haze.’ Even better, Ghost are giving it away for free. If ‘Secular Haze’ is any indication of what the band’s highly anticipated 2013 album will provide our ears, we’ve got something great to look forward to next year. For those who are unaware of Ghost, the band consists of five nameless ghouls draped in pious robes and masks, while the collective’s singer dons the exterior of an evil Pope. Ghost’s vocalist, Papa Emeritus, is the only member given a name, although he now goes by Papa Emeritus II, perhaps to signify the proceedings of a second album. Ghost’s debut album, ‘Opus Eponymous,’ received an incredibly positive response from critics and metal / rock fans, mostly due to its originality, atmosphere and strong composition. Be sure to keep your ears tuned to Ghost throughout 2013, as they could certainly be one of the year’s most important breakout acts. To download ‘Secular Haze’ for free, head on over to Ghost’s official website and type in your email. Also, see below to check out ‘Secular Haze’ performed live to take in both the sonic and visual elements of that which is Ghost. Ghost, ‘Secular Haze’ (Live)
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Japanese metallers Dir En Grey released their latest album ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ in 2011, but vocalist Kyo had throat problems that caused them to cancel a U.S. tour supporting that album earlier this year. However, he has recovered and the band has issued a new single called ‘Rinkaku’ (listen below). The single will be officially released on Wednesday (Dec. 19). It will include ‘Rinkaku,’ a new version of ‘Kiri to Mayu’ (originally released on their 1997 debut EP ‘Missa’) and a remix of ‘Rinkaku’ by Akira Yamaoka, known for his sound design work on the horror game series ‘Silent Hill.’ A couple of other versions will also be available. The limited edition will feature a bonus DVD featuring scenes from the recording of ‘Rinkaku’. There’s also a limited order-only deluxe version that includes the single along with a DVD that has an entire concert that was recorded in November of 2011 in Tokyo along with the behind the scenes footage from the ‘Rinkaku’ recording. In a description on the band’s website, the song is described as a departure for the band in terms of its sound. It reads as follows: “The track is unlike anything you have heard before, almost overturning the band’s musical concept on a new scale, coming in with a range full of depth with Kyo’s vocals that evoke classical elements in this beautiful and intricate melodic track which builds up dramatically with the intertwining guitars and bass.” Dir En Grey are known for their loyal fan base, and have been nominated in the Most Devoted Fans category in the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards . Listen to Dir En Grey – ‘Rinkaku’
RCA Bullet for My Valentine have been gifting fans with new offerings from their upcoming 2013 album, ‘Temper, Temper.’ Although the album won’t see the light of day until Feb. 12, Bullet for My Valentine have released a second song from ‘Temper, Temper’ to ease your anxious shakes. To keep the anticipation buzzing for their fourth studio album, Bullet for My Valentine have released the record’s title track, a video to go along with it and an exclusive peek into the recording process of the album. Now, Bullet for My Valentine are unleashing ‘Riot’ as the new single from the forthcoming album. Bullet fans will encounter a familiar brand with ‘Riot,’ which blends radio-friendly metal with some impressive soloing. In both ‘Riot’ and the album’s title track, the sound is very fluid, which makes a great deal of sense when considering frontman Matt Tuck’s description of how the band recorded ‘Temper, Temper.’ “We approached the record a lot differently this time around,” explains Tuck. “It was kind of more inspired by the way I did the AxeWound record. And that was basically: Get in the studio and write and record as you went along.” Lend your ears to Bullet for My Valentine’s newest track, ‘Riot,’ via the player below. Bullet for My Valentine, ‘Riot’
Robert John Kley, Century Media It’s been a breakout year for In This Moment , thanks in large part to the single ‘Blood,’ the Top 10 hit from their 2012 album of the same name. As the year winds down, In This Moment are giving fans an extra treat as they’re offering a double-disc version of the album ‘Blood’ with several remixes exclusively via Hot Topic outlets. Loudwire is happy to team up with the band to premiere the Sluggo remix of their ‘Blood’ single (listen below). Sluggo’s knob-twiddling skills give the song an extra boost without diverting too far away from singer Maria Brink’s original vocal tracks. Rather, the remixed version adds some extra attitude to the track by delivering some jarring, industrial dubstep beats to the song. The Hot Topic two-disc release features the original studio version of the ‘Blood’ album on the first disc, and a selection of remixes on the bonus disc. In addition to the Sluggo remix of ‘Blood,’ the bonus disc also boasts a Mr. Kane remix of ‘Adrenalize,’ Nikka Bling’s remix of ‘Whore’ and a Mitch Marlow remix of ‘The Blood Legion.’ Plus, for good measure, In This Moment provide an intriguing cover of Nine Inch Nails ‘ classic ‘Closer’ on the extra disc. In This Moment recently wrapped their 2012 touring, sharing the stage with Halestorm and Eve to Adam on a late fall trek. Meanwhile, frontwoman Maria Brink has been nominated for Rock Goddess of the Year in our very own 2012 Loudwire Music Awards. The special two-disc set of In This Moment’s ‘Blood’ album will be available at Hot Topic outlets beginning tomorrow, Dec. 18. Listen to In This Moment’s ‘Blood’ (Sluggo Remix) [button href=”http://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-blood-exclusive-video-premiere/” title=”Next: Watch In This Moment’s ‘Blood’ Music Video” align=”center”]
JSR Direct Cannibal Corpse have been delivering death metal to the masses since 1988, which means that 2013 will mark the band’s 25th anniversary. The group just wrapped up their 2012 activity by completing the ‘Torture Tour’ last week and now will focus on celebrating a quarter century as a band next year. In addition to the year-ending ‘Torture Tour,’ the band spent 2012 on the road as part of the Summer Slaughter trek while promoting their ‘Torture’ album. The band’s 12th studio album arrived back in March and they’ll continue promoting the disc into 2013. With the 25th anniversary upon them, the band just issued a Facebook update discussing the newly created merchandise items that will feature logos marking the occasion. The posting reads as follows: Next year marks our 25th year as a band and we are going to celebrate it all year long! Keep an eye out for special releases, new merch designs and announcements! For now you can check out our 25th anniversary logo which will appear as a sleeve print on all our merch printed in 2013, you can pre order shirts with this print NOW along with our 2013 CALENDAR that features the uncensored Vince Locke art from our 12 releases and marks all of our release dates, birthdays, our favorite horror film release dates and more! Everything can be found here . We never would have made it 25 years without all you die hard fans, get your horns up and blast your Corpse records all year! Expect to hear more about Cannibal Corpse’s 2013 25th anniversary plans in the coming weeks. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-paul-mazurkiewicz-discusses-torture-the-evolution-of-the-band-more/” title=”Next: Paul Mazurkiewicz Discuses Cannibal Corpse’s Evolution” align=”center”]
Photo by Chris Konigsmayr Papa Roach are definitely as hot as ever and audiences get a glimpse of that with the band’s latest video for ‘Where Did The Angels Go.’ The song is the latest single off the group’s ‘ The Connection ‘ album and you can definitely feel the sparks flying. The video finds the band performing inside what appears to be a rundown industrial warehouse, though the artwork for ‘The Connection’ hangs suspiciously in the background. The group deliver a high-adrenaline performance of the song as the camera work uses quick cuts, shaky movement and bright and dark lighting to give the video a more jarring feel. The final effect is the usage of sparks flying and fire breaking out on certain instruments that show exactly how hot this performance is. ‘Where Did the Angels Go’ is off to a solid start for the band and it’s currently doing battle in Loudwire’s Cage Match . The song should become one of the band’s live favorites. The group has been enjoying a European tour with Stone Sour over the last month, giving them their first chance to test out the music from their new album since Jacoby Shaddix’s vocal surgery this summer. Papa Roach and Stone Sour will return to the States early next year for a co-headlining North American tour. Watch Papa Roach’s ‘Where Did the Angels Go’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/papa-roach-jacoby-shaddix-post-surgery-vocal-performances-im-slaying-it/” title=”Next: Jacoby Shaddix ‘Slaying It’ Post-Vocal Surgery” align=”center”]