12.16.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Rhino Records are releasing a second group of expanded and remastered versions of classic T. REX albums with the January 24th issue of "Tanx," "Bolan's Zip Gun," "Futuristic Dragon" and "Work In Progress." The four albums include three studio releases recorded prior to the tragic 1977 death of leader Marc Bolan, with the fourth disc featuring a collection of Bolan's home recordings and studio outtakes with the band. Each album will be released as a double-disc set. Like Rhino's first batch of T. REX reissues released on November 8th, the second set also features deluxe packaging and contains the original album along with non-album singles on the first disc. The second disc pulls back the curtain on T. REX's artistic process with a work-in-progress version of almost every song on the original album. These rare versions are previously unreleased in the U.S., and are compiled to mirror the running order of the originals. Released in 1973 at the height of T. REX mania, "Tanx" captures Bolan expanding the band's sound with the addition of a horn section and backup singers. Along with requisite rockers like 'Born To Boogie,' 'Country Honey,' and 'Highway Knees,' the album also contains the story-song 'Tenement Lady' and the searing ballad 'Broken-Hearted Blues.' The bonus disc's 23 tracks include 14 rough mixes from the "Tanx" sessions, plus four acoustic and bass guitar demos as well as five solo acoustic demos by Bolan. A refinement of the soulful Funk explorations Bolan began a year earlier with "Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow," 1974's "Bolan's Zip Gun" pared back the production to spotlight the taut interplay between the songs' rhythm section and melody on the singles 'Light Of Love' and 'Zip Gun Boogie.' The album includes the live staple 'Token Of My Love' as well as the stunning ballad 'Till Dawn,' Bolan's final work with longtime producer/collaborator Tony Visconti. The 19-track bonus disc includes early takes and rough mixes of songs from "Bolan's Zip Gun," along with outtakes of 'Do You Want To Dance' and 'Dock Of The Bay,' plus a live version of 'Zip Gun Boogie' recorded in Cleveland in 1974 during T. REX's final U.S. tour. After his previous sonic odysseys, Bolan revisited the classic T. REX sound on 1976's "Futuristic Dragon." Filled with strong songs, the Bolan-produced album includes the hit singles 'New York City' and the Disco ballad 'Dream Lady,' plus 'Chrome Sitar' and 'Dawn Storm.' The 20-track bonus disc includes two different mixes of 'Futuristic Dragon (Introduction),' plus three different versions of 'Casual Agent,' as well as a blistering outtake of 'Dawn Storm' that features the band playing with reckless abandon. Lastly, "Work In Progress" cherry-picks Marc Bolan's best unreleased and sometimes unfinished songs from throughout his career. The double-disc compilation features music recorded between 1972 and 1977, and contains everything from rudimentary acoustic song sketches and sprawling lyrical ideas to full-bodied Gospel songs and hairy guitar workouts. The first disc includes 33 tracks and is dedicated to Bolan's solo home demos, while the second disc includes 22 tracks and focuses on songs developed in the studio with T. REX.
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12.16.05 (RockAndMetal.com) The Center For Disease Control reports idiosyncratic symptoms of Hypocrisy's Virus as prolonged fevers, ulcerated eardrums, and a propensity to scream the truth about everything in public. Returning to North America in support their current album, "Virus," Sweden's HYPOCRISY will be joining NILE, SOILENT GREEN, and DECAPITATED on a mission to infect the masses with the latest strain of their ruthless musical contagion. Fueled by the addition of two new members -- former IMMORTAL drummer Horgh and long-time live/first-time studio second guitarist Andreas Holma -- HYPOCRISY founding member/producer/guitarist Peter Tagtgren took time out from theband's current European trek with labelmates EXODUS to share the following about the upcoming month-long tour, which launches on January 12th in Memphis, Tennessee and culminates on February 12th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: "We're really looking forward to playing the new music. I hear the new album's doing well, and I wanna thank all the fans over there for making that happen. Since I used to live there, I know how deep undercover the scene can be, but the fans seem to have all come out at the same time to help bring us back over. We've never toured with Nile, and we've never toured with Soilent Green or Decapitated. I haven't heard any stories about them either, so I have no clue what's gonna happen when we all get together to play (laughter). All I can do is take a couple of deep breaths, do a couple of push-ups, and head on out again into the center of the circus." With the "Annihilation World Tour," HYPOCRISY affirm why the band continues to impact today's Extreme Metal scene even after a decade of existence. Tour Dates: 01/12 Memphis, TN [Hi-Tone] • 01/13 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 01/14 Ft. Worth, TX [Ridglea Theatre] • 01/15 San Antonio, TX [Sanctuary] • 01/17 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theatre] • 01/18 Santa Ana, CA [Galaxy Theatre] • 01/19 Hollywood, CA [The Key Club] • 01/20 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 01/21 Orangevale, CA [The Boardwalk] • 01/22 Portland, OR [Berbati's Pan] • 01/23 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 01/25 Denver, CO [Bluebird Theatre] • 01/26 Omaha, NE [Sokol Underground] • 01/27 Lawrence, KS [Granada Theatre] • 01/28 Sauget, IL [Pop's] • 01/29 Columbia Heights, MN [Star Central] • 01/30 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 01/31 Cincinnati, OH [Bogart's] • 02/01 Cleveland, OH [Peabody's Down Under] • 02/02 Rochester, NY [Penny Arcade] • 02/03 Poughkeepsie, NY [The Chance] • 02/04 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 02/06 New York City, [NY B.B. Kings Blues Club] • 02/08 Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 02/09 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 02/10 Atlanta, GA [The Masquerade] • 02/11 Tampa, FL [The Masquerade] • 02/12 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Room]
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12.15.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Hopeless/Subcity Records have announced the signing of New Jersey natives ROYDEN to a recording deal. The label adds: "We are very pleased to welcome them into our family; the 5-piece band caught our attention through their intensely creative drive, unique musical style, and their willingness to cause havoc in every situation. Royden draws on many influences, most notably Life, Injury, Post-Punk, and Metal, as well as from bands like At The Drive In, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Talking Heads. Royden are currently writing and preparing to record their upcoming Hopeless Records debut to be released in the Summer of 2006. You can here demo versions of these new songs as well as some older Royden classics at www.purevolume.com/royden." Two years ago if you were to ask the five Garden State natives and current member of ROYDEN where they would be today, it is doubtful that their answer would have had anything to do with being in a band. After the breakup of their former band, MY COUSIN RAY, Nick, Treebo and Kerry parted ways to pursue individual interests. It seemed the three would never play together again. However, fate would bring the three men back together once more. Five demos cut at the bitter end of their former band's existence would soon attract the attention of a small, independent New Jersey label. After some discussion, the three were convinced to begin practicing together once more with the goal of cutting a 5-song EP for the independent label. Shortly thereafter, the search began for new another guitarist. Based on the recommendation of friends, Tim was soon added to the band in January of 2004. What ensued after his addition was 20 straight days of practicing, followed by one hectic week of recording, yielding the bands first release, entitled "Best Friends Our Worst Enemies." The EP debuted in May of 2004, and with the addition of Frank Rosania as the band's second guiatrist, ROYDEN quickly gained some notoriety in New Jersey. However, after a multitude of shows, one East Coast tour, and a number of Midwestern treks, Rosania decided to leave the band to pursue other interests in March of 2005. He was soon replaced with current ROYDEN guitarist Justin Sherwood. Soon after his addition, the band left to tour the Northeast and Midwestern sections of the U.S in the Summer of 2005. By the close of the Summer of 2005, ROYDEN had attracted the attention of California's Hopeless/Subcity Records. After receiving an offer, the band signed on to the label in the Fall of 2005, but the identity of exactly who the band was they'd signed then remained a mystery until announced by the label today. ROYDEN are currently in the process of writing their Hopeless Records full-length debut.
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12.15.05 (RockAndMetal.com) It has been announced that Guitarist Peter Wichers has left Sweden's SOILWORK. His official statement on the matter reads as follows: "I have decided to part ways with Soilwork. This has been one of my hardest decisions to make, and Soilwork has not only been my band but my second family and very good friends for almost 10 years. I'm just worn out from all the touring, and I have reached a point in my life where touring is just not possible for me anymore. I need a break from the touring so that I can actually begin to build a more solid ground to stand on for the future. I have on this journey met so many amazing people, made so many new friends, played in front of thousands of people, and I got to travel to places I have always dreamed of visiting. Soilwork have reached a level I never thought was possible, and I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing band experience and working alongside with such amazing people like I have. I know that in order for Soilwork to reach a new level there has to be even more touring done, and I feel as if its only fair that someone else therefore fills my spot now instead of later. I have decided to continue with my second passion in life, which is music production and recording, and in order to achieve this goal I need to put all my time and energy into it. Soilwork and me will remain great friends and I wish them all the success in the future. I also wish to extend a gigantic 'thank you' to all the fans, the label, friends, bands and magazines for their great support and encouragement. I can also say that this is not the end for me in music, but the beginning of something new!" In other SOILWORK news, drummer Dirk Verbeuren -- who played on the band's most recent CD, "Stabbing The Drama," and has been touring with the group as a session drummer -- has announced the he will be joining the band as a permanent member: "It has been almost two years since Peter first gave me a call offering me to join Soilwork for their first headlining tour in Europe. Many tours and one album later, I feel like a part of the family. Be it on a human or musical level, everything has clicked perfectly since day one, and it has been a truly mindblowing experience. Therefore I am very happy to announce my becoming Soilwork's official full-time drummer! As some of you may already know, I also play in my own band Scarve, and I will keep on doing so." SOILWORK vocalist Bjorn "Speed" Strid had this to say: "Peter's decision came of course as a shock to me and the other guys in the band. I want you to know that we really respect his decision and that we wish him all the luck in the future. His decision will not affect Soilwork's touring, we will continue just as planned. A replacement will be announced in a month or so and i can assure you that we won't make you disappointed even though it's really hard replacing such an amazing musician and a loyal friend. I also want to take the time to welcome our amazing drummer and good friend Mr. Dirk Verbeuren on board. Lastly, I wanna say that I'll forever treasure every single moment I shared with Peter, and wish him all the best. You rock, bro!!!"
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12.14.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Widely regarded as one of PHISH's finest live performances and called one of the "Greatest Concerts of the '90s" by Rolling Stone, their 1995 New Year's Eve show at Madison Square Garden is an amazing collection of the band's finest songs. Just in time to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of one of PHISH's proudest musical moments, the entire show will be featured on the Rhino Entertainment release "Phish: New Year's Eve 1995 Live At Madison Square Garden." The three-disc set will be available next week on December 20th at regular retail outlets and at www.rhino.com and www.phish.com for a suggested price of $29.98. The collection includes the complete three-set show totaling 27 tracks, and more than three and a half hours of prime PHISH. Although several official live albums by the band are available, "Phish: New Year's Eve 1995 Live At Madison Square Garden" is the first to feature one of the band's hallmark New Year's Eve concerts. Guitarist Trey Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, bassist Mike Gordon and keyboardist Page McConnell demonstrate their highly proficient musical skills while effortlessly navigating PHISH's vast repertoire, including several interesting cover songs, theatrical stunts, and an extended narration by Anastasio about his fabled musical thesis, "Gamehendge." The band kicks off the festivities with rousing renditions of "'Punch You In The Eye" and 'The Sloth,' before moving on to extended workouts of 'Reba' and 'The Squirming Coil' from PHISH's second album, 1991's 'Lawn Boy' and 'Maze' from 1993's concept album, "Rift." Adding an unexpected twist after 'Colonel Forbin's Ascent,' Trey Anastasio pauses during 'Fly Famous Mockingbird' to explain the band's creation of time in "Gamehendge," setting the stage for the band's New Year's stunt. The Vermont quartet then welcomes long-time lyricist Tom Marshall on guest vocals for COLLECTIVE SOUL's 'Shine.' Rock anthem 'Chalk Dust Torture' ends the set with soaring jams. In typical prankster fashion, Jon Fishman's mom, Mimi, appears onstage between sets and helps shave her son's shaggy beard and hair as he begins his transition from "Father Time" to "Baby New Year." PHISH opens the second set with an extended take on THE WHO's classic 'Drowned,' from the Rock Opera "Quadrophenia" (which they covered in its entirety the past Halloween), before segueing beautifully into 'The Lizards.' Next comes an experimental 'Runaway Jim' followed by 'Strange Design,' and a barbershop reading of 'Hello My Baby.' An epic, 20-minute 'Mike's Song,' one of the band's oldest songs that was eventually featured on Phish's 1997 live album, "Slip, Stitch & Pass," closes the set. As the crowd counts down to midnight, the band launches into 'Auld Lang Syne' before veering seamlessly into an acrobatic 'Weekapaug Groove.' PHISH then visit their 1988 debut, "Junta," for a 25-minute performance of Progressive Rock composition 'You Enjoy Myself,' then flow smoothly into 'Sea And Sand,' the second cover from "Quadrophenia," followed by the rarely played 'Sanity.' The band closes the third set with Edgar Winter's 'Frankenstein' before returning with the ultimate Rock 'N' Roll encore in 'Johnny B. Goode.'
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12.14.05 (RockAndMetal.com) On the day after the fourth anniversary of the passing of DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner, Norway's Imhotep asked several metal musicians to comment in tribute to Schuldiner's musical legacy and the influence DEATH has had on their music. DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz had the following to say regarding Chuck Schuldiner's passing and his valuable contributions to the Metal world: "One day, I was walking down the street with a friend of mine when I received a phone call on my cellphone. I Can't remember who told me, but the voice said, 'Chuck just died...' I stopped, wordless, while my cellphone suddenly slipped down from my hand. It didn't fall down on the ground, but slipped inside of my jacket sleeve. I still remember that day. It was weird and quite unreal, as I didn't even know the guy personally, it still made such a huge impact on me. Chuck Schuldiner's music has always been an inspiration, perhaps not directly on my playing, but more subconsciously, I'd say. My first band ever used to play many Death covers, and I remember I was proud when I finally learned the songs the right way, as I was so young back then. Sometimes by coincidence, or maybe not, I come up with riffs that I think sound too much like Death, which I know I can't use, for the obvious reason, so I change it around so I can use the idea either for DIMMU BORGIR as I have done in the past or now Insidious Disease, my other band, which are more Death Metal-oriented. I don't know what Chuck would've thought of our music today, but I heard from some label people that he told them he liked us back then when our 'Spiritual Black Dimensions' album came out. I used to have 'Leprosy' as my all-time favorite Death album, but now, recently it's been a close tie between 'Scream Bloody Gore' and 'Symbolic.' Perhaps these two in particular show best the evolution of his musicianship, as 'Scream Bloody Gore' is so raw and straight-forward, whereas 'Symbolic' is more innovative, technical, diverse and modern-sounding, still keeping Chuck's distinct and unique self-taught style of playing. I still listen to his music all the time." Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13th, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.
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12.13.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Drive-Thru Records recording artists HELLOGOODBYE have capped off 2005 with a bang by winning MTV2's "Dew Circuit Breakout." The "battle of the bands"-type competition began over a month ago with 6 bands as semi-finalists in contention to win the top spot. After a series of challenges, including live performances, HELLOGOODBYE were declared the winners live on MTV2 this past Saturday, December 10th. For that achievement, the Southern-California based band will receive several prizes, including $9,000 in musical gear, $10,000 cash, an opening spot on the MTV2 "$2 Bill Concert Series," and a guest appearance on a future MTV2 show. With their "OMG HGB DVD ROTFL" DVD just released on Drive-Thru and a full-length debut album slated for May of next year, HELLOGOODBYE are preparing to go all out in 2006, beginning with a two-month long nationwide tour in February and March with THE ACADEMY IS..., ACCEPTANCE and PANIC! AT THE DISCO, preceded by the following upcoming current dates as well: 12/13 Cleveland, OH [Grog Shop] • 12/14 Detroit, MI [Magic Stick] • 12/15 Chicago, IL [Beat Kitchen] • 12/16 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 12/17 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 12/26 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 12/27 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 12/28 Hollywood, CA [The Knitting Factory] • 02/01 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection] • 02/02 Toronto, ONT [Opera House] • 02/03 Buffalo, NY [Town Ballroom] • 02/04 Boston, MA [Avalon] • 02/05 Hartford, CT [Webster Theatre] • 02/07 Providence RI [Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel] • 02/08 New York, NY [Irving Plaza] • 02/09 Poughkeepsie, NY [Chance] • 02/10 Asbury Park, NJ [Stone Pony] • 02/11 Atlantic City, NJ [House Of Blues] • 02/12 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 02/14 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 02/15 Myrtle Beach, SC [House Of Blues] • 02/16 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 02/17 Orlando, FL [House Of Blues] • 02/18 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Revolution] • 02/19 Ybor City, FL [Masquerade] • 02/21 New Orleans, LA [House Of Blues] • 02/22 Houston, TX [The Engine Room] • 02/23 Dallas, TX [Trees] • 02/24 San Antonio, TX [The White Rabbit] • 02/26 Tucson, AZ [The Rock] • 02/28 Tempe, AZ [The Marquee Theatre] • 03/01 Los Angeles, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/02 Las Vegas, NV [House Of Blues] • 03/04 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/05 San Diego, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/07 San Francisco, CA [The Fillmore] • 03/09 Portland, OR [Crystal Ballroom] • 03/10 Seattle, WA [The Showbox] • 03/11 Boise, ID [The Big Easy Concert House] • 03/13 Salt Lake City, UT [In The Venue] • 03/14 Denver, CO [The Ogden] • 03/15 Lawrence, KS [Granada Theatre] • 03/16 Des Moines, IA [The House Of Bricks] • 03/17 Minneapolis, MN [The Quest] • 03/18 St. Louis, MO [Mississippi Nights] • 03/19 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 03/21 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] • 03/22 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 03/23 Cincinnati, OH [Bogart's] • 03/24 Detroit, MI [St. Andrews Hall] • 03/25 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues]
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12.13.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Sweden's WITCHERY have returned from the dead after a two-year hiatus to sign a worldwide deal with Century Media and deliver their highly-anticipated fourth full-length offering, "Don't Fear The Reaper," which is set for a late February release in Europe and an early March release in the United States and Canada. Led by guitarists Patrik Jensen (Orchriste, Seance, Satanic Slaughter, The Haunted) and Richard Corpse (Satanic Slaughter), vocalist Toxine and drummer Mique (Satanic Slaughter, Seance), WITCHERY's spell was cast upon our earthly existence back in 1997. Before recording their debut album for Necorpolis Records, "Restless And Dead," Jensen recruited bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy, Dismember, Illwill, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars) and got him on board for the unholy alliance. Subsequently, the band released the "Witchburner" EP, which featured cover songs by JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH, W.A.S.P. and ACCEPT. Their second full-length album, "Dead, Hot And Ready," stirred up a strong buzz in the underground Metal scene, helping the band tour the U.S. and Europe. In 2001, the group delivered "Symphony For The Devil," their first album featuring new drummer Martin Axenrot (Satanic Slaughter, Bloodbath, Opeth), which quickly solidified WITCHERY as one of the genre's best. However, Patrik Jensen's touring commitments with THE HAUNTED forced WITCHERY into hibernation for some time, but the band finally recorded the upcoming "Don't Fear The Reaper" at Berno Studios in Malmo, Sweden during the Fall of 2004. The new album was since mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Mnemic), and features WITCHERY's catchiest, yet most savage material to date. Patrik Jensen further describes his excitement over the band's new recording deal: "Finally, I'll say it again...finally, Witchery have signed a new deal, this time with Century Media. I'm really glad that we will be handled by the same team that has done such a great job for our other bands - The Haunted and Arch Enemy. Our new album, 'Don't Fear The Reaper,' has been recorded, mixed and mastered since October 2004, so it feels really great to be able to say to all the Witchery fans I've met over the past years that the album will definitely be out early next year! A new website will be up and running soon too, so keep an eye out for that. There will be touring and several major festival appearances coming up next year as well. See you all out there soon." WITCHERY was originally formed shortly after four members of SATANIC SLAUGHTER walked out on that group's founder, hoping to start a new band. With three quick releases in two years, they rapidly became one of Sweden's top Metal acts, with a style that melds both Black and Death influences with a sturdy modern Thrash base.

12.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) With their fourth Atlantic Records release, "Testify," San Diego multi-platinum Hard Rockers P.O.D. are ready to do just that come January 24th. Testify to the power of Rock; to the sway of perseverance and sweat; to the valor of hard work; to the might of unity; and to the importance of remaining true to your convictions. "To us, that word speaks for itself. It's powerful," P.O.D. front man Sonny Sandoval says of the one-word album title. "In our 13 years together that's what we've been doing. We've been testifying to the things that we believe in and that we've come to know." Since forming in San Diego in 1992, P.O.D. have never stopped testifying to the values that are at the core of the group. Indeed, "testify" is a word that has become synonymous with P.O.D. during the band's 14-year odyssey from a local band to "overnight" multi-platinum rock stars whose superb 2001 release, "Satellite," went triple-platinum, spawned such hit singles as 'Alive,' 'Youth Of A Nation,' and 'Boom,' and propelled the foursome to the elite of a new wave of Hard Rock acts. And even after undergoing a tumultuous line-up change in 2003 when original guitarist Marcos departed and was replaced by Jason Truby just weeks before the quartet was to begin work on the album that would eventually become "Payable On Death" (which went on to sell a million copies worldwide), P.O.D. remains at its core the same group that built a sizeable following on its own touring around the United States for years. "Six years into the mainstream and six years of seeing a whole other side of music the things that we believe in haven't changed," Sandoval, deliberately choosing his words and delivering each one with conviction, says. "If anything, the struggles or the things that we've experienced and gone through the past years have reinforced what we've believed all along. What we've been saying from the beginning and the faith that we have stands on our own, with or without music. On this record we never let go of that because that is the cornerstone of who we are as people. You realize it just comes down to that love we had in our heart to make music." Yes, P.O.D. have rediscovered their love for making music, for, in Sandoval's words, "putting little smiles on people's faces." Part of that rejuvenation comes from taking a much needed break. While Sandoval and drummer Wuv took their extended families to Italy, bassist Traa got married, and guitarist Jason Truby spent time at home in Arkansas, the quartet are feeling more amped than they have in a long time. "We're definitely ready to go out and do it," Sandoval says. "I just want to get on the road, for people to hear it and I want to go rock out. It's been so long since we played; the longest we've ever done it. But for us, because we've always been busy and we've always been doing it, I think it's essential that we took this time to recharge the batteries to be excited about the record, be excited about going on tour," Wuv adds. This time around, the band are... [full story]
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12.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) New Orleans will surely rise again, and SOURVEIN's "Emerald Vulture" EP is a testament to that fact. T-Roy and the band are back with a revamped lineup and the first of a trilogy of mini-albums to be released by This Dark Reign Records over the next few months. SOURVEIN came crawling into the East Coast / Southern underground in late 1992 with a single mission; to become one of the heaviest and most tour-worn bands in America. Inspired by heavyweights like THE ACCUSED, MOTORHEAD, SAINT VITUS, BLACK FLAG and early CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SOURVEIN took the DIY approach with their vision and created a lurking monster of audible despair and a word-of-mouth campaign that continues to build a cult-like following. Between the years 1993-1994, the band would release two demos and tour both the East Coast and deep South on five separate occasions. By 1995, the band finally caught the attention of a label, and a split 7" single with BUZZOV-EN was released entitled 'Another Day In A Lost Life.' Not long after the single's release, both bands hit the road and were tour partners for most of the year. 1996 would also see T-roy Medlin joining BUZZOV-EN as a second vocalist and programmer until that band's demise in 1999. In 1998, SOURVEIN relocated from their Northern Carolina homestead to the tattered and muddy streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Since then, the band have been a Mardi Gras favorite for the past 8 years. Though a favorite across the country, SOURVEIN never seemed to strike up a deal with any labels to release an actual record. Stunning, since the band was a guaranteed sell-out everywhere they played, and people were clamoring for anything the band could offer up other than live gigs. The rarely seen split or compilation simply wasn't satisfying the masses any longer. In 1999, SOURVEIN signed a brief, but fruitful deal with the now defunct Game Two Records, via whom the band's self-titled debut release would finally hit the streets. Unfortunately, not long after the release of their long-awaited debut, Game Two would go belly up and the band would be forced to find a new home. That new home came (and went) quickly when Frank Kozik of Mans Ruin came knocking. Then, to add insult to injury, while SOURVEIN were out developing their next release, Mans Ruin would go belly up as well, leaving the band high and dry yet again. However, the group's luck would finally take a turn for the better while performing in Hollywood. A chance meeting with Greg Anderson of Southern Lord paved the way for a new record deal, and "Will To Mangle" was finally released in 2003. Critically acclaimed, that album topped many a favorites list, with the band perched to dominate with an ever-growing popularity on the new heavy music scene. 2005 finds SOURVEIN and This Dark Reign working together, with "Emerald Vulture" being recorded in Virginia. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina hits, which delays and demoralizes the band. Once those wounds begin to heal, and while T-Roy is in North Carolina visiting family, another hurricane hits and levels a lot of areas in that state. Yet SOURVEIN remain steadfast survivors, with national and international tours currently in the works.
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[Music News: 12.05.05 - 12.11.05]
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