MEGADETH Drummer Schedules NAMM Signing Sessions - Dec. 31, 2008

MEGADETH is in the final stages of the songwriting process for the band's new album, which is tentatively expected sometime next year via Roadrunner Records. The CD is once again being helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy "Undie" Sneap, who produced MEGADETH's last album, "United Abominations" (May 2007, Roadrunner Records).

MEGADETH's forthcoming LP will be the group's first with guitarist Chris Broderick, who replaced Glen Drover at the end of last year.

MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover has issued the following update via the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"I will be at the NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show [on January 15-18 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California], which is always fun for me. It's a good chance to see a bunch of friends, vendors, endorsers that I haven't seen since... well... the last NAMM show.

"This year's show will be a bit more exciting for me, as my new Ddrum Shawn Drover signature snare drum will be on display. I have yet to see the finished product myself, so I will be looking at it pretty much the same time as those who express interest will. As well, my 2009-2010 Ddrum kit will be on display and again I have not seen this kit yet, either. My Ddrum rep, Rick Hughes, just called me to say that he just saw the drumset for the first time, and he told me that they look amazing!

"Anyways, if you want to check out the exact kit I will be playing on tour, stop by the Ddrum booth. I have a signing session with Ddrum on Saturday, January 17 at 4 p.m, so make sure you drop by to say hello. More on my other signings when I receive exact info on them.

"I arrive this Saturday in San Diego and will get to Vic's [Garage, MEGADETH's newly built recording studio in San Marcos, California] sometime that afternoon to get ready to start tracking the new record. I haven't listened to any of the songs since I have been home, as I want to have fresh ears and perspective on these tunes. Perhaps this will feed me a few fresh drum ideas when I begin laying down keeper tracks."

MEGADETH's official fan club, MegaFanClub, has released the first video footage from Vic's Garage, where the group is completing the songwriting process for its new album. The December 20, 2008 clip includes footage of guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine and drummer Shawn Drover jamming out to a brand new song. (Note: You must a member of the MegaFanClub in order to view the video.)

Important: The NAMM show is **NOT** open to the public. The only attendees are NAMM member companies and their invited guests.

MASTODON: 'Crack The Skye' Track-By-Track Review Available - Dec. 31, 2008

John Doran of The Quietus has posted a track-by-track review of the forthcoming MASTODON album, "Crack The Skye". Read it at this location.

Patrizia Mazzuoccolo of the "Tinitus" radio show, which airs every Wednesday on Norway's NRK P3, spoke to MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor in late November prior the band's concert in Oslo as part of the "Unholy Alliance: Chapter III" tour with SLAYER, TRIVIUM and AMON AMARTH.

Although MASTODON's new album, "Crack The Skye", is a conceptual piece in the same vein as the band's previous releases, it is not about air but "ether." "The whole story has little to do with what the album emotionally is really about," clarifies Dailor. "But everything in the lyrics and the story is metaphors. We wanted to stick with elements and we wanted to do the 'ether' record. Ether is what the soul is made out of and it took a few months to connect all the dots."

Dailor goes on to explain the "Crack The Skye" concept: "There is a paraplegic and the only way that he can go anywhere is if he astral travels. He goes out of his body, into outer space and a bit like Icarus, he goes too close to the sun, burning off the golden umbilical cord that is attached to his solar plexus. So he is in outer space and he is lost, he gets sucked into a wormhole, he ends up in the spirit realm and he talks to spirits telling them that he is not really dead. So they send him to the Russian cult, they use him in a divination and they find out his problem. They decide they are going to help him. They put his soul inside Rasputin's body. Rasputin goes to usurp the czar and he is murdered. The two souls fly out of Rasputin's body through the crack in the sky(e) and Rasputin is the wise man that is trying to lead the child home to his body because his parents have discovered him by now and think that he is dead. Rasputin needs to get him back into his body before it's too late. But they end up running into the Devil along the way and the Devil tries to steal their souls and bring them down…there are some obstacles along the way."

The title track, "Crack The Skye", features vocals by Scott Kelly of NEUROSIS. "We heard Scott's voice all over that track," Dailor says. "It's really NEUROSIS-sounding and then when it became the title track, in particular vocally and lyrically it had a lot to do with Skye so it made it even more perfect that Scott would be doing the verses on it just because he is very familiar with that tremendous loss, suicide, stuff like that…"

The album, due out for release in March 2009, is a dark conglomeration of musical as well as conceptual layers. "'Crack The Skye' means a number of different things," Dailor offers. "You'd probably get a different answer from the other members of the band as to what the meaning of it is and I can also come up with three different ones. The main one for me would be (that) Skye was my sister’s name and she died when I was 15. She was 14, she killed herself and it changed my life. When we started working on the material, I knew that Brent [MASTODON singer/guitarist Brent Hinds] was coming from a deeper place musically. He was shaken up from his accident in Las Vegas, was traumatized by that and I think that has a lot to do with the sound of the record. He is pretty emotive with the guitar and from that depression he was in came a lot of that material — kind of slow and spaced out, real psychedelic. I could see that there was something a lot deeper going on so it was the perfect opportunity lyrically to dig a little deeper myself into some demons in the past and I'd never really gone there before; you know, it's a touchy subject. But I felt that with the songs being the way they were that it was the perfect opportunity to get rid of some stuff myself… the 'Crack in the Skye' is the moment you realize that that person is gone."

Exclusive excerpts from the interview were originally aired on the November 26, 2008 edition of "Tinitus". The show is now available on podcast at this location.

"Crack the Skye" was recorded at Southern Tracks Studios in Atlanta and was produced and mixed by Brendan O'Brien, who has previously worked with VELVET REVOLVER, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM, AC/DC and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, among others.

"Crack the Skye" track listing:

01. Oblivion
02. Divinations
03. Quintessence
04. The Czar
I. Usurper
II. Escape
III. Martyr
IV. Spiral
05. Ghost of Karelia
06. Crack The Skye
07. The Last Baron

ENSLAVED's 'Vertebrae' Crowned TERRORIZER Magazine's 'Album Of The Year' - Dec. 31, 2008

As 2008 draws to an end, Terrorizer magazine staff and writers have donned their headphone to deliberate over which album should be crowned with the hallowed title of album of the year, an honor roll that sees its awardee join a heady list topped previously by DEATHSPELL OMEGA, MESHUGGAH, CELTIC FROST and MASTODON. This year saw the return of TESTAMENT, METALLICA and AC/DC, anticipated big releases from the likes of OPETH, AMON AMARTH, CYNIC and SATYRICON, as well as future classics from JEX THOTH, ENFORCER and ROLO TOMASSI. But without a doubt, across the board, the one album that stood out was the latest prog-metal opus from Norway's ENSLAVED. Terrorizer editor Louise Brown stated; "That ['Vertebrae'] is our album of the year is no surprise. That it stormed ahead of every other album is also no surprise. And if this album becomes contender for album of the decade... nah, that won't be a surprise either." Exclusively for BLABBERMOUTH.NET readers here is a sneak peek at the official Terrorizer Top 20. The whole list is printed in issue #179, out on Thursday, January 1. 01. ENSLAVED - Vertebrae (Indie Recordings) 02. CYNIC - Traced In Air (Season Of Mist) 03. NACHTMYSTIUM - Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1 (Candlelight) 04. GOJIRA - The Way Of All Flesh (Listenable) 05. TORCHE - Meanderthal (Hydra Head) 06. MESHUGGAH - ObZen (Nuclear Blast) 07. OPETH - Watershed (Roadrunner) 08. METALLICA - Death Magnetic (Warner) 09. BLOODBATH - The Fathomless Mastery (Peaceville) 10. ESOTERIC - The Maniacal Vale (Season Of Mist) 11. EARTH - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull (Southern Lord) 12. AC/DC - Black Ice (Sony) 13. ASVA - What You Don't Know Is Frontier (Southern Lord) 14. HAIL OF BULLETS - ...Of Frost And War (Metal Blade) 15. SEPTICFLESH - Communion (Season Of Mist) 16. DARKTHRONE - Dark Thrones And Black Flags (Peaceville) 17. LEVIATHAN - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life (Moribund) 18. GRAND MAGUS - Iron Will (Rise Above) 19. HARVEY MILK - Life... The Best Game In Town (Hydra Head) 20. SATYRICON - The Age Of Nero (Roadrunner)

In This Moment new video.

The Metal Nurse conducted an interview with with vocalist Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth of the Southern California-based female-fronted band IN THIS MOMENT at the New York City stop of the group's recent tour with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. Watch the nine-minute chat below.

IN THIS MOMENT's sophomore album, "The Dream", sold more than 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's video for the song "Forever" was directed and shot in Los Angeles, California by David Brodsky (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, OPIATE FOR THE MASSES) of MyGoodEye.

"The Dream" was released on September 30 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at a Las Vegas studio with producer Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, SHANIA TWAIN) and "showcases the band's songwriting prowess and [singer Maria] Brink's beautiful, angelic voice that is simply captivating," according to a press release.

IN THIS MOMENT is represented by Mercenary Management, which is headed up by OZZY OSBOURNE/ex-ROB ZOMBIE bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson.

KATAKLYSM Frontman's EX DEO To Premiere Demo Track Next Month - Dec. 31, 2008

EX DEO, the new band of KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono, will premiere a new, demo version of the track "Cry Havoc" on January 11 via MySpace. The song will appear on the group's forthcoming debut album, "Romulus", tentatively due in September 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD will be produced by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION) at JFD studios.

Commented Iacono: "In 2009, a band I've been waiting to launch for the longest time will finally see its light of day: EX DEO. I've dabbled with this idea even at earlier times when KATAKLYSM's 2001 album 'Epic (The Poetry of War)' and 2002's 'Shadows & Dust' were released. I was never able to fully carry it out the right way, that is, until now. As Roman ancestors believed, once Jupiter (king of the gods, son of Saturn) made his rulings, it had to be followed. The time has now come, it is now your turn to follow the calling and witness the rise of this new blood: EX DEO.

"I chose to debut the new track on January 11 because it is the day my father was born (he passed away a few years ago). My father was a disciple of Roman history and taught me many things throughout the years. I remember a time he said, 'Son, everything you see around you, our ancestors built the foundation for it. From the way the wars were fought to the democracy you live in…' and I have been fascinated by it ever since. For his soul looking over me and for the future of this project, I launch a new seed for Roma on the 11th of 2009. ?I promise something that is much needed in the scene today. It's going to kick ass!"

Maurizio will be checking in regularly with studio blogs and the writing/recording progress starting February 1.

"Romulus" is scheduled to be completed by mid-March.

My apologies

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted any new news I've been busy on the forums of Metal Institution, check the forums out at the bottom of the page where it says "Metal-Institution"

Again I am sorry and I'll try to keep on top of it but I'm just one person running the forum and the blog.

MEGADETH frontman/founder Dave Mustaine has issued the following year-end update

"Droogies!

This is going to be the last post from me reviewing the previous work week at the studio for the year 2008.

2008 brought us much success; excluding the fact that we were in the middle of an extensive, exhaustive world tour supporting the latest record from Megadeth, United Abominations on Roadrunner Records

and were out for a nearly 18 month long trip, and we have gone to place like India, Thailand, Singapore, Peru, Ecuador, and several new cities in Countries that we have already been too as well as returning to cities that we haven't been too for several years. Sadly, we still have yet to reach South Africa, and also return to Russia.

With the change in guitarists from Glen Drover to Chris Broderick, I was nervous, but at this point of seeing him interact with the band and the fans, there was nothing to worry about. The guys are getting the hang of posting here more often, and you should be able to see a lot of action through the MegaFanClub, which will reopen in 2009.

Today, of course is Sunday again, and I am about to go feed my horse, and I wanted to make my routine weekend post and let you know how the week went as far as the studio, the book, and the radio station are concerned. I also wanted to take some time to thank some people again, so this is the part where some of you get bored, but I have to stop and say thanks - I would do it for you too (and do!).

Thanks to Hatch and Jeff for making the week such a rewarding week for me. I will start with the top and work through all of the players for a very busy Christmas week:

Elaine Hinton of Hasbro - thank you for your continued love and support of my band and my music, and thanks for helping me make this happen for these kids in San Diego County.

Hasbro - thank you for matching the amount I donated in toys for the Toys for Tots program, and the various churches and hospitals and radio station we visited. I would not have been able to reach as many people as I did without your pledge to match my donation.

Jeff Payne - thanks for helping organize the shipment, the drop-off, the pick-up, and the final delivery of all of the boxes of toys all over San Diego County.

Glen "Hatch" Duffy - pretty much the same as Jeff's, thanks for helping organize the shipment, the drop-off, the pick-up, and the final delivery of the toys.

Justis Mustaine - thanks for helping us ship all of the toys. There is no finer son.

Pam Mustaine - thanks for allowing me to go around and do this.

The Rady Childrens' Hospital - thank you for allowing us to donate toys to your young patients.

The Naval Hospital - thanks for serving your country and this was to help ease the burden with gift-getting whilst bed-ridden.

105.3 KIOZ Rock Radio - thank for you allowing me to contribute to the listeners of the station, you are a real Rock station and remind me of the days of KNAC and ZRock!

And last but not least . . .

The U.S. Marines Toys for Tots - thank you for your service to your country's children.

Now, the juicy stuff. Yesterday Scott Holmen met me at the studio after Jeff and I finished moving stuff over to Vic's Garage. We went over the new BETA site for TheLiveLine.com and I was very intrigued by where we were in the scheme of things, and we started with the final countdown until we launch this new site. I asked him to convey my thoughts to my partners to consider just launching it now, since it is so much better than the current site and I will keep you posted on how that unfolds itself.

Over the last week our beloved webmaster, Dave 'Megadave' McRobb and I have talked about the new fan club and what we are going to have for 2009. We are going to be re-vamping the site, as well as correcting many things that went wrong due to there being too many people in the fan club for the amount of people we had to take care of it. I am excited to see what Dave McRobb and I can come up with next! We are going to be sorting out all of the sites, forums, and chat rooms associated with the MegaFanClub, and we will continue over the remainder of 2008 and through however long of 2009 it takes to have the most pleasant internet experience with your favorite bands or celebrities at TheLiveLine.com

Andy and Shawn are back safe and sound in their own little beds, and I have been going to the studio during the days, when I can and making slight changes to the songs, much in the same way that I wrote Rust In Peace. You see when I was writing that record, we were rehearsing in a hall near the Griffith Park Observatory and each day we would get there we would do our respective party favors and then we would go over all of the songs, including 'My Creation', although that had no lyrics at the time sang on the track and rendered the track obsolete. So, I have been going in each day and making the slightest of changes and most are for the better - reverting back to the previous version if I don't like what I did the next day. James and Chris and I are all still here, should I have any brainstorms and I know how to play the drums at least as good as Shawn knows how to play guitar, and that is saying something, since he is the fastest guitarist in the world. Remember?!

Now, about the songs:

I have five of the nine that appear to be mine completely written and arranged. There are two more that are Shawn's, and James has a potential part for a song, as well as Chris. I have to say that the energy and musical vein is from the period you have all been requesting. I know I have written something good too, when I am playing something and I curl my lip up when I assault my guitar. Andy said, 'Awwight! Ye got a bit ov de ole lip snarlin' goin now wight matey??'

I can without a doubt say that there is a song on here that is somewhat like 'Poison Was The Cure'. There seems to be a 'color' around this song that is reminiscent of the flair and energy from that period. This color is evident on several songs. Ask Jeff or Shane. Them not being band members also helps deter them from doing a cover-up and saying it sounds great . . . if it didn't.

But it does sound great, and I am more excited about this new record than I was with UA or anything in the last several years. I must confess that when Justis comes in and he and his band are stocked and howling about how fast and how heavy the new stuff is, it does make me feel great. He has really finicky taste and loves the really heavy stuff; especially the fast double-bass drum parts.

I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS RUST IN PEACE 2!

But, I can say that the five out of nine songs I have arranged, I like and love them all, and every one of the songs has one or more of the strong points of me as a guitarist being showcased instead of me writing songs for radio - radio that won't play us anyway.

I'll be heading over to the studio today for a while, and tomorrow I go to Spokane, Washington for New Years with my family away from everything for a week or so. We return on Friday, the 2nd, as does Andy and Shawn. and we will reconvene on Saturday, the 3rd.

I am getting excited about the upcoming tour with Judas Priest, Megs, and Testament. I am also getting even more excited about hearing my new guitar partner Chris Broderick put some burning solos down! This is really going to be a record that will make a lot of people that thought we couldn't do it anymore sit up and take notice. Of course there will not be a fast enough song on here for a lot of people, or a heavy enough song, or something that will permit some of our visitors here to piss and moan about stuff.

Its time to go and make history after I get out of service. I have a purdy good couple of song titles too, that once I get the lyrics onto the songs, I will let you know the titles (or at least the working titles).

I love you guys so, so, so much! Thank you for giving me this life, this lifestyle, and this career. I have a feeling that you are going to be curling your lip a little bit on this new one."

Have a Happy New Year and MSGD!

Drummer KEVIN TALLEY To Guest On ABSENCE OF THE SACRED Album

Drummer KEVIN TALLEY To Guest On ABSENCE OF THE SACRED Album
Singapore-based death/thrash metallers ABSENCE OF THE SACRED have tapped DAATH's Kevin Talley — who has previously recorded and/or toured with DYING FETUS, CHIMAIRA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE RED CHORD, HATE ETERNAL, M.O.D., MISERY INDEX and SUFFOCATION — to lay down the drum tracks on their upcoming third CD, entitled "Come Hither O Herald Of Death".

Commented ABSENCE OF THE SACRED frontman Mike Priest (also of IMPIETY): "The third album will be a perfect blend of brutality and melody, definitely in the progressive direction yet progressive in the sense of bands such as ATHEIST, DEATH and EMPEROR. We always retain the sense of aggression, refining and honing our craft to the best of our musical abilities.

"The concept of this third release is about the subject of death; the physical and mental forms of death. Death does not necessarily mean the end of everything. Physically, it's the end of the flesh; decomposition and ash. Mental death is the total absence of consciousness, awareness, comprehension, response, etc. It can also mean the end of a previous paradigm where one finishes and another begins; cyclic perpetuation of self-overcoming, akin to the rebirth of self and the spiritual aspects of being.

"Kevin Talley will be handling the drumming duties of this release and will feature guest appearances from a few talented musicians as well.

"We're currently in pre-production mode, and the songwriting process is nearly complete. The tracking of the guitars will begin February next year. Once we have the basic elements complete, we will begin looking for a label which can support us in the release of this album."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/absenceovthesacred.

CATTLE DECAPITATION have updated their MySpace page to stream another new song, 'The Gardeners Of Eden

San Diego's CATTLE DECAPITATION have updated their MySpace page to stream another new song, 'The Gardeners Of Eden'. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/cattledecapitation

The band's new album, The Harvest Floor, is due out on January 20th in North America, the 30th in Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy and February 2nd throughout the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records. A new e-card for the album can be viewed here.

The Harvest Floor tracklisting: 'The Gardeners of Eden', 'A Body Farm', 'We Are Horrible People', 'Tooth Enamel & Concrete', 'The Ripe Beneath The Rind', 'The Product Alive', 'In Axetasy', 'Into the Public Bath', 'The Harvest Floor', 'Regret & The Grave'.

All Shall Perish seeks temp guitarist for tour

ALL SHALL PERISH has issued the following update:

"Our lead guitarist Chris Storey will be taking some time off to deal with some family issues and will be missing out on a few tours. We are looking for a touring replacement for a handful of upcoming tours, one fest run in Europe and one fest tour in the states. Please only apply if you are:

-- over 18
-- have all pro gear
-- able to perform all lead guitar parts to 'Black Gold Reign', 'Never Again' and 'When Life Meant More'
-- drama and hard-drug free
-- in possession of a valid driver's license and passport

If you meet all these requirements, please email us a link to a video of you playing any of the songs

mentioned. If you can do a good enough job by ear, we will send you a response e-mail with tabs and videos.

E-mail all tryout videos to tryout@allshallperish.com.

New Sepulture songs.

http://www.myspace.com/sepultura

Two new Sepultura songs.

Chimaira Interview.

Volume 15, Issue 86
Published January 6th, 2009
Music Lead
Thrash the Halls
Cleveland metal champs Chimaira talk new record, Christmas show
By D.X. Ferris

Chimaira let hometown metal fans pick their own late presents for the band’s 9th annual Chimaira Christmas show. Headbangers voted online to determine the metal heroes’ set, which will feature 18 favorites from the band’s catalog. The poll results are classified, but you can probably expect the power-surge title track from 2007’s Resurrection, which chronicled the sextet’s divorce from powerhouse metal label Roadrunner and their subsequent signing to indie foundry Ferret. Calling to discuss the show, frontman Mark Hunter let slip that that they’ll also play nuggets like “Eyes of a Criminal,” in addition to signature throwdowns like “Pure Hatred,” which was the number-one vote-getter.

Fans won’t hear any samples from the band’s upcoming fifth album, The Infection, which is set for release April 21. Chimaira recorded locally with producer Ben Schigel, the former Switched frontman who’s worked as a behind-the-boards songsmith for bands like Drowning Pool and Walls of Jericho. The new record will arrive in five different versions: a songs-only download, a CD with a making-of bonus DVD, a box set, a vinyl version and a special edition with b-sides (one of which may be a cover of State of Conviction’s “Convictions,” which they recorded with SoC singer Jason “J Mann” Popson). Meanwhile, the Christmas show will be a low-dough festival of mayhem featuring eight other locally based bands, from hardcore veterans Ringworm to hard rockers the Ohio Sky.

When I talked to Chimaira, they were assembling the final pieces of the record and didn’t even have any rough mixes to share. “We’re all saying that’s what will be cool about this record,” offered bassist Jim LaMarca as we were setting up the interview. “We haven’t really heard it yet either.” Hunter and rhythm guitarist Matt DeVries took a break from holiday hustling to tell us what to expect.

What’s the new album like?

Hunter: The album is a little slower than people might be expecting. It’s at this groove tempo where the whole time you can’t stop bobbing your head. Some of the songs are “Venom Inside,” “Secrets of the Dead,” “Destroy and Dominate.” There’s one song in particular I think Cleveland fans will enjoy: It’s called “The Heart of It All.” We’re no stranger to doing instrumental songs. And as we were writing it, I kept thinking, “Wow, it sounds like Cleveland to me.” It’s long, epic.

DeVries: I’ve been super-stoked on everything, and we’re proud of everything. But for this record, it’s a different kind of taste, and it’s a different kind of stoked. Every single song is catchy to us and has a lot of groove and has a lot of Chimaira in it.

Hunter: All the lyrics and vocals were improvised, for the most part. I came in with nothing. I work really well when there’s a gun to my head. Some of my best songs I freestyle, and it’s perfect the first time. And if you’re not recording, you lose it. The underlying theme, I guess, is being put in the worst point at your life and how you deal with that situation.


How is that different from Resurrection?

Hunter: Resurrection, we were thinking very much about the band, the band persevering and getting off Roadrunner and people saying we’d be finished. This is more personal.


What’s “Destroy and Dominate” like?

Hunter: Heavy and sludgy. The best description I heard of it was “like you got hit really hard and you’re getting dragged through the mud for four minutes.”


Matt, what are your favorite songs from it?

DeVries: “Secrets of the Dead.” It’s kind of a roller coaster of groove-slash-thrash. “The Heart of It All” is a song where we kind of fused all our influences into one.


You were going to record with some bigger names, but you decided to stay home and record with Ben Schigel. What did he contribute?

DeVries: Ben’s got a brilliant musician’s ear. When we started pre-production, we were dissecting our songs. There were a couple of songs he hadn’t heard yet, and he would change the verse to the chorus and vice-versa. And we listened to it, like, “Wow, that made all the difference in the world.”

Hunter: He had to virtually become the second singer of the band. Working how it was — zero lyrics, zero ideas — if I’m stuck on a part, I need somebody that’s going to complement that. He was the other half of me. We would work six, seven, eight hours a night for three weeks straight. We had good riffs, but the riff’s only as good as the song is.


The last couple of albums have been strong, but to me, they didn’t have the kind of memorable songs that you can hum.

Hunter: I think that has a lot to do with the tempo. We write really heavy riffs, but it needs to be slowed down a little bit so people can hear the riff and feel the power, instead of being like an axe to the face the entire time. You can still have that feeling, but it will be that much more drastic if you bring it down 20 bpm. And once I had more breathing room and could sing a little slower, my tone got way more aggressive.


How long is the album?

Hunter: About an hour. Some songs are around three minutes, some are around ten. I would say the songs are on the shorter side this time. Most are in the three- or four-minute range.


The secret show you played at [300-capacity Flats club] Roc Bar in October was fun. Will you do that again?

Hunter: We were always hesitant to do it. But now that we did it and had a good time, you can expect to not know about it.


Now that you’re not on Roadrunner, is the band doing better financially?


Hunter: We definitely make more money now than we ever did on Roadrunner. We’re the big fish now. That doesn’t mean that a smaller band would get this treatment. We’ve proved ourselves for ten years. With a new band, nobody’s going to get a chance anymore, because the record industry is pretty much dead.


Tickets are $28 for the next Black Keys show. Your Christmas show is $9.99 for a nine-band bill. Why go cheap?

Hunter: We feel we owe it to our fans. They’ve supported us and seen us on bigger shows where we didn’t have control over the prices. It feels like the right thing to do. We want everybody to be able to come out and have a good time and jam with us.


Chimaira Christmas 9
6 p.m. Tuesday, December 30
House of Blues
308 Euclid Ave.
216.523.2583
Tickets: $9.99 advance, $15 day of show
dferris@clevescene.com

http://www.clevescene.com/stories/15...rash-the-halls

Satyricon and Cradle of Filth tour dates

01/15 - Starland Ballrom - Sayreville, NJ
01/16 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
01/17 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
01/18 - Capitol Theatre - Quebec City, QC
01/20 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
01/21 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
01/23 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
01/24 - The EaglesClub - Milwaukee, WI
01/25 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
01/26 - First Avenue - Loop Station, MN
01/28 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
01/30 - MacEwan Hall - Calgary, AB
01/31 - Edmonton Events Centre - Edmonton, AB
02/02 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
02/03 - Showbox - Seattle, WA
02/04 - Roseland Theatre - Portland, OR
02/10 - The Grand - San Francisco, CA
02/11 - Henry Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
02/12 - Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA
02/13 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
02/17 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
02/18 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
02/20 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
02/21 - The Club at Firestone - Orlando, FL
02/25 - NorVa - Norfolk, VA
02/26 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
02/27 - Nokia Theater – New York, NY
02/28 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA

New Lamg Of God song.

The New Lamb Of God song, on the Metaliica tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L50urWPXV0

Cannibal Corpse, Slayer, Manson, Behemoth on the new Rockstrar Tour.

The 2009 edition of the "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival" will reportedly feature an additional stage set aside for 'extreme metal' acts. While other details remain sketchy, organizers look to have tapped Cannibal Corpse as a headliner for the aforementioned stage. At present, the only other act rumored to be signed on for the trek is Behemoth. Expect more details to surface on the festival in the coming months. Cannibal Corpse will release their new album "Evisceration Plague" through Metal Blade on February 03rd.