Posts Tagged ‘new-albums’

Bullet for My Valentine, ‘Temper Temper’ – Album Review

RCA Bullet for My Valentine are clicking on all cylinders on their new album, though the band readily admits the title ‘Temper Temper’ comes from some of the internal friction within the group. But rather than letting things fester, they turned lemons into lemonade by allowing it fuel the creative process. Fans of the group may already be familiar with the title track and ‘ Riot ,’ the first two songs released off the record. ‘Temper Temper’ was a solid introductory choice from the band, showing off their speedy guitar work and Michael “Moose” Thomas’ cymbal-heavy drumbeats, with the pacing of the song mirroring what it feels like when you’re just about to explode. ‘Riot,’ meanwhile, is arguably the album’s best song and a natural choice for a single. With guitar work that comes off like a warning alarm and Matt Tuck vocals that beg you to sing along to the “whoa-oh-ohs,” Bullet for My Valentine have an anthem on their hands. The disc as a whole is at its best in the mid-section, with the songs running from ‘Temper Temper’ through ‘Riot’ providing an increasingly diverse and strong stretch of music. ‘Pow’ starts off dialing things back a bit, but by the end of the song Tuck is confidently declaring, “ I will breathe once more .” ‘Dirty Little Secret’ has single potential and may have more style shifts than any song on the record. Keeping in the theme of dealing with aggression, Tuck belts, “ Straight for the throat / Like you’re an animal / In for the kill / Just like you’re an animal .” ‘Leech’ is a solid rocker that tells the story of a delusional person who’s always crashing the party. It’s followed by ‘Dead to the World,’ the album’s moodiest song, which comes at precisely the right time to give the listener a break from the hard-hitting assault that had been the record up to this point. In the introspective track, Tuck digs deep for the lyrics, “ I’ve tried a thousand times before to leave my demons behind me for good / I’m trapped with no escape to find / Lost without hope, hope is not lost as I hang on for one more tomorrow / Heart turns to black, but I’m not coming back cause I feel like I’m dead to the world .” However, by the end of the track, the melancholy gives way to full-on angst-ridden aggression fueled by Tuck and Michael “Padge” Paget’s guitar work. The album also concludes on a high note as ‘Livin’ Life (On the Edge of a Knife)’ is one of the more energetic tracks on the disc. The good news for Bullet for My Valentine fans is that not only will this album truly rock you, it also feels tailor-made for the stage. So get familiar with ‘Temper Temper’ and expect to hear plenty of it over the next couple of years. To catch BFMV on their upcoming tour with Halestorm, click here  for dates. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/bullet-for-my-valentine-new-album-temper-temper-exclusive-video-interview/” title=”Watch Our Exclusive Interview With Bullet for My Valentine” align=”center”]

Tool Drummer Danny Carey Suggests New Album Will Drop in 2013, Talks About Vespa Crash

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Tool fans were disappointed to say the least when singer Maynard James Keenan announced that there would be no release from the band in 2013. The modern experimental legends have been working on a new album for some time, and drummer Danny Carey says, along with a bunch of other news, that a 2013 release is still planned. When it comes to the upcoming Tool album, Carey stated that it is still planned to dropin 2013. “Sometime this year … that’s all I can say,” Carey tells TheRockFM about the record. “The sooner the better for us. We’re working everyday but you can never predict it, honestly. We’re really excited about it so I hope all the fans will be too.” Carey also reports that bassist Justin Chancellor has been the “main driving force” to get the album completed. Carey also told the radio station that he plays drums on the soundtrack to the upcoming Superman film ‘Man of Steel.’ In addition, he adds that Tool have a massive amount of live material that may be released on CD or DVD form in the future. “We have tons of stuff recorded,” says Carey. “I hope we do make that happen one of these days. We have lots of video stuff too, we could do a DVD or two whenever we get around to it. We’re kind of trying to focus on the new thing now, so we’ll go back at some point and do it.” In a separate interview with David Farrier , Carey spoke about an epic 20-minute piece being constructed for Tool’s next record. “We’re still – believe it or not! – still working on it,” the drummer says about the piece. “[Laughs] It’s like an ever-evolving thing, it’s probably going to turn into a thing that’s like, a big trilogy type of feel to it, sort of like ‘Disposition’ and ‘Intension’ and ‘Triad,’ like on the ‘Lateralus’ record or something. It will probably be over a 20-minute piece when it’s all finished, so it will be a good part of the record. We’re dealing with it in sections, but it’s coming together really well, we’re having lots of fun working on it, that’s for sure.” Finally, Danny Carey revealed that he was, in fact, the mystery Tool member that sustained injuries from what was reported as a Vespa accident . “It’s been tough lately because I cracked four ribs,” Carey begins, “broke three of them on a motorcycle the other day, so I am kinda laid up at this point, it’s making it really painful to play. It’s not an easy thing to do. [Laughs] … it was just over in the San Fernando Valley, I was just turning to go on the freeway, and I think I hit some antifreeze or oil or something, and the wheels just slipped right out from under me, and I just hit the pavement really hard. [Laughs] … Yeah, I’m still in one piece anyway, but I don’t know how lucky I was the way I feel right now [Laughs]. It’s pretty painful, but some painkillers and some scotch will get you through it.” Tool have also just announced a cluster of tour dates in Australia and New Zealand. Stay tuned for more news on the band’s upcoming record. Tool 2013 Australia + New Zealand Tour Dates: 04/27 – Melbourne, AUS – Rod Laver Arena 04/30 – Adelaide, AUS – AEC Arena 05/03 – Sydney, AUS – Allphones Arena 05/06 – Brisbane, AUS – Entertainment Centre 05/08 – Auckland, N.Z. – Vector Arena [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tool-danny-carey-backs-school-of-rock-kids-offers-album-update/” title=”Next: Danny Carey Jams With School of Rock Kids” align=”center”]

Report: Maynard James Keenan Says Tool Will Not Release New Album in 2013

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images Fans who have been patiently waiting for Tool ‘s next album will unfortunately have to hang in there a bit longer according to vocalist Maynard James Keenan . In a recent interview with Chile’s Radio Futuro, Keenan apparently stated that Tool will not be releasing a new album in 2013. Tom Petty famously sang, “ The waiting is the hardest part ,” on his single ‘The Waiting’ in 1981, and Tool fans worldwide are currently blasting that classic track on repeat while cradling themselves in the fetal position. There are few groups that harness cult followings like Tool, which is why fans of the band have been rabid for new material since 2006; the year Tool released their most recent album, ’10,000 Days.’ With Tool’s album drought having lasted seven years, a new Tool disc was expected to drop in 2013, according to various sources. The other members of of the band have recently been working hard  to write the album, although a reported Vespa accident recently brought the jam sessions to a brief halt. However, according to Maynard Keenan, there will be no new Tool album this year. When asked by Radio Futuro if a new Tool album will be released soon, Keenan simply replied, “No new disc. Not this year … I have not written any songs. So no, there is nothing.” Keenan has become infamous for screwing with the media. The singer played an April Fools prank in 2005, having revealed that he “found Jesus” and claiming that Tool were abandoning what would later become ’10,000 Days.’ Keenan has also peddled a book that doesn’t exist and once reported that the members of Tool were in critical condition after a bus accident, so whether or not you believe Keenan is up to your own judgement. In the same Chilean interview, Keenan also batted down the possibility of a new A Perfect Circle album, citing his focus on Puscifer and APC guitarist Billy Howerdel’s dedication to Ashes Divide as to why an album is currently off the table. Puscifer’s upcoming EP ‘Donkey Punch the Night’ is set for a Feb. 19 release. [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”]

Volbeat Welcome Former Anthrax Guitarist Rob Caggiano Into Band, Reveal Details For New Album

Universal Danish rockers Volbeat have a ton of captivating news to offer fans. Along with unveiling the title, release date an cover artwork of their upcoming fifth studio album, ‘Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies,’ Volbeat have also announced that former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano has joined the group as a full-time member. Only one month after Rob Caggiano announced his departure from Anthrax to focus on production work, the guitarist is back to play music with Volbeat. Having recently stated that his “ heart simply wasn’t in it anymore ” when it came to Anthrax, it seems that Caggiano has found his passion once again. In a new statement about joining Volbeat, Caggiano says the following: Wow! I have to say I’m completely blown away by the turn of events over the last few weeks here in Denmark and at this point an update is definitely in order. To start with, I came to Denmark about a month ago to produce the new Volbeat record which in and of itself has been an incredibly exciting adventure from a producer’s perspective thus far. However, I’m extremely happy to say my relationship with these guys will not end there as it turns out……it’s just beginning! Michael had asked me on the phone before I got out here if I would play some guest solos on the new album in addition to my other duties and of course I was thrilled about that and agreed to do so. When I actually got to Denmark and started going through the material, this turned out to be so much more than that. After weeks of collaboration between Michael and I it became quite clear that we had an amazing creative chemistry together and a huge mutual respect for one another. It’s so refreshing and inspiring to be creative again on a songwriting level that words can’t even describe it and the vibe between Anders, Jon, Michael and I is just awesome. I’d say an artistic relationship like this one is very rare and it’s also something I don’t take for granted. When the guys asked me if I was interested in joining Volbeat the other day, my jaw just about hit the floor! It actually didn’t even register in my brain properly until the next morning but I gotta say, it also didn’t take me long to decide. It really isn’t the way I envisioned the rest of my year to play out but at the same time, THIS feels more “right” to me than anything I could have possibly imagined and I’m going for it! To all my fans, family, friends and overall supporters that have reached out to me over this last month wondering if I’m ever gonna play guitar again or what I’m up to in general etc……..See you all soon my friends and get ready for a wild ride!!! Produced by Rob Caggiano, Volbeat’s fifth studio album, ‘Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies,’ has been stamped with an April 9 release date. “Half of the album tracks will take you into the world of outlaw gunslinger stories sometime in the 1800s,” begins frontman Michael Poulsen. “Some of the characters are true legends, while others are fiction. The listener will hear inspiration from old classic spaghetti western movies which gives you a clue to the album title and cover artwork.” Poulsen continues, “We are still ‘rocking out’ in the studio, and working on the last details. We are very excited about this album.  We feel that we’ve achieved the goals we set out. The heavy stuff on the album is perhaps more old school heavy riffs than earlier, and the rock songs rock out with tons of melodies and take us into uncharted territory. All that without losing the Volbeat sound that is the cornerstone of our band.” Volbeat are set to invade North America for a full-speed-ahead tour with Danko Jones beginning March 6. New Volbeat Band Photo With Rob Caggiano (Far Right) Universal ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/guitarist-rob-caggiano-anthrax-exit-my-heart-simply-wasnt-in-it-anymore/” title=”Rob Caggiano Talks About Departure From Anthrax” align=”center”]

Slayer’s Kerry King on Next Album: ‘I’m Very Comfortable Saying That It Will Be Out This Year’

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Although Slayer have a way to go in recording their next album and there is no set timetable for when it may come out, guitarist Kerry King has stated that he is “very comfortable saying” that the record will see a 2013 release date. ‘That Metal Show’ host Eddie Trunk spoke with King at the 2013 NAMM convention and nabbed a comment from the legendary thrash guitarist. “We have two songs that we completed last May and just need mixing,” reveals King. “We have another that just needs vocals and leads and me and [drummer]  Dave [Lombardo]  are working on a complete new one that we haven’t demoed. The whole hold-up now that seems to happen with every album we do is that Rick Rubin wants to change distributors. So we’re left in limbo until he lands somewhere. Realistically we are without a deal, but we plan on staying with Rick. When that gets settled we will start recording. I’m very comfortable saying that it will be out this year.” King also commented on the health of guitarist Jeff Hanneman , who is still recovering from necrotizing fasciitis after suffering a spider bite. “Not to sound weird, but when you get off tour, you scatter. And [it’s not] because I hate him, I don’t talk to him because I had enough of him! I don’t even talk to [singer] Tom [Araya]. The only reason I talk to Dave is that we rehearse all the time. When I go off tour I just want to go chill and be Kerry, not Kerry King. From what I know he’s still trying to get basic in the game.” Hanneman has unfortunately not been able to contribute to the next Slayer record as of yet. “I have enough material on my own if need be, but I’m open,” King says. “If Jeff comes to the party with some new material, hell ya! I will play all the guitars. I’ve been playing all the guitars for years anyway, except for Jeff’s leads.” Check out Eddie Trunk’s full interview with Kerry King below. Slayer’s Kerry King Talks With Eddie Trunk ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-slayer-songs/” title=”10 Best Slayer Songs” align=”center”]

Black Sabbath Finish Recording Album, Plot Tour + Offer Tony Iommi Health Update

Tim Whitby, Getty Images It’s official! Black Sabbath have completed recording their upcoming album , ’13.’ Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler announced the exciting news to Eddie Trunk  in a video interview (seen below) at the NAMM convention, in addition to offering an update on guitarist Tony Iommi ‘s current battle with cancer. In the interview, Butler spoke all about all things Black Sabbath. “We’ve finished recording it,” reveals the bassist of the album. “Tony’s back in England putting down a couple of solos. Then we start mixing it in Febraury and it will be out in June. The provisional title is ’13? — unless we can come up with something more constructive. I’ve written most of the lyrics. Ozzy comes up with the titles and then gives me an inspiration to write the lyrics. I think we’ve got 16 songs and I’ve written 14 sets of lyrics.” Butler also updated fans on Black Sabbath’s touring plans. And guess what folks? They’re going all over the world! “We start at the end of April in New Zealand, then we go to Australia, then Japan,” begins the bassist. “June, we’ll be promoting the album, then July and August [is] USA. Then October is South America and Europe in November and December.” Black Sabbath were planning on touring extensively in 2012, but the lymphoma diagnosis of legendary riff master Tony Iommi stalled the heavy metal band’s plans. However, Butler has good news to spread about Iommi’s health. “[Tony]‘s doing well; he’s really responding well,” Butler assures. “He has to go and have his medication every six weeks. But yeah, he’s really coming along well; he’s really doing well.” As for who will be drumming with the band, that is still not determined. After original drummer Bill Ward left the outfit over contract disputes, Tommy Clufetos filled in for the few shows that Sabbath played last year. However, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk plays on the actual album. “We’re not sure yet; we don’t know. ‘Cause I think Brad’s got commitments with Rage Against the Machine. So it’ll probably be either Tommy or Brad, depending on their commitments.” So does that mean Rage Against the Machine might be touring in 2013, too? Fingers crossed! But getting back to Sabbath, if everything goes to plan, 2013 should be an incredible year! Watch Eddie Trunk Interview Geezer Butler [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-thankful-looking-forward-next-year/” title=”Next: Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi ‘Looking Forward’ to 2013″ align=”center”]

Rob Zombie’s Upcoming Album to Feature Cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s ‘We’re an American Band’

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire He’s coming to your town, his band will help you party down! That’s right, Rob Zombie is covering the Grand Funk Railroad classic, ‘We’re an American Band’ on his upcoming album, ‘ Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor ,’ which is due in stores April 23. More details have been announced regarding the upcoming disc, including the revelation that Zombie is covering the ’70s-era favorite. The song would seemingly be a solid fit for Zombie given how much praise his heaped upon the current lineup of his band. The vocalist has been gung-ho about how he feels concerning the new record, and he adds about the latest effort, “I think for the first time this new album perfectly merges the old days of White Zombie with the future of what I am doing now. I think fans of both will agree this is the perfect combo of both worlds.” In addition to ‘We’re an American Band,’ Zombie revealed that the lead single from the upcoming disc will be the song ‘Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Super Town.’ It will be joined on the album by tracks with such awesome titles as ‘Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga,’ ‘Lucifer Rising’ and ‘Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures.’ The album will be the first release on Zombie’s new label Zodiac Swan. At present, no tour dates have been revealed in support of the new disc, though Zombie did spend quite a bit of time on the road last fall as part of the ‘ Twins of Evil ‘ tour with Marilyn Manson . He will, however, be one of the honorees at the upcoming Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles on May 2. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rob-zombie-stop-making-music-when-no-longer-fun/” title=”Next: Rob Zombie Says He’ll Stop Making Music When It’s No Longer Fun” align=”center”]