Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire / Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com In the wake of last week’s death of Suicide Silence frontman Mitch Lucker in a motorcycle crash, his peers in the metal community are sharing their memories of the late singer. As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis spoke with Kaaos TV (watch below) about Lucker after a concert in Finland. “Mitch and I have a lot of similarities,” Lambesis said. “We grew up in the same area. We both have the same kind of dogs. He gave me very kind compliments on how when their band first started that I inspired him in some way or another, whether it be this type of stage performance he has or… I would assume more just the energy; the music sounds a bit different.” One of the similarities Lucker shared with Lambesis was the love of riding motorcycles. “I’ve been riding Harleys for four years or so, and Mitch more recently got into riding and started riding more. And again, [that was] another similarity and something we were able to [share]… As friends, it’s good to have those things in common.” “When I get home from this tour, I usually look forward to getting home and getting on my motorcycle and just going for a drive,” Lambesis continued. “I don’t know if I’m gonna really enjoy that the same way, you know?!” Suicide Silence and As I Lay Dying would have been on the road together this fall as part of the 2012 Outbreak Tour , which kicks off Nov. 16 and also features Asking Alexandria, among other acts. A candlelight vigil was held in Lucker’s memory last week in Huntington Beach, Calif. Lucker’s wife Jolie Carmadella says it’s probable the crash was alcohol related. “He was an alcoholic, and it’s been a big battle. I tried to stop him. I was in front of him begging him not to leave the house. Begging him, ‘Just seriously, for us, don’t leave,’ and he did. And this is what happened.” She added, “It’s a wake-up call. He was an amazing man. He was a wonderful father and a great husband, and now he’s gonna miss out on watching [our daughter] Kenadee grow, because he decided to drink and ride. Just don’t. Just think before you guys do something stupid. Please learn from this. Please.” Watch Kaaos TV’s Interview with Tim Lambesis [button href=”http://loudwire.com/suicide-silence-singer-wife-reveals-he-drank-alcohol-before-motorcycle-crash/” title=”Next: Mitch Lucker’s Wife Speaks at Candlelight Vigil” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images We now know that Black Sabbath ‘s as-yet-untitled new album is set to be released in April of 2013. Last night (Oct. 31), guitarist Tony Iommi was interviewed at the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund awards in Hollywood, and he gave an update on the album’s progress. Iommi told Eric Blair (watch below) that previous reports that he had finished the guitar parts for the album are not true. “That’s wrong. When Ozzy said it [in a recent interview], I think he meant what we’ve done. We’ve written 15 songs and we’ve played them all. But now, at the moment, we’re recording them. We recorded them at my house first, in England, just as demos, but now we’re doing them for real. So we’re about six tracks in now, at the moment.” Geezer Butler, Ozzy and Iommi are all part of Sabbath’s new album, but after a contract dispute, drummer Bill Ward is not. Iommi says although they might play together in the future, it won’t be on this album. “We’ll always have a heart for Bill, but I think it’s gone past that now, because it’s gone on so long that I don’t see that happening at the moment. Maybe at some point we might [play together again].” The purpose of last night’s event was to raise money and awareness for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Having battled cancer himself recently, Iommi was happy to receive the ‘King of Rock N’ Roll’ award. “Well, I’m a survivor up until now. I’m still very new to it. It’s great that there’s somebody doing something about it and trying to get rid of this awful disease. You can’t praise it enough. Things like this is what is needed to make people aware of what is going on.” Iommi shared a favorite memory of Dio. “Oh, I’ve got a lot of memories of Ronnie. We had some great times. Particularly when we’d done the last album with Ronnie [‘The Devil You Know’] and the last tours, it was a whole new world. We had such a great time and we were looking forward to doing another album. So there’s a lot of great memories of Ronnie.” In addition to the album release month, Sabbath also announced they will be doing an Australian tour in late April and early May of 2013. And if that weren’t enough Black Sabbath news for one day, they also confirmed that they will be headlining the second night of the inaugural Ozzfest Japan in May of 2013. Watch Eric Blair Interview Tony Iommi [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-new-album-april-2013-australian-tour-dates/” title=”Next: Black Sabbath Announce April 2013 Release for New Album” align=”center”]
Roadrunner This year has been phenomenal when it comes to rock and metal music tours, and with 2012 coming to an end, the year will surely be remembered as one defined by many spectacular achievements. We’re going to miss 2012, but Gojira , Devin Townsend and the Atlas Moth have just put together a must see tour set to pummel the year 2013. Beginning Jan. 14, three of modern music’s most progressive and genre-bending acts will team up for a month long North American tour. Hot off the heels of their ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ album, Gojira are currently at the highest point of their career. Gojira’s latest record has opened their music up to a broader audience, creating one of the year’s greatest breakthrough accomplishments. Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier recently spoke with radio goddess Full Metal Jackie about touring with Devin Townsend and the Atlas Moth. “They’ve had an influence on us,” begins Duplantier, “the way we behave onstage, the way we play, they way we approach the whole thing, sometimes it’s purely technical like the way they plug in their gear. So we always learn something from touring with people that’s why I’m so happy to tour with Devin, he’s such an incredible singer – one of my influences actually and he’ll be opening for us [Laughs] how crazy is that? We’re all huge fans of Devin Townsend, Strapping Young Lad, it’s a great honor to have him on tour.” Devin Townsend released ‘Epicloud’ this year, displaying a more omniscient and comforting sound in contrast to his heavier past. After a solid run with Katatonia and Paradise Lost, Townsend and his band will hit North America again very soon. For those unfamiliar with the Atlas Moth, the Chicago-based sludge band have been trudging forward since 2007, releasing two full-length albums and two EPs since their inception. Keep these guys on your radar, because they’ve got the talent to create an incredibly accomplished future. Check out the tour dates for Gojira, Devin Townsend and the Atlas Moth’s 2013 tour below. Gojira, Devin Townsend + the Atlas Moth 2013 Tour Dates 1/14 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ Mill City Nights 1/15 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Garrick Centre 1/16 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ Odeon Events Centre 1/17 – Calgary, Alberta @ MacEwan Hall 1/19 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Vogue Theatre 1/20 – Seattle, Wash. @ Studio 7 1/21 – Portland, Ore. @ Hawthorne Theatre 1/23 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore 1/24 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Ace Of Spades 1/25 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda Theatre 1/28 – Tempe, Ariz. @ Marquee Theatre 1/29 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sunshine Theatre 1/31 – Dallas, Texas @ Granada Theatre 2/1 – San Antonio, Texas @ White Rabbit 2/3 – Houston, Texas @ Warehouse Live 2/4 – St. Petersburg, Fla. @ State Theater 2/5 – Atlanta, Ga. @ The Masquerade 2/7 – Baltimore, Md. @ Rams Head Live 2/8 – New York, N.Y. @ Irving Plaza 2/9 – Millvale, Pa. @ Mr. Smalls 2/11 – Chicago, Ill. @ House Of Blues 2/13 – Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix Concert Theatre 2/14 – Montreal, Quebec City @ Le National 2/15 – Worcester, Mass. @ The Palladium 2/16 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Theatre Of Living Arts [button href=”http://loudwire.com/gojira-joe-duplantier-talks-upcoming-north-american-tour-randy-blythe-explosia-video/” title=”Next: Gojira’s Joe Duplantier Talks to Full Metal Jackie” align=”center”]
YouTube Linkin Park pack a powerful emotional punch with their latest video for ‘Castle of Glass,’ which tells the story of a military family losing their father to war. The clip, which was shot in association with the creators of the upcoming ‘Medal of Honor: Warfighter’ video game, centers on a young boy who is greeted at the door by a soldier preparing to break the news of his father’s death while his mother returns to his side crying about their loss. Inside the house, Mike Shinoda stands alone as the foundation begins to crumble around him, mirroring the emotional shock that is impacting the family. The powerful song takes on more resonance as the young boy begins to explore his father’s belongings and starts to understand what he sacrificed to serve his country and even though the boy has lost his father, he prepares to follow in his footsteps. Prior to the video’s premiere, the band offered fans a chance to unlock the clip by taking part in a ‘Medal of Honor: Warfighter’ beta test. The group coordinated with EA Games to create their new clip, and ‘Medal of Honor: Warfighter’ footage is worked into the ‘Castle of Glass’ video itself. Watch Linkin Park’s ‘Castle of Glass’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-in-the-end-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Linkin Park – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Mark Metcalfe, Getty Images The Dillinger Escape Plan have been busy writing for their new disc, the follow-up to 2010’s ‘Option Paralysis’ and now the band is targeting a November time frame to hit the studio with producer Steve Evetts. Guitarist Ben Weinman says the overall writing process for the new disc has been very inspired by the bands of his youth, drawing on his deep-rooted punk and hardcore influences. “Billy and I have just been listening to old hardcore records blasting through my house and then going down to the dungeon and just bashing,” Weinman reports (via ThePRP.com ). As far as the lyrics go, Weinman also offered some insight into that, saying, “Greg also seems to be in a very dark place lyrically. I think it’s going to be pretty creepy. If these songs don’t put some holes in the wall, I don’t know what will.” In addition to focusing on new music, Weinman is also using his voice to encourage people to go out and vote in the upcoming election. In a new video for the ‘Why I Vote 2012 / I’m Voting For’ campaign, Weinman and Wyclef Jean join forces to tell the public why they should vote. Check it out below. Ben Weinman and Wyclef Jean on ‘Why I Vote 2012′ ?
Roger Kisby, Getty Images Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and his wife Vicky have been sued by their former maid, who claims she was overworked and underpaid. According to TMZ , the couple hired Elia Mora to clean their house in 2006 and she stayed on until December 2011. Mora says that last year, on the day after Christmas, she declined to return to the couple’s home to do additional cleaning after finishing up her shift. This apparently didn’t sit well with Mrs. Cornell, whom Mora claims responded by screaming a series of insults. Apparently, the conversation ended with Mora out of a job, and now she’s taking the Cornells to court. Mora’s lawsuit claims she was forced to work 43 hours a week without overtime, and was never given uninterrupted lunches or breaks. According to TMZ, neither of the Cornells have commented publicly yet, and the report doesn’t mention specific damages Mora is seeking. In the meantime, Soundgarden are getting ready to release its sixth studio album (and first in 16 years), ‘King Animal,’ due on Nov. 13. The first single, ‘Been Away Too Long,’ was unleashed last week. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/soundgarden-new-single-been-away-too-long/” title=”Listen to Soundgarden’s ‘Been Away Too Long'” align=”center”]
Photo by Ty Watkins In 1982, Brian Slagel started a record label that would turn into one of the premiere labels in the world of hard rock and metal. Celebrating 30 years in the industry with Metal Blade Records, Slagel decided to throw a party for the fans in New York City. Michigan heavy metalers Battlecross opened the night at Santos Party House, and As I Lay Dying closed things out. Being with Metal Blade for nearly a decade, it was no doubt an unbelievable honor for As I Lay Dying to help Slagel celebrate 30 years. Before the gig, Loudwire had the chance to catch up with Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso, both guitarists from the band, to chat about their new album, what it was like touring on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and more. Leading up to the release of your latest album, ‘Awakened,’ you gave your fans a taste of what to expect with the tune ‘Cauterize.’ Do you think that is a good representation of the album as a whole? Nick Hipa: We’re all pretty confident that the fans are going to be into the album as a whole based on the response we got from ‘Cauterize.’ That’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as the whole album goes. If people can get into that, they’ll be stoked for what the rest of the album is. You recorded ‘Awakened’ in Fort Collins, Colo. I get the feeling this is a bit isolating as far as the metal community goes. NH: You know, the experience was awesome. It allowed us to be more productive than we’ve ever been. That mostly was a result of Phil and I being able to record all day, everyday for the majority of the day in our own rooms while the rest of the guys were recording in San Diego. That made it a lot more enjoyable. We weren’t as stressed out with timing and scheduling. The icing on the cake is that Fort Collins is just a really cool place. Phil Sgrosso: It definitely helped that we didn’t have any distractions, not worrying about family plans or something that would cause us to leave early. It was great to just focus on the record and get it done. Just a little over a month ago, you guys wrapped up the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. What was it like touring with bands like Slayer, Anthrax and Slipknot? PS: It was great. The mainstage was all the older bands and the classic metal bands. Slipknot , they’ve been around for 15 years or so, but they’re such a presence on the tour. It was nice playing with those bands and sharing the stage with them. There was a lot of energy with the festival. Everyone was pretty stoked about it. Any crazy stories from that tour? NH: Not so much crazy, but one of the things that sticks out to me is that a lot of the nights on tour there would be a tour-sponsored mixer where a band would be in charge of throwing a party. Usually there was a theme associated with it. Anthrax had a Halloween theme and everyone dressed up. Lemmy and the rest of the dudes from Motorhead showed up in costume, they were dressed up as the Blues Brothers. To me that was incredible because Lemmy is definitely an older guy and he’s been around for a really long time. It was great to see that someone like that hasn’t been jaded by the biz. He’s got a really good sense of himself and is really down to earth. He still has a good time. That was really awesome to me. It was like, “Oh, Lemmy’s here, and he’s in a costume!” What’s it mean to be a part of the Metal Blade family, playing their 30th anniversary show tonight? NH: We’re all proud to be on a label like Metal Blade. Metal Blade has been very reputable the whole time, it’s cool to be a part of it and be amongst the roster of bands that have excelled in their genres or done cool things in the world of heavy music. It’s been a pleasure working with them and being on the label for this long. PS: It’s kind of crazy to think that we’re playing our label’s 30th anniversary show. The owner, Brian Slagel, has seen it all happen. We’re definitely honored to be with them. You mentioned the world of heavy music. As I Lay Dying have been around for over a decade, and I would say you have ventured past the term ‘up-and-comers.’ That being said, in the last couple of years, there have definitely been some new bands that have really made a splash in the music scene. Have there been any acts that have caught your ear? NH: Even though we’re in a [Loudwire] Death Match with Gojira right now, they’re one of the heavier bands that are out there right now that are blowing us all away. They write such creative and crushingly heavy music, and we got to play with them a few months ago. They’re incredible live. They’re one of my favorite heavy bands right now. [Editor’s note: As I Lay Dying’s ‘A Greater Foundation’ was in battle with Gojira’s ‘The Axe’ at the time of the interview.] What’s next for As I Lay Dying? PS: We’ll be heading over to Europe for a month with Trivium. Then after that we’ll be on the Monster Outbreak Tour, a few Canadian dates and the rest will be in the states. So, basically two months of touring for the rest of the year. ? Live Photos From the Metal Blade 30th Anniversary Party As I Lay Dying: Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Battlecross: Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire