Ethan Miller, Getty Images There’s been a lot of anticipation for Device , the new project from Disturbed ‘s David Draiman , over the past year. But now the biggest update yet comes with Draiman confirming an all-star lineup of guest musicians for the album, as well as details on the disc’s first single and a tentative release date. Draiman says, “Crazy! Finally able to talk more about this amazing band. The first single off our debut record debuts at radio on Feb. 19 and we have a tentative release date for the record of April 9.” Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler , Deep Purple singer-bassist Glenn Hughes , Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows , System of a Down singer Serj Tankian , Rage Against the Machine guitar great Tom Morello and Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale will all make appearances on the disc. In addition, Draiman confirmed that his live band will employ Evanescence / Dark New Day drummer Will Hunt and Dope / Eve to Adam guitarist Virus. Aside from Draiman, the band’s only other permanent member is onetime Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo. Draiman also mentioned that the video for ‘Vilify,’ which will serve as the aforementioned lead single, is filming today (Jan. 11). He concludes, “Album artwork coming soon! Can’t wait for all of you to hear this.” As previously reported, Draiman has described Device as an industrial band in the vein of Ministry and early Nine Inch Nails. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/disturbed-david-draiman-five-song-titles-debut-device-album/” title=”Next: David Draiman Reveals Five Device Song Titles” align=”center”]
Ethan Miller, Getty Images With a 3D film and a new album in the works, Metallica may not be able to spend a huge amount of time on the road this year. Given that thought, the announcement that the band will headline Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival in August makes that ticket much more valuable. The group will headline at Tokyo’s QVC Marine Field on Aug. 10, then turn around and finish things out at Osaka’s Maishima Summer Sonic site the following night (Aug. 11). In addition to Metallica, top concert draw Muse and the reunited Stone Roses have also been confirmed for the event. Aside from Summer Sonic, Metallica will kick off 2013 with dates as part of Australia’s traveling Soundwave festival running Feb. 23 through March 4. They’ve also booked a pair of shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa in April. In addition, Metallica have announced plans to bring back their Orion Music + More Festival for a two-night stand in June, this time located in the Detroit area. Their current final headlining appearance of the year comes Sept. 19 at the Rock in Rio festival. Though Metallica are working on new music, there’s not a high probability of any new material appearing during the band’s shows this year. The group has already stated that a 2014 release is more likely for their next disc. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/metallica-red-hot-chili-peppers-highest-grossing-touring-acts-2012/” title=”Next: Metallica Amongst 2012’s Highest Grossing Touring Acts” align=”center”]
Housecore In one of the more interesting splits we’ve encountered as of late, Philip H. Anselmo , who requires not a single word of introduction, courtesy of his legacy, and Texas thrashers Warbeast have released their ‘War of the Gargantuas’ split through Anselmo’s own Housecore Records. The four-song EP boasts two songs per artist, and is historical simply because it is the first time Anselmo has released any solo music (with the Illegals as his backing band) during his 30 years of active service in the name of heavy metal. We’ve never had all of our senses assaulted at once, but how we assume that sensation would feel is created by this short, blast of an EP. It’s tightly constructed. It’s loud. It’s extreme. It’s all the things we like in our metal. It’s like each artist is trying to “out metal” the other and that’s a good thing for metal fans. Inside, you’ll find lots of squeally vocals, galloping solos and heavy metal that never, ever compromises. The first track,’Conflict,’ which is one from Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals, is shrieky, post- Pantera Anselmo, but he still has the same dangerous bark and damaging bite. How a man who has been destroying mics for decades can still summon this much strength and deliver this kind of bone-liquefying vocal terror is beyond us. He is no mere mortal, nor mere metal. He is an elite frontman with few (if any) peers, especially when he lets ‘er rip, as is the case here. The next track, ‘Birth of a Psycho’ by Warbeast, is a hulking slab of dirty, gutter-dwelling, sludge-caked punk rock with a little bit of blackened grime and some deathy riffs thrown in for good measure. It culls influence from several metal sub-genres. The band takes guitars grooves and vicious vocals and throws ‘em all into a gnarly, metallic bonfire. The brilliantly titled ‘Family, ‘Friends’ and Associates’ is an Anselmo track which gets the point across in a few words, and is loaded with screamy vocals, with Anselmo’s authoratative spoken words behind it. The vocal spasms are supplemented by chunky, extra fast riffery, squalls and some Motorhead-y solos. When Anselmo barks , “I’m calling you out, ” you have a choice to either meet him in the ring or cower in the corner. We think most people will be doing the latter, based on the ferocity in which he makes the statement. Hands down, it’s the best track of the four. The EP ends with ‘It,’ a Warbeast track that is also fast with machine-gunned riffing, and some smash-til-your-arms-fall-off drumming. It’s an exercise in extreme metal, and the right amount of groove. No wonder Anselmo chose to appear on an EP with them and sign them to his label. No false metal here. It’s about as trend-free and trend-killing as it gets. Anselmo’s music often has a touch of melody, which he forgoes here. But everything is equally as memorable. Warbeast are just that – a fighting, battling beast. We wish ‘War of the Gargantuas’ was a bit longer, but it offers a nice taste of what to expect on Warbeast’s upcoming full-length, ‘Destroy,’ and Anselmo’s debut solo album, both due this year. In the meantime, pick up the EP at iTunes and catch Anselmo’s band Down on tour with Warbeast this winter. ?
YouTube Mastodon singer-bassist Troy Sanders is sitting backstage riffing on a guitar when he learns that all six of his amps have bitten the dust just shortly before he’s going onstage. Though the scenario is not that likely, it’s played to the full humorous hilt for the new short film / promo starring Sanders for Orange Amplifiers. In the short, Sanders gets to play a cockier version of himself, fully consumed with his own greatness and upset that he’s due to go onstage without the use of amplification. But a quick call and not-so-immediate response from the Orange Amps warehouse may solve the situation. The clerk puts his best man in charge, and by “man,” we mean the wonder dog Bear who traipses all across town to get to the show on time, but does actually get distracted by the city skyline, some vinyl record shopping and a quick bite to eat along the way. With the clock ticking, Sanders starts to worry about whether he’ll have to play without his amp, but just as he’s about to take the stage, Bear shows up with Orange’s Micro Terror hanging around his neck. A relieved Sanders takes the stage to the roaring applause of the crowd, plugs in to his newly-arrived amp and rocks the audience to their satisfaction. Watch Troy Sanders Starring in Orange Amplifiers Short Film [button href=”http://loudwire.com/mastodon-troy-sanders-max-cavalera-new-supergroup/” title=”Next: Troy Sanders Forms Supergroup With Max Cavalera” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire The New England Metal & Hardcore Festival celebrates its 15 year of anniversary with a massive lineup for the 2013 installment, including headliners Anthrax , Opeth and Hatebreed . The three-day festival will be held once again at The Palladium in Worcester, Mass., on April 19, 20 and 21, not to mention a pre-party on April 18. The festival’s founder, Scott Lee, of MassConcerts, states, “I am excited with how far we have come and am ecstatic for this to be on our 15th year! It has been a long, interesting journey. We always try to make it a memorable event and we really hope you all enjoy the festival this year.” Other bands confirmed for this year’s festival include Suicidal Tendencies , Shadows Fall , Municipal Waste , Katatonia , the Contortionist and much more. See the current lineup below. Stay tuned for many more acts to be announced in the coming weeks! New England Metal & Hardcore Festival XV Lineup: Anthrax Hatebreed Opeth Suicidal Tendencies After The Burial Alpha & Omega Antagonist AD Ark of the Covenant Black Breath Born of Osiris The Contortionist Dead by Wednesday Death Before Dishonor Ensiferum Erra Exodus Expire Fit for an Autopsy Heidevolk Hellsot Holy Grail I Declare War Incendiary Katatonia Legion The Mongoloids Mother of Mercy Municipal Waste No Mercy Power Trip Rude Awakening Saving Grace Shadows Fall Suburban Scum Those Who Fear Trap Them Trollfest Twitching Tongues Tyr Within the Ruins Xibalba ?
Photo by Matthew Rodgers Anthrax fans were dealt a surprise last week when guitarist Rob Caggiano announced his exit from the band . The thrash metal veterans, who have seen a resurgence in recent years, have yet to name Caggiano’s replacement, but that won’t stop fans from speculating who might join the band. We’ve come up with our own list of potential fill-in guitarist candidates and are seeking your opinion as to who you would like to see rocking with the boys. With the ‘Metal Alliance’ tour looming, the most obvious phone call might be placed to Dan Spitz, who held the lead guitarist position from 1983-1995 and then returned to the group from 2005-2007 during their ‘Among the Living’ lineup reunion trek. WIth Anthrax set to play ‘Among the Living’ in full on this tour, Spitz would be a logical choice. Anthrax could stay inside the thrash community for a pair of possibilities. With Metallica off the road and digging through Kirk Hammett ‘s riff catalog , could the guitarist be lured out to join his “Big 4″ buddies? And we know that Exodus ‘ Gary Holt has done an admirable job filling in for Anthrax pals Slayer during Jeff Hanneman ‘s recovery period from a bizarre spider-bite infection. He’s also well versed in the ways of thrash metal and could slide in for Anthrax in a pinch. The rest of our list has more to do with wishful thinking. For instance, Zakk Wylde ‘s name is almost always mentioned when a high profile metal guitarist opening comes up. And after serving under Ozzy Osbourne for years, we know he works well with metal royalty. We also know that Mark Tremonti grew up on thrash metal. As a musician who has juggled many projects successfully, we think he’d be able to join up with Anthrax between Alter Bridge sessions and Tremonti touring. And what about two prominent guitarists who are currently without bands? With Rage Against the Machine not recording or lining up performances, how about Tom Morello lending his slight of hand to Anthrax’s tracks? Meanwhile, there’s no talk yet of Disturbed regrouping and David Draiman seems committed to getting his Device project off the ground, so how about drawing Dan Donegan out of hiatus to rock with Anthrax. And our final suggestion is for Anthrax to pull a fellow New York legend out for some shows. Lou Reed already has experience working with thrash titans Metallica, so why not let him take a stab at it (so long as there’s no ‘Lulu’ prose laid over the top of ‘Indians’). There you have it, our dream list of potential guitarists for Anthrax’s upcoming tour. Who would you most like to see perform with the band? Let us know in the Readers Poll below: Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/most-anticipated-2013-metal-tour-readers-poll/” title=”Previous Readers Poll: Most Anticipated Early 2013 Metal Tour” align=”center”]
Courtesy of Slayer There isn’t much middle ground that thrash legends Slayer share with Mexican mariachi bands, which is why this next video is incredible. Not only did Los Angeles-based metal-meets-mariachi band Metalachi perform an insanely weird version of Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood,’ but they did it with the one and only Dave Lombardo behind the drum kit. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has never been one to pass on a good jam session, having experimented with bands Fantomas and Philm in the past, but this jam session is about has pure as can be. The dichotomy between Lombardo’s ferocious drumming and Metalachi’s brilliant ridiculousness blend together perfectly for a hilarious Mexican gumbo. According to the band’s Facebook profile, the members of Metalachi crossed the boarder from Juarez, Mexico into the U.S. only to discover a partially buried copy of Black Sabbath ‘s ‘Paranoid’ album waiting for them on the other side. After meeting their destiny on American soil, Metalachi has become “the greatest metal band to ever live,” so apparently Dave Lombardo is jumping on the bandwagon early before the group begins to play sold-out arenas. Check out this footage of Metalachi performing ‘Raining Blood’ with a little help from Dave Lombardo. Metalachi Perform Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood’ with Dave Lombardo [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-slayer-songs/” title=”10 Best Slayer Songs” align=”center”]