Kevin Winter, Getty Images Former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano is facing a major career change and seems enthused about the future. Caggiano tells Pro Sound News that ultimately his desire to have more creative involvement in the music he was generating led to his exit. He explains, “If you were to ask me to give you the absolute main reason why I decided to leave Anthrax, I would tell you that I left because my heart simply wasn’t in it anymore. I had a blast playing with those guys and they will always be family to me, but outside of my guitar solos and production work, Anthrax was never a creative outlet for me [musically]. That wasn’t by any choice of my own but the way, it’s just the way it is.” The guitarist adds, “I guess it just got to the point where I started asking myself, ‘What the hell am I doing? I’m a musician. This is who I am. Being creative is simply soul food for my soul. Why am I devoting all of my time and energy into a band where being creative is impossible for me?’ It simply stopped making sense a while ago and I ended up feeling very unhappy and very unfulfilled. It started feeling like I was just going through the motions and that’s not what music is about to me at all.” In recent years, Caggiano has seen his production career expanding and he’s interested in exploring that to the fullest as well. The guitarist, who is currently producing Volbeat ‘s next album, says, “Making records is a lot of hard work and to be honest, I usually can’t even listen to an album I’ve worked on when I’m done with it. It’s the smiles and excitement people have when they listen to it that make it worthwhile for me.” As for working as a recording musician and touring artist, Caggiano says, “I’m absolutely not giving up my guitar! I’m not giving up touring anytime soon either. I love the stage and I love touring. It’s in my blood and it’s who I am. I just needed to step off the machine to reevaluate things. Sometimes it’s good to do that and with change comes growth. I have a lot to say musically and I’m ready to scream!” To read more of Caggiano’s thoughts on music production and his future, check out the full interview at Pro Sound News . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-tap-shadows-fall-guitarist-jon-donais-to-fill-vacant-band-slot-on-upcoming-tour/” title=”Next: Anthrax Name Guitarist Rob Caggiano’s Touring Replacement” align=”center”]
Tool Dissectional An unidentified member of Tool recently suffered serious injuries after crashing his Vespa scooter along icy roads. The accident left the musician with several broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, thus pushing back jamming and writing sessions meant for Tool’s massively anticipated fifth full-length album. Posted on the band’s website on Jan. 26 as a Tool newsletter, the Vespa accident was described in detail while keeping the identity of the member affected hidden. Strangely enough, yet another anonymous person involved with Tool also wound up in the hospital from a separate Vespa crash, suffering a head injury along with multiple cuts and bruises. Tool were hoping to begin 2013 with some good news that would energize fans long awaiting a new record, but unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. However, in a turn for the better, the band is now back to work on the album. Here’s an excerpt from the latest newsletter detailing the situation: The New Year started off on a bad note as far as writing and arranging sessions for Tool’s next record. For the most part this was due to a ‘minor’ accident on a Vespa scooter (slick road conditions being the cause) by a certain band member that resulted in several broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. Because of the physical nature of the musical instrument involved, 9 DAYS of jamming were lost, although I’m happy to report that the person involved is recovering nicely, so much so, in fact, that writing sessions resumed last Monday (January 21), despite it being a holiday for many. Coincidently (?), a few days prior to the mishap on the scooter, another person involved with Tool also wound up in the hospital after crashing his Vespa in Hollywood. Although he suffered a head injury (as well as multiple cuts and bruises to his body), I’m quite certain that if you were to order an “Entaphiosis” Hoddie, you would receive an “Entaphiosis” Hoodie. Several days ago members of the press (from different magazines) conducted interviews with band members about upcoming events, and I would imagine that these writers, etc. also inquired as to how things were progressing with regards to the band’s next record. So, there’s something to look forward to reading, and I will certainly try to give updates as to when these publications hit the newsstands. I was hoping to be able to throw some of you a bone the first week of the New Year, but for certain reasons this announcement has been pushed back a month. Therefore, look for a news post that will be exciting to some towards the end of the first week in February. Maynard James Keenan and his side project Puscifer are set to release their latest EP, ‘ Donkey Punch the Night ,’ on Feb. 19. As for news on Tool’s upcoming record, stay tuned as news continues to break. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tool-guitarist-adam-jones-proposes-to-girlfriend-wwe-royal-rumble/” title=”Tool Guitarist Adam Jones Proposes to Girlfriend Live at WWE ‘Royal Rumble'” align=”center”]
Century Media We’ve got an awesome contest for the fans of Finnish folk / viking / power metal band Turisas . Not only are we giving away a copy of the band’s most recent album, ‘Stand Up and Fight,’ but the lucky winner will also receive a tour poster and t-shirt, all courtesy of Turisas and Century Media Records. Founded in 1997, Turisas have brought the Scandinavian folk and viking styles to the metal underground for over 15 years. Having released three full-length albums through various lineup changes, Turisas recently announced that their fourth studio album, ‘Guards of Glory,’ will see a May 2013 release. The band is currently on tour in the United States through early March, before hitting Latin America and Europe. See the full list of dates here . For both fans of the group and those looking for a different sound to soak in, this Turisas prize package is certainly a treat. To enter the Turisas prize pack contest, follow @Loudwire and @TurisasOfficial on Twitter and ReTweet this announcement of the giveway. This contest will end on Thursday, Feb. 28. Good luck! Check out the music of Turisas in their music video for ‘Stand Up and Fight.’ Turisas, ‘Stand Up and Fight’
Rockstar Mayhem Festival Since its launch in 2008, the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival has quickly become one of top U.S. metal tours. Some of the biggest names in music have headlined the fest in the past, including Motorhead , Slayer and Slipknot in 2012. No bands have been announced yet, but the dates and cities for this year’s trek have just been unveiled. For the first time, the Mayhem Festival will play in Bangor, Maine, and Austin, Texas. 2013 also marks a return to Toronto. Who will be playing Mayhem this year? We’ll have to wait until March 18, when the lineup will be unveiled, but organizers promise that “2013 will bring a heart pounding heavy lineup like never before.” There is a short teaser video you can watch below. One thing we do know is that this year’s festival will have four stages, the most ever. They include The Rockstar Energy Drink main stage, the Jagermeister Festival Stage, the Musician’s Institute Festival Stage and the Sumerian/Headbang for The Highway Stage. Tickets will be going on sale starting Friday March 22 and 23 with more details coming soon. See the full list of cities and dates below the video: Watch the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Teaser Video 2013 Mayhem Festival Dates 6/29 San Bernardino, Calif. 6/30 Mountain View, Calif. 7/2 Nampa, Idaho 7/3 Auburn, Wash. 7/5 Phoenix, Ariz. 7/6 Albuquerque, N.M. 7/7 Denver, Colo. 7/10 Toronto, Ontario 7/12 Burgettstown, Pa. 7/13 Camden, N.J. 7/14 Darien Center, N.Y. 7/16 Mansfield, Mass. 7/17 Bangor, Maine 7/19 Scranton, Penn. 7/20 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 7/21 Hartford, Conn. 7/23 Holmdel, N.J. 7/24 Bristow, Va. 7/26 Noblesville, Ind. 7/27 Tinley Park, Ill. 7/28 Clarkson, Mich. 7/30 Atlanta, Ga. 7/31 Tampa, Fla. 8/2 Austin, Texas 8/3 The Woodlands, Texas 8/4 Dallas, Texas [button href=”http://loudwire.com/mayhem-festival-rocks-connecticut-exclusive-photos/” title=”See Our Photo Gallery of the 2012 Mayhem Festival” align=”center”]
WWE.com Congratulations to Tool guitarist Adam Jones for becoming engaged to his girlfriend Korin! When one thinks of the most romantic ways to propose, the minds of some drift to fancy restaurants, long walks on the beach or during an intimate family get-together, but not Adam Jones. The guitarist and filmmaker arranged a unique proposal from ringside at the WWE Royal Rumble event. Adam Jones is an avid WWE fan and once performed the national anthem at the WWE SuperSlam 2011. Right before Royal Rumble hit the airwaves at 8PM ET last night (Jan. 27) from Phoenix, Ariz., a surprise message appeared on the giant WWE titantron. The text read, “Korin, Adam Jones wants to ask you something… ‘Will you marry me?’” Playing it cool the whole way, Jones unveiled a ring as he waited for Korin’s response. WWE got their cameras close into the action for the entire proposal, with Korin giving the happy ending of a “Yes,” which the crowd chanted, as well. The 2013 Royal Rumble pay-per-view was also notable for the explosive and surprising return of Fozzy vocalist and wrestling icon Chris Jericho , who took a break from WWE last year to play on the 2012 Uproar Festival tour. Click on the photo below to watch Tool’s Adam Jones propose to his now-fiancee. Tool Guitarist Adam Jones Proposes to Girlfriend at WWE ‘Royal Rumble’ WWE.com [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tool-videos-directed-by-adam-jones/” title=”Retrospective: Tool Videos Directed by Adam Jones” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Anthrax are still going strong on their ‘Worship Music’ album and will soon offer a new collection called ‘ Anthems ‘ that’s full of cover songs, but the thoughts of a new album have begun to enter the minds of the band’s members as well. Guitarist Scott Ian told Australia’s Loud magazine that while they haven’t officially started on anything yet, he does have an idea as to when they’ll begin. The guitarist explained, “There certainly are ideas. There’s stuff that we never finished from ‘Worship Music’ and some new stuff that we’ve been coming up with, but we haven’t actually gotten in a room yet to start arranging stuff. That’ll probably really start over the next few months and then certainly after August, cause that’s when we finish touring this year. After that we’ll be really focused on writing and getting back in the studio.” Ian says that with the group being a veteran band, there’s not too much worry when it comes to launching the creative process over again for a new record. He adds, “Everybody’s involved in arranging, coming up with melody ideas. Everybody is involved and everybody has a say. It’s a very democratic process. I guess that would be the best way to put it.” As for the band’s guitarist situation after the exit of Rob Caggiano , Ian says, “We’re not really thinking about it at all right now. [ Shadows Fall ‘s] Jon [Donais] is filling in for Rob and that’s about as much as we’re thinking about. We’ve known Jon for a long time. We’ve hung out with him a bunch over the years. I’ve actually worked with him before so, yeah, it kinda was a pretty easy decision to have him come and play with us.” Donais will be on board for the band’s Soundwave shows in Australia as well as their ‘ Metal Alliance ‘ North American trek. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-scott-ian-new-details-guitarist-rob-caggiano-departure/” title=”Next: Anthrax’s Scott Ian Details Rob Caggiano’s Departure” align=”center”]
Roadrunner The upcoming sixth album from Killswitch Engage can certainly claim the distinction of “highly anticipated.” It was recently revealed that the disc will be titled ‘Disarm the Descent’ and be released on April 2, but another piece of the puzzle has been released in the form of the album’s cover art (pictured here). ‘Disarm the Descent’ will be Killswitch Engage’s first album in 11 years that features returning vocalist Jesse Leach , the singer having left the metal act shortly after their 2002 full-length ‘Alive or Just Breathing.’ Since Leach’s triumphant return to the band at the 2012 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, the revamped Killswitch have proven themselves as a solid live act, but now fans will get to hear Leach’s studio work on ‘Disarm the Descent.’ The cover art for the upcoming album was designed by Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D’Antonio, which depicts a veiled female figure with flames coming out of her chest. The artwork is stunning and harnesses a gritty a scratched up style fitting of the group’s sound. “To me, this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam’s guidance and faith in my abilities,” Jesse Leach says about the new album. “I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for Killswitch Engage.” Stay tuned for more news on Killswitch Engage’s upcoming sixth album. ‘Disarm The Descent’ Track Listing: ‘The Hell In Me’ ‘Beyond the Flames’ ‘New Awakening’ ‘In Due Time’ ‘A Tribute to the Fallen’ ‘The Turning Point’ ‘All That We Have’ ‘You Don’t Bleed for Me’ ‘The Call’ ‘No End in Sight’ ‘Always’ ‘Time Will Not Remain’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/killswitch-engage-the-end-of-heartache-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Killswitch Engage – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]