06.24.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Drive-Thru Records has announced the upcoming release of "Listen To Bob Dylan: A Tribute" on August 16th. The double-disc set features 21 BOB DYLAN songs covered by a variety of artists including STEEL TRAIN, ANBERLIN, SOCRATIC, THE FORMAT, THE STAY AT HOME JONESES, RX BANDITS and more. The ambitious project has been a labor of love for Stefanie Reines, owner of Drive-Thru Records. Reines has been an avid BOB DYLAN fan since the age of sixteen, although she wasn't always a lover of his music. In fact, it took an introduction to Dylan's music by her favorite band at the time, THE ALARM, to bring her around: "Every single show they (The Alarm) played, they would cover Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door,' which I hated. When I found out that they were touring with Dylan I wasn't too pleased. I had no idea that about six shows into the tour, something inside me would change. It was an amazing, fun and insightful discovery and I completely fell in love." As a result, Reines is now a devout BOB DYLAN fan, having seen him perform over seventy times. Inspired by her own experience, Reines decided to spearhead "Listen To Bob Dylan: A Tribute" - intended to introduce a new generation to Dylan's music. For the project, Reines knew she wanted artists that she considered to be makers of timeless music, as BOB DYLAN himself does. So she hand-picked a majority of the bands, but some contacted her and really wanted to be involved. "I felt if the band really loved Dylan, then they belonged on the CD," says Reines. At one point there were so many bands turning in beautiful covers, she couldn't say no to any of them, so she decided to make the tribute a double album. "I had to include them all because they were so great and (the songs) were done with a lot of thought." The result is a double-disc filled with contemporary interpretations of BOB DYLAN's music by artists of diverse backgrounds and musical styles. "Everyone is expecting a punk rock tribute, and it's so far beyond that," says Reines. "Plus I'm so excited just to see Bob Dylan's name and the Drive-Thru logo on the same CD!"
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06.24.05 (RockAndMetal.com) The following is a current recording studio update from BOLT THROWER drummer Martin Kearns: "Today I put my final drum track down for the album's 'bonus track' - it was a real blaster (no, not blast-beat) of a song, so quite a nice one to end my recording on. Whether it makes it onto the album or not we'll see, but it's there anyway. Now it's time for the sad part, where I have to pack away my drums until we start the tour rehearsals. Overall I am (and apparently everyone else is) really chuffed with how my drums went down. I had a few nightmare moments with the record, and have had to push myself but I definitely think this is my best drumming so far. I can't wait till this album is finally finished. Anyway, we're a good few weeks off that. The next couple of days we spend going through the drum tracks I've recorded, picking out the best takes for future reference. Not much to say about that, I guess you have to 'be there'...haha... OK, we're ready for some guitars!! Baz is up first, doing his rhythm tracks. I heard he took 4 days to find his guitar sound when he recorded '...For Victory', so I hadn't got a clue when he'd actually start laying some tracks down! Much to my amazement, I turned up to find him actually cleaning his guitar! I've been in the band on and off for 10 years, and I think I've only seen it happen twice. Anyway, we made sure we took a photo of it as proof!! The following day, Baz is still in search of the ultimate guitar sound. There are cables everywhere, and I think just about every piece of equipment we own is being tried out. I think its sounds killer anyway, but apparently there's still a frequency that needs adjusting. The sound seems to really suit the chugging stuff, but lacks clarity when played fast - or something?! I'm glad I'm a drummer, that's all I can say! Right, well a few adjustments later and Baz is a happy man again, I've got no idea what set-up he finally decided on, and I don't wanna ask in case it gets changed again!! A change of strings, and it looks like we're ready for some riffs!! Baz jams along with the first song, and to be honest it's already blowing me away. He puts a couple of rhythms down and we call it a day. Time to give our ears a break and come back in the morning to check that we're all happy with the sound. More on that next time." - Martin
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06.23.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Veteran Rock and Metal vocalist JIZZY PEARL is set to release his upcoming new solo album, entitled "Vegas Must Die!," on July 19th via Shrapnel Records. The title is a humorous homage to "Sin City" where the singer/guitarist spent a "lost weekend" that ended up lasting more than a year. Locking himself away in a room with 5 pounds of coffee and an acoustic guitar JIZZY PEARL wrote the entire "Vegas Must Die" album in three weeks, which looks to be his best solo effort yet. JIZZY PEARL is as permanent a fixture on the Sunset Strip, not unlike the Whisky A Go-Go or the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Starting in the early days of GUNS N' ROSES then with LOVE/HATE to doing arena rock with RATT, today JIZZY PEARL continues to do what he loves most, which is to write and record music. Not only has he played on 11 major albums and a host of tribute and soundtrack recordings, but he has also written and published two of his own books. In 1990, JIZZY PEARL was the singer for LOVE/HATE, whose breakthrough Sony Records release, "Blackout In The Red Room" earned that band much critical acclaim, which started him on the never-ending roller coaster of singing, recording and touring. LOVE/HATE went on to release 5 more albums in the years that followed, until the singer joined uup with L.A. GUNS in 1998, with whom he co-wrote on their fifth album, "Shrinking Violet."In 2000, JIZZY PEARL replaced original vocalist Stephen Pearcy in RATT, and has spent the last five summers touring with them. During that time, he completed his second solo album, "Just A Boy," and recorded an EP with ADLER'S APPETITE. Now his third outing on Shrapnel Records, "Vegas Must Die!" features guitar work by former SALTY DOG guitarist Pete Reveen, with production and musical help from GREAT WHITE alumnus Michael Lardie. "Vegas Must Die!" captures the intensity of the likes of early LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC and the best of JIZZY PEARL's former band, LOVE/HATE.

06.23.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Relapse Records has announced the upcoming release of the entire recorded works of seminal Technical Death Metal pioneers ATHEIST, one of the first truly adventurous bands to break out of the late 80's Metal underground. In addition to ATHEIST's albums -- 1989's "Piece Of Time" (Music For Nations), 1992's "Unquestionable Presence" (Music For Nations) and 1993's "Elements" (Metal Blade Records) -- being benchmarks of quality and progression, the band's musical vision directly influenced many noteworthy artists both past and present, including CYNIC, later-era DEATH, PESTILENCE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, NECROPHAGIST, SPIRAL ARCHITECT and more. "I am overwhelmed with joy to see the re-release of the entire Atheist catalog after so many years." commented ATHEIST guitarist/vocalist and founding member Kelly Shaefer. "I've toured extensively since making those records, and everywhere I go I run into people who were not just into ATHEIST, but who praised the band's uniqueness and how much it forced them to progress as musicians and push the boundaries as players," Shaefer continued. "I have been hunting for a label that would treat the Atheist catalog with the respect it deserves, and whose goal is the same as ours: to turn the new generation of extreme metal and progressive metal heads onto ATHEIST. Relapse is that label, as it has a true understanding of where ATHEIST helped to rewrite the timeline of metal." Using a heavy basis of Fusion/Jazz, ATHEIST often twisted high-speed Progressive Death Metal riffs into a series of motifs, which emerged far too advanced for even the most committed of Metal fans. Relapse will begin he process by issuing a limited edition, foil-stamped box set containing vinyl LP versions of each of the ATHEIST full-length albums, as well as the R.A.V.A.G.E. (pre-ATHEIST) "On They Slay" 7" EP, which is exclusive to the vinyl LP edition. The LP box will also be strictly limited to 1,000 copies and surface sometime in July. The CD re-releases will follow beginning in late Summer into early Fall, starting with "Elements" on August 30th in the U.S., and on September 5th in Europe.

06.22.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Germany's LIQUIDO recently updated their fans with what's going on at their camp. The following was posted at the official website: "Dear friends! Here's some short news about what's happening these days. Last week we shot our new video for 'Love Me Love Me,' our next single, in Berlin. It was fun again working with Conchita (Soarez) and Bernard (Wedig). The video itself will be finished by end of next week, and we will put it on our site as soon as possible... The single tracklist ist going to be crazy stuff: We've got some remixes from Gabry Ponte, LSD Underground, Grossstadtgefluster and more. The festival season has also started, which means good fun, some rain, many flights and some good beer all over Europe. The last shows were great, and we hope that many of you join in in the following weeks - wherever! As well, we're working on the single's cover. As soon as we have a final version we'll show you on our website. Bye for now." - Wolfgang. Upcoming Tour Dates: 06/22 Chemnitz, Germany [Campus Fest] • 06/23 Neustrelitz, Germany [Sommerfest Carolinum] • 06/24 Nurnberg, Germany [Konfed Cup] • 06/25 Dischingen, Germany [Rock Am Hartsfeldsee] • 06/26 Wien, Austria [Donauinselfest] • 06/30 Antalya, Turkey [Summersplash] • 07/01 Munchen, Germany [Circus Krone] • 07/02 Biel, CH [Braderie] • 07/07 Wien, Austria [Chelsea] • 07/08 St. Polten, Austria [Stadtfest] • 07/09 Wurzburg, Germany [18 Jahre Radio Gong] • 07/22 Ansbach, Germany [Townquake Festival] • 07/23 Pforring, Germany [Open Air] • 07/28 Travemunde, Germany [Travemunder Woche] • 07/29 Braine L'Alleud, Belgium [Octopus Festival] • 08/05 Beratzhausen, Germany [Ccump Axe] • 08/07 Homberg, Germany [Burgbergfestival] • 08/13 Fremdingen, Germany [Steinbruch Open Air] • 08/18 Gampel, CH [Open Air] • 08/20 Rotenhain, Germany [Rock Im Feld] • 08/26 Pischelsdorf, Austria [Steiermark Oststeirerhalle] • 08/27 Bildein, Austria [Picture On Festival] • 09/02 Mosbach, Germany [Nena Open Air] • 09/10 Langen Am Waldsee, Germany [Adrenalin Festival] • 09/28 Potsdam, Germany [Waschhaus] • 09/29 Leipzig, Germany [Werk 2] • 09/30 Rohrberg, Germany [Sporthalle] • 10/01 Coswig, Germany [Borse]
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06.22.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of Swedish Death Metallers SCAR SYMMETRY. The band's guitarist Per Nilsson had this to say regarding their signing to that influential label: "One year ago, we had just formed Scar Symmetry. And now, we're signed to the leading metal record label! Needless to say, we're very excited!" SCAR SYMMETRY was formed in 2004 when Jonas Kjellgren (Carnal Forge, Centinex, World Below), Henrik Ohlsson (Theory In Practice, Mutant, Altered Aeon), Per Nilsson (Altered Aeon), Christian Alvestam (Unmoored, Incapacity, Torchbearer) and Kenneth Seil decided to put together a brand new constellation that would express a fresh and heavy form of catchy Death Metal without any boundaries whatsoever, incorporating huge synthesizers into their music along with blazing virtuoso guitar soloing, which is backed up with complex-yet-catchy rhythms and virtually every style of singing found in Metal. In April of 2004, SCAR SYMMETRY recorded a demo of the song 'Seeds of Rebellion,' which caught the interest of Sweden's Cold Records, with whom a recording contract was soon inked by the band, a period of intense songwriting following that. Last July, SCAR SYMMETRY entered Black Lounge Studios (Centinex, Incapacity) to start the recording of their debut album, "Symmetric In Design," an album that would showcase 12 songs of excellent musicianship and outstanding songwriting. After 3 months in the studio, the album was finally finished and ready for release to overwhelmingly positive reviews in February of this year. Songs like 'Veil Of Illusions' and '2012, The Demise Of The 5th Sun' display an incredibly heavy side of the band, while 'Chaosweaver' and 'Dominion' bring forth a considerably higher tempo without losing any of the intricate harmony structures. SCAR SYMMETRY's lyrics delve deep into the human subconscious, attempting to resurrect imagination and awe in the listener, which is also reflected in the brilliant artwork for "Symmetric In Design," which was commissioned by Par Johansson.
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06.21.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Drive-Thru Records recording artists RX BANDITS will hit the road with FINCH for 17 dates across the country beginning July 29th at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. RX BANDITS are currently wrapping up recording on their new album, their first full-length since 2003's "The Resignation." Fans who have been waiting to hear the new tracks will likely not be disappointed. "We've been working so hard on the new record that it'll be great to debut some of our new songs on this tour," says Chris Tsagakis, drummer for RX BANDITS. The still-untitled album is scheduled to be released on November 1st. Known for their genre-defying music as well as their social conscience, RX BANDITS have released multiple titles with Drive-Thru Records, including the full-length albums "Those Damn Bandits," "Halfway Between Here And There" "Progress" and "The Resignation." Together for over a decade now, the band has racked up more than 115,000 units in cumulative sales. In the past, RX BANDITS' dynamic sound has melded combinations of Reggae, Ska, Hardcore, New Wave, Jazz and Indie Rock - each album progressing musically from the last. RX BANDITS have also toured throughout the U.S. and Canada, made their mark on the Warped Tour, and wowed audiences in Europe and Japan sharing the stage with groups like GLASSJAW, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, ALKALINE TRIO, LESS THAN JAKE, HOME GROWN, MOVING UNITS, THE GET UP KIDS, BRAID and CYPRESS HILL. 07/29 Los Angeles, CA [Henry Fonda Theatre] • 08/01 Dallas, TX [Galaxy Club] • 08/03 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 08/05 Atlanta, GA [Roxy Theatre] • 08/06 Lake Buena Vista, FL [House Of Blues] • 08/07 North Myrtle Beach, Fl [House Of Blues] • 08/09 Nashville, TN [Rockettown] • 08/10 Charlotte, NC [Tremont Music Hall] • 08/11 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 08/12 Millvale, PA [Mr. Smalls] • 08/13 Toronto, ONT [Wakerstock Toronto Islands] • 08/16 Philadelphia, PA [The Electric Factory] • 08/17 Sayreville, NJ [Starland Ballroom] • 08/20 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 08/24 Detroit, MI [St. Andrews Hall] • 08/26 Milwaukee, WI [The Rave] • 08/27 Minneapolis, MN [The Quest]
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06.21.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Preparing for the July 26th North American release of their upcoming magnum opus, "This Godless Endeavor," Seattle's NEVERMORE filmed a video for the single 'Final Product' in Los Angeles this past weekend. On the video shoot and its concept, NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane had this to say: "We shot the video last Saturday for 'Final Product' with director Kevin Leonard (Himsa, Diecast), and it was a blast. He came up with a great concept, capturing the vibe of the song perfectly. Lots of manic live band shots and a brilliant performance by an actor named Bob Jones, who played a creepy character obsessed by the dreaded black seeds referred to in the lyrics. It's going to be one hell of a video, and we were all really happy to be working with Kevin again." When asked what is the band will be doing in the forthcoming weeks, Dane said: "Next step, some rehearsals for festival dates in Europe and then Gigantour. We'll be playing three rotating sets on Gigantour, so fans going to more than one show will get to hear different songs. This way we'll be fully prepared for our European headlining tour that starts immediately afterwards. Plans are in the works for another U.S. tour, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. Until then, see you on Gigantour." "This Godless Endeavor" was recorded at Backstage Studios in England with celebrated producer Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Arch Enemy), who recently remastered the band's 2003 album, "Enemies Of Reality." The new offering is currently also marks NEVERMORE's first recording with former TESTAMENT guitarist Steve Smyth. Gigantour, the brainchild of MEGADETH vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine, will feature NEVERMORE as well as MEGADETH, along with several other bands hand-picked by Mustaine in DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, LIFE OF AGONY, DRY KILL LOGIC, SYMPHONY X and BOBAFLEX. Gigantour will commence at Selland Arena in Fresno, California on July 21st and run across North America through September 3rd, when the tour is slated to conclude at Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto, Canada.
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06.20.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Alternative Tentacles Records has announced that they have inked a deal with San Francisco's TURN ME ON DEAD MAN to release the band's debut album, "God Bless The Electric Freak." TURN ME ON DEAD MAN meld mind-altering Neo-Psych and mind-numbing heaviness into a musical cocktail of extreme Rock that combines everything that kicks ass and leaves out anything that doesn't. The band's live shows are spectacles of feedback-drenched aural decadence and over-the-top showmanship and imagery, a fitting accompaniment to their mountainous sonic approach. TURN ME ON DEAD MAN have been creating their unique brand of lysergic-soaked Rock since their inception in 2000, gigging extensively throughout the San Francisco Bay area and garnering praise from all over their home turf and the country, spurred on by heavy rotation at the influential WFMU station in New Jersey. Alternative Tentacles founder Jello Biafra was suitably impressed by the band's spaced-out, glammed-up, turned-up brand of audio mayhem enough to release "God Bless The Electric Freak" on his seminal imprint, a deal that the band eagerly accepted. The lead-off track off the album, 'Killer Sound Waves From Space' is a Psychedelic-tinged rocker that is at times moody and trippy but always intensely catchy - kind of like JANE'S ADDICITION meets Sgt. Pepper. "Apocalypse Rock" updates the Stoner Rock sound with distorted vocals, a repetitive thumping riff and enough angst to rip the roof of a house. 'Sunshine Supercreep' sounds like Ravi Shankar jamming with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, while 'Beatle George' gives an obvious nod to one of the band's primary influences. TURN ME ON DEAD MAN excel in creating huge monstrous riffs and dousing them in waves of melody so that both the discerning listener and the headbanger can enjoy the sound. Perhaps most refreshing about "God Bless The Electric Freak" is its ability to be a Metal record with a healthy Pop sensibility while remaining true to rawk. Look for "God Bless The Electric Freak"'s official release on Alternative Tentacles come September 13th.
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06.20.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Metal Blade Records recording artists THE RED DEATH checked in from the road recently with the following new report: "We've been out on tour with The End and Into The Moat for a little over a week now, and it's been going great! The End are great dudes playing some great music that needs to be checked out and, as always, the Into the Moat-ers are tearing shit up every night. Huge thanks to Kathy and The Kave in Bucksport, ME for the amazing hospitality - as well as the most delicious pizza ever made accompanied by some great local tales of witchery and all things grim and to all the kids who came out in Fulton, NY and made us feel at home again, even though we've got another five weeks of touring left. We meet up with Undying in a few days and we're looking forward to that as all of us in the band have been fans of Undying for a long time now. It's quite an honor to be touring with a band we love so much! After this tour, which runs through to mid-July, we embark on a tour with Cannae, Since The Flood, Embrace Today and The Banner, which will last just about a month and will end with our appearance at this year's Hellfest." Upcoming Tour Dates: 6/21 Corpus Christi, TX [Equal Eyez] • 6/22 San Antonio, TX [Sanctuary] • 6/23 El Paso, TX [House Of Rock] • 6/24 Phoenix, AZ [Phix Gallery] • 6/25 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 6/26 South Gate, CA [Allen Theatre] • 6/27 Tijuana, Mexico [Voodoo] • 6/28 San Diego, CA [Che Cafe] • 6/29 Los Angeles, CA [The Hanging Jury] • 6/30 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 7/01 Orangevale, CA [Club Retro] • 7/02 Petaluma, CA [Phoenix Theatre] • 7/03 Reno, NV [Liquid Lounge] • 7/04 Boise, ID [The Boondocks] • 7/05 Salt Lake City, UT [The Circuit] • 7/06 Denver, CO [Bluebird Theatre] • 7/07 Albuquerque, NM [The Compound] • 7/08 Lubbock, TX [Space 1110] • 7/09 Dallas, TX [Across The Street Bar] • 7/10 Wichita, KS [Eagles Lodge South] • 7/22 Brockton, MA [Romans] • 7/23 Bucksport, ME [The Kave] • 7/25 Fredericksburg, VA [KC's] • 7/27 Columbia, SC [New Brookland Tavern] • 7/30 Tulsa, OK [The Pinkeye] • 8/05 Tijuana, [Mexico Voodoo] • 8/08 Reno, NV [Liquid Lounge] • 8/11 Kansas City, MO [El Torreon] • 8/12 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 8/13 Hammond, IN [Hammond FOP Lodge] • 8/14 Grand Rapids, MI [Ten Bells] • 8/15 Detroit, MI [Alvin's] • 8/17 Binghamton, NY [American Legion Hall] • 8/18 Albany, NY [Valentine's]
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[Music News: 06.13.05 - 06.19.05]
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