Sire Records H.I.M. are in the homestretch of getting together their follow-up to 2010′s ‘Screamworks’ album. Singer Ville Valo, who entered the studio with his band in September to begin working on a disc titled ‘Tears on Tape,’ says they’ve got a feel for the album that’s a blend of “melancholy” and “Motorhead.” Valo tells ARTISTdirect , “‘Tears on Tape’ is going to be really organic, straight-in-your-face, super melancholy bulls— [Laughs]. It’s going to be something nobody’s heard before. I’m really happy about it. It sounds great. Remember the soundtrack for ‘Twin Peaks’ that Angelo Badalamenti did? It’s got that similar forlorn, melancholy quality but mixed up with Motörhead . That’s where we’re at! We’re really happy. It’s got that dreamlike quality. It’s like Roy Orbison meeting Metallica .” As for the ‘Tears on Tape’ album title, Valo explains, “The point behind that is I grew up with music so music has been my safe haven in good and bad situations. Those tears that the artists put on tape are the ones that carry us on. The ‘Tape’ in the title is symbolic. It’s about the fact you actually put your heart out. When you pour your heart into whatever you’re doing, it’s valid. Nobody can take that away. It’s so tough to start writing. When you get the flow, it revitalizes you and gives you the opportunity to feel you do have the reason to exist.” While we wait for the new album, H.I.M. have a hits collection placeholder. ‘ XX: Two Decades of Love Metal ‘ arrives in stores this coming Tuesday (Nov. 6). The vocalist says of being able to put out a hits collection, “It makes us feel really f—ing old. [Laughs] At the end of the day, we’re proud of what we’ve done, and there’s an opportunity to do something like this. I belong to the Black Sabbath school that albums are albums. You have your bad tracks, you have your good tracks, you have your sentimental tracks, you have your heavy metal tracks. You have to have that yin and yang going on.” He goes on to add, “It’s a reminder that we do exist. I think that was the most important thing with the compilation, per se. Nine out of ten bands don’t get this far. I’m not talking about success. I’m talking about the fact [that] bands actually stay together. It’s a long time to be in a band and still appreciate everybody you’re playing the music with.” Look for the ‘XX’ hits collection next week, with the upcoming ‘Tears on Tape’ record tentatively expected sometime in 2013. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/h-i-m-right-here-in-my-arms-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: H.I.M. – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com In the wake of Suicide Silence singer Mitch Lucker’s death, his wife reveals he had been drinking before he left on his motorcycle. [ Loudwire ] It’s on! Rob Zombie vs. Ozzy Osbourne ! Vote for your favorite among the final two candidates of the President of Heavy Metal Election. [ Loudwire ] Black Veil Brides are going all out for their next album, even filming a movie based on the disc called ‘Legion of the Black.’ [ Loudwire ] Motley Crue ‘s Nikki Sixx turns to his fans for support while dealing with his grandfather’s cancer battle. [ Loudwire ] Nine Inch Nails ‘ Trent Reznor will see his music turn up on the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ soundtrack. [ Loudwire ] If you’re looking to add to your Metallica download collection, this week the band offers a 1992 performance from Los Angeles. [ Ultimate Metallica ] All That Remains are streaming their new album, ‘A War You Cannot Win,’ before next week’s release. [ Rock Music Report ] The Who ‘s Pete Townshend walked offstage during the band’s tour opening performance. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Aerosmith ‘s Steven Tyler ran afoul of censors, dropping the F-bomb during a Today Show broadcast. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Russia may have jailed members of Pussy Riot , but at least Jesus is in their corner. [ Diffuser.fm ]
Universal Steel Panther have just released the raucously riveting ‘British Invasion’ DVD, and they’re teaming with Loudwire to offer you the chance to win the Ultimate Steel Panther British Invasion Gift Pack. This collection of pure awesomeness comes with an autographed custom Kramer guitar, an autographed limited edition ‘British Invasion’ movie poster (only 50 were ever made), an autographed Steel Panther ‘British Invasion’ DVD, and a personal video greeting from the band. The group spent the last two years bringing along 16 HD cameras to film their world tour. The band began with their sold out show at London’s Brixton Academy in 2010 and also shot plenty of backstage and “on the road” material that made up the documentary that is part of the DVD release, as well. All of your favorite Steel Panther songs are on there, from ‘Asian Hooker’ and ‘Community Property’ to ‘The Shocker’ and ‘Stripper Girl.’ Plus, Corey Taylor makes a guest turn on ‘Girl From Oklahoma.’ We recently premiered the video footage of the band’s standout track ‘ Fat Girl ‘ from the ‘British Invasion’ DVD. The group is currently making their way around the globe with a world tour. Remaining dates for the trek can be found here . You can purchase the Steel Panther ‘British Invasion’ DVD here . But you also have the opportunity to win the Ultimate Steel Panther ‘British Invasion’ Gift Pack. All you have to do is enter your details in the contest box below: Ultimate Steel Panther ‘British Invasion’ Prize Pack Enter your e-mail address for a chance to win an autographed custom Kramer guitar, an autographed limited edition ‘British Invasion’ movie poster (only 50 were ever made), an autographed Steel Panther ‘British Invasion’ DVD, and a personal video greeting from the band. Contest ends Dec. 2, 2012. Click here for official rules . By entering this contest, you will receive email newsletters from Loudwire and be added to the Steel Panther mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time. Email
Victory Records Ill Nino are back and rocking as loud as ever with their latest album ‘Epidemia,’ and we’re happy to team with the band to offer you the chance to win an Ill Nino prize package. It consists of an autographed ‘Epidemia’ CD, an Ill Nino t-shirt, a bandana and a poster featuring the band members. Singer Cristian Machado recently told Loudwire about the disc, “The recording of ‘Epidemia’ was definitely an amazing experience. We’ve set the bar higher than ever before. I truly believe this record is one of Ill Niño’s best efforts. I really can’t wait for our fans to hear the new record. I know it will connect with many of them on a new level. I can definitely say it’s going to be a crusher but will not lack any of the beauty and passion that appears on our early records.” Machado recently stated that this was the time for the band to redefine Latin metal, while the band’s drummer Dave Chavarri spoke about how they dove deeper into Latin and tribal rhythms on this release. The group is off to a solid start with the single ‘La Epidemia’ and the new video for the track. The ‘Epidemia’ album is out now and can be purchased through Victory Records or iTunes online. But you can also possibly win the Ill Nino ‘Epidemia’ prize pack. All you need to do is simply enter your details in the contest box below: Ill Nino ‘Epidemia’ Prize Pack Enter your e-mail address and t-shirt size for a chance to win an autographed ‘Epidemia’ CD, an Ill Nino t-shirt, a bandana and a poster featuring the band members. Contest ends Dec. 2, 2012. Click here for official rules . By entering this contest, you will receive email newsletters from Loudwire and be added to the Ill Nino mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time. Email T-Shirt Size
Century Media The music world is in mourning the death of 28-year-old Suicide Silence singer Mitch Lucker, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in the early morning of Nov. 1 near Huntington Beach, Calif. His bandmates and his label, as well as fellow metal musicians, have offered up their statements and condolences on Lucker’s passing. The vocalist founded the extreme metal band in 2002 in Riverside, Calif., and Suicide Silence began to generate a buzz in 2007 with their debut disc, ‘The Cleansing.’ The band would go on to release five singles from that album, leaving a mark that they were around to stay. The group’s sophomore album, ‘No Time to Bleed,’ arrived in 2009, with ‘The Black Crown’ keeping the two-year cycle in 2011. In honor of Mitch Lucker and his band, we bring you a sampling of the Best Suicide Silence Songs: ‘Unanswered’ ‘Wake Up’ ‘Disengage’ ‘Bludgeoned’ ‘You Only Live Once’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/suicide-silence-frontman-mitch-lucker-killed-in-motorcycle-accident/” title=”Suicide Silence Frontman Mitch Lucker Killed in Motorcycle Accident” align=”center”]
Nuclear Blast Records Tracking a band’s progress throughout 10 studio albums is a long and complex process. The growth and change of a band, especially that of a cult phenomenon like Cradle of Filth , is forever branded within their many works, and without fail, shines the brightest of lights on an act’s strengths and weaknesses. Cradle of Filth, as a band, are growing to become more and more accessible as they continue to put out material. The British extreme metal band were shrouded in an eerie and dark fog during the ’90s, creating a mystique which brought legitimate fear to those who happened to hear the band or stumble across a Cradle of Filth album cover or t-shirt. The sound of the band added to that uneasy feeling, as Cradle of Filth continued to unleash a disturbing and sonically disgusting brand of gothic and extreme metal. Cradle of Filth was essentially a cult horror film in audio form, but once an increasing majority was coaxed to take a peek behind the scenes, some of the band’s most significant strengths began to fade. ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’ is distinctly a Cradle of Filth album, with vocalist Dani Filth once again presenting his incredible vocal range in prime form. Throughout the record, Dani continues to paint elaborate pictures with his words and vocal inflections with a depth of character that few singers can profess. His tea kettle-like highs remain in tact and his low gutturals, although used sparingly, remain powerful, but a masterful performance by Dani Filth isn’t enough to carry an album by itself. The guitar work and female vocal presence in ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’ leaves much to be desired, with too few memorable parts to create an addictive quality in that respect. The orchestration, which has always been essential to the band’s resonance, presents a beautiful and bewitching quality in stronger tracks such as ‘Illictus’ and ‘Manticore,’ but not a horrifying one. Composed solely by Cradle drummer Martin ‘Marthus’ Skaroupka, the orchestration is well-written and enchanting, although it seems a bit delicate at times and doesn’t contain the demonic presence of Cradle of Filth’s past works. As Dani Filth described during our recent interview with the singer, ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’ contains an evident dose of punk rock influence. Prevalent in tracks such as ‘For Your Vulgar Delectation’ and ‘Succumb to This,’ the newer influence creates a different type of progression for the band that excites on some level, but may prove to be polarizing amongst fans due to its approachable nature. In closing, although Cradle of Filth’s ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’ makes for a fine listen, it doesn’t quite deliver the trademark ‘edge’ accomplished so diligently in past efforts.
Columbia How to Destroy Angels is an experimental musical project featuring Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor , frequent NIN collaborator Atticus Ross, Nine Inch Nails’ longtime graphic designer Rob Sheridan, and Mariqueen Maandig, the incredibly beautiful (and talented) wife of Trent Reznor. The musical coalition has just released a music video for ‘Keep It Together,’ which showcases the band performing the song in the studio. How to Destroy Angels released their debut self-titled EP in 2010, with the group’s second EP, ‘An Omen EP,’ set for release on Nov. 13. ‘Keep it Together’ boasts droning electronic music filled with strategically placed nuances with tranquil vocal performances by both Reznor and Maandig, hitting a similar nerve struck by the duo of Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round within the music of Puscifer . With Reznor having taken a more independent approach to his musical career as of late, fans were surprised to learn that ‘An Omen EP’ was to be released via Columbia Records. “We’ve really spent a long time thinking about things and it makes sense for a lot of reasons, including a chance to work with our old friend Mark Williams,” explains Reznor. “There’s a much more granular and rambling answer I could give (and likely will in an interview someplace), but it really comes down to us experimenting and trying new things to see what best serves our needs. Complete independent releasing has its great points but also comes with shortcomings.” Check out the haunting new video for ‘Keep It Together’ by How to Destroy Angels. How to Destroy Angels, ‘Keep It Together’