What an amazing election! After close calls, intense moments and incredible campaign efforts, the President of Heavy Metal has finally been elected. The winner is the one and only Ozzy Osbourne . The Black Sabbath singer has captured the hearts of heavy metal music fans with his wailing voice and legendary debauchery, leading him to the evil office in a nail-bitingly close final round. Defeating GWAR’s Oderus Urungus , Maynard James Keenan and Rob Halford in previous rounds, the final battle pitted Ozzy against Rob Zombie . Zombie himself had defeated such legends as Bruce Dickinson , Dave Mustaine and Lemmy Kilmister on his way to the final round. The lead changed hands a number of times as both Zombie and Ozzy began to actually campaign for the title of President, with Zombie’s team creating custom graphics for multiple Facebook posts and Ozzy’s team busting out an old ‘Ozzy for President’ button and enlisting the help of his wife Sharon and son Jack to collect votes via Twitter. After roughly 100,000 votes, Ozzy edged out Zombie by a margin of 50.82 percent to 49.18 percent. Congrats to the ‘Prince of Darkness’ for winning Loudwire’s inaugural President of Heavy Metal Election and thanks to everyone who voted and made this whole race such a blast! Full President of Heavy Metal Election Bracket: Campaign Artwork: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-bark-at-the-moon-halloween-light-show-texas/” title=”Next: Watch a ‘Bark at the Moon’ Halloween Light Show” align=”center”]
The metal world has been severely shaken since the death of Suicide Silence vocalist Mitch Lucker . The vocalist struck a light pole on Halloween night while riding his 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle, dying from his injuries early the next morning. In memory of Mitch Lucker and for the benefit of his 5-year-0ld daughter Kenadee, Suicide Silence have started an official donation page with all proceeds going towards Kenadee’s education fund. For those who donate $20 or more to the fund, you’ll receive a memorial Mitch Lucker t-shirt, pictured left. For any donation under $20, your name will be added to a tribute page coming soon on SuicideSilence.net. As publicly revealed by the wife of Mitch Lucker, the singer had issues with alcohol that led to his fatal motorcycle crash. “He was an alcoholic, and it’s been a big battle,” said Lucker’s wife at a candlelight vigil . “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.” To donate any amount of money to the Mitch Lucker Memorial Fund, click here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/joe-siracuse-death-2012/” title=”See the Rockers We’ve Lost in 2012″ align=”center”]
Reprise Green Day may be out of commission at the moment while singer Billie Joe Armstrong continues his substance abuse rehab, but you would never know it from how prominently they’ve kept fans enthralled with new music. That continues with the new stream of the ‘ ¡Dos! ‘ album on RollingStone.com, a full week ahead of its Nov. 13 release. The high-energy, upbeat disc will be a solid one for the band once they finally do return to the road. ‘F— Time’ features some Georgia Satellites-like good time guitar licks; ‘Stop When the Red Lights Flash’ has that infectious vibe that could make it an eventual single; ‘Makeout Party’ has a great garage-rock feel; and ‘Stray Heart’ is just an immediate radio-friendly rocker that’s the perfect choice for the lead single. The full ‘¡Dos!’ disc drops next Tuesday (Nov. 13) and now competes with the ‘¡Uno!’ album released earlier this year for listeners’ full attention. The third disc in the trilogy, ‘ ¡Tre! ,’ was recently pushed forward to a Dec. 11 release after the band realized they would be unable to tour leading up to the album’s original Jan. 15 street date. Green Day fans can also check out the new ‘ Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 ‘ soundtrack song ‘ The Forgotten ,’ which recently debuted and will also turn up on the ‘¡Tre!’ album. [button href=”http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/green-day-rock-hard-and-fast-on-dos-album-premiere-20121106″ title=”Listen to Green Day’s ‘¡Dos!’ Album Streaming at RollingStone.com” align=”center”] [button href=”http://loudwire.com/green-day-shinedown-van-halen-linkin-park-nominated-peoples-choice-awards/” title=”Next: Green Day Nominated for People’s Choice Award” align=”center”]
The End Records It has been a long wait for HIM fans, but the band has released the new track ‘Strange World’ off of their compilation album ‘XX – Two Decades of Love Metal.’ ‘Strange World’ is the Finnish love metallers’ first dose of new material since 2010, and the track is laced with signature HIM melodies and tones. The song itself was originally released by Kevin Grivois, known by the artist name Ké, in the 90s. It’s said to be one of the personal favorites of HIM frontman Ville Valo. HIM are have released their share of cover tracks, such as their notable renditions of Chris Isaac’s ‘Wicked Game,’ Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’ and the Ramones’ ‘Poison Heart.’ ‘Strange World’ starts off with Linde Lindstrom’s clattering and screaming guitar riffs that lead into Valo’s deep vocals, as he delivers the first verse backed by rattling bass lines provided by Mige Paananen. Valo offers softer vocals for the chorus as he sings, “Strange world / People talk and tell only lies / Strange world / People kill an eye for an eye / Strange world / Dream one day we’ll see the light / Strange world / Believe and everything will be alright.” Drummer Mika ‘Gas Lipstick’ Karppinen provides a steady stream of snare and sizzling cymbals behind the skins that add to the strength of the track. The song ends on a strong note as Valo sings, “Burn these thoughtless tears out of my eyes / Still I wonder, wonder why.” Even though the lyrical content doesn’t necessarily cover love or death, as HIM songs typically do, the band’s rendition of ‘Strange World’ retains the balance of pain and beauty that HIM have delivered over their storied career. Listen to H.I.M, ‘Strange World’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/h-i-m-mixing-melancholy-with-motorhead-tears-on-tape-album/” title=”Next: Ville Valo Talks About New Album ‘Tears on Tape'” align=”center”]
Roadrunner Machine Head are currently on tour with Dethklok , All That Remains and the Black Dahlia Murder . With a lineup that is sure to both draw and excite metalheads, one unfortunate part of the United States is going to miss out on the full show, as Machine Head have been banned from ever performing on property owned by the Disney corporation. Thus, the Orlando, Fla. stop of the tour on Dec. 4 will be Machine Head-less. In 2007, Walt Disney Properties banned Machine Head from the ‘House of Blues’ venues in both Anaheim, Calif., and Orlando, the respective cities that are home to Disneyland and Disney World. Machine Head were banned by the company to due the band’s “violent imagery,” “inflammatory lyrics” and the group’s “undesirable fans.” These accusations come from the company that created ‘The Lion King,’ which features antagonist Scar plunging his claws into his brother Mufasa’s paws before allowing him to fall from a cliff only to be trampled to death by a heard of wildebeest. Disney also included the song ‘Savages’ in the film ‘Pocahontas,’ where the character Ratcliffe sings the lyrics, “They’re savages! / Barely even human … Dirty redskin devils,” about Native Americans. “Violent Imagery?” Check. “Inflammatory lyrics?” Massive check. Additionally, the entertainment company was happy to allow Motorhead to write the song ‘Dog-Face Boy’ for the animated film ‘Bolt,’ surely in an attempt to appeal to those same “undesirable fans” and lure them into movie theaters worldwide. The band released the following statement regarding the continuation of the Disney ban: For the third time in a row, the corporate powers behind Walt Disney Properties have once again pressured promoter Live Nation into canceling Machine Head’s performance at a House of Blues venue on Disney property, this time the December 4th show in Orlando, FL. While no one is willing to provide evidence that would prove unfavorable to Disney, sources close to events have suggested that Machine Head remains on a “banned list”, and while Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder will still be allowed to play, the corporate powers at Disney have refused to allow Machine Head to perform. In 2007, Walt Disney Properties banned Machine Head from the House Of Blues venues in both Anaheim and Orlando, citing “violent imagery”, “inflammatory lyrics” and most appallingly “undesirable fans” as the reason. The diversity-impaired corporation began pressuring the promoter with vague threats of liability and reduced job security before placing Machine Head under an internal “review process”. Five days later, Walt Disney Properties would convey their alarming decision to the band, less than 48 hours before the first date of 2007′s anti-war, anti-religion, anti-conservative-themed “The Blackening” album headline run at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, CA. A stunned Machine Head announced the details and disgust regarding the situation and let fans know of the then-rescheduled show 70 miles away at The Glass House in Pomona. In retaliation for that public announcement, Disney cancelled the band’s then-upcoming performance at the House Of Blues in Orlando, citing the same absurd reasons, though they would only publicly state that they had “changed musical formats” at the venue. Machine Head wish to once again extend their gratitude to Live Nation and the House Of Blues for their poise and tolerance throughout these ridiculous developments, unbelievably transpiring here in these United States Of America in this year 2012. As they are not on Disney property and therefore not subject to the corporation’s alleged coercionary tactics, the current dates with Dethklok, All That Remains and The Black Dahlia Murder at the Dallas and Houston House Of Blues will go on as scheduled. Unfortunately, Machine Head’s Florida performance will not be rescheduled in an effort to avoid creating any conflict with the existing dates on the tour. All refund requests will be honored. Machine Head assure fans that all refund requests for the Dec. 4 show will be honored. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/machine-head-to-unleash-machine-f-ing-head-live-double-album/” title=”Next: Machine Head to Unleash Live Double Album” align=”center”]
Epochal Artists / EMI Trapt are ramping up to their upcoming ‘ Reborn ‘ album with the in-your-face new single ‘Bring It,’ and they’re teaming with Loudwire to bring you the exclusive premiere of the video for the track. In the clip, the band plays against the backdrop of two female fighters going head-to-head in the ring, setting the perfect mood for a high-energy beat down. Of the track itself, singer Chris Taylor Brown tells us, “‘Bring It’ is a song that goes out to all the people in the world who have ever told you that ‘you can’t’ do this or ‘can’t’ do that. It is basically a f— you to anyone who doubts you. This song is about overcoming all the naysayers/haters you have in your life and the fact that we all need to prove these people wrong — those people who try and bring us down to their level. This song is about rising above criticism and persevering against all odds.” Brown also digs into the video itself, explaining, “The video basically shows the underdog taking on an arrogant champion, when no one else wanted to step up to her. She takes the champ’s s— everyday at the gym she works and trains at. When it is time to prove to everyone that she is the best out there, she does so, when everyone in her life told her she wouldn’t amount to anything. It was a blast to shoot watching the two chicks go at it for hours, they really knew how to fight. I wouldn’t want to get in the ring with those chicks, ha. It was also surreal to shoot a performance inside an octagon. I love MMA, I think it’s one of the best sports out there and to kick some ass playing ‘Bring It’ inside that octagon was a huge adrenaline rush. It was definitely one of the most fun videos we’ve ever done!” ‘Bring It’ is featured on the ‘Reborn’ album, which drops Jan. 22, and is currently available for pre-order at the band’s website . The first 500 people to pre-order via the website will receive an autographed copy of the album. There are also bundle options available that include the autographed CD, an exclusive t-shirt, and the download of the songs ‘Bring It,’ ‘Love Hate Relationship’ and ‘Live Wire.’ Watch Trapt’s ‘Bring It’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/trapt-new-album-reborn-fall-2012-tour/” title=”Next: See Trapt’s Fall 2012 Tour Dates” align=”center”]
Housecore Legendary Pantera / Down vocalist Phil Anselmo is set to add another record to his impressive library of musical contributions. Anselmo will be unveiling his solo material on a new split titled ‘War of the Gargantuas’ with the thrashers of Warbeast. Anselmo and Warbeast will each contribute two songs to the split, which will contain the first official solo material from Anselmo in his near 30-year run. “This split is a glimpse into the future of both my solo project and ultimate thrash metallers Warbeast,” begins Anselmo. “The title of the split is War of the Gargantuas and it is fitting on many levels because of our combined love for the ’60s Japanese film of the same name, the power of our combined musical output(s) and our humorous affection that plays out within each of our ‘Gargantuan’ personalities.” Anselmo continues, “Both Warbeast and myself have full length LPs that will be released shortly after this is released, but this split is unique musically. It is a time capsule; a loud pause ‘til we both release our full length products. Enjoy the destruction of music!” Adds Warbeast guitarist Scott Shelby, “These two songs we have on ‘War of the Gargantuas’ were the next level after ‘Krush The Enemy. They’ve been a staple in our set list for the last two years. These songs are a pure demonstration of our unique Texas thrash metal style.” Meanwhile, Down and Warbeast have just announced dates for a 2013 U.S. leg of their joint tour. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-pantera-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Pantera Songs” align=”center”]