Razor & Tie Connecticut hardcore titans Hatebreed have just released a fiery new video for ‘Put It to the Torch.’ The video consists of everything a Hatebreed fan would ever hope for; violence, blood and mystical tribes of ancient warriors initiating businessmen into their group through gladiator fire battles. ‘Put It to the Torch’ is Hatebreed’s first single from their upcoming sixth studio album, ‘The Divinity of Purpose,’ due out Jan. 29. The newest single from Hatebreed was released in November, and has been praised by fans ever since. ‘Put It to the Torch’ even made it to Loudwire’s Death Match Hall of Fame by defeating Destruction , Nile , the Contortionist and Upon a Burning Body in a series of Death Matches. The new Hatebreed video begins with an irritable young businessman bumping into a metalhead on the street before suddenly facing an attack by mysterious voodoo magic. After being thrown around like a rag doll in the streets, the man encounters a strange tribe in the woods who use fire as fuel for their wizardry. The businessman is handed a giant, flaming mace and is ordered into battle. We won’t give away what happens, but we can only wish that ‘Put It to the Torch’ was more than just over two-minutes long so we could enjoy this video for even longer. Check out Hatebreed’s blazing music video for ‘Put It to the Torch’ in the player below. Hatebreed, ‘Put It to the Torch’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/hatebreed-singer-jamey-jasta-cover-art-the-divinity-of-purpose-new-album-trailer/” title=”Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta Talks ‘The Divinity of Purpose’ Artwork” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Lit have had one heck of a journey as a band, releasing their fifth studio album, ‘The View From The Bottom,’ last year after an eight year break. They were also recently part of 2012’s ShipRocked Cruise, which featured numerous talented acts on a boat sailing from Florida to the Bahamas and back. While on the cruise, we had the chance to chat with frontman A. Jay Popoff about the new how, how the tragic death of their drummer Allen Shellenberger affected the band, as well as future plans for Lit and much more. Lit have endured numerous hardships as a band; how has that made you stronger individually and as a group? It definitely changed perspective on the big picture. This band has always been a brotherhood, you hear any band say that but our band literally grew up together. To lose a brother, it’s hard enough not only when you’re best friends and you’re partners in something like Lit – it’s our business and our life, it’s like losing a limb. It definitely brought the rest of us together — Kevin [Baldes] and Jeremy [Popoff] and I –and [we] pulled some deeper, sentimental songs when we wrote ‘The View From The Bottom.’ There are songs that are therapeutic for us. Lyrics have always been important to us but it’s a little less about the partying and drinking – we have those songs on here but it’s more about, just life. What does the title ‘The View From the Bottom’ specifically mean to you? It was an image that came to us more than what it actually says. On the cover, it’s us raising our glasses and it’s sort of like this new beginning in a way and we have a song called ‘Here’s To Us’ – this whole record is all about family and unity and that’s just the toast. ‘The View From the Bottom’ is looking up at the bottom of a glass. It was great seeing you onstage [during your ShipRocked set]. You guys have been away for a while – what did you guys miss most about playing shows and touring? That was the part we missed the most – getting out there. We did continue to do occasional one off shows, it was just enough to keep us going but really getting out on the road over the summer was awesome – just everyday waking up on the tour bus, hanging out after. You have nowhere else to go except back on the bus so it’s cool to hang out with people and reconnect with fans, new fans that were too young to come out to the shows before –we’re meeting a lot of those people and now they’re old enough to drink, so a lot of raising glasses with new people. What made you guys decide to write and create music again? Nathan Walker, our drummer now, he was really close with Allen [Shellenberger], it was when we decided to induct him into the group — I don’t know it was weird, everything just lined up and that’s when songs started to flow. We continued to write because we’re songwriters outside of the band, as well, but actual Lit music just wasn’t coming to us, everything we would right we’d be like “That’s not Lit.” My brother and I we do most of the writing and the songs just started feeling like Lit again and so we just went for it. Was there every a moment where you thought you and the rest of Lit might not ever make music together again or did you feel that it would take some time and happen naturally? We knew that we would always make music together because there really isn’t any other option. We’ve spent our entire lives doing this and it’s just what we are and we just have such a cool fanbase all over the world and constantly getting hit up by people who want new music. I just felt like we owed it to ourselves as a band, we owed it to the fans that have been so patient and we didn’t want to put out some half assed record just because it had taken so long. We wanted to deliver something that we’re proud of. What are plans for Lit in 2013? We’re planning on getting back out on the road and probably writing another record, too. We’re not going to sit around and wait, we’re feeling creative. The fire’s back and passion’s there and we just want to keep it going. Watch Lit’s Music Video for ‘The Broken’ ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/shiprocked-2012-korn-in-this-moment-p-o-d-more-day-2-recap-gallery/” title=”Check Out Photos of Lit Performing on 2012 ShipRocked Cruise” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire My Darkest Days are down a member as they start to work on their next album. The band revealed via their social networks that guitarist Sal Costa (pictured at right above) is leaving the group after three years of growth and success. Costa joined My Darkest Days in 2009 and was part of their first two records — their self-titled 2010 release which spawned the breakout single ‘Porn Star Dancing’ and their 2012 follow-up, ‘Sick and Twisted Affair,’ which yielded the hit rock singles ‘Casual Sex’ and the title track. In addition to his lead guitar work, Costa also provided some vocals on the band’s songs. The band tweeted about Costa’s departure as well as their current progress on a new record. The tweets read as follows: Band Member Sal Costa is leaving My Darkest Days.The band is currently writing for their new album and it will be… fb.me/E0pNYEGf — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 Its Sad news and we wish him well. Thanks to all our fans and friends out there.and for those about to RockWe salute you!!Matt — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 Goin over the tracks for the next MDD album in 2013!!!…Wheres your HORNS at?!!! #MDDARMY We love ALL of YOU!!!!! — My Darkest Days (@MyDarkestDays) January 5, 2013 ‘Sick and Twisted Affair’ was a heavier effort than the band’s debut and Costa revealed that the group’s consistent touring with hard rock acts definitely played a role in the musical transformation. As the band begin writing for their third studio album, it is not known what direction the group is taking. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/my-darkest-days-sick-and-twisted-affair-video/” title=”Next: Watch My Darkest Days’ ‘Sick and Twisted Affair’ Video” align=”center”]
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Black Veil Brides shot a film to accompany their upcoming ‘ Wretched and Divine ‘ album and fans will get a chance to check it out this weekend as part of a global pay-per-view event. The movie is called ‘ Legion of the Black ‘ and it serves as an extension of the album. The flick is built around eight songs from the disc, with the band members appearing in performance segments. The group recently premiered it just prior to the holidays in Los Angeles and will let fans in other parts of the world check it out Sunday night (Jan. 6). ‘Legion of the Black’ will be available over a 24-hour period beginning at 12AM PT/3AM ET at the band’s Facebook page , with fans having the option to share movie clips, answer trivia, take polls and potentially speak with members of the band. To pre-order the Sunday Pay-Per-View for $4.99, click here . The film and album concept come from the mind of singer Andy Biersack. The vocalist told Billboard , “I’ve always been a big fan of utopian, future, new world stories — ‘V for Vendetta,’ comic books, graphic novels. It’s not really an anti-religion story; more than anything it’s based on the concept of the five of us in the band as these Che Guevara, rebellious leaders unified against this big church/government bad guy.” The vocalist says that after an initial false start on the album, producer John Feldmann asked him what was inspiring him and they took his short story idea and started working it into an album. ”This is new ground for the band,” says the singer. “It’ll take a little bit of time for people to understand what this is, so the intent is to take it as many places as we can.” The ‘Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones’ album is due Jan. 8. Pre-orders are being taken here . Fans can also check out a trailer for the ‘Legion of the Black’ film and introduction from Biersack here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-veil-brides-unleash-video-for-in-the-end/” title=”Next: Watch Black Veil Brides’ ‘In the End’ Video” align=”center”]
Loudwire Loudwire appreciates the support that you, the readers, have given us, and we want to show you how much by launching the new Loudwire VIP Lounge . The new section to the Loudwire website allows you to play games, answer trivia, take surveys and accumulate points in order to enter our many contests. The newly launched Loudwire VIP Lounge lets you earn points in a number of ways. You can visit any of our featured links, check out the interesting info and add the advertised point total to your overall score. The trivia section sends you to particular articles to get an answer for a question that will also add more points on your overall total. For those who like games, especially ones with a little risk to them, there is also the option of accumulating (or losing) some points by trying your hand at Blackjack, Slots or Scratch ‘N Win. You can also add significantly to your point total by offering your feedback. Just simply enter the survey portion and tell us what you think about the topic at hand and you can add to your overall sum. Once you’ve accumulated a certain amount of points, you can enter the various contests in the VIP Lounge. Our current featured contest is an all-inclusive trip for two to see Soundgarden in Seattle. At present, the lounge also features such items as an iPod Touch; a Dyson heater and fan; Diddybeat in-ear headphones; a Samsung Galaxy Tab; gift cards for Amazon, Lowes and Target; a Garmin GPS; a Kindle Paperwhite 3G; a Samsung 40-inch television; an Xbox 360 Nike and bundle and $250 spending cash which you can also enter to win with your points. Check out the new Loudwire VIP Lounge by clicking the button below: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/vip/” title=”Visit the Loudwire VIP Lounge” align=”center”]
YouTube Lemmy Kilmister may be an ageless wonder, but the Motorhead frontman need not worry about his band’s music surviving for the long haul. That’s because the robot band known as Compressorhead does a pretty nifty job of taking on the Motorhead classic ‘Ace of Spades.’ The mechanical outfit is not only quite adept at playing the hard-driving song, but one of the robots, guitarist Fingers, has the headbanging action down pat as well. However, watching Compressorhead play gives you newfound respect for Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, as it’s noticeable that the robot drummer Stickboy has a few more appendages to pull off what Dee normally does behind the kit. Compressorhead take their “metal” roots to heart, also covering such songs as AC/DC ‘s ‘TNT’ and Pantera ‘s ‘ Becoming ‘ as part of their repertoire. Drummer Stickboy previously performed at the 2008 Big Day Out festival in Australia and will return with the full robot group to be part of the 2013 Big Day Out bill . Watch Compressorhead Perform Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/robot-band-marilyn-manson-beautiful-people/” title=”Next: Watch Another Robot Band Cover Marilyn Manson’s ‘Beautiful People'” align=”center”]
Bazillion Points Although there is no inherent discrimination within the metal community, it’s plain to see at any concert that most metalheads happen to be white males. While music genres can become polarizing, the central focus should always be the music itself, as author and black female Laina Dawes set out to argue in her new book, ‘What Are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman’s Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal.’ Dawes found herself connected to metal music, especially that of Judas Priest , at a very young age, but due to her gender and race, the youthful Canadian metalhead found it difficult to integrate herself into the scene. “Being 11 or 12 years old, I really resonated with the sound of anger and my internal struggles or what I was going through,” Dawes explains to NPR . “I found that listening to the music in my bedroom, being able to feel like you could scream and yell and really express your anger, that really helped me out when I was a kid.” Despite Dawes finding personal salvation within metal as an individual, she faced some unnerving backlash within social circles. “There was a boy who went to another high school,” begins Dawes. “He was really into metal, and we would talk on the phone, and I remember that he said that he wanted to meet me at a shopping mall on the weekend. And he said, ‘Well, what do you look like?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m black and this and this…’ and he hung up the phone. I never heard from him again. [I also remember] my black female friends in high school and their parents wondering why I was wearing a Def Leppard T-shirt or whatever, and really kind of questioning me on my cultural legitimacy as a black person. All of those together made me really understand at a pretty young age that, as a black woman, I’m not supposed to be doing this, and there’s something wrong with me because I enjoy this music.” Despite the barriers Dawes faced, metal has remained the soundtrack of her life. The foreward to Dawes’ book was penned by renowned black female rocker Skin of the British rock group Skunk Anansie. ‘What Are You Doing Here?’ is available for purchase at Bazillion Points Books and various online outlets.