Devin Townsend’s Retinal Circus

Tonight was the night for 2012: sold out DEVIN TOWNSEND’s Retinal Circus show!

Tonight is a one-off, career-spanning cabaret, and his most spectacular show to date, with the event being filmed for a DVD, aswell as being streamed live online…and I’m joining the ranks to see what hullabaloo awaits Chalk Farm tonight! 
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I Am I, Arthemis and Fahran

@ Borderline, London

22nd October 2012

Review by Alan Hicks

Photography by Sabrina Dersel

The Borderline, tucked away nicely around the corner from the Crobar always gives the feeling of intimacy.

This may sound blindingly obvious considering the size of the place (under 300 capacity) but this intimacy adds an almost showcase feel to proceedings, as if you are witnessing something special, like a one-off performance from a band usually more accustomed to playing larger venues or an act who after these tentative steps will play somewhere a whole lot bigger.

I Am I are somewhere between the two slightly helped by the presence of ex-Dragonforce singer ZP Theart in the ranks.

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Despite not knowing all the bands playing tonight, I really couldn’t wait for tonight’s line-up, especially tonight’s headliners Decapitated!

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Gorath Interview

with FLP (Guitars/Vocals)

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Epica & Alestorm

Support: System Divide & Insomnium

Live at the Opera House

Toronto, Canada

October 31, 2012

Review and photos by Ag Babin

It was one of the most diverse crowds that made their way to the Opera House for the Epica and Alestorm show, a truly unique event. In addition to the excitement of a strong lineup on this tour, the magic of Halloween filled the venue with fancy costumes and the usual candy. So, on this rainy evening an army of pirates and other strange creatures gathered together to celebrate the holiday in the best possible way.

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10th album “The Manticore and Other Horrors” out now on Nuclear Blast Records

ENGLAND – Cradle of Filth has uploaded a third video blog to YouTube, filmed behind the scenes of the band’s recent music video shoot for “Frost on her Pillow.” Head over to: http://youtu.be/Zcr6EY1QaJY for some insight provided by front-man, Dani Filth, on how heavy metal’s most infamous act came to be and has lasted throughout the years.

Cradle of Filth’s 10th studio album, The Manticore and Other Horrors, released on Tuesday via Nuclear Blast Records.

It can be ordered online via the Nuclear Blast web-store at: http://bit.ly/cofnbusa and digitally through iTunes at: http://bit.ly/cofhoritun.

A current list of in-store specials can be found at: http://bit.ly/cofspecials.

The first video blog can be seen online at: http://youtu.be/r9yrLb3qLuM, while the second installment can be seen at: http://youtu.be/USYlBgXWwXc.

The band’s latest music video for “Frost on her Pillow,” directed by Stuart Birchall, can be seen on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/9Nw_9meXYic. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uazbLsZfGOY.

Lyric videos for two additional new songs, “Manticore”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGxF0eDNWwQ and “For your Vulgar Delectation”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDgouqQrctk, are also streaming on YouTube.

Stream “Siding with the Titans” on Soundcloud at: http://soundcloud.com/nuclearblastrecords/cradle-of-filth-siding-with.

1. The Unveiling of O
2. The Abhorrent
3. For your Vulgar Delectation
4. Illicitus
5. Manticore
6. Frost on her Pillow
7. Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair
8. Pallid Reflection
9. Siding with the Titans
10. Succumb to This
11. Nightmares of an Ether Drinker
12. Death, The Great Adventure *Deluxe Edition Digipak
13. Sinfonia *Deluxe Edition Digipak

Recorded in eight weeks at both Springvale and Grindstone studios (where it was also mixed by Scott Atkins) in Suffolk, UK, The Manticore and Other Horrors is a testament to the longevity of The ‘Filth, as not only does it reek of Cradle’s (feared or revered) brand of delicious metal vamperotica, but this thoroughly modern album places the band firmly in fresh killing fields anew.

The Manticore and Other Horrors itself possesses an altogether new atmosphere for the band, incorporating a heavier, faster NWOBBM punk vibe that is both current and cruel, blended with ornate orchestration and the quirky immediateness of 2000′s Midian opus.

The album’s title can be likened to a bestiary, a collection of stories on monsters – personal demons, Chimeras, literary fiends and world-enslaving entities to blame but a few.

Artwork for the release comes courtesy of Matthew Vickerstaff of Darkwaveart.

Commented front-man, Dani Filth, “This is our 10th commandment in metal. We have diversified and kept alive the spirit of this band and breathed it into something that I can proudly say, slays like an absolute motherf**ker. The Manticore is coming… Long live the filth!”

Stay tuned for more information on Cradle of Filth and The Manticore and Other Horrors, and be sure to upload band photos, CoF art, tattoos and more at: https://www.webdoc.com/documents/C5697C31-3CD0-0001-55B7-1AB486801B96.

Cradle of Filth online…

http://www.cradleoffilth.com

http://www.theorderofthedragon.com

http://www.facebook.com/cradleoffilth

http://www.youtube.com/cradleoffilth

http://www.twitter.com/OfficialCoF

http://www.nuclearblastusa.com

After sailing into the Skagerrak, 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, made a quick stop over at Gothenburg and then on through the Øresund. All the while the weather was EVERGREY. On the other side, back in the Baltic Sea, they cruised North along the Swedish East Coast till Stockholm to meet a goddess: Please also welcome TIAMAT on board.

Just imagine: In January 2013, 40 Heavy Metal bands and 2,000 fans from all over the World will go to the Caribbean to take over the luxury cruise ship “Majesty of the Seas” for 5 days and 4 nights. Book your cabin now at www.70000tons.com and be part of Heavy Metal History made in the Caribbean once again on 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise! The Original Metal Cruise: Home of the biggest open air stage to sail the oceans!

And they also spare no expense to remove the seats in front of the stage in the theater, or do you really like seated Heavy Metal shows? This is 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise where you enjoy unrestricted festival access to all live shows on board. And don’t forget, every band plays twice! There are also Open Mic Nights, Clinics, Work-Shops, the infamous 70000TONS OF METAL Karaoke, Bars that never close, you heard right: They don’t close, two full days at Sea, a fun-and-sun-filled day on a beautiful Caribbean Island and an opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists that all join us for the entire trip. It’s like everyone has a backstage pass!

The following 23 out of 40 bands have already been announced:

ANACRUSIS
ANGRA
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DORO
DRAGONFORCE
ENSIFERUM
EVERGREY
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
GOTTHARD
HELLOWEEN
HELSTAR
IMMOLATION
IN FLAMES
KREATOR
LACUNA COIL
METAL CHURCH (Reunion Show)
NILE
RAGE and LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA
SABATON
SUBWAY TO SALLY
TIAMAT
TURISAS
TÝR

70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will sail Monday, January 28, 2013 aboard the Royal Caribbean “Majesty of the Seas” from Miami, FL and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, February 1, 2013.

Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$299 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 room service!

What are you waiting for? You might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done! Check out http://www.70000tons.com/ for more information.

Currently on the road with MUNICIPAL WASTE for a lengthy co-headlining North American tour, NAPALM DEATH has now posted a new video for the track “Everyday Pox,” which can be seen here:

http://youtu.be/ZiNe6qDFZ4o

NAPALM DEATH is touring in support of their critically acclaimed new album, Utilitarian, which was released this past February. To purchase Utilitarian, please visit iTunes for a digital copy or CM Distro for a variety of album formats.

All upcoming tour dates for NAPALM DEATH are below, so check to see when the leaders of extreme will be coming to a city near you!

NAPALM DEATH tour dates feat. MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED

with VEKTOR

Nov 1–Toronto, ON–The Opera House

Nov 2–Austin, TX–Fun Fun Fun Fest**

Nov 3–Chicago, IL–Reggie’s***

Nov 4–St Paul, MN–Station-4*

with DAYGLO ABORTIONS

Nov 5–Winnipeg, MB–Osborne Village Inn

Nov 6–Regina, SK–Riddell Centre

Nov 7–Edmonton, AB–The Pawn Shop

Nov 9–Vancouver, BC–Rickshaw Theater

with ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

Nov 10–Seattle, WA–Showbox SODO with GWAR, DEVILDRIVER, CANCER BATS, MARTHA SPLATTERHEAD’S REVENGE, LEGACY OF DISORDER

Nov 11–Portland, OR–Hawthorne Theater

Nov 12–Oakland, CA–Oakland Metro

Nov 13–Santa Ana, CA-Observatory with REPULSION

Nov 14–Hollywood, CA–House Of Blues with DWARVES

Nov 16–Tempe, AZ–Rocky Point Cantina

Nov 17–El Paso, TX–House Of Rock*

with SPEEDWOLF

Nov 18–Ft Worth, TX–Rail Club

Nov 20–Nashville, TN–Exit In

Nov 21–Lexington, KY–Buster’s

Nov 23–Richmond, VA–Kingdom

Nov 24–Charlotte, NC–The Casbah

Nov 25–Knoxville, TN–The Valarium

Nov 26–Birmingham, AL–Zydeco

Nov 27–New Orleans, LA-Siberia

Nov 29–Jacksonville, FL–Brewster’s Roc Bar

Nov 30–Atlanta, GA–Terminal West

Dec 1–Tampa, FL–Orpheum Theater

Dec 2–Miami, FL–Grand Central, Barge To Hell Pre-Party**

Dec 3-7–Barge To Hell**

* = NAPALM DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED only

** = NAPALM DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE only

*** = NAPALM DEATH, EXHUMED only

NAPALM DEATH online:

http://www.napalmdeath.org 

http://www.facebook.com/officialnapalmdeath 

http://www.myspace.com/napalmdeath 

http://www.twitter.com/NAPALM_DEATH

Illinois-based Vikings thrashers THE HORDE has officially added drummer Travis Scudder to their lineup. The 20-year-old skin-basher has stepped in to replace the recently departed James Whitehurst, who left the band for personal reasons. Scudder also plays with Rock Island, Illinois black metal outfit SEPT OF MEMNON.

THE HORDE are currently working furiously on material for their next epic slab of Viking Thrash to be released in CD and vinyl format in the fall of 2013 by Abyss Records.

Stay tuned to www.facebook.com/hordemetal for updates.

THE HORDE was formed in 2006 and released their debut album From Empire to Ashes via Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. The band’s second album, Thy Blackened Reign,which was released in 2011, was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.

Earlier this year, THE HORDE released a video for the track “Odin’s Blood,” taken from Thy Blackened Reign. Check it out at this location.

www.facebook.com/hordemetal

www.reverbnation.com/hordemetal

Source: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/11/02/mitch-lucker-dead-suicide-silence/

Mitch Lucker, the lead singer of metalcore band Suicide Silence, died on Thursday of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in Huntington Beach, California, police said.

The band from Southern California was given the Golden Gods award for best new talent by Revolver magazine in 2009.

Lucker, 28, was on a new Harley Davidson motorcycle driving in the Orange County city of Huntington Beach on Halloween night when he lost control and crashed into a light pole, according to a statement from the local police department.

He was taken to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center where he later died, police said. Investigators said they were looking into the cause of the collision and whether alcohol was a factor.

“There’s no easy way to say this,” the band said in a post on Facebook. “Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident.”

Suicide Silence in 2007 came out with the album The Cleansing and followed that up with the 2009 No Time to Bleed and last year’s The Black Crown, which made its way to No. 9 on the Billboard hard rock chart.

The band, whose musical style is referred to as “deathcore,” is originally from Riverside, California, a working-class community 80 km east of Los Angeles.

Jeff Duncan’ (Photo credit Harold Mountain)

Jeff Duncan, a fixture of the Los Angeles hard rock and heavy metal scene for more than 3 decades will be relocating his residency to Las Vegas later this month. Duncan, considered a veteran guitar virtuoso, is excited about his move to Sin City. “This move is just what the doctor ordered,” says Duncan. “My passion in life is, and has always been playing music. I will continue to be very involved with my bands, Armored Saint and DC4, but I will now have the ability to play and teach music for a living during down times with my current bands. Las Vegas offers this opportunity, along with an affordable cost of living. LA has been very good to me, but I am looking forward to the change”

Duncan will join a long list of hard rock/heavy metal musicians who call Las Vegas home including; Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Hellyeah), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands) Jimmy Crespo, (Aerosmith), Ron Keel (Steeler, Keel), Brent Muscat (Faster Pussycat), Oz Fox (Stryper), Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot, King Kobra) and others. “Although I am making the move by myself, I have many friends and acquaintances in Las Vegas, all who have been very supportive, encouraging, and welcoming. I’m excited to get to work.”

The official announcement of Duncan’s move was not supposed to be made public until November 1^st, but the cat was let out of the bag recently when Duncan sat in with Las Vegas favorite, the Sin City Sinners. “Zack Throne with the Sin City Sinners and I have been friends for decades.” says Duncan. “After we played a couple songs together, he told the crowd prematurely that I had moved to Las Vegas. It was one of those ‘oops’ moments. I had a blast with those guys, and hope to jam with them again soon.”

One of his first orders of business will be relocating his guitar school to Las Vegas. “It’s a very satisfying thing to watch someone’s progression on the guitar, and know that you had a hand in getting them there” says the guitar whiz. “Jeff’s Planet Guitar School did awesome in LA. We offer reasonable rates, and unparalleled personal attention. I think that it will be a home run in Las Vegas.”

Interview with Wolf Hoffman of Accept

Conducted by Robert Williams

Filmed by Carlos Llanas

Video editing and concert photography courtesy of Sandra Torres

Following the universal worldwide success of 2010′s "Blood Of The Nations" album and the globe trotting comeback tour that followed, Accept are back in full force, primed and ready for the attack and touring in support of "Stalingrad" their second effort to feature their newfound, leather lunged vocalist Mark Tornillo. I would count Accept as one out of only a handful of bands that can deliver an hour and a half set of nonstop heavy metal hits. When you go to an Accept concert you are walking straight into a heavy metal party. Make no mistake. You will have a blast! The time of your life! Expect to be repeatedly bombarded with treasured classic after classic from one of heavy metal’s most beloved and revered bands. "Breaker" "Balls To The Wall" "Fast As A Shark" "Metalheart" "Restless and Wild" and the list goes on and on. Hell… Even the band’s new material seems destined for future induction into the halls of metal greatness. Metal-Rules.com recently caught up with Accept axeman Wolf Hoffman to discuss the band’s North American co-headlining tour with German thrash legends Kreator, the new album "Stalingrad" and much more…

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Event to be hosted by That Metal Show’s Eddie Trunk and Don Jamieson

Metal Blade Records is excited to announce the latest addition to the 30th anniversary show line up: Sacred Reich! On November 30th, at the House of Blues in Hollywood, CA, thrash legends Sacred Reich will perform a short set in between Gypsyhawk and Armored Saint. The set will serve as a brief preview of the full show Sacred Reich has recently announced for February 23rd, at the Key Club in Hollywood, which will be their first full show in Los Angeles in over 16 years!

SACRED REICH vocalist/bassist Phil Rind comments: “We are excited to be involved in Metal Blade’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Metal Blade were the first to offer us an opportunity on Metal Massacre 8, which led to a record deal and the release of “Ignorance” and “Surf Nicaragua”. Three of the best records ever Slayer’s “Hell Awaits”, DRI’s “Dealing With It” and COC’s “Animosity” were all on Metal Blade. Brian Slagel was and still is a huge fan and advocate for metal! We are looking forward to saying thank you to Brian and everyone at Metal Blade in the best way possible, loud and fast!”

For additional updates and information, “like” Sacred Reich on facebook HERE and preview/order the new Live At Wacken CD/DVD at metalblade.com/sacredreich.

Additional special guests confirmed for the show include: Amon’s Amarth’s Johan Hegg, Ray Alder of Fates Warning/Redemption, as well as dUg Pinnick of King’s X. The guest musicians will join Armored Saint on stage throughout their set to perform a variety of cover songs. That Metal Show’s Eddie Trunk and Don Jamieson are confirmed to host the event.

Tickets are currently on sale HERE.

In other Metal Blade news:
Metal Blade Records App for iPod and Android now available! The Metal Blade Records app is completely FREE and available for download on the iTunes store HERE and on Google Play HERE.

Keep up to date with all things Metal Blade at the following locations:
http://www.metalblade.com
http://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords
http://www.youtube.com/metalbladerecords
http://twitter.com/MetalBlade
http://www.metalbladestore.com

Next month, Vancouver’s heavy metal veterans 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will head out on a headlining West Coast run.  The two-week trek will feature special guest HUNTRESS as main support, and HOOKERS as the tour opener.  A list of confirmed dates can be seen below, with more to be announced shortly.  Vocalist Cam Pipe adds, “We’re closing out the year strong with some US headlining shows of our own.   The West Coast has long been a 3IOB stronghold, so naturally we’re excited to be returning to play a full show to our loyal fans.  Long Live West Coast Heavy Metal.”

3 INCHES OF BLOOD has stayed on the road throughout 2012, continually supporting their most recent album, LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL.  Produced by Terry “Sho” Murray [City of Fire, DOA], the astounding twelve-track achievement offers an explosion of sound, setting new standards for the traditional metal genre.   Described by MSN as “good, honest, melodic heavy metal,” the music video for “Metal Woman” can be seen here: http://youtu.be/_Y8xwttdjCc

Tour Dates:

11/30/12 – Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo

12/01/12 – Tacoma, WA @ The Loch’s

12/02/12 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre

12/03/12 – S. Lake Tahoe, CA @ Whisky Dick’s

12/04/12 – San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside

12/05/12 – San Diego, CA @ Ramona Mainstage

12/06/12 – Tempe, AZ @ 910 Live

12/07/12 – Las Vegas, NV @ Cheyenne Saloon

12/09/12 – Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar

12/11/12 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky

12/12/12 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

12/13/12 – Reno, NV @ The Alley

12/15/12 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

For more information on 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, please visit:

www.facebook.com/threeinchesofblood

www.twitter.com/3iob

www.centurymedia.com

Greek symphonic metallers NIGHTFALL have completed work for their new album, Cassiopeia, which is set for release in January 2013 through Metal Blade Records.

The recordings took place in four different places, a fragment process that which NIGHTFALL is quite familiar with. Vocals and keys were recorded in Greece (Soundflakes studios & Cyberia) while the drums were tracked in Germany in the Soundlodge studios. Guitars and bass were recorded in the U.S. in Nashville, Tennessee at Boomcave studios.

More than on the previous album, Astron Black & The Thirty Tyrants, in Cassiopeia the spirit of old school heavy metal lurks in almost every riff. Unlike Astron Black, there are more fast tempos as well as grindy ones bringing memories back from the mid 90′s times of now cult release Athenian Echoes. The vocals remain very, very heavy and, thanks to Soundflakes amazing gear and Jörg Uken’s super mixing skills, fit great with the melodic leads, moreover creating a solid wall of sound where vocalist Efthimis comfortably sts and spreads his inner daemons out to the world!

Singer Efthimis Karadimas regarding the concept of Cassiopeia: “Cassiopeia has a specific thesis and though its name is linked to both the constellation and the mythical character of Andromeda’s mother, it refers to arrogance as leading characteristic of the human race; the outcome of this and the overweening state of affairs are so popular these harsh days everywhere. The entire world seems to be shifting from its previous position to a new one and all and each one of us that used to feel like masters of our destiny are now starting to wonder about when, where and how this transition will end. It may be a punishment like Cassiopeia and Andromeda who claimed themselves more beautiful even to nereids suffered, or it may be just another change. Time will certainly tell.”

Overall, this is classified as a prog death metal release with a hearty serving of heavy metal and atmospheric elements, which combine to build strong emotional moments, as opposed to typical straight forward metal. One thing is certain, repeated listens will reward listeners by revealing new layers and elements within the music.

Music, cover art, and more details on Cassiopeia will be revealed in just a few weeks!

NIGHTFALL:
Efthimis Karadimas – vocals
Evan Hensley – guitars
Constantine – guitars
Stathis Ridis – bass
Stathis Kassios – keys
Jörg Uken – drums

http://www.facebook.com/nightfallgr
http://www.nightfallstar.com/
http://twitter.com/nightfall_music
http://www.youtube.com/TheNightfallstar