07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Australian Rockers KILLING HEIDI are back in fighting form with their new single 'I Am' from the "Spider-Man 2" soundtrack. 'I Am' will be released on Monday, July 12 in the band's home country. 'I Am' was not only the #1 most added track on Australian radio last week, but the fastest add ever for an Australian act. The KILLING HEIDI rock juggernaut is set to roll on once again, with the band ready to drop their brand new self-titled album on Monday, August 30th. Produced in LA with John Travis at the helm (Kid Rock, Sugar Ray), lead singer Ella Hooper said the band's new mandate to "keep things simple" has not only provided new-found unity among KILLING HEIDI's four band members and a lot of musical clarity, but has them experiencing a new-found confidence in themselves. "More than ever before, this record is about us just being ourselves," she said. "I actually wrote 'I Am' in LA after a couple of gross guys wolf-whistled me while I was walking down the street (thus the lyric "I wish I could rip you out of your skin, switch us around and put you back in")," said Hooper. With lyrics like "I am out on my own, moving in shadows, nobody knows who I am," it's as if 'I Am' was purpose built to be featured... [full story]
[WATCH]

07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) SHADOWS FALL have achieved another great milestone in their already illustrious career as their latest album, "The Art of Balance," surpasses the 100,000 SoundScan mark. This is a huge accomplishment not only for SHADOWS FALL, but also for Century Media, who have both grown considerably over the past few years. "The Art of Balance" was released in September of 2002, and is currently the highest-selling Century Media release, outselling such prominent artists as DIMMU BORGIR, ICED EARTH, IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL and MESHUGGAH. After extensive touring with the likes of HATEBREED, KITTIE, THE MISFITS, OPETH and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SHADOWS FALL was invited to take part in Ozzfest 2003. Taking part in the 4th annual Take Action Tour 2003 alongside AVENGED SEVENFOLD and POISON THE WELL, and then co-headlining the first annual MTV2 Headbangers Ball Tour with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and LAMB OF GOD, SHADOWS FALL solidified their fanbase even further. Videos for the tracks 'Thoughts Without Words,' 'Destroyer Of Senses,' and 'The Idiot Box' were embraced and supported by Headbangers Ball and Uranium, where the band has appeared as guests several times.
[FREE MP3]

07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) OZRIC TENTACLES will begin a 15-date U.S. tour beginning July 6th in Boston, MA and ending July 31st in Baltimore, MD, and will feature selections from "Eternal Wheel, The Best Of Ozric Tentacles," available now from Snapper Music. "Eternal Wheel, The Best Of Ozric Tentacles" is a 2-disc collection featuring 16 songs with added enhanced video work from the respected English ensemble. Pioneers of the English underground, the band was formed by guitarist Ed Wynne in 1982. In their near twenty-year history, OZRIC TENTACLES has flourished by recording music that is complex in both scope and vision. Their music uniquely blends a hodge-podge of styles ranging from Space Rock, Psychedelia and Reggae to Middle Eastern Folk. With a revolving door of steady and guest musicians, OZRIC TENTACLES has birthed numerous side projects, including NODENS ICTUS, ULLULATORS and EAT STATIC. The band has also sold nearly one million albums worldwide. Additional OZRIC TENTACLES titles now available from Snapper Music include "Jurassic Shift," "Erpland," "Curious Corn," "Pyramidion, "The Hidden Step," and the live CD/DVD, "Live At The Pongmasters Ball."

07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Holland's premiere Death/Thrash-formation CALLENISH CIRCLE will re-issue their complete pre-Metal Blade Records history on an upcoming double-CD release. The double album is entitled "Forbidden Empathy," and a release date of September 20th has been confirmed through Karmageddon Media. Brand new cover artwork was designed by Swedish art wizard Niklas Sundin from Cabin Fever Media (In Flames, Arch Enemy, And Dark Tranquility). All recordings have also been digitally re-mastered by Berthus Westerhuis at Franky's Recording Kitchen in Holland. Official statement from the band: "Good news... Callenish Circle celebrates its 12th birthday soon, and since most fans only know us from our 2 recent albums ('Flesh_Power_Dominion' & 'My Passion/Your Pain,' both released on Metal Blade Records), we thought the time was finally there to collect all our ancient material and re-release it as 2-CD on a decent record label with a proper distribution-network. The 2-CD will be sold for a fan-friendly price of a regular CD, so everybody who's interested in our musical history can get all our previous recordings at once for a fair price. Furthermore, we are working on new material for our fifth studio-album."
[FREE MP3]

07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) THE JULIANA THEORY are back with the launch of their own recording label, Paper Fist Recordings, cemented by a new worldwide deal with Rykodisc Records. The Western Pennsylvania-based band has spent the last few months in its home studio putting the finishing touches on demos for 25-30 new songs for the band's 4th studio album. THE JULIANA THEORY is currently choosing producers for the album, scheduled to be recorded this Fall and released in early 2005. According to singer/guitarist Brett Detar, fans can expect "our most energetic album yet. The overall mood is much more upbeat than on our last record. I think we're always moving forward creatively, but there are some definite nods to the sound of our first two albums on many of the new songs." Since forming in 1998, the members of THE JULIANA THEORY have spent few days outside of a recording studio or concert venue. The band released its first two albums, "Understand This Is A Dream" (1999) and "Emotion Is Dead" (2000), as well as the "Music From Another Room" EP (2001) on independent label Tooth And Nail before signing with Epic Records in 2002 and releasing the acclaimed CD, "Love (2003).
[LISTEN]

07.02.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Two years after their comeback album "Back From The Grave," old school Swedish Death Metal heroes GRAVE are striking back again with another slab of heavy music in "Fiendish Regression" come August 23rd in Europe. This time the band chose Abyss Studios (Amon Amarth, Hypocrisy, Dimmu Borgir, Immortal, etc.) in Sweden to record the new 9-track release. The band evidently enjoyed the time in the studio: "The cooperation with Tommy and Peter Tagtgren really paid off, and we are very satisfied with the result both song and sound-wise." Remaining in the same core line-up of the last "comeback" years with GRAVE founding members Ola Lindgren (guitars, vocals) and Jonas Torndal (guitars), and ex-THERION bass player Fredrik Isaksson, the band's ranks feature a new entry on drums with COERCION member Pelle Ekegren (who already appeared on GRAVE's 2002 tour with THE FORSAKEN and DISINTER as a guest member), adding a more vivid and relentless groove attack to the classic GRAVE song-structures. "Fiendish Regression" comes embedded in killer artwork courtesy of Polish artist Jacek Wisnieswki, and will be issued in a special first pressing slipcase including the SAINT VITUS cover, 'Burial At Sea.'
[FREE MP3]

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) COHEED AND CAMBRIA have signed with Columbia Records, who will re-release their watershed album, "In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3," this September. You can catch the video for the song 'A Favor House Atlantic' now. Officially christened COHEED AND CAMBRIA in 2001 (and now nicknamed the "emo Rush"), the group released their debut album, "The Second Stage Turbine Blade" in 2002. That album's dynamic hooks, dark imagery and lyrical content -- coupled with COHEED AND CAMBRIA's highly regarded live performances -- quickly saw the rise of the band and earned them their present legion of die-hard fans, camped out in the front row of every live show they play. COHEED AND CAMBRIA continued their saga in 2003 with "In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3," which was originally released through independent label Equal Vision Records. Perplexing, inspiring and beautiful, 'In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3' is a shadowy and foreboding masterpiece featuring Claudio Sanchez's helium-high vocals and the band's majestic, sprawling sci-fi prog-rock/metal jams, which has now sold more than 150,000 copies to date through Equal Vision. COHEED AND CAMBRIA's epic storytelling... [full story]
[WATCH]

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Bay Area Thrash Metal veterans DEATH ANGEL launched their career as teenagers with the "Kill As One" demo, produced by guitarist Kirk Hammett of METALLICA. After four successful albums, their career was derailed by a tour bus crash in the early 90s. DEATH ANGEL reunited in 2001 and has since played high-profile dates with several other veteran metal artists. They recently released their first new album in 14 years, "The Art Of Dying," on Nuclear Blast Records. Now Rykodisc has announced the re-release of DEATH ANGEL's classic first two albums, "The Ultra-Violence" and "Frolic In The Park," along with a new album of previously unreleased vintage recordings plus an exclusive DVD in the forthcoming "Death Angel Box Set." The first two albums include bonus tracks, including the legendary "Kill As One" demo. Both are remastered with expanded artwork. The "new" album includes live material and demos, and the exclusive DVD features DEATH ANGEL's videos, rare foreign TtelevisionV appearances, as well as the video demo the band made for Enigma Records, which landed them their original recording contract. Look for the limited edition "Death Angel Box Set" to be released in the Fall.
[LISTEN]

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Long-time songwriter/producer NICK LOWE is returning to the United States this Fall for a rare September solo acoustic tour. Fellow band member and new Yep Roc Records label mate Geraint Watkins will be opening for Lowe in support of his upcoming release, "Dial W For Watkins." In addition to a successful career as an artist, NICK LOWE has made his mark on popular culture as a gifted producer (Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, John Hiatt, The Pretenders) and songwriter. Lowe penned both 'The Beast In Me' for the late Johnny Cash and the epic plea '(What's So Funny 'Bout...) Peace, Love And Understanding, popularized by Costello and covered by Curtis Steigers on "The Bodyguard" soundtrack. For the past decade, NICK LOWE has been focused on making music that's artistically satisfying and emotionally rewarding. He's simply not interested in trying to re-hash his past successes as a solo hit-maker or resurrecting the sounds of his influential groups BRINSLEY SCHWARZ, ROCKPILE and LITTLE VILLAGE. Lowe's recent trilogy of work, the most recent being "The Convincer," is an obvious example of NICK LOWE's new philosophy, with its unique mix of soulful ballads and wide ranging genres and influences.

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) CRADLE OF FILTH's debut release for Roadrunner Records, entitled "Nymphetamine," is currently set for a late September release and is getting ever close to completion. Through a sit down with the band's A&R Rep at Roadrunner Records, Mike Gitter, a few more details were revealed on the project. As of Sunday night just past, after all your family BBQs for the weekend were wrapped up and you were dreaming of sweet nothings, Colin Richardson and Dan Turner (engineer since the beginning of this sordid affair) had over half of "Nymphetamine" mixed. Not an easy feat, either, given that there is upwards of 100 tracks or more per song. A big sounding record, to say the least. Mixing of the album should be fully complete in the next week or so. "I would have to say without a doubt, it's Cradle Of Filth's best record," says Gitter. "Not just a great Cradle Of Filth record, but a great metal record. Both longtime fans and casual listeners will be pretty fuckin' surprised." We assure you Mike's convictions are spoken with the utmost objectivity. And, might we add, there will be a track called 'Gilded Cunt' on the album. This is destined to be a classic."

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Electro Glam Rockers PINK GREASE have released their full-length debut album, "This Is For Real," on Mute Recordings. The release is the first new material since last year's critically acclaimed "All Over You" mini album on the Horseglue label, and follows the release of PINK GREASE's new single, entitled 'The Pink G. R. Ease.' "This Is For Real" features twelve new tracks that meld guitar abandon, glam, and true melody to a degree PINK GREASE have so far only threatened. The recent single, 'Fever,' plus the tracks 'Superfool', 'Into My Heart' and 'Peaches' see the band combine a perfect mix of frenzied rock 'n' roll and catchy-yet-twisted Pop/Rock to great effect. Born in Sheffield, UK at the turn of the millennium, PINK GREASE released their debut single, 'Manhattan On Fire/Working All Day' in December 2002. Rough Trade stores included the single on their "Best Of The Year," album and PINK GREASE set off on a UK tour with ADD N TO (X), supported SUICIDE and LIARS, and shocked audiences along the way with their glam roar as if from another planet. A second single, 'Soul Paco,' followed and in May 2003, Pink Grease released "All Over You," six teen angst ballads about sex, death and love lost.
[LISTEN]

07.01.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Denver, Colorado's CEPHALIC CARNAGE will enter the studio in September with producer Dave Otero (Serberus) to begin recording the follow-up to 2002's "Lucid Interval," tentatively due in the Spring of 2005 via Relapse Records. "We have been experimenting with styles of music that we were never really comfortable with before, and that has given us a lot more freedom," guitarist Zac Joe wrote in an online posting recently. "The songs are more diverse and 'blender-ized' than anything we've done so far. Everything is really all over the place as a whole right now, but we still have three months until we record, and that gives us time to write a coupla more, hone everything in, then decide what's best for the record. Kinda like every other band does. We have also been working with Matt more often on synths and what not to more accurately fill in the parodies, add depth to the ambient sections, and beautiful noise of all sorts, wherever it may be needed. "Everyone in the band is very anxious and excited to get out there and play the new shit live for those that want to hear it, or are forced to because we're on a tour package we have no business being on."
[WATCH]

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) RACHEL GOSWELL's solo debut album, "Waves Are Universal," is now available in both Europe and North America through 4AD Recordings. Recorded organically, Goswell's voice is augmented by the lightest of ambient touches, whether it comes swathed in the natural reverb of Chislehurst Caves or surrounded by the gentle atmospheres of the various field recordings that Goswell and producer David Naughton made while they were working on the album. The record reveals serious songwriting skills that encompass the featherlight ascent of 'Plucked' as effortlessly as the dense, shimmering groove of 'Coastline,' and it triumphantly justifies the faith that so many SLOWDIVE and MOJAVE 3 fans have had in RACHEL GOSWELL as a genuine talent in her own right. After a wait of over a decade, Goswell has finally pushed her way to the front and, like with most twists in her career so far, "Waves Are Universal" is not what you ears will be expecting. For the uninitiated, RACHEL GOSWELL first made a name for herself back in the early 90s while lead singer of Slowdive, a band very much at the credible end of the short-lived (but well remembered) "shoe gazing" scene. As much as that tag now grates, there's no... [full story]
[FREE MP3]

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Century Media has announced that ProgPower USA V's Special Guest will be vocalist TIMO KOTIPELTO (Kotipelto, Stratovarius). Kotipelto, whose new album "Coldness" was released in early 2004 by Century Media, will be signing autographs, hosting a meet and greet, and will also be attending the ProgPower pre-Party on September 16th. Excited to be included in the festivities, Kotipelto said: "I have heard a lot about ProgPower USA, as some of my friends have played this festival. They have told me about the great atmosphere and the cool crowd. I've never been to the U.S. before so I am really looking forward to seeing the bands and meeting a lot of fans. See ya there! Rock on!" The festival's promoter Glenn Harveston is thrilled that Kotipelto will be a part of ProgPower USA V, and says: "It's an honor to finally get Timo over here. Hopefully we will be able to convince him to come back in a performing manner next time. Special thanks to Century Media for stepping up to the plate and making a great event even better." As ProgPower's Special Guest, TIMO KOTIPELTO follows FATES WARNING's Ray Alder (2001), ICED EARTH's John Schaffer (2002) and SAVATAGE's Jon Oliva (2003).
[FREE MP3]

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) NorCal Rockers SHORTIE will enter the studio July 12 to record their currently untitled Earache Records debut. For the album, the band has chosen to record in their hometown of Sacramento at J Street Studios, which is owned and operated by TESLA bassist Brian Wheat. Producing will be Michael Rosen (Santana, AFI, The Donnas, Michelle Branch), so you can picture SHORTIE's unmistakable sound -- the haunting intensity of DEFTONES and POISON THE WELL, propelled with a driving rock pulse and infectious pop hooks -- boosted with a high quality production job. Mainstays of the new NorCal Rock scene since their formation in the late 90's, SHORTIE are armed with a musical maturity that belies their youthfulness, coming forth with supremely-crafted rock songs, running the gamut from Hardcore angst to soaring melodies. Their sound is calculated, concise and crushing, yet infectiously memorable. Over the course of three full-length albums, one EP, and a handful of demos, SHORTIE's sound has developed from unfocused aggression to utterly distinctive music that charismatic frontman Pogus has described as "the missing link between heavy metal and pop."
[WATCH]

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) As you may or may not know, THE CROWN's upcoming Metal Blade Records release, "Crowned Unholy," is a remake of the bands fifth album "Crowned In Terror" with re-recorded vocal tracks by Johan, re-recorded bass tracks by Magnus, a new version of the intro (originally written by Marko, now programmed by Janne), drum sound digitally enhanced by Janne, and cool synthesizer-spiced parts here and there, all programmed by Janne. The good news is that "Crowned Unholy," slated for release in Europe August 9th, will be issued with a free bonus DVD, entitled "The Crown Invades Karlsruhe." The bonus DVD is a full live show, filmed professionally on their last tour when THE CROWN played Karlsruhe, Germany on the 24th of November, 2003. Following is the track listing for "The Crown Invades Karlsruhe" live bonus DVD: 1. No Tomorrow • 2. Face Of Destruction/Deep Hit Of Death • 3. Death Explosion • 4. World Below • 5. Deliverance • 6. Blitzkrieg Witchcraft • 7. Cold Is The Grave • 8. Zombiefied • 9. Dream Bloody Hell/Kill 'Em All • 10. Under The Whip • 11. Bow To None • 12. Total Satan • 13. House Of Hades/Crowned In Terror • 14. 1999-Revolution 666
[FREE MP3]

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Neil and Tim Finn, n.k.a. THE FINN BROTHERS, have reunited for their first collaborative studio album in over eight years. Entitled "Everyone Is Here," the long-awaited album will be released on August 23rd. Recorded in Los Angeles, the title reflects not only the musical reunion of the former CROWDED HOUSE and SPLIT ENZ frontmen, but also the involvement of both former and current musical cohorts. "The last time we did a Finn Brothers record ('Finn,' 1995), it was kind of a side project in many ways in the timing of it," says Neil. "We only toured for a few weeks and we only took four weeks to make the album. This one we've been a lot more deliberate about and we want to give it its due and spread the word. We feel very, very proud of it." "Everyone Is Here" was produced by Mitchell Froom and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, the team behind much of CROWDED HOUSE's catalogue, including their critically lauded album "Woodface." "Our roots are in live music, even if it's just me and Neil playing acoustic guitars together," says Tim. "It works better if there's more than one person working at a time and people playing off of each other. There's a lot of that on the record, and there's a really strong band feeling."

06.30.04 (RockAndMetal.com) 36 CRAZYFISTS guitarist Steve Holt checked in recently with the following update on the band's official website: "The UK dates were simply put, off the hook! Thanks to all are fans and friends for making it such a memorable 10 day run. Download was the coolest thing we have been a part of, seeing alot of our favorite bands and meeting tons of cool people. Special thanks to our new friends in The Bled, A Bullet For My Valentine and Funeral for a Friend, you all kick ass on a musical and personal level, we'll see you all again soon! To the future...We are hittin the road starting July 7th in Chicago. We are going out with a cool ass line-up, all bands that we have played with previously, so it should be a tour to reckoned with! Candiria, simply the most underated band ever! 12 Tribes who we had the priveledge of playing with last tour, and Kittie the heaviest batch of broads to hit the Earth! It should be a Blast! We have other Tour news coming along shortly, I wish I could share it now but I can't, so stay Tuned! Also in the works, we are going to shoot a new video for our 2nd single off of 'ASCR,' 'Bloodwork.' It is very possible that this could happen very soon, so check back daily for news! That's the haps for now...OUT!" -HOLT36CF-
[FREE MP3]

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) MOBY and PUBLIC ENEMY have teamed up for the single 'Make Love Fuck War' ('MKLVFKWR'), due for release on CD and 12" vinyl via Mute Recordings on July 26th. The track was written especially for "Unity," the official Athens 2004 Olympic Games album compilation coming August 5th on EMI. Featuring a wide range of artists from 15 different countries, all linked by the theme of harmony and peace, many of the tracks are collaborations. Songs on the 16-track album include duets from Alice Cooper and Xzibit to Macy Gray and Keziah Jones. The music for 'Make Love Fuck War' was written by MOBY, while the lyrics were penned by Chuck D and Flavor Flav of PUBLIC ENEMY. Chuck D says "working with Moby on this theme and project again shows that music can be a universal language of peace. Knowing his great work and concerns of the planet made this project one of like-mindedness and world spirit." MOBY says of PUBLIC ENEMY, "I've always been a huge fan." Added Chuck D: "The song is a request that being a citizen of the world should transcend nationality in the name of peace"
[LISTEN]

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Purveyors of savage aggression WATCH THEM DIE will embark on a national U.S. tour alongside THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CATTLE DECAPITATION and GOATWHORE this summer. The trek kicks off on July 25th and wraps up on August 19th. The group just returned home after completing a highly successful run with GWAR, in support of their self-titled Century Media debut album. Vocalist Pat Vigil further describes the group's upcoming activities: "Greetings, this is Pat of WATCH THEM DIE spitting a bit about our passed present and future. First we would like to thank all of our fans and friends that we made on our two- month tour with GWAR. No joke, thanks for the energy because we thrive on it. Of course we would like to thank GWAR for having us on that tour. They treated us like kings and we have a ton of respect for them. Also, cheers to Bad Acid Trip and we can't forget Darkest Hour, thanks for everything you sinners. We have another U.S. tour coming up in July with The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation and Goatwhore. We look forward to this tour, as it should be a skull bashing good time."
[FREE MP3]

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) The Garza Brothers, a.k.a. LOS LONELY BOYS, are set to unleash their critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut album of Tex-Mex, Roots-inspired Rock 'N' Roll in Australia come July 26th, and will hit that country for a promo tour afterwards. The family trio has been making music together since they were small children, and now has a decade of professional experience under their belts behind the fast-selling debut. LOS LONELY BOYS write, sing, and play music drawn from diverse sources, blending their influences into a seamless style. Weaned on Tex-Mex, Country, Blues, and Rock pioneers like Richie Valens, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, and such pop music giants as The Beatles, LOS LONELY BOYS augment those solid basics with red-hot guitar playing, Latin Rock rhythms and dynamic vocal harmonies to produce songs rife with engaging hooks, expressive lyrics, and melodic sumptuousness. LOS LONELY BOYS took home five Austin Music Awards at this year's South By Southwest festival including Best Album, Best Band and Best Song Of The Year.
[FREE MP3]

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Candlelight Records has confirmed August 10th as the U.S. release date for ENSLAVED's "Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land." Currently unavailable stateside, the mid-line priced reissue is expected to be followed by ENSLAVED's new album sometime this Fall or early next year. Recorded in 1994, the majestic romp of "Vikingligr Veldi" stands as one of ENSLAVED's most acclaimed recordings. Utilizing synthesizers, piano and guitars to strong effect, the album conjures a trance-like state through a blurring wall of sound. The caliber and craftsmanship of each song's arrangement allows the extensively lengthy songs to thrive - a particular characteristic of the Bergen-based band. For the reissue, Candlelight has also added the band's hard-to-find "Hordanes Land" mini-album. 2003 Norwegian Alarm Award and two-time Norwegian Grammy Award nominees ENSLAVED are a band held in high esteem. Their recordings epitomize the best in Norwegian Viking Metal, and -- through their growing and musicially creative history -- ENSLAVED have become one of the genre's most respected bands, dominating in the live arena as well.

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) WILCO's new album, "A Ghost Is Born," has been released. At one point, "Wilco Happens" was the working title for the release. And no wonder -- the past few years have certainly been an eventful time for singer-guitarist Jeff Tweedy and the band. The fun started with their 2002 disc "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, a complex and difficult work which took a toll on both their personal and professional lives. Famously rejected by their label, it went on to become their most successful and acclaimed disc after WILCO bought it back and released it elsewhere. Along the way, however, the band parted ways with one member and Tweedy struggled with his newfound fame, eventually acquiring a prescription-drug dependency that landed him in rehab in April and delayed this disc's release. Not surprisingly, all that instability and uncertainty factor heavily in "A Ghost Is Born." Only the scrappy 'I'm A Wheel' and 'The Late Greats' could be termed "rockers." And only 'Less Than You Think,' a three-minute dirge about death and afterlife that leads into 12 minutes of amplifier hum and feedback, could be termed too "artsy" for its own good.

06.29.04 (RockAndMetal.com) THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will premiere the first music video from their upcoming new album for Relapse Records, "Miss Machine." The video, for the song 'Panasonic Youth,' was filmed on location in the Old City district of Philadelphia, PA with acclaimed director Josh Graham (NEUROSIS, BEE & FLOWER, ISIS) and features THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN (vocalist Greg Puciato, guitarists Ben Weinman and Brian Benoit, bassist Liam Wilson and drummer Chris Pennie) in various stages of performance. "Miss Machine" will be released on July 20th in the U.S. and August 2nd in Europe. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will launch a month-long U.S. headlining tour entitled "Fucking With The Lights On" come July 18th in Baltimore, Maryland in support of "Miss Machine." The four-week trek is scheduled to conclude August 17th in New York City with additional dates pending. Support on the DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN tour will be provided by a host of up-and-coming acts including THE BRONX, PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS, DECEHEDRON, READ YELLOW, DAUGHTERS and others.
[FREE MP3]

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) CROSBY AND NASH are set to release their first effort as a duo since 1976 in "Crosby-Nash," due August 10th on Sanctuary Records. As a duo, longtime creative partners David Crosby and Graham Nash bring out the best in each other, their distinct yet complementary styles balancing an equation that delivers a seamless and inspiring musical whole. Two-thirds and one-half, respectively, of CROSBY, STILLS & NASH and CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG, the now-Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers are legendary for their airtight and crystal-clear vocal harmonies, as sublime when delivered by simply these two together as they are from the larger configurations. It is a sound that's one of the true touchstones of the 60s and 70s Rock eras. Their first joint LP was 1972's "Crosby & Nash," of which online music authority allmusic.com wrote: "This self-titled release is one of -- if not arguably the most -- impressive side project to arise from CSN." Both spotlighting and weaving together the individual sounds of these two equally literate and melodic singer-songwriters, the disc delivered the Top 40 hit 'Immigration Man,' as well as the... [full story]

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Italian Goth Metallers LACUNA COIL just wrapped up a successful national U.S. tour alongside P.O.D., BLINDSIDE and HAZEN ST., and will soon embark on Ozzfest, which kicks off on July 10th. Vocalist Cristina Scabbia checked in recently with the following update: "Hi there! We are finally on vacation in L.A. after the P.O.D. tour, and its been amazing! Thanks to P.O.D. for having us on this tour and sharing their barbecues with us hungry Italians, but most of all thanks to all our fans for supporting us this month and a half and for coming to the shows. You know we love you all so much and that without you we are nothing. It's been a busy period, but it was worth it. One of the highlights was performing 'Heaven's A Lie' acoustically on Headbangers Ball, which was very exciting for us. We also have a new single out on the radio called 'Swamped' along with a new video too, so if you have some spare time pick up your phone to call your favorite radio station and support us by requesting it. Now we just want to rest a little bit to be in perfect shape for the Ozzfest and we are ready to rock down the house. See you there and keep on rockin."
[FREE MP3]

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) 'In It For The Money,' the first single to be taken from CLIENT's forthcoming second album, has been on Toast Hawaii/Mute Recordings. The single's b-side, 'Down To The Underground,' features a special guest vocal performance from Pete Doherty of THE LIBERTINES. CLIENT are a female electro duo producing stark and compulsive Electro Pop/Rock anthems that combine the incisive and acerbic lyrical wit of THE SMITHS and the "Northern song writer tradition" with a pulsing, immediate electronic sound reminiscent of KRAFTWERK and JOY DIVISION. 'In It For The Money' - written by CLIENT and co-produced by CLIENT and Joe Wilson (Sneaker Pimps) - is a wry riposte to the cynicism of pop culture and is one of many highlights on the upcoming new album. Rapidly making inroads into the electro dance scene Client have already toured extensively in Europe including dates in France, Germany, Scandinavia, Russia and Spain and have plans for a major European tour in 2004. KRAFTWERK's Karl Bartos had this to say about CLIENT: "Client is witty electro pop coming from a creative mind. And they're doing it in style."
[WATCH]

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Death Metal masters UNLEASHED will return with their seventh lead-heavy, groove-oriented release entitled "Sworn Allegiance" on July 26th. 15 years after their formation, the band still delivers a one-two punch, and where many bands lighten over time UNLEASHED continuously deliver concrete breaking hammer-blows. UNLEASHED have released some of Death Metal's most influential albums, most notably "Where No Life Dwells" and Shadows In The Deep. After breaking the band's five-year silence with 2002's "Hell's Unleashed," they have returned with an even more intense album. Solidly grounded in massive production, the album was mixed by Fredrik Folkare at Chrome Studios and mastered by Peter In De Betou from Tailor Maid Productions (Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth). Song highlights are the mind-blowing opening track 'Winterland,' 'Destruction (Of The Race Of Men",' the new live anthem 'Metalheads' and 'The Longships Are Coming,' which deals with the topic of the ancient Viking godfathers - one of the band's main topics.
[LISTEN]

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the double documentary "John Mayall - The Godfather Of British Blues/The Turning Point" tomorrow. It marks the first time both films are available together on a single DVD. "The Godfather Of British Blues" is a documentary that spans JOHN MAYALL's career over 40 years, featuring contributions from himself, his family, fellow musicians, colleagues and friends in interviews and performances. In addition, the DVD includes rare archival clips from all periods of his life, marking his legendary achievements and some of the events that formed them. "The Turning Point" is the earliest 'rockumentary' of Mayall and his musicians filmed in their homes, dressing rooms, motorways, airports, clubs, concert halls and at festivals. In 1969, Mayall moved away from the "electric circus" of lead guitar and drums to a more gentler approach without drums and with acoustic guitar, flutes and saxophones. "The Turning Point" celebrates this revolutionary period in Mayall's life and his music. "The Turning Point" Soundtrack, a double-CD, will also be released as an audio companion to the documentary tomorrow.

06.28.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Relapse Records will release a companion CD compilation to coincide with the release of metal journalist Albert Mudrian's book "Choosing Death: The Improbable History Of Death Metal & Grindcore" this Fall. Entitled "Choosing Death: The Original Soundtrack," the 20-track CD will aurally illustrate Mudrian's tome with tracks from the biggest and most influential artists of the Death Metal and Grindcore genres, including several tracks exclusive to the compilation. Among the highlights slated to appear on the "Choosing Death" CD are never-before-heard songs from NIHILIST (pre-ENTOMBED), SUFFOCATION and PIG DESTROYER, as well as classic tracks from MORBID ANGEL, CARCASS, CANNIBAL CORPSE and many more. "Choosing Death: The Original Soundtrack" is slated for a September 28th release date via Relapse. More information on "Choosing Death: The Improbable History Of Death Metal & Grindcore" can be found at the publication's official all-new web portal, www.choosingdeath.com.

[Music News: 06.21.04 - 06.27.04]
[Top]