Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Avenged Sevenfold are huge video game fans, so it was a no-brainer for the band when they were approached to do something special for the newly-released ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ game. Not only did they contribute the song ‘ Carry On ‘ to the soundtrack, the band — in their animated form — turn up at the end to perform the track with ‘Black Ops” two main characters. Singer M. Shadows told USA Today , “They said they wanted the song to be uplifting and they wanted it to add some levity to the game.” He adds, “[The game has] a very dark ending. They want you to have a certain feeling inside and they really wanted to have a feeling to uplift people at the end of the game and make you laugh.” The levity comes from the fact that the game’s longtime adversaries, Raul Menendez and Sgt. Frank Woods, manage to put aside their differences to join the band during the performance. Shadows explains, “‘Carry On’ was more like these guys coming together at the end and being buddies after they have pretty much killed each others’ families. I’m proud of it and I think it’s fun and it’s actually just really cool to be in a ‘Call of Duty’ game.” Of ‘Carry On,’ the vocalist says, “It was all about making a song that was up-tempo, something that had some cool little chord changes and key changes in there that gives the song a little bit of a life and we made it so the characters can rock out.” Shadows, an avid gamer, admits that having ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ out is a bit of a distraction, but he’s fully committed to wrapping up the band’s next studio album . He explains, “I write about eight hours a day, five days a week and then play games the rest of the night and hang out with my son. Fans don’t need to be worried that I am just playing ‘Call of Duty’ [all the time].” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-m-shadows-squashes-rumor-the-rev-cameo-call-of-duty-black-ops-2/” title=”Next: M. Shadows Discusses The Rev ‘Call of Duty’ Cameo Rumor” align=”center”]
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images Machine Head fans worldwide we certainly happy to hear that frontman Robb Flynn made it through his emergency hernia surgery with just a bad-ass scar, allowing Flynn to get back on the road for their current tour with Dethklok, All That Remains and The Black Dahlia Murder. Adding to the list of good news, Machine Head are planning to start writing their next album once the tour comes to an end. Guitarist Phil Demmel was recently interviewed by thenervousbreakdown.com , where he shared some details about the follow-up to Machine Head’s 2011 album, ‘Unto the Locust.’ “After this tour, we want to get in and start writing,” begins Demmel. “We’ve got a couple of things for next year, but for the most part we want to get in and hopefully start recording before the end of the year next year. Have we thought about directions or any of that? It hasn’t really been agreed upon yet. I think we’re just going to write like we have been.” He adds, “Our formula has been to just come up with something and see what happens. Nothing contrived, you know? That’s how [current hit] ‘Darkness Within’ happened, and that’s how a lot of the stuff on the last album happened, so we’ll just see how we progress. Robb took classical lessons before the last record, so I think it’s just going to be an amalgamation of everything we’ve learned so far. We keep evolving, and it’s not going to be ‘Blackening II’ and it’s not going to be ‘Unto the Locust II.’ I think it’s going to be our strongest record.” Demmel also shared his personal songwriting tricks. “I have a little recorder and I mouth riffs into it. Sitting around watching football and just noodling and recording little harmonies come up, and having them come together with these guys is an amazing process. When you write from the heart, it’s pure and it’s genuine and that’s how we’re going to do it. I won’t be in the band if that’s not going to be the case.” Check out the remaining dates for Machine Head’s current tour and click the button below to see the band on our 10 Best Metal Songs of 2012 list. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-metal-songs-of-2012/” title=”See the 10 Best Metal Songs of 2012″ align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com In this week’s edition of the Loudwire Top 20 Countdown, there’s a new No. 1. Congrats to Shinedown , who make a big move from No. 3 to No. 1, leapfrogging Soundgarden to take the top spot with ‘Enemies’ off their ‘Amaryllis’ album. Soundgarden’s ‘Been Away Too Long’ may have to wait a little longer for countdown supremacy now that they’ve been surpassed by Shinedown, but their current hit is holding strong at No. 2. Last week’s chart topper, Stone Sour ‘s ‘Absolute Zero,’ slips back down the charts to No. 3, but still remains a favorite song at radio. Guitar great Slash and his band, featuring Myles Kennedy , inch up one spot closer to the top of the charts, with ‘Standing in the Sun’ planting its flag in the No. 4 spot on this week’s countdown. Meanwhile, another former chart-topper, Three Days Grace ‘s ‘Chalk Outline,’ may no longer be comfy at No. 1, but their descent isn’t exactly a rapid one as the group slides down one more spot to No. 5 this week. Outside of the Top 5, Chevelle ‘s ‘Same Old Trip,’ Five Finger Death Punch ‘s ‘The Pride’ and 3 Doors Down ‘s ‘One Light’ all tied for the major mover of the week, scaling up three spots apiece to numbers 10, 11 and 15 respectively. On the down side, Deftones ‘ ‘Tempest’ takes the biggest tumble falling from No. 11 to No. 14 on the Loudwire Top 20 Countdown. Plus, we’ve got a new debut this week from Adelitas Way , as their latest single ‘Alive’ announces its presence. Check out the Top 20 songs below and be sure to tune in to Loudwire Radio with host Mike “Sandman” Sanders this weekend and turn it all the way up. Loudwire Radio Top 20 Songs of the Week: 20. Adelitas Way, ‘Alive’ 19. Nonpoint, ‘Left for You’ 18. Black Keys, ‘Little Black Submarines’ 17. Halestorm, ‘I Miss the Misery’ 16. Kid Rock, ‘Let’s Ride’ 15. 3 Doors Down, ‘One Light’ 14. Deftones, ‘Tempest’ 13. All That Remains, ‘Stand Up’ 12. Green Day, ‘Let Yourself Go’ 11. Five Finger Death Punch, ‘The Pride’ 10. Chevelle, ‘Same Old Trip’ 9. Linkin Park ‘Lost in the Echo’ 8. Volbeat ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ 7. Avenged Sevenfold, ‘Carry On’ 6. In This Moment, ‘Blood’ 5. Three Days Grace, ‘Chalk Outline’ 4. Slash, ‘Standing in the Sun’ 3. Stone Sour, ‘Absolute Zero’ 2. Soundgarden, ‘Been Away Too Long’ 1. Shinedown, ‘Enemies’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/loudwire-radio-station-list/” title=”See Which Stations Air Loudwire Radio” align=”center”]
Jeff Gross, Getty Images The members of Black Sabbath may not be the rock miscreants they were in their 20s, but Ozzy Osbourne is fine with that, as it’s brought the group back to what initially mattered to them in the first place — the music. Osbourne spoke with the New Zealand Herald about the differences between the Sabbath of old and what’s happening now and how age has brought some perspective. The vocalist says, “What’s different now is that none of us get drunk or stoned or any of that stuff. We’re all clean and all in control of ourselves. We’re not intimidated by each other. There are no arguments, and it’s the way [that] it should be. But when we were kids, we had egos. When you’re 21 and you get some success it takes a while to get your head around it.” Osbourne explains that the egos, the spoils of success, the alcohol and drugs, the groupies and everything else that comes with being in a successful rock band is hard enough for just one person to deal with, but having survived all that, he’s happy to be rocking again with his longtime friends. “We’ve done it all,” says Osbourne. “So what it boils down to now is the music — and that’s what got us where we are in the first place. We have come through the other side, we’re still able to work together, and that’s where the enjoyment comes from. It’s been a lot of fun making this record.” The singer says, “It’s been more than 30 years since I really worked seriously with the guys. We had a try a few years back but nothing really came of it. But for some reason the timing is right and we’ve done about 15 songs.” At present, the band is eying an April 2013 release for their new studio album. Osbourne concludes, “Black Sabbath is very unique in the respect that nothing is formulated. It’s very unpredictable. I just hope the people who have waited all these years aren’t disappointed.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-continue-recording-new-album-reveal-vinyl-box-set-details/” title=”Next: Black Sabbath Detail Vinyl Box Set” align=”center”]
Hatebreed ‘s new album, ‘ The Divinity of Purpose ,’ will be released Jan. 25 in Europe and Jan. 29 in the United States, and now the band has announced a headlining U.S. tour kicking off in late January. Joining Hatebreed on the 2013 trek that kicks off Jan. 26 in Flint, Mich., are Shadows Fall , Dying Fetus and the Contortionist . VIP packages and pre-sale tickets will be available tomorrow (Nov. 29) beginning at 1PM ET at this location . Hatebreed guitarist Frank Novinec says, “Don’t miss our first tour in support of our new album ‘The Divinity of Purpose.’ A variety of songs from our 6+ album career (new and old) and our trademark different set lists every night is what everyone can expect.” The Feb. 1 show in Los Angeles will be a special record release signing and concert event. Tickets purchased for the show at the Roxy will include a copy of ‘The Divinity of Purpose’ along with access to a special meet n’ greet/signing with the band which will take place at 5PM at Soundcheck Hollywood (located at 8872 West Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles). Before kicking off the North American tour next January, Hatebreed will play two Stillborn Fest shows in December then head to Europe in January 2013 where they will headline the EMP Persistence Tour. Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Dying Fetus and the Contortionist Tour Dates 1/26/13 – Flint, Mich. – Machine Shop 1/27/13 – Joilet, Ill. – Mojoes 1/28/13 – Omaha, Neb. – Sokol Auditorium 1/30/13 – Grand Junction, Colo. – Mesa Theater 1/31/13 – Flagstaff, Ariz. – Orpheum Theater 2/1/13 – Los Angeles, Calif. – Roxy 2/2/13 – Chico, Calif. – Senator Theater 2/3/13 – Reno, Nev. – Knitting Factory 2/5/13 – Colorado Springs, Colo. – Black Sheep 2/6/13 – Wichita, Kan. – Cotillion 2/7/13 – Sauget, Ill. – Pop’s 2/8/13 – Lexington, Ky. – Busters 2/9/13 – Nashville, Tenn. – Marathon Music Works 2/11/13 – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Revolution 2/12/13 – Jacksonville, Fla. – Freebird Live 2/13/13 – Jacksonville, N.C. – Hooligans 2/14/13 – West Springfield, Va. – Empire 2/15/13 – Allentown, Pa. – Crocodile Rock 2/16/13 – Syracuse, N.Y. – Westcott Theater 2/17/13 – Amityville, N.Y. – Revolution
MJ Kim, Getty Images – Scott Weiland is confident he will reunite with Velvet Revolver . [ Loudwire ] – AC/DC ‘s ‘Back in Black’ leads the list of inductees into the Grammy Hall of Fame. [ Loudwire ] – Machine Head ‘s Robb Flynn is ready for action after his recent hernia surgery and announces the band’s tour return date. [ Loudwire ] – Green Day will give fans a preview of their upcoming ‘Quatro’ documentary in a highlights special to run over the next month. [ Loudwire ] – Are you ready for Black Friday? Listen to this list of songs to blast on Black Friday and consider yourself prepared. [ Loudwire ] – Ill Nino have revealed the dates for their North and South American tour. [ Rock Music Report ] – Metallica reveal the story behind their ‘Frantic’ song. [ Ultimate Metallica ] – Beck has a new album en route next year. [ Diffuser.fm ] – The Rolling Stones are welcoming back two familiar faces — Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor — for their London shows. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Jimmy Page details the story behind the band’s attempts to continue Led Zeppelin ‘s reunion. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ]
Getty Images AC/DC ‘s ’Back in Black’ album is among the pack of new titles entering the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. The band’s classic 1980 disc joins more than 900 recordings that make up the Grammy Hall’s collection. This marks the 40th year of the Grammy Hall, and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow says , “It’s especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of including a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations. Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become apart of our musical, social and cultural history.” The addition of AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ in the Grammy Hall of Fame partly makes up for the band being overlooked at the Grammy Awards over the years. AC/DC have received seven Grammy nominations, but only have one Grammy statue — Best Hard Rock Performance for ‘War Machine’ in 2010 — to their credit. It is also significant as ‘Back in Black’ is one of the very few hard rock albums ever to be inducted. There is the qualification that a recording must be at least 25 years old. ‘Back in Black’ is one of 27 new recordings chosen this year, entering alongside such major acts as Paul McCartney & Wings, Elton John , Billy Joel , Bob Dylan , Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston . To find out more about the Grammy Hall of Fame, check here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/favorite-acdc-album-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Favorite AC/DC Album – Readers Poll” align=”center”]