06.04.04 (RockAndMetal.com) After nearly a decade together, CREED has decided to disband, according to a message posted today on their official website. During their 8 years and 3 albums together ("My Own Prison," "Human Clay" and "Weathered"), CREED achieved countless milestones and sold over 30 million albums worldwide. With their unprecedented success at radio and their captivating live shows, CREED became one of the most successful acts to rule the charts over the past ten years. CREED guitarist/songwriter Mark Tremonti has decided to join forces with CREED drummer Scott Phillips, original CREED bass player Brian Marshall and former MAYFIELD FOUR singer/songwriter Myles Kennedy. The new band, named ALTER BRIDGE, will release their debut album on Wind-Up Records on August 10th of this year. Expect a promotional acoustic tour of radio stations later this Summer, followed by a worldwide tour to begin in late August or early September. CREED singer/songwriter Scott Stapp has been busy in the studio writing and recording over the past several months... [full story]
[WATCH]

06.04.04 (RockAndMetal.com) The MOTORHEAD legend roars on with the release of the band's new studio album, "Inferno," on June 22nd via Metal-Is Records, a division of The Sanctuary Records Group. It's the first album of new, skin-peeling material from vocalist/bass player Lemmy, guitarist Phil Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee since 2002's "Hammered," and the first MOTORHEAD release since last year's five-disc, career-spanning box set, "Stone Deaf Forever!" Guitar legend Steve Vai also makes a guest appearance on two tracks on "Inferno." "This album is real musicians playing real music. There were no rules," Lemmy says. It's not easy for the metal icon to pick out his favorites on "Inferno." Every song is special and important. "Music is very personal. It's just like sex in that way," says Lemmy. Vai's blazing guitar performances on 'Terminal Show' and 'Down On Me' were the result of a casual social encounter with Lemmy at the famous Rainbow Bar & Grill in Hollywood, California. "I was going in and he was coming out, and we ran into each other. I told him we were..." [full story]
[LISTEN]

06.04.04 (AP) Nearly 40 years after he lost it, THE ROLLING STONES' original bass player BILL WYMAN has a rare bass guitar back, thanks to a New Zealand musician. Wellington music maker and business consultant Nick Sceats airfreighted the bass to Wyman two months ago after discovering that it belonged to the rock star. Now, Wyman has sent a note to Sceats, thanking him for the bass that he thought he'd lost forever, local media reported toay. "It doesn't look too bad for wear and tear, considering what it has gone through and the traveling it has done over the years," Wyman wrote in the letter, excerpts of which were printed in Wellington's Dominion Post newspaper. "Once again, thank you. Your kindness was well appreciated," he said. The rare bass, called a "Wyman Bass," was one of a small number that manufacturer Vox made in the 1960s, and the only Vox bass ever adorned with an endorser's name: Wyman. It's still unknown how the 67-year-old Wyman lost the instrument in Wellington in 1966 when on tour with THE ROLLING STONES. Sceats had the rare bass in his possession for 15 years before giving it back to Wyman.

06.04.04 (RockAndMetal.com) STAMPIN' GROUND will head out on a new European tour with ANTHRAX beginning June 16th through July 4th, playing several solo shows in between. STAMPIN' GROUND has already earned an impressive and loyal fan base by touring permanently around the globe, having already shared the stage with well-known acts like SEPULTURA, THE HAUNTED, HATEBREED, BIOHAZARD and more. STAMPIN' GROUND will take a short break after the tour ends. Dates:
06/16 Glasgow, UK [Garage] • 06/17 Edinburgh, UK [Mercat] • 06/18 Dublin, Ireland [Ambassador] • 06/19 Belfast, Ireland [Ulster Hall] • 06/20 Wolverhampton, UK [Wulfrun Hall] • 06/21 Tilburg, NL [Little Devil] • 06/22 Utrecht, NL [Tivolie] • 06/23 Osnabruck, Germany [Hyde Park] • 06/24 Warsaw, Poland [Park Fest] • 06/25 Rosswein, Germany [Jugendhaus] • 06/27 Les Mans, France [Fury Fest] • 06/29 Geneva, Switzerland [L'Usine] • 06/30 Zurich, Switzerland [Rohstofflager] • 07/02 Milan, Italy [Transilvania] • 07/03 Padova, Italy [Open Air Festival] • 07/04 Rome, Italy [Centralino Del Foro Italico]
[FREE MP3]

06.04.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Snapper Music has confirmed June 22nd as the U.S. release date for OZRIC TENTACLES' "Eternal Wheel, The Best Of Ozric Tentacles." The 2-CD collection features 16 songs with added enhanced video work from the respected English ensemble. All Music Guide calls OZRIC TENTACLES "the bridge from '70s cosmic rock to the organic dance and festival culture." Pioneers of the English underground, the band was formed by guitarist Ed Wynne in 1982. From OZRIC TENTACLES' onset, their music uniquely blended a hodge-podge of styles ranging from Space Rock and Psychedelia to Reggae to Middle Eastern Folk, and what can only be described as the band's signature electronic-inspired lunacy. In their near twenty-year history, OZRIC TENTACLES has flourished by recording music that is complex in both scope and vision. With a revolving door of steady and guest musicians that have birthed numerous side projects (NODENS ICTUS, ULLULATORS and EAT STATIC), OZRIC TENTACLES has sold nearly one million albums worldwide.

06.04.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Metalcore heroes FOR THE LOVE OF are reuniting for this year's Hellfest, which is being held in Elizabeth, NJ July 23-25. It's been 5 years since the five-piece outfit disbanded. For the reunion the band recruited BURNT BY THE SUN frontman Mike Olender to sing for the event. FOR THE LOVE OF, formed in 1996, released two albums on Ferret Records before deciding to call it quits, "Feasting On The Will Of Humanity" and "In Consequence." Both stand as what some would call one of the earlier foundations of the Metalcore sound. FOR THE LOVE OF guitarist John Stanley had this to say about the reunion: "We're all really psyched to play this years Hellfest. It's a great show for us to reunite for with tons of great bands. We've also got Mike Olender (Burnt By The Sun) fronting the band. We originally asked him to sing for us years ago, so we couldn't be more psyched to have him share the stage with us! Hopefully the new kids at Hellfest will still have the style that the kids tearing it up to our music did years ago. For everyone that remembers, you know what to expect."
[FREE MP3]

06.03.04 (RockAndMetal.com) THE ICARUS LINE are known internationally to be one of the more mysterious, resourceful, driven, and controversial indie bands in recent history. Released May 4th, the band's new album, "Penance Soiree," has been causing a ruckus from the band's home city of LA to NYC to the UK. THE ICARUS LINE is a different beast live, however. Lead singer Joe Cardamone admits that the band is an erratic outfit. "We're not a consistent band. Sometimes it's truly out of control, sometimes it's collected, calm and focused. But I think bands that are consistent are boring. It's cool if you can nail it every night, but you've got to have bad nights to have good nights." THE ICARUS LINE tour non-stop and inexpensively in a van. After touring with THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, ...TRAIL OF DEAD, ANDREW W.K., and CAVE IN, the band members are used to a life of chaos. The Icarus Line's new album on V2 is called "Penance Soiree" because everyone in the band is too busy doing important shit, like drugs, or slaying hot... [full story]
[LISTEN] [WATCH]

06.03.04 (RockAndMetal.com) SOCIETY 1 frontman Matt "The Lord" Zane narrowly escaped a felony charge in Denver, CO last week, following an incident at a SOCIETY 1/ORGY show at a local nightclub. The incident began during SOCIETY 1's set when Zane stopped the show to confront a heckler who had been shouting relentless insults at the band. Zane offered the heckler, a woman later revealed to be 17 years of age, the chance to approach the stage and speak her mind about the band into the microphone. The heckler accepted Zane's offer but found herself humiliated in front of the entire room when, instead of allowing her to speak, Zane quickly removed the microphone and forced her face into his crotch. After the show, Zane was apprehended by police officers who informed him the heckler had pressed sexual assault charges against him - a felony, considering her age. Luckily, the police had been on the premises since the start of the show and had witnessed the entire incident; they confided in Zane that they felt his conduct was acceptable within the context of the show.
[WATCH]

06.03.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Hard Rock veterans VAN HALEN are scheduled to release "The Very Best Of Van Halen on July 20th. The two-disc, 36-track assemblage also features three newly recorded VAN HALEN songs, and comes in the midst of their 2004 Summer tour. "The Very Best Of Van Halen" spans digitally re-mastered cuts from the group's 11 albums. The release showcases the band's newly recorded single 'Up For Breakfast,' and debuts the just-completed tracks 'It's About Time' and 'Learning To See,' all featuring vocals by Sammy Hagar. Additionally, material from 1993's "Live: Right Here, Right Now," highlighting concert cuts from VAN HALEN's 1985 performances with Hagar are included. With liner notes by Rolling Stone scribe David Wild, "The Very Best Of Van Halen" is being issued through the band's original recording label, Warner Bros. Records. Over the years, VAN HALEN has sold more than 50 million albums, beginning with their 1978 debut featuring singer David Lee Roth - powered by such classics as 'Runnin' With The Devil,' 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love' and 'You Really Got Me.'
[WATCH]

06.03.04 (RockAndMetal.com) SHADOWS FALL's upcoming new album, "The War Within," is now set for a September 21st release via Century Media. The stunning new offering, produced again by Zeuss (Hatebreed) at Planet Z Studios in the band's home state of Massachusetts is the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed disc, "The Art of Balance," and features 10 tracks of sonic devastation. "The War Within," their fourth full-length release, is the group's most unrelenting, yet dynamic offering that further proves why they are one of the undisputed leaders within the Thrashcore genre. SHADOWS FALL will also hit the road in Europe soon on the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal Tour featuring KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, CHIMAIRA and label-mates GOD FORBID. This will be followed by the group's Summer U.S. headlining tour, dubbed The Strhess Tour, which will also feature AS I LAY DYING, HIMSA and REMEMBERING NEVER. That trek kicks off on July 16th and runs through August 19th. Check the tour's official website at www.strhesstour.com for dates and current news.
[FREE MP3]

06.03.04 (AP) ERIC CLAPTON will host a three-day festival this weekend featuring 60 guitarists, including B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Joe Walsh, J.J. Cale, Bo Diddley, James Taylor, Jimmie Vaughan and Vince Gill. More than two years in the making, the event is "the biggest undertaking we've ever done," says Peter Jackson, ERIC CLAPTON's tour manager since 1978. "It just got bigger and bigger and bigger. It's a celebration of the guitar," he said. Proceeds go to Crossroads Centre, the non-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center Clapton founded on the Caribbean island of Antigua, where he maintains a residence. The festival also offers hands-on guitar clinics, interactive manufacturer exhibits and a display of guitars from the "Eric Clapton & Friends" personal collections that will be sold at a June 24 Christie's auction benefitting Crossroads. The Crossroads Festival, which will be held at Dallas Fair Park and Cotton Bowl Stadium, coordinates with the start of Clapton's U.S. tour, which begins June 9th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

06.03.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Fresh from their well-received support with OPETH, Melodic Power Metallers DUNGEON will embark on a national Australian tour with Power Metal legends EDGUY soon. This tour is expected to be even bigger than the previous EDGUY tour in 2002. DUNGEON will be showcasing material from their forthcoming album, "One Step Beyond" which has been progressing very well. In other DUNGEON news, the band has parted ways with bassist Brendon "Dakk" McDonald due to personal reasons. DUNGEON is assuring their fans that this change has not stalled their momentum at all. The album is still being recorded as planned, new videos are being filmed, and all upcoming tours, both nationally and internationally, will have a temporary session player until a suitable permanent replacement is found. DUNGEON's history is a long and very involved journey that started over 14 years ago in the outback of Australia, and has led to international success and DUNGEON being one of that country's highest profile Metal bands in 2004.
[LISTEN]

06.02.04 (AP) PAUL McCARTNEY says he got no thrill from heroin, but found cocaine more to his liking for a time. "I tried heroin just the once," McCartney said in an interview published today in the Daily Mirror newspaper about his drug use in decades past. "Even then, I didn't realize I'd taken it. I was just handed something, smoked it, then found out what it was. It didn't do anything for me, which was lucky because I wouldn't have fancied heading down that road," the former Beatle was quoted as saying. The full interview is published this week in Uncut magazine. McCartney's drug use has resulted in at least one brush with the law. A planned Japan tour in 1980 was derailed when the singer was arrested at Tokyo's airport for possession of marijuana and later deported. Despite enjoying cocaine for a time, he said he eventually turned against the drug. "I did cocaine for about a year around the time of Sgt. Pepper," he said, referring to THE BEATLES' 1967 album. "Coke and maybe some grass to balance it out. I was never completely crazy with cocaine. I'd been introduced to..." [full story]

06.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Keyboardist Mark Royce has been fired from the band CRIMINAL after failing to show up for their recent tour of Chile. Royce joined the band in 2002, along with Robin Eaglestone (bass) and Zac O'Neil (drums). "He really didn't leave us much of a choice", comments frontman Anton Reisenegger. "Two days before leaving for Chile, he just disappeared. He wasn't answering our calls or text messages, nothing. Obviously, we went anyway, had a great fuckin' tour, came back, and still no word from him. So basically, I sent him an e-mail telling him he was out of the band. He responded to that, saying he understood. You go figure... That leaves Rod, Zac and me as CRIMINAL at the moment, but we hope to find a permanent bassist soon, and we shall carry on as a four piece, like it was meant to be. This doesn't mean there won't be any keyboards on the next album, but I'm really against getting a full-time keyboard player, because they're always going to be like a 'fringe member,' as Mark once put it. I'd rather use a session player."
[FREE MP3]

06.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) After a successful theatrical run in over 40 North American cities, NEIL YOUNG's "Greendale" movie is set for DVD release on June 22nd through Sanctuary Records. In addition to the film, the new DVD also comes with the documentary "The Making Of Greendale," which contains interviews with NEIL YOUNG and the cast, plus some behind-the-scenes footage. Additional extras include a live performance of the song 'Be The Rain,' full lyrics to all ten songs on the soundtrack, plus a complete NEIL YOUNG discography. The DVD, distributed by Sanctuary, will carry a suggested list price of $24.98. "Greendale," arguably one of NEIL YOUNG's crowning achievements, is a multi-media mosaic consisting of the music CD, live concert production, feature film, DVD's of Neil's solo acoustic performance of "Greendale" in Ireland and of "Inside Greendale," which captures Young and backing band Crazy Horse recording the CD and DVD of the recently released, critically-lauded feature film. A big "Greendale" picture book with extensive text is also slated for publication later this... [full story]
[LISTEN]

06.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) AS I LAY DYING recently gave this update from the road: "We have been added to the SHADOWS FALL tour this summer. Some dates have already been confirmed, but more will be coming soon. We are also confirmed for Hellfest on June 23rd, and will be playing a ton of festivals." Confirmed Dates:
07/18 Glens Falls, NY [Glens Falls Civic Center] • 07/19 Williamsville, NY [Infinity] • 07/21 Wilkes-Barre, PA [Wyoming Valley Zoo] • 07/22 Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 07/24 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 07/26 Jacksonville, FL [Jack Rabbit] • 07/27 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Room] • 07/28 St. Petersburg, FL [State Theatre] • 08/01 Abilene, TX [Desperado's] • 08/03 Oklahoma City, OK [Bricktown Live] • 08/05 Albuquerque, NM [Launch Pad] • 08/06 Tucson, AZ [The Rock] • 08/08 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 08/09 Las Vegas, NV [House Of Blues] • 08/10 Grand Junction, CO [Mesa Theatre] • 08/13 Clinton, IA [Pig Pen] • 08/14 Chicago Heights, IL [Oasis One Sixty] • 08/17 Toledo, OH [Headliners 90] • 08/19 Syracuse, NY [The Lost]
[FREE MP3]

06.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) TORI AMOS has released her first-ever official DVD, entitled "Welcome To Sunny Florida." A bonus six-track CD of previously unreleased tunes is also included with the new DVD. Amos' eighteen-song, sell-out farewell show on the "Scarlet's Walk" tour was recorded on September 4, 2003 at Sound Advice Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida. The set documents the critically acclaimed songstress and pianist blitzing through an incredible collection of her classic tunes including 'Cornflake Girl,' 'Precious Things' and 'Crucify,' as well as a few special treats like 'Take To The Sky,' 'My Jupiter' and 'Tombigbee.' "Welcome To Sunny Florida" also includes heaps of bonus material including interviews with Amos' Mother and Father, behind-the-scenes footage, as well as a "tour yearbook" of candid shots, set to a live audio version of 'Past The Mission.' The bonus CD, entitled "Scarlet's Hidden Treasures," features six previously unreleased songs, including 'Tombigbee.' The "Scarlet's Walk" album has also just been re-released at a lower price.
[WATCH]

06.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Screaming Ferret Wreckords will soon be releasing seven classic ANVIL albums. Titles include three currently out-of-print releases: 1987's "Strength Of Steel," 1988's "Pound For Pound" and 1989's "Past & Present Live." Singer/guitarist Lips is both shocked and thrilled by this sudden development in the band's career: "I can't believe after a quarter of a century we will finally be released to the unsuspecting American audience. I've never understood after all these years why ANVIL has done so little in the United States in the way of getting our recordings released, as well as touring. For those people who have never heard of us, it might be a surprise to find out we've been recording music before the existence of what was once called Heavy Metal, and to be more exact NWBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Our first album came out in '81, however all the tracks on it were written over a long period of time, some dating back as far as '73 or '74!" ANVIL will soon embark on a European tour, after which they will play several shows in North America.

06.01.04 (Reuters) Despite the best efforts of music industry gatekeepers, young artists and their fans often seem to ignore the boundaries of genre. Such is the case with UNCLE KRACKER, born Matt Shafer, who first surfaced as the DJ/hype man for KID ROCK. Kracker then found platinum success as a solo artist with music increasingly distant from rap/rock bombast, with elements of R&B, soul, country and classic rock. Kracker's newest album, "Seventy Two & Sunny," bows June 29 on Warner Bros. The Detroit native will support the record by opening the high-profile Kenny Chesney amphitheater tour with RASCAL FLATTS. Chesney and Kracker hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart earlier this year with their duet, 'When the Sun Goes Down.' Kracker admits he sometimes marvels at his country connection. "If you would have asked me 10 years ago, I would have told you my first record would be a rap record," he says. "Maybe not a normal rap record, more of a cross between Lynyrd Skynrd and Run-D.M.C. But I've always had a natural thing for country music. When I was..." [full story]
[WATCH]

06.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Avantgarde Metal kings BORKNAGAR are set to release their new album, entitled "Epic," on June 29th. The new output presents BORKNAGAR at their best: Bombastic arrangements, raving black metal outbursts, and typical Vintersorg vocals combined with a phenomenally dense atmosphere. Here are some words from bandleader Oystein G. Brun to the fans: "...So after almost a year in the studio, the album was finally finished. We had to cross a lot of rivers this time - members leaving, fucked up amps, illness, etc. but in the end of the day we all think it was worth the blood and sweat. The album fulfilled our visions for this album musically, lyrically and production-wise! This is the most diverse, progressive and musically expanded work we have done to date ... We are pretty sure that our fans will like this album - this one is primarily for you guys, who have been waiting patiently for three years for it. Thanx for keeping up with us! The journey continues..." A limited-edition slipcase version of "Epic" will also be available June 21st.
[FREE MP3]

06.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) THE DARKNESS are set to invade the U.S. Wednesday for round two of their "Permission To Land" North American Tour with special guests THE WILDHEARTS. Dates run from June 2nd at The Harbor Center in Portsmouth, VA, and run through a show June 25th in Minneapolis, MN. The first round of the tour completely sold-out, and now THE DARKNESS are amped for more. Tour Dates:
6/02 Portsmouth, VA [Harbor Center] • 6/03 Charlotte, NC [Grady Cole Center] • 6/05 Clearwater, FL [97X New Rock Spectacle-Coachman Park] • 6/06 Boca Raton, FL [Mizner Park Amphitheater] • 6/07 Orlando, FL [Hard Rock Live] • 6/09 Nashville, TN [Municipal Auditorium] • 6/11 Kansas City, MO [Memorial Hall] • 6/12 St. Louis, MO [The Pageant] • 6/14 Columbus, OH [Promowest Pavilion] • 6/15 Cleveland, OH [Scene Pavilion] • 6/17 Pittsburgh, PA [Chevrolet Amphitheatre] • 6/18 Camden, NJ [Y100 Feztival-The Tweeter Center] • 06/21 Quebec City, QUE [L'Agora] • 06/22 Montreal, QUE [Verdun Auditorium] • 06/24 Milwaukee, WI [Summerfest] • 06/25 Minneapolis, MN [Roy Wilkins Auditorium]
[WATCH]

06.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian Death Metallers CRYPTOPSY have posted the following update on their official web site: "Hello friends, hope all of you are well. CRYPTOPSY would like to thank you for your patience and your fidelity. There have been lots of factors thrown our way making it very hard to give you concrete news and updates regarding the recording and release of the new album. The only news we can tell you for now is that it is written and it's going to floor you. The music along with Lord Worm's lyrics will definitely turn some heads. The plan is still to record with Pierre Remillard ('None So Vile,' 'Whisper Supremacy,' 'And Then You'll Beg' and 'None So Live') at Wild Studio in St-Zenon, Quebec. When? Hopefully soon. But in the meantime we are dying to see you guys and play shows with The Worm himself. We will start by playing in Canadian festivals, on the 10th of July in Sept-Iles and on July 12th in Ottawa. Then on July 18th, we will have the pleasure of attending and playing at the Dom Famularo And Friends' Drum Day Benefit in Rhode Island."
[FREE MP3]

06.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) On June 8th, Matador Records will release the debut CD/LP from A.C. NEWMAN, entitled "The Slow Wonder." Recorded with a Canadian government grant, the new album might be the most efficient use of public funds since the time New York City paid Survival Reseach Labs to shower the Shea Stadium parking lot with counterfeit money. A.C. NEWMAN is Carl Newman, who writes most of the material for and is a member of the band THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS. The following is Carl's summation of the recording process: "Okay, now here's how A.C. Newman records are made: I practice with Shane and Fisher for a few weeks to get skeletal arrangements down. We go record the bed tracks at a studio. I sit with John and Dave at their studio for a few months and I brainstorm and experiment, throw shit down, etc. Some songs I start with a click track and build the song around it, adding Pete's drums later. Shane, Megan, Sarah, and Shaun come in to record, then John, Dave and I spend a couple of weeks mixing it, with Howard Redekopp at the helm."
[FREE MP3]

06.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Wicked World Records has announced the signing of NOX to their roster of artists as part of a new worldwide deal. Without a doubt one of the most punishing Extreme Metal acts around today, NOX is actually made up of some familiar faces in Rob Oorthuis (guitars), Seth Vid Loo (vocals) and Patrick Boleij (bass), formerly of CENTURIAN, the latter two currently known as members of SEVERE TORTURE, and newcomer Bob Dussel (drums). The band previously released a three-track CD entitled "Zazaz," but the intent of NOX is already clear - fast, complex, swirling Metal based on insane rhythms and a distinctly blasphemous and occult concept designed to rip the souls of the living and the dead into Black Chaos. NOX is far from just a collaboration between four musicians, Nox is a distinct entity to itself... and it's hungry. Describing the band's sound, Oorthuis comments: "It's what you hear before Chaos consumes your conscience and madness sets in!" Meanhile, NOX are hard at work on material that will form their debut for Wicked World, due later this year.
[FREE MP3]

[Music News: 05.24.04 - 05.31.04]
[Top]