04.01.05 (RockAndMetal.com) New York singer/songwriter DEENA GOODMAN has self-released her debut EP, entitled "Hard To Get To." Goodman is a natural redhead, both passionate and fierce, organic and soulful. With a sultry, R&B-tinged voice that gently wraps around lyrics and fits snugly into the curves of warm melodies, Goodman is a musician whose talent effortlessly soars above that of her peers. Infused with hooks that gently affix themselves to your memory, DEENA GOODMAN's sound is subtly complex, combining Rock, Blues, Soul and even a little Jazz. While listening to "Hard To Get To," one quickly understands that Goodman's motivation to make music is etched into her soul. "Its just a natural inclination for me to want to do this," she says. "I always felt music was the natural route I was going to take." Still, DEENA GOODMAN nearly had the course of her life altered when -- the morning after her college graduation -- she woke up unable to speak. The nodules her doctor found on her throat would have devastated any other aspiring musician. For Goodman, however, they were ultimately the painful force that drove her to pursue her dream with even more vigor. As she began to go through therapy to heal her vocal chords, Goodman sought out a lawyer and a producer to help her pursue her dream. "Hard To Get To" is best described as Soul-tinged Rock with a Seventies edge. With influences ranging from Janis Joplin's deep, raw passion to the effortless melodic intonations in the voices of the likes of Carole King and Bonnie Raitt, DEENA GOODMAN's debut is unlike anything else currently being tossed onto shelves by other young female vocalists. The opening title track begins slowly before erupting into a chorus that begs the listener for a sing-along, with lyrics that introduce Goodman as a woman whose strength emerges from her vulnerability, while the other four songs on "Hard To Get To" each has its own distinct personality as well. DEENA GOODMAN simply calls music her lifeblood because "its what I'm best at," she says.
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04.01.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Crash Music, Inc. has announced that they have signed New York Metalcore band ABEYANCE to a five-album recording deal. A quintet hailing from eastern Long Island, ABEYANCE have honed their skills playing small to medium-sized venues to sell-out crowds around the Northeastern United States, consistently breaking out the crowd from the monotony of the "average" Hardcore and Metal show. ABEYANCE have also shared the stage with several well-known bands already, including THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, E-TOWN CONCRETE, AGNOSTIC FRONT, NORA, DEAD TO FALL, SUBJECT TO CHANGE and old-school mainstays MADBALL. ABEYANCE initially caught the attention of Mark Nawara of Crash Music, Inc. from being the #1 artist viewed in the Hardcore category on the increasingly popular PureVolume.com website, where the band's songs have also received over 20,000 plays. ABEYANCE will hit the studio later this month to record their still-untitled debut album, with hopes of an August/September release date. A full tour of the U.S. will follow in support of the album. Combining intelligent lyrics that touch on the most intricate of human behavior with lightning-fast tempo changes, breakdowns and odd time signatures, ABEYANCE are here to "leave their mark," according to the band - or at least a few sizeable welts and bruises on the face of modern heavy music. Consisting of five members with five distinct personas as well as a range of influences that runs the typical gamut of Heavy Metal and Hardcore standards, then pan out and stretch from one musical extreme to another, ABEYANCE are a band that consistently tap dance back and forth over the fine line between mainstream sensibilities and heavy underground influence that is clearly present in their music. Featuring a furious and brutal guitar duo and rhythm section not to be reckoned with, ABEYANCE are also a very young band that look to have many productive years ahead of them.
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03.31.05 (RockAndMetal.com) On June 13th, Sanctuary Visual Entertainment are slated to release "Beyond The Beginning," the definitive 2-disc DVD collection of legendary performances, rare and previously unreleased material from EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER. A year in the making, this stunning 2-disc set pulls together some of the greatest moments from one of the Seventies' most successful and exciting bands. For most of that decade, this trio ssimply pushed the boundaries of what was possible in Rock to a whole new level. "Beyond The Beginning" includes performances from every stage of their career, including 44 minutes of the band headlining the massive televised California Jam festival in 1974 on the second DVD. This rare and spectacular footage was broadcast just once in North America at the time of the event, capturing the band at the peak of their powers with a production to match. Highly sought after by fans on poor quality bootleg videos up until now, the show includes ELP keyboardist Keith Emerson's now-legendary "spinning piano" sequence. Extras include a 17-minute, never-before-seen film of EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER in rehearsal, demonstrating the extraordinary level of musicianship that defined their recordings and live show. There is also a newly discovered film of the band participating in a celebrity car race at Brands Hatch in 1973, an exclusive analysis of the ELP album covers, and a new interview with Bob Moog, the original inventor of the synthesizer, who worked so closely with Keith Emerson. Greg Lake and Carl Palmer also speak in depth about the band's formation, its rapid rise to glory and eventual decline in the late 70's, as well as the personal dynamics that drove the band. Illustration comes from newly restored Super 8mm film from the band's very own archives. From their stunning start at the Isle Of Wight festival, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER were never afraid to tear up the rule book and take risks, both on stage and on record.

03.31.05 (RockAndMetal.com) The pre-show party for the Northwest Death Fest will be held this Saturday, April 2nd at Jimmy Zs in Everett, Washington, headlined by none other than the mighty CANNIBAL CORPSE. The evening will feature performances from nine bands, as well as a meet and greet and autograph session with CANNIBAL CORPSE, SADUS and INCANTATION. Jasmin St. Claire will also attend the party to sign autographs. "The pre-show party is a good opportunity for people to meet some of their favorite bands and gear up for a full day of punishing brutality," said Robert Day, vocalist/guitarist for the band BLACKGOAT. "Just make sure to save enough energy for the main event. A long day of headbanging fury awaits!" There are five bands on the bill that are also playing the following day at the Northwest Death Fest - FUNERAL AGE, KURU, FULL THROTTLE, MUMMIFICATION and EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT. PATHOS, TIMES OF DESPERATION, ZUCKUSS and EVANGILIST will also perform at the pre-fest party. "It is awesome that the local true metal scene in Seattle has shaped up to become what it is," said Kevin Bedra, vocalist/guitarist from Seattle's own FUNERAL AGE. "As for the headliners, it will be a distinct honor to have shared the stage with such legends." "This party will get everyone psyched for the festival," said promoter Frank Hetzel. "The bands will be tearing it up extra hard, especially since Cannibal Corpse, Sadus, and Incantation will be in the house watching and hanging with the fans." The all-day Northwest Death Fest will be held at the Fenix Underground in Seattle this Sunday, April 3rd. Guitarist Rob Barrett, who was a member of CANNIBAL CORPSE from 1993 to 1997, will rejoin the band for their Northwest Death Fest performance. "It's been a while since we played in the Northwest, so we can't wait to play this festival," said CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster. "Rob Barrett is joining back up with us on guitar for this show, so expect a lot of old classics as well as some more recent tunes."
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03.30.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Hot on the heels of the second single 'Better Now' from their latest album, "Youth," COLLECTIVE SOUL have announced two new upcoming releases for 2005. The first is an intimate 8-track acoustic collection entitled "From The Ground Up," to be released via the band's newly formed El Music Group label on April 26th. COLLECTIVE SOUL announced earlier this month that they will perform and record two live shows with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra on Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 24th in Atlanta, GA at the Woodruff Arts Center. A DVD and CD of the upcoming concerts are now slated to be released this Fall. Already entitled "Collective Soul - Home With The Atlanta Youth Symphony," portions of the proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. The concerts, to be filmed by renowned director/producer Pierre Lamoureux (The Who, Alanis Morissette, Willie Nelson), will be taped in high definition for "Home" DVD. Subsequent releases stemming from the recordings will include a 2-CD collection and a box set that will include both the live CD's and DVD with a bonus DVD highlighted by interviews, a "making of..." segment, and added bonus features. The box set will also feature extensive liner notes and exclusive packaging. "The initial idea developed as a unique opportunity between us and the Atlanta Symphony," says COLLECTIVE SOUL frontman Ed Roland. "During discussions about the project, we learned that Atlanta houses one of the top 3 youth symphonies in the country, and with our new record appropriately titled 'Youth,' the idea transitioned naturally." After four years out of the public eye, Roland has a message for the world. "Let the word out/I gotta get it out. Whoa, I'm feeling better now," he declares in 'Better Now,' the energetic rocker that launches "Youth," the Georgia Rockers' first studio album since 2000's "Blender." Following a tumultuous four years, Roland says, "There were a lot of things that just kind of slapped us upside the head and told us it was time to take a break." COLLECTIVE SOUL are... [full story]
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03.30.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Florida Death Metallers DIVINE EMPIRE are ready to unleash their brand new, hate-fueled brand of brutality upon the world with their new album "Method Of Execution," slated for a European release on April 25th via Century Media. Opening with the crushing atmospheric track 'Vowed Revenge,' it becomes immediately clear that "Method Of Execution" is a giant leap forward for DIVINE EMPIRE. The song 'Prelude To The Storm,' for example, provides some beautiful Classical guitar melodies accompanied by violin and cello lines before blasting into the track 'Storm Of Hatred." Produced once again by Jeremy Staska (Malevolent Creation, Hateplow, Remembering Never, Nonpoint, Poison The Well), DIVINE EMPIRE have achieved their most stellar production to date with "Method Of Execution." The guitars are clear yet dirty; the drums sound big yet sharp; and the bass cuts through beautifully, making Jason Blachowicz's impressive techniques on the four-string apparent. He also gives the vocal performance of his career on the new album, displaying a range that could very well give DEICIDE's Glen Benton a run for his money. DIVINE EMPIRE have always released potent albums, but with "Method Of Execution," the band have grown from their straight ahead Death Metal origins to include a variety of influences, helping distance them from their MALEVOLENT CREATION brethren. Stronger melodies, catchier song structures and hints of Classical, Doom, Black Metal and even Classic Rock all rear their heads on "Method Of Execution." DIVINE EMPIRE will also promote the new album upon its release by touring Europe alongside Bay Area Thrash legends TESTAMENT. Track Listing: 1. Vowed Revenge • 2. The Mauler • 3. Surgical Strike • 4. Dungeon Mask • 5. Shadow Of Violence • 6. Prelude To The Storm • 7. Storm Of Hatred • 8. Random Beheadings • 9. Incarcerated • 10. Judge, Jury & Executioner • 11. Terror Zone • 12. Sanctionized Homicide • 13. Impervious Deception • 14. Kill The King • 15. Murderous • 16. Reduced To Ashes
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03.29.05 (RockAndMetal.com) On Tuesday, April 5th, LISA MARIE PRESLEY will release her new album, "Now What, which just like her is unflinchingly direct. The follow-up to her debut album has been produced by Eric Rosse, and features collaborations with Pink, former SEX PISTOLS guitarist Steve Jones and songwriter Linda Perry. Presley penned the lyrics for 10 of the album's 11 songs, except for first single 'Dirty Laundry,' which is a cover of the Don Henley song. CTV will be using LISA MARIE PRESLEY's version of the song in customized Canadian on-air promos for the hit show "Desperate Housewives" beginning on April 3rd. The week after "Now What" is released, Presley will makes her first-ever Canadian promo visit to Toronto. Some event highlights while she is in town include a live, in-studio performance and interview with Roger, Rick & Marilyn on the CHUM FM Morning Show April 13th, with another live performance scheduled that evening hosted by Bill Welychka on MuchMoreMusic Live from 8:00PM-9:00PM. The following day on April 14th, LISA MARIE PRESLEY will be interviewed by Humble & Fred on the Mix 99 Morning Show. That afternoon, Canadian fans will have their chance to get up close and personal with Presley at her first-ever Canadian in-store autograph signing, which will be hosted by Tanya Kim of CTV's "eTalk Daily" at the Toronto Eaton Centre, which is located at Trinity Way on the third level. For the in-store autograph signing there are 1,000 "Presley Passes" (which is the only way to guarantee your place in line to receive an autograph) being given away. Fans can also win from Mix 99.9, the Toronto Sun, or the Toronto Eaton Centre on-line. Several hundred single passes will be given out to those who purchase "Now What" on April 5th only from one of 12 participating HMV locations, while quantities last. Various flyaway promotions are being currently done nationally with HMV and CTV's eTalk Daily. A few passes will also be given out on the day of the event at the Toronto Eaton Centre as well.
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03.29.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Tampa, Florida's THE ABSCENCE have officially inked a worldwide recording deal with Metal Blade Records, the label has announced. Having previously self-released a crushing EP in 2004 that has since received much critical praise, THE ABSCENCE will soon be taking the Metal world by force with some upcoming live shows. The band will enter Manna Studios on April 10th with producer Erik Rutan (Into The Moat, Soilent Green, Hate Eternal) to record their first full-length release for Metal Blade, currently slated for a Fall release. THE ABSCENCE are slated to tour relentlessly both nationally and overseas in support of their still-untitled, full-length debut - having already impressed significantly playing alongside such national acts as CANNIBAL CORPSE, IMMOLATION, GRAVE, SIX FEET UNDER, MASTODON, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, NAPALM, DEATH, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, DARK TRANQUILITY, GEORGE LYNCH, UNEARTH, NILE and STRAPPING YOUNG LAD. "We are very excited to be on Metal Blade Records, a label we have all grown up listening to," said members of THE ABSCENCE via a joint statement. "It is a pleasure to add The Abscence to the Metal Blade Records roster. Their aggressive form of metal is fresh and heavy," says Mike Faley President of Metal Blade Records. "They must put something in that Florida water, because they follow in the footsteps of Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse, and Into The Moat in presenting a fresh new sound to metal." In the Fall of 2001, long-time friends Patrick Pintavalle and Jamie Stewart of THE ABSCENCE grew tired of the stagnancy of their previous efforts with various bands, and the demise of the once mighty Tampa Bay Metal scene. Initially, THE ABSCENCE was formed as a means of exercising their love for European-styled Metal, especially Scandinavian. After a year or more of trying to find people and getting nowhere, the two were later joined by current guitarist Peter Joseph, bassist Nicholas Calaci and drummer Jeramie Kling.
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03.28.05 (RockAndMetal.com) To celebrate long-time Folk/Rocker DONOVAN's 40th Anniversary (1965-2005), Sanctuary Midline in association with Sanctuary Records Group has announced the May 9th release of the 2-disc anthology, "Donovan's Summer Day Reflection Songs." The album coincides with DONOVAN's extensive upcoming 26-date UK tour this May, as well as the May 9th release of The EMI Group's four digitally re-mastered DONOVAN albums "Sunshine Superman" (1966), "Mellow Yellow" (1967), "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (1968) and "Barabajagal" (1969). During his rise to fame during the mid-sixties, DONOVAN was often referred to as Britain's answer to Bob Dylan. DONOVAN fully embraced the wide-eyed optimism of the "flower power" movement - his ethereal, ornate songs radiating a mystical beauty and childlike wonder. His recordings remain quintessential artifacts of the Psychedelic era, capturing the peace-and-love idealism of their time to perfection. Born Donovan Leitch on May 10, 1946 in Glasgow, Scotland, DONOVAN was raised outside of London. At just 18 years old, he recorded his first demo, and in 1965 was tapped as a regular on the television Pop showcase Ready, Steady, Go! DONOVAN soon issued his debut single 'Catch The Wind,' earning the first round of Dylan comparisons with his ramshackle Folk sound and ragamuffin look. The single nevertheless reached the UK Top Five, with a subsequent meeting with Bob Dylan in the D.A. Pennebaker documentary, "Don't Look Back." DONOVAN's follow-up single, 'Colours,' was also a hit, and after making his American debut at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, he issued "Fairytale," his second and last album for the Hickory Records label. Signing with Epic Records in 1966, DONOVAN released his breakthrough album, "Sunshine Superman," which -- in it's exotic arrangements and pointedly psychedelic lyrical outlook -- heralded a major shift from his previous work. The title track topped the charts on both sides of the... [full story]

03.28.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Guitarist extraordinaire JOHN 5 has been chosen by Rob Zombie to join him for this year's Ozzfest 2005 tour. "I'm totally stoked about this because this guy is a fucking shredder," explains Zombie. "I played 'Thunder Kiss '65' with him at The Arrowhead Pond Arena for a benefit a couple weeks back and it never sounded so fucking good." JOHN 5 is not surprisingly also elated that he will be playing with Zombie on the Hot Topic second stage at Ozzfest: "I'm totally ecstatic about having the opportunity to play with Rob on Ozzfest," exclaims JOHN 5. "He has been one of my favorite artists for the longest time. I had the opportunity to play with him a few weeks back, and never thought that I would have the chance to share the stage with him playing the Zombie songs we all know and love!" JOHN 5 is best known for his tour-of-duty with the controversial Marilyn Manson. "I had a great run with Marilyn Manson. "It was a lot of fun and it was a really great experience, but I've got a lot of other stuff going on. I'm busier now than I was on tour," explains the talented guitarist. A lot of stuff going on indeed. While playing with the legendary Les Paul in New York, Paul gave JOHN 5 some good old-fashioned advice: He told John to venture out with his monster playing ability and go solo. Influenced by the famed guitar guru's advice, JOHN 5 has unleashed a solo project aptly named "Vertigo." Since that release, JOHN 5 has also gone on to put together another band project named LOSER, which he has since launched to the public live in Hollywood, bringing much attention from the major labels. You will be hearing more about LOSER this Summer, wih whom JOHN 5 is joined by vocalist Joe, bassist Charles Lee and drummer Glenn Crain. Meanwhile, JOHN 5 has yet one more project up his sleeve for 2005 - he will be recording his second instrumental album for Shrapnel Records, which will feature guest performances by guitar greats Steve Vai and Albert Lee. The still-untitled album is currently in the works, and will be released sometime this Fall.

[Music News: 03.14.05 - 03.20.05]
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