From the News Desk of 1340mag.com! January 5, 2009 ALL SHALL PERISH: Job For A Cowboy Tour Footage! Recent live video of Oakland CA’s extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH from can be found at the following location http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDGRNuIQFk0. The performance footage was taken from their North American tour last November/December with JOB FOR A COWBOY, HATE ETERNAL, ANIMOSITY and ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY. As recently reported the band are currently seeking a temporary replacement for guitarist Chris Storey for upcoming touring commitments. Applicants that meet the following requirements can e-mail all tryout videos to tryout@allshallperish.com: 1. Over 18 2. Have all pro gear 3. Able to perform all lead guitar parts to "Black Gold Reign", "Never Again" and "When Life Meant More" 4. Drama and hard drug free 5.  In possession of a valid drivers license and passport ALL SHALL PERISH's third full-length album, "Awaken the Dreamers", which sold just under 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 126. The follow-up to "The Price of Existence" was recorded once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren. January 5, 2009 A new SAMAEL track entitled "Illumination" is currently being streamed on the Swiss metal veterans' MySpace page (www.myspace.com/samael). The song comes off the band's new album, "Above", which is said to be “a pure black metal album that is more than just a nod in the direction of old SAMAEL masterpieces such as ‘Ceremony of Opposites’ and ‘Passage’!” Check out the new track and decide for yourself! "Above" track listing: 01. Under One Flag 02. Virtual War 03. Polygames 04. Earth Country 05. Illumination 06. Black Hole 07. In There 08. Dark Side 09. God's Snake 10. On The Top Of It All January 5, 2009 CHECK OUT 2 MAKING THE VIDEO SEGMENTS FROM BRING ME THE HORIZON’S “CHELSEA SMILES” VIDEO CATCH BMTH ON THE 5TH ANNUAL ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR WITH THURSDAY, FOUR YEAR STRONG, PIERCE THE VEIL, CANCER BATS STARTING FEB 14TH Check out these 2 “Making the Video” segments from Bring Me The Horizon’s video shoot for “Chelsea Smiles.”– The full video will premiere on MySpace this Friday, January 9th. Part 1: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=48522589 Part 2: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=49751383 <http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&amp;videoid=49751383 You can also view them at www.tasteofchaos.com. Be sure to check out Bring Me The Horizon on the 2009 Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour along with headliner Thursday, plus Four Year Strong, Pierce The Veil and Cancer Bats. RTOC 2009 kicks off Feb 14th in Los Angeles, CA. January 5, 2009 STREAM THE 8 SONGS TO DIE FOR HORRORFEST SOUNDTRACK IN ITS ENTIRETY!! PRIMARY WAVE SPECIAL MARKETS TO RELEASE TWO DIGITAL SOUNDTRACKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH HORRORFEST III “EIGHT FILMS TO DIE FOR” ON JANUARY 5 8 SONGS TO DIE FOR AS WELL AS 8 THEMES TO DIE FOR HORRORFEST III “EIGHT FILMS TO DIE FOR” RUNS JANUARY 9 – 15, 2009 ACROSS THE USA IN OVER 25 CITIES The 8 Songs To Die For Horrorfest Soundtrack can now be heard in its entirety at: http://uandrtech.com/eCards/8SongsToDieFor/. After Dark Films and Primary Wave Special Markets are proud to announce they will be releasing the first branded soundtracks in conjunction with Horrorfest III “Eight Films To Die For®” (www.horrorfestonline.com) on January 5th, 2009. Debuting in 2006, After Dark Films’ Horrorfest “8 Films to Die For®”, is a one-week national film festival that celebrates all areas of the horror genre. In its first year, Horrorfest became the first film festival in history to break into the Top 10 at the national box office, grossing over $2.5 million. Based on the highly successful “Eight Films To Die For” series, Primary Wave will be releasing 8 Songs To Die For featuring songs inspired by the bloodcurdling movies that make up Horrorfest III - the biggest horror film festival in the USA. The digital releases will include some of the best metal and hardcore bands such as Walls of Jericho ("The Prey"), Bleeding Thru ("Death Anxiety"), Ministry ("Let’s Go"), and Revolting Cocks ("Keys to the City"), among others. 8 Themes To Die For will contain songs and scores from the feature films in Horrorfest III; this year’s lineup includes: THE BROKEN, AUTOPSY, DYING BREED, BUTTERFLY EFFECT 3, FROM WITHIN, SLAUGHTER, VOICES, and PERKINS’ 14. Primary Wave’s Jonathan Platt and Jonathan Miller, the team that produced the successful Saw soundtracks, selected the songs on both 8 Songs To Die For and 8 Themes To Die For. "Primary Wave Special Markets is thrilled to be releasing a musical companion inspired by Horrorfest,” says Rob Horowitz, COO of Primary Wave Music Publishing. “We’re proud to have our music compliment this year's crop of amazing films.” Adds Courtney Solomon, President & CEO of After Dark Films: “Music plays a vital role in film. These soundtracks are just another way to give fans more of what they love about Horrorfest.” After Dark’s Horrorfest has created successful brand extensions in the form of the annual Miss Horrorfest contest (www.youtube.com/Horrorfest) and the feature film contest in partnership with the filmmaker community site Massify (www.massify.com). 8 Songs to Die For Track List: 1.  "Let's Go"                          MINISTRY 2.  "Holler"                              BLUE OCTOBER   3.  "Keys to the City (Vegas Mix)     THE REVOLTING COCKS 4.  "The Prey"                         WALLS OF JERICHO 5.  "Box of Fantasy"                    G TOM MAC   6.  "Confess"                          TOO PURE TO DIE 7.  "Death Anxiety"                     BLEEDING THROUGH   8.  "Glory Kingdom"                    THE NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS LIKE YOU   About After Dark Films January 3, 2009 SOUL MADE VISIBLE SIGNS WITH MEI RECORDS Long Island Metal Label Kicks Off 2009 With New Addition To Roster Independent metal label MEI Records expands its lineup in 2009 with the addition of Long Island's Soul Made Visible. MEI will be re-releasing &#147;Innocence Lost&#148;, the band's first full length album, and recording their next release later in the year. &#147;Soul Made Visible is proud to be joining MEI Records. They're an up-and-coming label that's already developing a strong base of diverse and exciting new bands and we feel they understand our focus and artistic vision,&#148; said vocalist Bryan Cullen, &#147;MEI shares our belief in how a label and a band should work together to achieve success for everyone involved.&#148; Formed in 2002, Soul Made Visible has proven to be a solid force in modern metal, earning sponsorships from Jagermeister and Spector Guitars and booking supporting spots for for major acts such as Disturbed, Filter, Soulfly, and Throwdown. Soul Made Visible is currently in rotation on Music Choice and playing shows throughout New England. For more about the band visit www.soulmadevisible.com. ### January 3, 2009 Selfmadegod Records is proud to announce the signing of mathcore/metal band Mothra from Opole, Poland.   Mothra has been destroying stages since 2000 with Piotr Koryzma (vocals), Daniel Szwed (drums), Andrzej Burzynski (bass) and Pawel Stefan Rosiak (guitar) on board. After first few months of existence, band recorded their first promo single, entitled "Sugar '01." After that, the musicians focused on touring and writing new songs, which appeared on 2004's demo CD - a six-track EP, recorded by the band. It wasn't awesome-sounding material with killing production work, but even still, listeners found energy rarely presented in the same way, joined with mathematicly combined yet still melodic playing. The following years were filled with a lot of gigs and meeting a lot of interesting and inspiring people, which helped the band to realize some of their ideas. It was Mothra's breakout period, as they composed material for their full-length debut album. Planet Decibelian was released by the young polish label Red Swallow in May of 2006. It contained 11 brutal-sounding, math-combined songs and got enthusiastic reviews. The band is touring nationwide constantly with recognized and appreciated bands like Modern Life is War, Maroon, Born From Pain, Omission, First Blood, Napalm Death, Suffocation, Sunrise, and Nyia to name few. In September 2008 the band recorded seven tracks with renowned producer Szymon Czech (Antigama, Blindead, Third Degree, Nyia, Unsun) for their second full-length Dyes to be released in the Spring of 2009 via Selfmadegod Records. The music of Mothra will definitely appeal for fans of Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge and Burnt By The Sun. Audio samples from the forthcoming album can be heard now via the band's MySpace: www.myspace.com/mothra Discography: Demo CD (2004) Planet Decibelian CD (Red Swallow 2006) Dyes CD (Selfmadegod Records 2009) - - - - - www.selfmadegod.com www.selfmadegod-USA.com www.myspace.com/selfmadegodrecords January 3, 2009 Selfmadegod Records is proud to announce the signing of one-man alternative metal band Egoist from Bielsko-Biala, Poland.   Egoist was founded and lead by the very young and enormously talented musician Stanislaw Wolonciej (guitars, bass, drums, vocals, synthesizers, production, artwork). The artist was born in 1986 in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. In his 20s, Stanislaw's father was a bass player in the band Fatum. Music has always been present in Stan's home. Everything began when he was eight, though. His parents wanted him to take piano lessons, which he did for about four years.     One of the really cool things that he could have done, but never did, was take part in the makings of the debut album from C-187, together with Patrick Mameli (ex-Pestilence), who is his old-time hero. Patrick wanted him to appear on the album, but in the end Sean Reinert (Cynic, Death) performed the drums.      In the summer of 2008 Stan decided to make a new piece of art. After months of changing equipment, customizing his guitar and drums, and recording ideas on pocket PCs he started the sessions for Ultra-Selfish Revolution. It took about a month and a half. In the late phase of the recordings, Patrick Mameli recorded solos for , "These Strange Things" and "/Not/ The End" at Stan's request. The music is a little more aggressive, much more alternative, and less progressive than what Stan worked on before. A Polish label from Biala Podlaska called Selfmadegod contacted Stan, and told him that they are interested in releasing the material.   Stan is constantly musically active. And there will be much more collaborations and new projects with really fresh music in the future. Stay tuned, and explore his musical point of view. Ultra-Selfish Revolution will be released in the Spring of 2009.   Audio samples from the forthcoming album can be heard now via the band's MySpace: www.myspace.com/egoistpoland   Discography: DeAD eGG CD (Magikart 2005) Ultra-Selfish Revolution CD (Selfmadegod Records 2009) ---------- December 23, 2008 All Time Low, Alt Press Band of the Year!!! Hopeless Records Band ALL TIME LOW Named Alternative Press' "Band Of The Year"! Band Set To Perform on MTV's New Year's Eve Special with Miley Cyrus, Metro Station, The Academy Is... Alternative Press is pleased to announce Maryland 4-piece ALL TIME LOW as the 2008 "Band of the Year", as well as the cover boys of their February issue. The ballots for the 2008 Readers Poll were the deciding factor for the award that's previously been bestowed upon Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold. The upcoming issue also has the guys dishing on their recent headlining tour, fans, and their impending sophomore album. AP readers also named the bands recent video for "Poppin'" as the "Coolest Music Video of the Year." The February issue (#247) goes on sale everywhere Tuesday, January. 6. For more info, head to www.altpress.com. ALL TIME LOW will ring in 2009 with a live performance on MTV's annual New Year's Eve special, with host Miley Cyrus and additional performances by Metro Station, The Academy Is... and Kevin Rudolph. The special will air live on Wednesday, December 31st from 8-9:30pm ET, with an encore presentation at 10:30pm ET featuring a live countdown from Times Square. Signed to Hopeless while still in high school, ALL TIME LOW released its Put Up or Shut Up EP in 2006, which quickly lodged itself on the Billboard Charts. Its breakthrough full-length So Wrong It's Right came out in 2007 launching the hits "Dear Maria (Count Me In)" and "Poppin'", helping to further cement the band's standing as pop-punk favorites. With a new album tentatively set for release this summer and continued support from fans and media outlets such as MTV/mtvU, Alternative Press, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Absolutepunk.net to name a few, 2009 looks to be another stellar year for ALL TIME LOW. Click http://altpress.com/news/index.htm#5443 to view a video of All Time Low announcing the AP cover story. www.alltimelow.com www.myspace.com/alltimelow December 23, 2008 The Who Receives Kennedy Center Honor In an historic acknowledgement of the depth and breadth of British rock influence in the fabric of American culture, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has selected founding members of legendary British rock band The Who, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, to be among the distinguished honorees who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. On Sunday, December 7th, in a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the remaining two members of one of rock's most vital and influential musical forces will be joined by four other recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, director, actress, singer, writer, composer and producer Barbra Streisand, and choreographer Twyla Tharp. The recognition of The Who will mark the first time a rock band has ever received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor. Previous British honorees include, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, among others. The 2008 honorees will be seated with the President of the United States and Mrs. Bush, accepting the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes. "As the heart and soul of the seminal band The Who, songwriters and singers Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey transformed the sights and sounds of rock and roll," stated Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. "This is a great thrill," stated Mr. Townshend. "Since the Who began in the early '60s we have loved American music and audiences and have made deep and lasting friendships with everyone involved in the industry there. Roger and I both feel our work in the United States has been as important as our work at home. Because our medium rock music is quintessentially American music with broad and deep international and multicultural roots, this honour is especially meaningful to us Brits." Mr. Daltrey also commented: "As a teenager growing up in the austerity of post-war England, it was the music I heard emanating from America that gave me a dream to hang my life on. To make music and make it there. I am deeply touched at receiving this honour, the warmth and affection I feel from our US audience is humbling indeed. To be added to the list of past recipients of this award makes that dream come true." The annual Honors Gala has become the highlight of the Washington cultural year, and its broadcast on CBS is a high point of the holiday television season. The Honors Gala will be recorded for broadcast on the CBS Network for the 31st consecutive year as a two-hour prime time special on Tuesday, December 30 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Produced by George Stevens Jr., the 2008 Honorees will be saluted by great performers from New York, Hollywood, Nashville, and the arts capitals of the world. The President and Mrs. Bush will receive the Honorees and members of the Artists Committee, who nominate them, along with the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees at the White House prior to the gala performance. The 2008 Kennedy Center Honors Gala concludes with a supper dance in the Grand Foyer. December 23, 2008 NEWCOMERS CASH CASH TO WORLD-DEBUT ONE NEW SONG A WEEK, EXCLUSIVELY ON iLIKE Eclectic New Jersey Techno-Funksters To Premiere New Tracks On iLike Starting Today Beginning today, Cash Cash, Universal Republic's emerging New Jersey techno-funksters, will world-premiere one new song a week on iLike, the leading social music discovery service. The band will stream one new song every Tuesday via their iLike Artist Page which is located at: www.iLike.com/cashcash. The band will also personally introduce the tracks to fans in a weekly video blog message which iLike will syndicate across the Web. Cash Cash's highly anticipated Universal Republic debut album, Take It To The Floor, is available for exclusive pre-order beginning today at iTunes and will be widely released at retail on January 20, 2008. The album's digital release date is December 23, 2008. "We've always been into getting our music out there in as many ways possible," said Cash Cash's lead singer, Jean Paul Makhlouf. "When we first started the band I would go into NJ and NYC clubs every week with bags and bags of CDs handing them out to everyone just to get our music hear. With iLike it's awesome cause we can debut new songs and videos to our existing fans as well as new listeners." "We're so pleased that established and emerging bands alike are selecting iLike as the means to get their music heard by fans," said Ali Partovi, CEO of iLike. "It's a pleasure to help introduce such a fresh, dynamic band to music fans on our leading FacebookÒ app as well as our other syndication platforms across the Web." Cash Cash will debut the following three songs, exclusively on iLike: Concerta (December 16, 2008) Sugar Rush (December 23, 2008) Electric Hearts (December 30, 2008) To listen to one new Cash Cash track each Tuesday for the next three weeks, go to: www.iLike.com/cashcash December 18, 2008 TAKE COVER: BRITAIN’S TANK ARE BACK IN ACTION! The legendary British power metal mercenaries have re-grouped and are ready for battle once more. The release of the 8-CD + DVD ‘DOGS OF WAR’ boxed set in early 2008 was a great success and led to the inevitable re-release of the band’s entire back catalogue on Metal Mind Records.  Proving to be very popular with the die-hard fans of old and helping to amass a new army of young fans worldwide, TANK are now very much in demand on the live front after being absent from the touring circuit for several years. With a distinctive attitude and energy to their trademark sound, TANK now have a new all-star lineup, fully equipped to crush everything in their path.  Joining MICK TUCKER and CLIFF EVANS on guitars will be original TANK drummer MARK BRABBS - a very welcome return for the powerhouse skinsman.  Two new recruits will now be joining the ranks: ex-RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman, DOOGIE WHITE, will be taking care of all vocal duties and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON band bass player, CHRIS DALE, completes the lineup. Original TANK vocalist/bassist, ALGY WARD, has decided to retire from active service and will concentrate his efforts on writing his autobiography. We wish him all the best. This new lineup will prove to be a major force to be reckoned with and will add a new dimension to the unmistakable TANK sound, driving them forward, unstoppable into 2009.  Prepare for battle…TANK are back! To hear selections from TANK’s discography, visit: http://www.myspace.com/officialtank   December 18, 2008 PRIMARY WAVE SPECIAL MARKETS TO RELEASE TWO DIGITAL SOUNDTRACKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH HORRORFEST III "EIGHT FILMS TO DIE FOR" ON JANUARY 5 8 SONGS TO DIE FOR AS WELL AS 8 THEMES TO DIE FOR HORRORFEST III "EIGHT FILMS TO DIE FOR" RUNS JANUARY 9 – 15, 2009 ACROSS THE USA IN OVER 25 CITIES December 16, 2008—After Dark Films and Primary Wave Special Markets are proud to announce they will be releasing the first branded soundtracks in conjunction with Horrorfest III "Eight Films To Die For®" (www.horrorfestonline.com) on January 5th, 2009. Debuting in 2006, After Dark Films' Horrorfest "8 Films to Die For®", is a one-week national film festival that celebrates all areas of the horror genre. In its first year, Horrorfest became the first film festival in history to break into the Top 10 at the national box office, grossing over $2.5 million. Based on the highly successful "Eight Films To Die For" series, Primary Wave will be releasing 8 Songs To Die For featuring songs inspired by the bloodcurdling movies that make up Horrorfest III - the biggest horror film festival in the USA. The digital releases will include some of the best metal and hardcore bands such as Walls of Jericho ("The Prey"), Bleeding Thru ("Death Anxiety"), Ministry ("Let's Go"), and Revolting Cocks ("Keys to the City"), among others. 8 Themes To Die For will contain songs and scores from the feature films in Horrorfest III; this year's lineup includes: THE BROKEN, AUTOSPY, DYING BREED, BUTTERFLY EFFECT 3, FROM WITHIN, SLAUGHTER, VOICES, and PERKINS' 14. Primary Wave's Jonathan Platt and Jonathan Miller, the team that produced the successful Saw soundtracks, selected the songs on both 8 Songs To Die For and 8 Themes To Die For. "Primary Wave Special Markets is thrilled to be releasing a musical companion inspired by Horrorfest," says Rob Horowitz, COO of Primary Wave Music Publishing. "We're proud to have our music compliment this year's crop of amazing films." Adds Courtney Solomon, President & CEO of After Dark Films: "Music plays a vital role in film. These soundtracks are just another way to give fans more of what they love about Horrorfest." After Dark's Horrorfest has created successful brand extensions in the form of the annual Miss Horrorfest contest (www.youtube.com/Horrorfest) and the feature film contest in partnership with the filmmaker community site Massify (www.massify.com). December 18, 2008 …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Announce National US Tour In Support of their Highly Anticipated Release - The Century of Self – Out February 17th, 2009 on the Band's Own Richter Scale Records New York, NY – Major label expatriates and rogue rockers …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead announce a national US tour in support of their highly anticipated full-length - The Century of Self - out February 17th, 2009 on the band's Richter Scale Records imprint on Justice Records.  The tour kicks off on the 19th of February at the Granada Theater in Dallas, TX. Fresh on the heels of the album's release, it will take the Austin musicians coast to coast to perform at notable venues including the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and Slim's in San Francisco. The Century of Self was produced and mixed by Chris Coady (TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear) at his DNA Studio in NYC's East Village.  The album was recorded Spring 2008 in Austin, TX with Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Patty Griffin) at The Mob House and Chris "Frenchie" Smith (Sixteen Deluxe, Smog, Jet) at The Bubble.  Featuring vocal contributions from Yeasayer and Dragons of Zynth, Trail of Dead's sixth full-length is a return to their indie roots while showing the progression the band has made since its inception in 1994. December 18, 2008 Irish Rock Band THE ANSWER, Currently on Tour with AC/DC, to Play Only U.S. Club Show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC on February 3rd Tickets go on sale at noon EST on Friday, December 19th THE ANSWER, four lads hailing from Downpatrick in Northern Ireland have been busy fulfilling their duties as the opening act for the North American leg of AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour. The band finishes the American Leg of Black Ice in Nashville, TN on January 31st and head to New York to play The Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, February 3rd. This will be THE ANSWER’s only club gig in America prior to departing for the European leg of the AC/DC World Tour. THE ANSWER recently released Never Too Late, a four song EP giving fans a small taste of what’s to come on their US debut Everyday Demons, due out March 31st on THE END RECORDS. The new album was recorded in summer ’08 in Los Angeles with John Travis (Kid Rock, Static-X, Killing Heidi, etc.) producing. THE ANSWER recently appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and in December was featured in Rolling Stone’s “Hot Issue” where the magazine proclaimed them “Rock Gods In Training.” Don’t miss your chance to see them at The Mercury Lounge on February 3rd. Tickets are $12 and go on sale at noon EST Friday, December 19th at www.mercurylounge.com or www.ticketmaster.com. THE ANSWER is: Cormac Neeson (vocals) Paul Mahon (guitar) Michael Waters (bass) James Heatley (drums) THE ANSWER on the web: www.theanswer.ie www.myspace.com/theanswerrock December 16, 2008 Sepultura.... A-Lex is upon us It is upon us.... the latest release from the almighty Sepultura! Following up 2006's incredible Dante XXI, the Brazilian battalion have created another impressive concept release with A-Lex; the album based completely on the classic novel A Clockwork Orange. Sepultura from Brazil are a prime example of an intelligent thrash metal act whose powerful compositions continue to tackle exciting and ingenious subjects. 1996 saw the band devote their landmark release, Roots, to the fate of the Xavante Indians on the border of Brazil and Bolivia; in spring 2006 the musicians put to music an opus by the Italian poet and philosopher, Dante Alighieri, on their album, Dante XXI. Now this concept has reached a new climax: on their latest release, A-Lex, guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book A Clockwork Orange, creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject. A-Lex will be available on Steamhammer/SPV January 27, 2009 and certainly has what it takes to shake up the foundations of the metal scene: few other albums from this genre sound as ambitious or impressive. "A lot of people know Stanley Kubrick's film, A Clockwork Orange, which is a movie classic, but few realize that the last chapter of the book is missing from the film. And that's what in my opinion is extremely important for the message that Anthony Burgess wanted to convey: it's your own free will, your own free choice, in which environment you choose to move," band mastermind Andreas Kisser explains his interpretation of this historic publication. "Following his stay in hospital, Alex, the book's main character, returns to society, meets old friends, finds a wife and starts a family. He makes this choice of his own will, irrespective of what the government had in mind for him", an interesting aspect which Sepultura underlines with their typical hard-as-nails thrash metal compositions on A-Lex (an album title with a double meaning: in Russian, "A-Lex" means something like "lawless"). The recording is divided into four chapters, the first three of which cover the familiar plot from the movie, while chapter four reflects the final part of the story from the book. "Every chapter, from 'Alex I' to 'Alex IV', starts with a brief introduction which allows the listener to follow the story at all times," Kisser explains. Along with Sepultura's familiar raw metal tunes, which are omnipresent on the one-hour recording, they have authentically translated Alex's affinity with Ludwig van Beethoven: supported by classical symphonic musicians from Sao Paulo, the track 'Ludwig Van' picks up Beethoven's 9th Symphony and transposes it into a heavy metal context. This number is a definite must, and it would be impossible to optimize this combination of classical music and savage thrash metal. The material was produced by Sepultura and Stanley Soares at the Trama Studios in Sao Paulo and mastered by George Marino at New York's Sterling Sound studios. A-Lex is the first Sepultura album to feature new drummer Jean Dolabella, who joined the fold during the Dante XXI tour. We've known Jean for more than three years; he's from our hometown of Belo Horizonte and joined us when Roy Mayorga left to team up with Stone Sour," Kisser introduces his new drummer. "He's ten years younger than the other band members and has brought a new approach into the band. Jean has an amazing amount of energy and motivation. We're very happy to have him with us, and we're proud of the positive impact he's had on the material on A-Lex." With Dolabella as Sepultura's driving force and more outstanding guitar work courtesy of Andreas Kisser, A-Lex proves to be a dynamic and extremely haunting metal opus which was written in just three months and created more or less on the basis of extended studio jams. The listener feels this spontaneity and vibrancy in every single note. A-Lex will be available in two versions: a regular jewel case and a vinyl gatefold LP. http://www.sepultura.com http://www.myspace.com/sepultura http://www.spvusa.com http://www.myspace.com/spvusa December 16, 2008 Pendragon returns with new DVD release! The legendary neo-prog rock band Pendragon for once more visited the Wyspiañski Theater in Katowice, Poland, this time to celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary. With their outstanding performance, possibly one of the best the Polish audience had ever had a chance to witness, and with their line-up strengthened by the addition of a new drummer Scott Higham (also known from his past cooperation with Clive Nolan on the project Caamora), the band surely proved that they’re still a formidable force on the prog-rock scene! Pendragon’s forthcoming DVD entitled “Concerto Maximo” will feature 150 minutes of the band’s performance recorded on the 13th October 2008 in Wyspiañki Theatre, an exclusive bonus video featuring interviews with the band members and behind the scenes footage, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, photo gallery and more! “Concerto Maximo” DVD will be also available in two other formats: limited edition DVD+2CD and 2 CD digipak (limited to 1000 copies). Metal Mind Productions set the release date for 23rd February 2009 in Europe and 10th March 2009 in USA (via MVD). December 12, 2008 THE END RECORDS voted Best Up-and-Coming Independent Label for 2008 by FMQB We are proud to announce that THE END RECORDS has been voted by FMQB members as Best Up-and-Coming Independent Label for 2008. Founded in 1968, FMQB is a premier destination for music and radio industry professionals. THE END RECORDS has had an enormously successful year, reaching many incredible milestones including, but not limited to: - THE ANSWER hand-picked to support AC/DC on 42 North American winter tour dates - THE ANSWER appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman - THE ANSWER featured in a two-page spread in Rolling Stone - DIR EN GREY chosen as direct support to MSI on the Kerrang! Tour 2009 - DIR EN GREY debuted at Number 1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Chart - DIR EN GREY's video for "Dozing Green" in rotation on MTV2's Headbangers Ball for five-plus weeks - LORDI appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien - LORDI's video for "Bite It Like A Bulldog" enjoyed three weeks of rotation on MTV2's Headbangers Ball - MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE's 'If' debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #27 - MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE saw two singles top the Billboard Charts; five chart entries total - MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE selected to headline Kerrang! Tour 2009 Select press for THE END RECORDS' 2008 releases: THE ANSWER: "No effing wonder AC/DC tapped these U.K. long-hairs to open on their U.S. tour: The singer howls like Paul Rogers, the guitarist shreds like Jimmy Page and the lyrics are as awesomely stupid as ballin’ without a rubber." – ROLLING STONE "The Answer, single handedly keeping rock and roll alive." – DAVID LETTERMAN "The competition is stiff: Wolfmother, Black Stone Cherry, Stone Gods and the ascendant Airbourne are just a handful of the most talked-about names. And yet, bang-for-buck, you'd have to say that [The Answer] is just a bit classier than the rest. [8/10]" – DECIBEL DIR EN GREY: "Dir En Grey have developed a niche as singular as that of their 2007 tourmates The Deftones or System of a Down, drawing on thrash, progressive & experimental elements, Uroboros takes that fusion as far as possible, using a wide array of textures & instruments to bring an almost symphonic sweep to the sound" (Four stars!) – REVOLVER "Dir En Grey has transcended the language barrier in the United States through its music -- which mixes pop elements with metal, incorporating lyrics that vocalist Kyo sings and screams... " – BILLBOARD LORDI: "Fist pumping metal with over-the-top theatrics abound throughout." – ALL MUSIC GUIDE "The band’s use of flaming-dragon-encrusted swords and exploding baby dolls expresses the warrior spirit of the Vikings." – NEW YORK TIMES "Balls-out rock straight from the 80s." – NEW YORK POST MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE: "...the most innovative electro-punk band since Atari Teenage Riot..." – VILLAGE VOICE "...[MSI] have married their love/hate relationship with various music genres to their own ADD-addled, irony steeped worldview..." – ALTERNATIVE PRESS EARLY MAN: "Any thrash-head should absolutely check Early Man out — no question." – METALSUCKS.NET "...there is nothing ironic about Early Man. They want to be the next Sabbath, the next Judas Priest, the next Iron Maiden... and the first Early Man." – OH MY ROCKNESS "'Beware the Circling Fin' closes in on a moment that not even the former reigning champs of thrash, [Metallica], can capture." – DECIBEL MADE OUT OF BABIES: "[F]earsome heavy metal thunder. [The Ruiner is] their most varied, nuanced record to date." – PITCHFORK "Uncommonly well-written." – REVOLVER "8/10; [H]ypnotic and devastating." – BLABBERMOUTH JARBOE: "['MahaKali' is Jarboe's] most immediately likeable release since teaming up with Neurosis." – DECIBEL "Heavy and hypnotic, ['MahaKali'] confirms Jarboe as a musical visionary." – REVOLVER "Jarboe remains one of our most intelligent and fearless experimental artists." – METAL MANIACS ~~~~~ Thanks to everyone who helped make 2008 a great year for The End and for music. Here's to 2009! - Everyone at The End December 12, 2008 TOOTH&NAIL RECORDS' ROCKER SIBLINGS, CHILDREN 18:3, CELEBRATE A GREAT DEBUT YEAR OF TOURING, RADIO, PRESS AND FANS Seattle, WA...December 12, 2008...After a year of rave reviews and live show acclaim, Minnesota's Children 18:3 is celebrating a successful debut year on Tooth & Nail Records.  The band released their self-titled label debut on February 26, 2008.  Since the release the band has been successful with touring, radio, press and fans. This past spring Children 18:3 began their year of relentlessly touring beginning with the 5for5 tour, followed by summer festivals and this fall on the road with Norma Jean on the "Solid State presents: The Norma Jean vs The Anti Mother Tour." Radio has jumped on board with this new band as both Rock singles released ("You Know We're All So Fond Of Dying" and "All My Balloons") have hit the top spot at No. 1, and the new single ("Homemade Valentine") is climbing the chart as "New and Active." In addition, Children 18:3 has been confirmed as a favorite amongst fans and editors on multiple end of the year polls.   On ChristianMusicToday.com, the band garnered a spot on the coveted "Best Christian Albums of 2008" saying this is a "faith-based band that has helped reinvigorate the (punk-rock) genre." Also the readers on ChristianMusicToday.com voted Children in the Top 5 of the "Best Group or Band,"  "Best New Artist," and "Best Album" categories. HM Magazine readers also made their voice heard voting the band as "Favorite New Band of 2008" and Lee Marie was voted in the No. 4  as "Favorite Bassist." As the debut album made its way into fans' hands, press began chatting about the album. Reviews stated that the self-titled album "makes punk rock interesting again" and "this band was something special." Other reviews shared that "few can compare to the life, luster and liveliness in Minneapolis' Children 18:3" and lastly they said "hello to the best surprise you've gotten in years." The trio of siblings on Tooth&Nail Records hails from a rural farming community in Minnesota where the three home-schooled siblings developed their undeniable rock sound. Children 18:3 is comprised of siblings David (lead vocals, songwriter, guitar), Seth (drums) and Lee Marie (bass, vocals). The combination of male and female vocals along with their unmatched determination is a throw back to the beginnings of Tooth&Nail punk and rock n' roll.  The band name is derived from Matthew 18:3, "And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"  For more information on Children 18:3 visit their website and myspace: http://www.children183.com and http://www.myspace.com/children183 December 12, 2008 FAMILY FORCE 5 PRIMED FOR 2009 INVASION BAND SLATED FOR THE AP TOUR 09 PRESENTED BY ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK   DANCE OR DIE RELEASE OUT NOW Seattle, WA...December 12, 2008...Family Force 5's sophomore release Dance Or Die, out now on Transparent Media Group/EMI and Tooth & Nail Records, forged out of the gate armed with rippling rhythms, assaulting electronics and raucous rock 'n roll.  Now, with almost 50k units sold to date, Family Force 5 soars into 2009 for complete attack as the band gears up to hit the road on the AP Tour 09 presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Since the beginning of summer 2008 the band and their latest release Dance or Die have been garnering rave reviews and playing sold out shows on the Vans Warped Tour 08, Dance Rawr Dance Tour and the Winter Wonder Slam. As the year comes to an end the band refuses to slow down, announcing their run on the AP Tour 09 presented by Rockstar Energy Drink.  As always, expect to see and hear an unrelenting rush of delightfully uncontainable madness when Family Force 5 hits the stage. "'Dance or Die' is an unconventional arsenal of ultimate dance floor anthems," declares Family Force keyboardist Nathan Currin (Nadaddy).  "We're at war.  Dancing is our weapon, and our party is ready to pull the trigger." Alternative Press will be taking the nation by storm for the third consecutive year with the AP Tour 09 presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The tour headliners are bands hand picked from the magazine's highly anticipated  '100 Bands You Need To Know' issue.   Not all the AP Tour 09 bands have been announced yet, but so far sharing the stage with Family Force 5 will be A Rocket to the Moon and Hit the Lights.  The tour will be making 45 stops nationwide from March 20 through May 9 with a ticket presale January 12-16 and national on sale January 17.    Family Force 5 is: Solomon "Soul Glow Activator" Olds - vocals, guitar, Jacob "Crouton" Olds - drums, vocals, Joshua "Fatty" Olds - bass, vocals, Derek "Chap Stique" Mount - guitar, Nathan "Nadaddy" Currin - keyboards, turntables. Make your New Years Resolution to Dance or Die now! www.familyforce5.com www.myspace.com/theaptour www.myspace.com/alternativepress www.altpress.com/theaptour December 12, 2008 SUB CITY TAKE ACTION! TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED PRE-SALE BEGINS THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT ARTISTARENA.COM THROUGH DEC. 19 FIRST 30 PRE-SALE BUYERS FOR EACH DATE WILL RECEIVE A MEET-AND-GREET WITH CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR AND OTHER TAKE ACTION! ARTISTS TICKETS GO ON SALE TO GENERAL PUBLIC DECEMBER 20 SUB CITY TAKE ACTION! TOUR TO BENEFIT DOSOMETHING.ORG LINEUP INCLUDES HEADLINER CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR ALONG WITH MEG & DIA, BREATHE CAROLINA, EVERY AVENUE, ANARBOR December 12, 2008—Sub City Take Action! Tour tickets go on sale via internet pre-sale this Friday through Artist Arena at https://tixx1.artistarena.com/takeactiontour. The pre-sale will run through December 19. Fans must first register with the site to purchase tickets. They will be emailed a username and password to take part in the exclusive pre-sale. The first 30 fans to purchase tickets for each date will receive a meet-and-greet opportunity with headliner Cute Is What We Aim For and other Sub City Take Action! Tour artists. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, December 20 at all ticket outlets. The tour, now in its eighth year, featuring headliner Cute Is What We Aim For, along with Meg & Dia, Breathe Carolina, Every Avenue, and Anarbor, will once again benefit DoSomething.org, a national not-for-profit that believes young people have the power to make a difference. They inspire, empower and celebrate a generation of doers: young people who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.   2009 Sub City Take Action! Tour Dates: Feb 11 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's Feb 12 - Cleveland OH @ House of Blues Feb 13 – Cheswick, PA @ Gravity Nightclub Feb 14 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre Feb 15 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre Feb 17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues Feb 18 - New York, NY @ The Fillmore at Irving Plaza Feb 20 – Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head Live Feb 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts Feb 22 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club Feb 23 – Norfolk, VA @ The Norva Feb 24 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall Feb 26 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Feb 27 - North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues Feb 28-  St Petersburg, FL @ The State Theater Mar 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Mar 2 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues Mar 4 – Pensacola, FL @ American Legion Mar 5 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Mar 6 - San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit Mar 7 – Austin, TX @ Emo's Mar 8 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Mar 10 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre Mar 11 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre Mar 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues Mar 14 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues Mar 15 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues Mar 16 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues Mar 18- Sparks, NV @ The New Oasis Mar 19 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore Mar 21- Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater Mar 22- Seattle, WA @ El Corazon Mar 23- Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Mar 24 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theater Mar 25 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre Mar 27- St Paul, MN @ Station 4 Mar 28- Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Club (The Rave) Mar 30- Chicago, IL @ House of Blues Mar 31- Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall Apr 1- Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s For more information please visit: www.takeactiontour.com www.myspace.com/takeactiontour www.dosomething.org www.cuteiswhatweaimfor.com www.meganddia.com www.myspace.com/breathecarolina www.myspace.com/everyavenue www.anarbor.net December 11, 2008 Brooklyn-based Quintet HULL Signs to THE END RECORDS RECORDS announced today exclusively through METALSUCKS.NET the signing of Brooklyn heavy metallers HULL. The hard-working quintet has made a name for themselves in the New York underground over the past few years and will be a welcome addition to THE END's growing family of diverse artists. The band comments: "We are very excited to be signing to The End, as we are a very hands-on, do-it-yourself band, and they seem to work that way as a record label. Besides, we wouldn't sign with anyone that we couldn't go have a few beers with!" HULL's first release for THE END will be a full-length entitled Sole Lord, the followup to 2007's self-released Viking Funeral EP. "As far as the album is concerned, we have been working with John Cosenza of Meteor Sound in Far Rockaway, NY. Everything is tracked and we are currently working on editing, mixing, and vocals ourselves in our studio in Brooklyn and once that's finished we'll be mastering with Alan Douches at West West Side. The artwork was done by Josh Graham (Neurosis, A Storm of Light) and the album has a conceptual, Siddhartha-esque pilgrimage theme and is set in third dynasty ancient Egypt." A release date has not been set for Sole Lord. About HULL: Bred for destruction, this collective force converges in a collision of decibel heavy harmony, thrash, doom, classic rock, and formal orchestral works. Bear witness to the lightning that is HULL. Forged in the sweat-laden depths of darkest Brooklyn, HULL materializes as a massive entity storming stages and immersing their audiences in a blanket of grandiose down-tuned compositions, a shifting fault line beneath a vast arctic wasteland. A musical colossus of epic proportions, HULL commands their listeners through each riff with incredible precision, as a seafarer guides his vessels through ominous waters. Submerged in cosmic soundscapes, HULL challenges the mind with flowing, off-time fugues and powerful, dynamic movements. Brace yourself for an onslaught of eruptive force as mountains move, pillars collapse, and a new world of music is formed in the deafening clap of thunder that is HULL. Born in the wake of the fire, we still burn. Praise for HULL: "Headbanging, growling, deliciously downtuned stoner metal. Hull’s three guitar attack achieves maximum sludgery, bashing your skull into the wall with a sledgehammer and smearing your brains across the floor." - METALSUCKS.NET "This innovative quintet have built a bridge between unashamed retro bluster and something entirely fresh and new, and their reputation as one of the must-see live bands on the East Coast has flourished as a result." - METAL HAMMER "All the crush of early Mastodon met with the ambient fire of Neurosis, but somehow [Hull] avoids sounding like either one of them." - METAL MANIACS HULL is: GV: NPalmirotto GV: AMack GV: CLaiettaV BV: SBDunn PV: JStieber HULL on the web: http://www.hullandhighwater.com/ http://www.myspace.com/hull December 11, 2008 TESTAMENT TAKES OVER HEADBANGERS BALL THIS SATURDAY!!! This Saturday, December 13, Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT will be taking over the airwaves on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball. Along with their brand-new video for “More Than Meets The Eye,” HBB will also be airing never-before-seen footage from the band’s shoot at Alcatraz in San Francisco. “More Than Meets The Eye” was produced by Kevin Custer (Kingdom of Sorrow, Beneath The Massacre). Six TESTAMENT art pieces, performances, and videos will be intertwined with all the videos that air on Headbangers Ball, which airs Saturday night at 2AM Eastern / 1AM Central. Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson recently commented on Headbangersblog.com about their new video: “We haven't had a new video out for a long time, since 'Low' in '94. Our new video is for 'More Than Meets the Eye', and it was created by Kevin Custer who's worked with Kingdom of Sorrow and Beneath the Massacre among others. It was really fun working with Kevin. He really worked in tandem with the band's vision and took it to the next level. “The band went to LA and shot performance footage in front of a green screen, then Kevin turned that footage into mayhem with some "Formation of Damnation" happening in the background. We're happy with it as our first video. We look forward to doing more videos and getting into a concept. We're definitely pleased to have this represent us for the first one from the new record. “The feel of the video is more about unearthing the demons within and the terror that wrath can incite. And as the song progresses, the mayhem takes over - a reflection of what is inside the band and the music we create... More Than Meets the Eye.” Produced by Kevin J. Custer of Toaster In The Tub, “More Than Meets The Eye” adds to TESTAMENT’s scorching scene-returning campaign that has included the following highlights: participation on the North American Metal Masters summer tour with Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, and Motörhead being showcased on MTV’s 52/52 Artist Of The Week debuting at #59 on the Billboard Top 200 chart for selling over 11,500 copies of The Formation Of Damnation the first week of release clinching the #1 slot on the FMQB and CMJ radio charts for several consecutive weeks winning Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award for “Best Album of 2008” album awarded #1 in Metal Maniacs’ Top 20 of 2008 Critics’ Picks list Most played album on metal radio for 2008 (FMQB) Be sure to tune in this Saturday for exclusive new Testament footage! December 10, 2008 EARLY MAN - In the Studio Now, Tour With 3 Inches of Blood, Toxic Holocaust in January- in the studio with Jack Endino (High On Fire, Zeke, Valient Thorr, Nirvana), currently working on their second full-length, the followup to 2005s critically acclaimed Closing In - 12-date tour with 3 Inches of Blood and Toxic Holocaust in January EARLY MAN is back in the studio, currently working on their long-awaited sophomore full-length with Jack Endino (High On Fire, Zeke, Valient Thorr, Nirvana). The still-untitled album-- the followup to the band's critically-acclaimed 2005 debut Closing In (Matador)-- will be released by THE END RECORDS in early 2009. EARLY MAN-- guitarist/vocalist Mike Conte, drummer Adam Bennati, guitarist Pete Macy, and bassist Tim Ramage-- are keeping fans updated on their progress in the studio at this location: http://earlyjourney.blogspot.com/ In anticipation of the release of the forthcoming album, EARLY MAN will be hitting the road for some dates out west with 3 Inches of Blood and Toxic Holocaust. EARLY MAN on tour with 3 Inches of Blood, Toxic Holocaust: 01/10/09 Sat @ WOW Hall - Eugene, OR 01/12/09 Mon @ The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA 01/13/09 Tue @ Slim's - San Francisco, CA 01/14/09 Wed @ The Catalyst Atrium - Santa Cruz, CA 01/15/09 Thu @ The Key Club - West Hollywood, CA 01/16/09 Fri @ Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA 01/17/09 Sat @ Soma - San Diego, CA 01/18/09 Sun @ Beauty Bar - Las Vegas, NV 01/20/09 Tue @ Whiskey Dicks Saloon - South Lake Tahoe, CA 01/22/09 Thu @ Riversdale Grange - Roseburg, OR 01/23/09 Fri @ Hawthorne - Portland, OR 01/24/09 Sat @ Wild Buffalo House of Music - Bellingham, WA http://earlymanarmy.com http://www.myspace.com/earlyman    December 10, 2008 The Human Abstract Announce Jan/Feb US Tour with As I Lay Dying, Protest the Hero and My Children My Bride; Midheaven In Stores Now On Hopeless Records Los Angeles progressive metal act The Human Abstract, fresh off their tour with Japanese rockers Dir En Grey, will tour the US in January and February with As I Lay Dying, Protest the Hero  and My Children My Bride, The tour will be followed by a European trek alongside The Chariot and Protest The Hero. The band’s latest release Midheaven is in stores now on Hopeless Records. More about The Human Abstract:        Midheaven is a very appropriate title for The Human Abstract’s second album.  Recognized as one of the four angles on the natal chart, most astrologers believe that Midheaven helps to outline an individual’s most visible achievements, career path and social standing in the world. Also, it could indicate someone’s personal, spiritual and lifetime goals. That ideology is heavily reflected in the progressive band’s latest studio offering. “Basically, the album concept is something that's been going on since the beginning of recorded time,” vocalist Nathan Ells explains. “It's a constant cycle: we spend years building up to these great heights, only to destroy ourselves in the end over and over. The world issues that we’re dealing with right now are the same issues that we’ve been going through since the beginning of our existence. This is the true meaning of the Hindu concept of Karma. Until we can correct our behaviors, we are doomed to repeat ourselves.” As it pertains to The Human Abstract (also comprised of pianist Sean Leonard, bassist Allen Eason, drummer Brett Powell, and guitarists Dean Herrera and Andrew Tapley), they are growing to amazingly great heights and are more cohesive than ever before.   They have certainly come a long way. Months after Powell graduated high school in 2004, he was introduced to Herrera and guitarist/pianist A.J. Minette through mutual friends. All with a passion for music, Powell re-located to Los Angeles, California to jam with his new buddies and they spent the next six months working on material. In early 2005, bassist Kenny Arehart and singer Nick Oalerts rounded out the lineup.   At the same time, Powell created L.A. Loud, a company that held small concerts to feature local bands and allowed The Human Abstract to periodically headline the shows. “It helps build up hype. It made the band seem bigger than what it really was at the time,” the drummer explains. “Perception is everything for a young band.” The Human Abstract attracted a huge following, as well as the attention of producers Johnny Santos (formerly of Spineshank and Silent Civilian) and Logan Mader (formerly of Soulfly and Machine Head).  While they were constantly recording demos, they also managed to release a self-titled EP. Later that year, the group signed with Hopeless Records. “They had this family oriented vibe,” Powell explains. “The whole office comes out to watch you perform live and it’s just a good feeling. Other labels seem to have a lot of other bands on their agenda, so we wanted to be on a label where we’d get more attention and Hopeless was willing to invest in us without us having any touring experience.” Oalerts was replaced later that year with vocalist Nathan Ells. Then, in February 2006, the band left California to record their full-length debut with producer Jamie King in North Carolina. Despite having their van break down, learning how to interact with one another on the road and spending all of their downtime stuck in a sleazy Motel 8, The Human Abstract wrote a compelling debut album in Nocturne. The emotional collection featured beautiful technical proficiency and undeniable candor, and connected instantly with their evolving fan base. Over the next year, The Human Abstract toured with a slew of groups including All That Remains, The Chariot, Devil Wears Prada, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Everytime I Die, From First To Last, God Forbid, Misery Signals and a host of others. However, touring is quite arduous Kenny Arehart found that tour life was not for him, so he left the progressive band. His replacement, Michael Nordeen, wasn’t necessarily a perfect fit. Currently, Allen Eason is filling in on bass duties for the time being." More surprisingly, when the group began working on the follow-up album, co-founding member and principal songwriter A.J. Minette completely distanced himself from the band. When other members tried contacting him about ideas for the next record, he pretty much ignored them. Minette seemed impossible to work with and by the end of 2007, his status with The Human Abstract became clear: he was leaving the group. “It was the worst possible time,” Ells recalls. “I’ve gone back to Nashville to visit my family and tried to get A.J. to send me what he was working on for the new album. By the time I went back to Los Angeles to have our first practice, he shows up, doesn’t unload his gear and was like, ‘I’m quitting the band.’ It was difficult to put everything back together again.” But as they’ve done before, The Human Abstract re-built themselves to greater heights and came back ten times stronger. Expanding to a sextet, Andrew Tapley and Sean Leonard took over the vacant guitar and piano slots, respectively. Now working as a cohesive unit, the group comes across smooth and polished on Midheaven. Produced by Leonard Simone and Jesse E. String, The Human Abstract showcases their masterful songwriting on ten breathtaking tracks that are action packed with progressive rock melodies, tasteful riffs and dynamic guitar solos. That edge is brilliantly displayed on the metal-induced “Breathing Life Into Devices” and the energetic first single “Procession Of The Fates.” Also, the guys show a calmer side on classic manifestos like “Counting Down The Days.” The stars have certainly aligned for The Human Abstract and Midheaven is a record anyone can grasp onto. “We have been trying to push for something a bit more universal and timeless,” Ells proclaims. And they’ve succeeded. Midheaven will certainly stand the test of time. December 10, 2008 BLACK TIDE CONTINUES TOURING ONSLAUGHT IN 2009 BAND HITS THE ROAD ON THE KERRANG! RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK TOUR, OUT WITH ESCAPE THE FATE, AND ON THE VANS WARPED TOUR December 10, 2008 – Santa Monica, CA - Armed with a slew of tour dates for 2009, Black Tide are primed to continue to light up crowds across the globe in support of their Interscope Records debut album “Light From Above.” The band will be part of the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Drink Tour kicking off January 13th in Belfast, then will join Escape The Fate beginning February 5th in Pomona, CA and will play their first Vans Warped Tour this summer. From their mainstage stints on OZZfest 2007 and the inaugural Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Tour 2008 alongside Slipknot and Disturbed, to touring with Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet For My Valentine, Black Tide have become vicious road dogs, chomping at the bit to destroy any stage they can.  On stage, the band's music explodes with a raw vitality. RollingStone named Black Tide one of the "Best Rookies of 2008" and "Metal's New Teen Titans," while Spin labeled them one of "The Next Big Things," and calling them a “Band To Watch,” Revolver featured Black Tide on the August 2008 cover.  Kerrang! declared the band to be the "Best International Newcomer" in 2008. In addition, Black Tide producer Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind) has garnered a 2008 Producer of the Year Grammy nomination for his recent body of work including the band’s album “Light From Above.” Black Tide is Gabriel Garcia (vocals, lead guitar), Zakk Sandler (bass), Steven Spence (drums) and Austin Diaz (guitar).  Crafting infectious no-nonsense heavy metal anthems, the Florida quartet have become an unstoppable road machine. Amps cranked and bus stocked, the band will bring their brand of riotous old school-inspired thrash to audiences stateside and beyond in 2009.  Sandler comments, "We love playing live, and we're going to give it our all, and more, every night."   BLACK TIDE ON TOUR: On the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Drink Tour: 1/13 Belfast, UK Mandela Hall 1/14 Dublin, IRE The Academy 1/16 Bristol, UK Carling Bristol Academy 1/17 Cardiff, UK Great Hall 1/18 Southampton, UK Southampton Guildhall 1/20 Oxford, UK Carling Academy Oxford 1/21 Norwich, UK University of East Anglica LCR-Union 1/22 Nottingham, UK Rock City 1/23 Manchester, UK Manchester Academy 1/24 Leeds, UK Carling Academy 1/26 Liverpool, UK Carling Academy Liverpool 1/27 Glasgow, UK Barrowland 1/28 Newcastle, UK Carling Academy Newcastle 1/29 Birmingham, UK Carling Academy Birmingham 1/30  London, UK Carling Academy On Tour with Escape the Fate: 2/5 Pomona, CA Glasshouse 2/6 Phoenix, AZ Marquee 2/7 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine 2/8 El Paso, TX Chic’s Billiards 2/10 Dallas, TX Granada Theater 2/11 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit 2/12 Houston, TX Meridian 2/13 Metaire, LA High Ground 2/15 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room 2/16 Orlando, FL Firestone 2/17 Atlanta, GA Masquerade 2/18 Charlotte, NC Amo’s Southend 2/19 Towson, MD Recher Theater 2/20 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church 2/21 New York, NY Irving Plaza 2/22 Boston, MA Middle East 2/24 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom 2/25 Toronto, ON Opera House 2/27 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 2/28 Pontiac, MI The Crofoot 3/1 Chicago, IL House of Blues 3/3 Milwaukee, WI Rave II 3/4 Minneapolis, MN Station 4 3/6 Denver, CO Cervantes 3/7 Salt Lake City, UT Murray Theatre 3/8 Idaho Falls, ID ICON 3/9 Boise, ID Knitting Factory 3/10 Seattle, WA El Corazon 3/11 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater 3/13 Orangevale, CA Boardwalk 3/14 San Francisco, CA Slims 3/15 Bakersfield, CA The Dome 3/17 San Diego, CA House of Blues 3/18 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues www.blacktidemusic.com www.myspace.com/blacktide December 10, 2008 Cemetery Of Scream returns with a new album Cemetery Of Scream, one of the most intriguing bands on Polish atmospheric dark metal scene returns with a new, disturbing album, which will send cold shivers down your spine.... The band's new offering entitled “Frozen Images” constitutes a unique and innovative work, on which the new vocalist, Olaf Ró¿añski, leaves his ice-cold fingerprints. The album has a very different character than the band’s previous releases while still maintaining the ethereal style of their music, which fluently shifts between the worlds of reality and fiction. “Frozen Images” will appeal to all who love the moods known from Katatonia's or Paradise Lost’s albums. Metal Mind Productions set the release day for 26th January 2009 in Europe and 10th March 2009 in USA (via MVD). December 10, 2008 "The Heart Is a Drum Machine" documentary to premiere Feb. 6 at Phoenix Art Museum Debut of anticipated documentary to be celebrated with a DJ set from Juliette Lewis, Maynard James Keenan’s Caduceus wine being poured and other celebrity attendees Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 10 – “The Heart is a Drum Machine,” the eagerly awaited documentary that explores the complex and critical relationship between humanity and music, will premiere at Phoenix Art Museum as part of their ongoing No Festival Required series on Feb. 6 at 8 pm followed by a cocktail party.  Tickets go on sale this Friday, Dec. 12 and can be purchased online at Phxart.org or at the Museum’s Visitors Desk. The film, directed by Christopher Pomerenke and produced by Ryan Page , Joe Mundo and Hans Fjellestad of ZU33 Pictures and responsible for 2006’s “Moog” documentary, explores music’s role in shaping human history, the profound connection people have had to music throughout human history,  how it has shaped our experiences and its involvement in our daily lives.  Tackling the topic is a who’s who of musicians including George Clinton, Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante and Phoenix native Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), music historians and writers such as MTV’s Kurt Loder and KCRW’s Nic Harcourt as well as scientists including Carl Sagan’s widow Ann Druyan (discussing the “Golden Record”).     The Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd created an original score for the film as well as covering Elton John’s “Rocket Man” with vocals from the aforementioned Keenan. More screenings for 2009 will be announced shortly. About ZU33 Pictures ZU33 Pictures is based in both Phoenix and Los Angeles.  The production company has released two acclaimed films, “Moog,” which helped bring the story of Bob Moog’s musical invention to a new audience and “Frontier Life,” an exploration of Tijuana, Mexico.  Forthcoming films from ZU33 Pictures include “Weapon Song” (music and wartime usage) and “Lords Of Chaos,” the story behind some of the most notorious members of Norway’s world of black metal.  For more information, please visit www.zu33.com. About Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix Art Museum is the Southwest’s premier destination for world-class visual arts.  Popular exhibitions featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, Annie Leibowitz and Monet are shown along side the Museum’s outstanding collection of more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.  A community epicenter for nearly fifty years, Phoenix Art Museum presents festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs that enlighten, entertain and stimulate. Visitors also enjoy PhxArtKids an interactive space for children, vibrant photography exhibitions through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, the lushly landscaped Sculpture Garden, dining at Arcadia Farms at Phoenix Art Museum, and shopping at The Museum Store.   To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit PhxArt.org, or call the 24-hour recorded information line at (602) 257-1222. About No Festival Required Independent Cinema Labeled by the Phoenix New Times as “the granddaddy of Phoenix  microcinema”, No Festival Required has since 2002 featured truly independent film screenings by local, national and international filmmakers. With a monthly screening of featured documentaries, touring shorts shows and narrative story films, No Festival Required provides “thoughtful and provocative” film fare to the discerning cinema enthusiast. No Festival Required has screened at numerous art venues that include the Phoenix Art Museum, Mesa Arts Center, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Detroit Film Center. For more information, please visit www.nofestivalrequired.com. December 10, 2008 Progressive rock band Satellite revealed the cover artwork of their forthcoming album - "Nostalgia". The artwork was designed by the young artist –Trine. “Nostalgia”, the follow up to the highly acclaimed album “Into The Night”, will be released by Metal Mind Productions on 23rd February 2009 in Europe / 10th March 2009 in USA (via MVD). The release will also be available in a limited edition digipak with bonus tracks. Satellite was founded in 2000 by Wojtek Szadkowski, who wrote and co-wrote nearly all of Collage's music and lyrics. It was meant to be only Wojtek's solo-project but soon became a real band. They’ve released three studio albums so far (2003 "A Street Between Sunrise And Sunset", 2005 "Evening Games", 2007 "Into The Night") plus a DVD "Evening Dreams" (2005). Official website: www.myspace.com/satellitepoland December 10, 2008 The first ever DVD to feature one of the great progressive-rock bands of all time! Song Of Scheherezade features 2 classic live shows: One from a 1976 US tour (Capitol Theatre - Passiac, NJ), and another show from 1979 (Convention Hall - Asbury Park, NJ). Renaissance were originally formed in the late 1960 s by ex-Yardbirds members Keith Relf, and Jim McCarty but both eventually departed leaving the classic line-up of Annie Haslam (Vocals), John Tout (piano), Jon Camp (bass pedals/Vocals) and Terence Sullivan (drums). The later line-up were responsible for the groups most recognized albums Prologue (1972), Ashes Are Burning (1973) and Turn Of The Cards (1975) and Scheherezade and Other Stories (1976) which gained the group a significant fanbase in the US and led to hits in many other countries including UK top ten single Northern Lights. December 10, 2008 Emperor's Live Inferno DVD confirmed for worldwide release Candlelight Records confirms the completion of the final recordings from black metal legends Emperor. Titled Live Inferno, the special live series features various releases recorded/filmed during the band's sold out 2005-2007 reunion performances. Several formats will be available including a 2xCD/slipcase with 16-page booklet, a limited edition box featuring 2 CDs & DVD with an enhanced 24 page booklet, a single DVD, and two limited edition double-vinyl gatefold sets. April 16 is set as the European release date for the series with April 21 set as the North American release date. The audio aspect of the Live Inferno series features exclusive recordings from the band's headlining performances at Norway's Inferno Festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air Festival. Each recording will be pressed as individual double-vinyl sets; the first pressing limited to 1000 on black vinyl with any additional pressings in varied colors selected by the band. A special gold-vinyl seven-inch limited to 2000 titled Thus Spake the Nightspirit (featuring a live rendition of the band's famed song from the album Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk with a live recording of "Inno A Satana" from the album band's popular In the Nightside Eclipse album) will be pressed and released via the label's official webstores beginning February 16. The video portion, titled Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 - A Night of Emperial Wrath, has a running time of 70-minutes and includes footage professionally filmed at the Wacken Open Air Festival with additional on-stage and exclusive backstage footage filmed and compiled by the band. "It looks like these releases will be the final nail in the coffin for Emperor," says guitarist Samoth. "They are a testimony of the live reunion that took Emperor to even new heights; unique events like Wacken where Emperor headlined in front of 60 000 people. We had a great run of shows and feel lucky that we were able to come back even bigger and perform songs from our complete catalogue for a lot of dedicated fans old and new. There will be several cool formats and limited editions coming that should be a nice treat for the fans and a worthy representation of the Emperor legacy. Emperor is dead, long live the Emperor!" Confirmed track listings include: Disc 1/Inferno: Infinity Burning (medley), Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times, Thus Spake the Nightspirit, An Elegy of Icaros, Curse you all Men!, Wrath of the Tyrant, With Strength I Burn, Towards the Pantheon, The Majesty of the Nightsky, The Loss and Curse of Reverence, In the Wordless Chamber, Inno a Satana, I am the Black Wizards, Ye Entrancemperium, Opus a Satana.  Disc 2/Wacken: Infinity Burning (medley), Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times, Thus Spake the Nightspirit, An Elegy of Icaros, Curse you all Men!, With Strength I Burn, Towards the Pantheon, The Majesty of the Nightsky, The Loss and Curse of Reverence, In the Wordless Chamber, I am the Black Wizards, Inno a Satana. Forming in 1991, Emperor recordings have sold hundreds of thousands worldwide. Their impact on black/extreme metal ranks them as one of the genre's most influential. Respected by musician, fan and critic alike, Emperor recorded their final album, Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise, in 2001. Guitarist Samoth and drummer Trym continued together in Zyklon; their third and latest album, Disintegrate, released in 2006. Vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn went on to work with the now defunct band project Peccatum. He produced/recorded the debut from Hardingrock (featuring musical contributions from partner Heidi S. Tveitan from Starofash and famed Norwegian fiddler Knut Buen) and released his second solo album, angL, earlier this year. Candlelight reissued each of Emperor's four genre-defining albums, Wrath of the Tyrants, In the Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk and IX Equilibrium in 2004. Each feature additional bonus footage and material unavailable previously on both European and US-licensed versions. A special tablature book titled Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial Wrath was released October 2006. Initially sold at the band's sold out performance at London's Astoria Theatre, the popular book saw worldwide release shortly thereafter. The 132-page oversized book featuring foreword and transcriptions by vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn includes tabs for thirteen Emperor classics contained on the band's 2003 compilation of the same name. Emperor-Live Inferno, 2xCD (CDL426, 803341233270) Emperor-Live Inferno, limited box (CDL452, 803341251113) Emperor-Live at Wacken Open Air 2006-A Night of Emperial Wrath, DVD (CDL433, 803341249899) Emperor-Live Inferno, 2xLP (BOBV120, 803341251304) Emperor-Live at Wacken Open Air 2006/A Night of Emperial Wrath, 2xLP (BOBV121, 803341251311) Emperor-Thus Spake the Nightspirit/Live Inferno, 7-inch (BOBV1247S, 803341254046) http://www.myspace.com/emperorhorde http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com http://www.eastworldrecordings.com http://www.poweragerecords.com December 9, 2008 Blessthefall recently stopped by the Buzznet studios in Hollywood, CA where they were interviewed by contest winners. You can check out four videos of the interview that took place here: http://blessthefall.buzznet.com/user/video/3764771 http://blessthefall.buzznet.com/user/video/3764821 http://blessthefall.buzznet.com/user/video/3764811/blessthefall-talks-buzznet-member-readingrainbow3 http://blessthefall.buzznet.com/user/video/3764841/blessthefall-talks-buzznet-member-jamietragedy December 9, 2008 PURPLE DOOR FESTIVAL TAKES BOLD APPROACH TO 2009 EVENT BY LOWERING TICKET PRICES WHILE OFFERING MORE BANDS Held August 14-15 At Ski Roundtop In Lewisberry, PA, The Annual Event Also Adds Third Stage On Friday Night Lancaster, PA (December 9, 2008) – In an ever-changing economy and music industry, Purple Door Arts and Music Festival, one of the nation’s premier Christian music events, is taking a bold approach to its 2009 Festival by offering more bands for a lower overall event ticket price.  Additionally, the HM Stage will host performances on Friday night as well as all day Saturday and most bands on all stages will play longer sets. “Everyone at Purple Door knows that times are hard and we want to do our part to make things a little bit easier for our attendees, while thanking them for their support of the festival,” explains Purple Door Producer, Chris Strayer.  “This year not only will we offer more bands and the addition of the HM stage Friday night but we will also offer lower ticket prices. All of the advance ticket prices are the cheapest they have been since 2005 and the gate price is the cheapest price since 2004.” In its 14th year, the annual arts and music festival will once again be held at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA August 14 and 15, and will play host to three stages of music, speakers an art gallery, skate park, paintball and much more. Purple Door is also pleased to announce its initial line up for 2009.  Artists slated to perform include:     Anberlin Run Kid Run Family Force 5 Shawn McDonald Mewithoutyou Deas Vail Disciple John Mark McMillan Project 86 MyChildren MyBride Lecrae Becoming the Archetype Fireflight Reilly Bradley Hathaway Children 18:3 Seabird Capital Lights Nevertheless Chasen House of Heroes Esterlyn The Showdown B.Reith Spoken Rainchildren Speakers for the weekend will include Eric Timm of No One Under Ground and Renee Yohe, who inspired the organization To Write Love on Her Arms. Tickets for the Purple Door Festival are available now and can be purchased online at iTickets.com (www.itickets.com/events/217077/Lewisberry_PA/Purple_Door.html).  Ticket prices are as follows: •    December 8 – April 3:  Advance Individual: $33.50 / Advance Group: $32.00 •    April 4 – August 7: Advance Individual: $36.00 / Advance Group $35.00 •    At the gate:   All tickets $39.50 Additional announcements of highlights and new aspects for Purple Door 2009 will be forthcoming. For more information about Purple Door Arts and Music Festival, including photos and videos from last year’s event, please visit www.purpledoor.com and www.myspace.com/purpledoorfestival.   December 9, 2008 MYSPACE MUSIC PRESENTS: MESHUGGAH WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST CYNIC      Intent on decimating the boundaries of extreme music with their metric art, Sweden’s MESHUGGAH will be returning to North America in February, 2009 on a 17-show headlining tour presented by MySpace Music.  Direct support to MESHUGGAH will be provided by the legendary progressive metal band Cynic.  Opening all shows will be technical progressive death metallers The Faceless from Los Angeles. As one of the most popular and highly trafficked music platforms in the world, MySpace Music has evolved into an offline experience by connecting bands and fans around the world through various concert series and live events. About MySpace Music MySpace Music is a landmark joint venture among MySpace, The EMI Group, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony ATV, and whose independent music distribution partners include The Orchard, IODA, Alternative Distribution Alliance, RED, Fontana, and Caroline. MySpace Music offers an ever-growing catalog of freely streamable audio and video content, user-friendly e-commerce solutions, personal music players, and user and artist playlisting. MySpace Music aims to empower major, independent, and unsigned artists to monetize their content through multiple revenue streams by allowing the MySpace community to freely stream premium content in an ad-supported environment, purchase MP3s and ringtones, create and share playlists, and ultimately buy merchandise, concert tickets, and other digital and physical goods.  MySpace Music also connects artists and fans in the offline arena through various concert series and live events including Secret Shows, MySpaceLIVE!, Transmissions, The Release, Front to Back and The List. Two additional tour dates will be announced shortly.  Confirmed shows are as follows: ·       02/01/09  House of Blues – Anaheim, CA ·       02/02/09  House of Blues – San Diego, CA ·       02/03/09  House of Blues – Hollywood, CA ·       02/04/09  Slim’s – San Francisco,  CA ·       02/06/09  El Corazón – Seattle, WA ·       02/07/09  Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR   ·       02/08/09  Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC – CANADA ·       02/09/09  Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA ·       02/11/09  Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO ·       02/13/09  Station 4 – St. Paul, MN ·       02/15/09  House Of Blues – Chicago, IL ·       02/17/09  Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON – CANADA ·       02/18/09  Club Soda – Montreal, QC – CANADA ·       02/19/09  TBA – New York, NY ·       02/20/09  Recher Theatre – Towson, MD Released this past March, MESHUGGAH’s obZen album debuted at #59 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and at #14 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart.  obZen has sold 54,000 copies in North America according to Nielsen SoundScan.  View the video for the obZen track “Bleed” here.   To hear selections from MESHUGGAH’s new album, obZen, visit them online at www.MySpace.com/MESHUGGAH. Tracks from the new album by CYNIC, Traced In Air, can be streamed online at www.MySpace.com/CYNICONLINE. To hear selections from Planetary Duality, the new album by THE FACELESS, visit www.MySpace.com/THEFACELESS.   Visit MySpace Music to create your own user profile, make a playlist, and stay on top of the latest music video premieres! December 9, 2008 Tooth & Nail Records Announces The Re-Signing of Emery EMERY PREPARES FOR SUMMER 09 STUDIO RELEASE Seattle, WA...December 9, 2008...Originally signed in 2003, the band that has been known for constantly pushing the boundaries of their genre and its duel frontman approach, Emery is proud to re-sign to Tooth & Nail Records this week.  Formed in 2001 in South Carolina, Emery has released 3 full-length albums ("The Weak's End," "The Question," and "I'm Only A Man") in addition to the recently released EP, "While Broken Hearts Prevail."  After selling more than 350,000 copies of their albums, Emery will release their fourth full-length, "...In Shallow Seas We Sail," co-produced by Aaron Sprinkle and Matt Carter (Emery's guitarist), in the summer of 2009. "Emery is the epitome of what Tooth & Nail Records stands for: hard work, great talent and amazing character," shares Brandon Ebel, President of Tooth & Nail Records. "Being able to put pen to paper and secure a future between Tooth & Nail Records and Emery is an honor, and Emery will remain one of our flagship artists for years to come." Emery has toured worldwide including at least three national tours each year, sharing the stage with Chiodos, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Underoath, Alexisonfire, and currently Hawthorne Heights.  The band will also travel to Australia in early 2009 to participate in the Soundwave festival.  When the band is not touring, the members reside in locales across the country, including Washington, Illinois, Indiana, and South Carolina.  Emery is composed of Toby Morell (Vocals, Bass), Devin Shelton (Vocals, Bass), Matt Carter (Guitar, Vocals), Josh Head (Keyboards, Vocals), and Dave Powell (Drums).   For more information on Emery visit their website or MySpace. December 9, 2008 Trail Of Dead Readies New 'Century' ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead has put the finishing touches on its next album, "The Century of Self," which is due Feb. 17. It will be the first release on the band's Richter Scale imprint in conjunction with Justice Records. The tracks "Bells of Creation" and "Inland Sea," which re-establish the dark, punishing rock of classics like 2002's "Source Tags & Codes," have already been previewed on the "Festival Thyme" EP. Other highlights include "Pictures of an Only Child," which begins as a subdued wash of sound before bursting into a loud, chugging chorus; the bracing "Far Pavilions," with shouted counterpoint vocals from drummer Jason Reece; and "Fields of Coal," which has an inspirational chorus almost in the vein of an old field worker's song. Elsewhere, acoustic guitar and piano carry "Luna Park," while "Insatiable" is mostly frontman Conrad Keely and piano. "The Century of Self" was produced by Chris Coady (TV On The Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and features backing vocal contributions from members of Yeasayer and Dragons Of Zynth. "On the last two albums, we were really meticulous recording to click-tracks and doing overdubs," Keely told Billboard in August. "This time, we threw all that out. We learned the songs and all tracked live." A longtime Austin resident, Keely moved to New York a couple years ago and quickly found himself inspired by local bands such as Yeasayer and Dirty Projector. "Suddenly I was almost overloaded with all this new music, and wondering how we could come close to matching it?," he says. "That inspiration came into a lot of the writing." Here is the track list for "The Century of Self": "Giants Causeway" "Far Pavilions" "Isis Unveiled" "Halcyon Days" "Bells of Creation" "Fields of Coal" "Inland Sea" "Luna Park" "Pictures of an Only Child" "Insatiable One" "Ascending" "An August Theme" "Insatiable Two" http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/trail-of-dead-readies-new-century-1003920764.story December 9, 2008 7TH ANNUAL LANGERADO MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES INITIAL ARTIST LINEUP DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, SNOOP DOGG, RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS, THIEVERY CORPORATION, SLIGHTLY STOOPID, FLOGGING MOLLY, DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE, COLD WAR KIDS, GIRL TALK, CHROMEO, MUTE MATH, AND BLACK KIDS ARE JOINED BY GYM CLASS HEROES, THE FAINT, THE POGUES, ZAC BROWN BAND, MATISYAHU, THE DISCO BISCUITS, UMPHREY'S MCGEE, ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND, MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD, THE VIRGINS, AND MANY MORE TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY DECEMBER 12TH NOON EST AT WWW.LANGERADO.COM MARCH 6-7-8, 2009 AT BICENTENNIAL PARK IN MIAMI, FL Held for the first time this year at Bicentennial Park on Biscayne Bay, Langerado now calls Miami - one of the world's must cultural cities - home. Today, festival organizers make an initial artist announcement to make the Magic City proud. Death Cab For Cutie, Snoop Dogg, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Thievery Corporation, Slightly Stoopid and Dashboard Confessional join Flogging Molly, Broken Social Scene, Girl Talk, Cold War Kids, The Faint, Gym Class Heroes, Tricky, Chromeo, Mute Math, Black Kids, Café Tacuba, The Pogues, The Virgins, Zac Brown Band and more. Langerado is also proud to welcome back veterans from Langerado's past including Matisyahu, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey's McGee, Robert Randolph and The Family Band and Michael Franti and Spearhead and extend a warm welcome to the many artists performing at the festival for the first time. Artists will perform on multiple stages throughout the three day event and more artists are still to be announced! Tickets to the 7th Annual Langerado Music Festival go on sale Friday December 12th at 12pm EST. Purchase tickets with no additional service charges through www.langerado.musictoday.com and at www.langerado.com. In addition to world class music, Langerado will offer local arts and crafts, delicious food vendors, and a variety of festival activities for the whole family – all on-site at Bicentennial Park's 30 acres of waterfront. With Bicentennial Park located just minutes from Downtown Miami and Miami's South Beach, visitors and locals can enjoy easy access to Miami's many hotels, international restaurants and sizzling nightlife. Taking advantage of Miami's after-hours scene, Langerado will host official late night shows and parties at various local venues throughout Miami including world-famous South Beach, the Design District, Coconut Grove and beyond. Stay tuned to www.langerado.com for the most up to date information on artists and late night show announcements. Festival Details as follows: 7th Annual Langerado Music Festival Bicentennial Park on Biscayne Bay 301 North Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Tickets starting at $120 for weekend passes; individual day tickets starting at $75. Langerado is proud to announce that prices for weekend passes and day tickets are all inclusive and there will be no additional service charges. Langerado will also be offering a layaway plan for purchasers of weekend passes with 3 equal payment spread out over three months.  Visit the Langerado ticketing page at www.langerado.com for more information. VIP packages that include upgraded amenities such as daily catered buffet, merchandise packages, exclusive viewing decks for the main stages and more will also be available at www.langerado.com. Children 8 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults. More details are available at www.langerado.com. For six years, the Langerado Music Festival has kicked off the United States' burgeoning festival season with a full weekend of music and art in South Florida. Recognized by such national media outlets as the New York Times, Rolling Stone and Billboard Magazine, Langerado has grown enormously since it's inaugural year; growing from 3,500 in attendance in 2003 at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, to nearly 25,000 per day in attendance at 2008's event at the Big Cypress Indian Reservation. The Langerado Music Festival is produced by Mark Brown and Ethan Schwartz. Brown is the managing partner of Jam Cruise (www.jamcruise.com).  Schwartz produces and promotes shows in the South Florida area. Together, the partners also produce the Caribbean Holidaze festival in Runaway Bay, Jamaica (www.caribbeanholidaze.com). ### December 9, 2008 JEFFREE STAR: CUPCAKES TASTE LIKE VIOLENCE - IN STORES TODAY ON POPSICLE RECORDS/ILG! Jeffree Star, the self-made phenomenon with a flare for the dramatic and an on (and off)-line army of supporters as dedicated as they are diverse makes his musical debut today by way of the EP Cupcakes Taste Like Violence which is available today at all major physical and digital retailers. Jeffree has teamed with Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group (ILG) to form his own label, Popsicle Records. He's currently recording his full length record, Beauty Killer, set for release this summer and featuring a variety of guest appearances. The first single from Cupcakes is "Lollipop Luxury" and a remix is available on Jeffree's MySpace page (not available on the EP) featuring up-and-coming hip hop star Nicki Minaj. Minaj is the first signing to Lil' Wayne's label Young Money Entertainment. www.myspace.com/jeffreestar   Jeffree's love for the extreme started from a young age attending the Hollywood club scene fully clad in nine-inch heels, mini-dresses, show-stopping makeup and his trademark stunning pink hair. He quickly was in high-demand as a personal makeup artist to stars such as Kelly Osbourne, Nicole Richie, and Paris Hilton. Soon, Jeffree's profile began to rise in LA as he graced the covers of Frontiers and LA Weekly in addition to being the face of jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino's Tokyo Hardcore campaign alongside his close friend, AFI's Davey Havok. Things started moving quickly as his MySpace page became and remains one of the site's most trafficked pages. Jeffree launched his own clothing line in Hot Topic, expanded his web presence as the face of sites like Buzznet and Stickam, and even became a beloved guest on America's Next Top Model and regular on L.A. Ink. He has appeared in music videos for Good Charlotte, Peaches and Godhead as well. Jeffree's first foray into recorded music can be found on his self-released EP Plastic Surgery Slumber Party which is available on iTunes. Dubbed "Queen of the Internet," Jeffree is a cultural icon and perhaps the most flamboyant, yet appealing star to emerge in recent memory. Jeffree Star is not just a trend, he's an obsession for all. Jeffree Star Visits the Blender Magazine offices: http://www.blender.com/Jeffreestarvisitsblender/video/46744.aspx/?src=msp_jeffreestar_dec08 Jeffree Star Blender Photo Gallery: http://www.blender.com/JeffreeStar Jeffree Star/MySpace Celebrity Rising Star: http://celebrity.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=celebrity Jeffree Star MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar Press Assets: http://eastwest.ilgpress.com/jeffreestar/media/ Upcoming Tour Dates: 12/11 - San Francisco, CA: The Crib (18+) 12/12 - Berkeley, CA: 924 Gilman St. w/Electric Valentine (CD Release Party) 12/13 - Fresno, CA: The Exit -- December 9, 2008 OKLAHOMA’S BLEED THE SKY ISSUE POST-SOULFLY TOUR SUMMARY “27 shows in 28 days, a few blown tires, and an awesome Thanksgiving dinner, we are home from - hands down - the BEST tour we’ve done yet!!!   Starting out in Texas, the tour went to the east coast, through the frozen north, and ended in Hollywood, California at the Key Club.  Every night was GREAT.  The crowd responses were unbelievable!!!  Between 500 and 1,000 fans showed up ready to throw down every night, and that they did with some of the most brutal pits we have ever seen!!!  Every band on this tour came out for blood!  We had the privilege of being direct support for Soulfly every night, and since many of our fans are Soulfly fans too, it was a match made in Hell!!!   The best part of being on tour is meeting ‘People You Consider Family,’ and that is exactly what we have with Our Brothers from Soulfly, Devastation, and Incite.  The brotherhood between all the bands made this tour so easy, it was almost too short because we could have kept going for a few more months!!!  With members of Devastation leaving half-way through the tour, we all had to pull together and to make sure that the show went on, and when  everyone on the tour stepped up on vocals and bass, no one ever knew the difference.  It made for a party every night on stage with our thrash metal brothers Devastation!!!   All of us in BLEED THE SKY are looking forward to future tours with Soulfly, Incite, and the band formerly known as Devastation. The end of this tour was like leaving summer camp.  WE ARE BROTHERS FOR LIFE!!!  Thanks to all the fans who came out to support us and a special thanks goes to the Cavalera Family for taking such good care of all the bands & crew on this tour… and for the great Thanksgiving dinner in Tempe!!!” To hear music from BLEED THE SKY’s current release, Murder The Dance, visit www.myspace.com/BLEEDTHESKY. December 9, 2008 ROCKSTAR TASTE CHAOS AND imeem PARTNER TO OFFER imeem MEMBERS 24-HOUR EXCLUSIVE TICKET PRE-SALE STARTING DECEMBER 11TH HEADLINER THURSDAY ALSO SET TO OFFER FAN CLUB MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE VIP TICKET OPTIONS   LOUISVILLE, KY DATE ADDED FOR MARCH 15 AT EXPO 5 ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS 2009 TOUR TO INCLUDE: THURSDAY, BRING ME THE HORIZON, FOUR YEAR STRONG, PIERCE THE VEIL, CANCER BATS TOUR KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 14 IN LOS ANGELES ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS and imeem, the world's largest social music service, have partnered to offer fans an exclusive 24-hour ticket pre-sale. The 24-hour exclusive pre-sale for the imeem community begins Thursday, December 11 at 10AM PST at www.imeem.com/rockstartasteofchaos. Fans must add ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS as a friend on imeem between now and December 11 to receive a message with the exclusive access code to buy tickets. Fans can also find music and video playlists from all five bands on the ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS tour that they can share and embed across the web at www.imeem.com/rockstartasteofchaos. RTOC 2009 headliner Thursday is also set to launch an exclusive ticket pre-sale for their fans. Fans who log on to www.Thursday.net starting this Wednesday, December 10, can choose from 3 pre-sale VIP ticket packages that will include a copy of the band’s upcoming release “Common Existence”, a digital download of the first single “Resuscitation of a Deadman,” four unreleased songs from “Common Existence”, a meet and greet with Thursday after the show, a one-year membership in the official Thursday Fan Club, plus such options as a limited-edition Thursday guitar from First Act, and a opportunity to act as Thursday’s “Roadie For A Day.” Keep checking www.Thursday.net for additional details. A new tour date has been added for March 5 in Louisville, KY at Expo 5. ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS, now in its fifth year, will commence February 14 in Los Angeles. December 8, 2008 PUSCIFER TO MAKE LIVE DEBUT FEB. 13 & 14 AT THE PEARL Maynard James Keenan to present cabaret style show over Valentine’s Day weekend LAS VEGAS, Dec. 8, 2008 –- Maynard James Keenan, known as the eccentric and unpredictable singer of two of modern rock’s most successful bands, Tool and A Perfect Circle, will unveil the live incarnation of Puscifer on Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 at The Pearl inside the Palms Casino Resort at 8:00 p.m. In 2007, Keenan created Puscifer, a multifaceted, multimedia, multi-artist, and multi-personality project self-described as “a physical manifestation of the party that goes on in my head 24/7.”  The collective’s debut, V is for V*****, was followed by a remix album (V is for V*****) as well as several singles and videos featuring the curvaceous Queen B.  A rotating cast of players involved in the recordings include Mat Mitchell, Tim Alexander, Jonny Polonsky, Danny Lohner, Gil and Rani Sharone, Lustmord, Laura Milligan, Milla Jovovich, Lisa Germano, and Alan Moulder. “Expect a loosely organized bucket of Romper Room chaos sprinkled with Dry Wit and Brown Note Booty Bumping Sub Bins. And perhaps some snacks.” said Keenan.     Presented by Andrew Hewitt and Live Nation, tickets for Puscifer are $39.00, plus any additional service fees.  Tickets go on-sale Saturday, Dec. 13 at Noon.  Please visit any Ticketmaster location, call 702-474-4000, visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com to purchase tickets.  The Pearl Box Office is open from Noon – 7 pm daily. Doors will open at 7:00 pm and show time is 8:00 pm.  The Pearl is home to Miller Lite Live, presented by Cricket Wireless; for more information on upcoming concerts, please call 702-942-6888. About The Pearl: The Pearl is Las Vegas’ premier concert theater boasting accommodations for up to 2,500 ticket holders. Featuring a stage just four feet from the floor and the farthest seating area being a mere 120 feet from the stage, The Pearl offers the utmost in intimate viewing of your favorite acts.  Private and semi-private skyboxes are located on each side of the venue offering private bars, lounges and restrooms.  The Pearl is a marvel of modern technology using only top quality sound and video equipment throughout.  Hard wired to The Studio at The Palms, The Pearl allows artists to create a cost-effective live album with efficiency and without additional venue set-up.  For more information, please visit www.palms.com.   December 8, 2008 Kreator unleash new album; announce North American tour SPV is proud to bring you our first release of 2009 - Hordes Of Chaos from German metal legends Kreator! As one of the architects of the original thrash metal revolution, Kreator roared out of Essen, Germany and onto a burgeoning thrash scene in the mid-80s, delivering a string of all-time metal classics (Pleasure To Kill, Extreme Aggression, etc.) in their wake. Quickly developing a uniquely ferocious, off-the-rails style, the band became a huge source of inspiration for countless soon-to-be metal musicians around the planet and have remained one of the cornerstones of the genre along with one of its most dedicated practitioners for over twenty years. With Hordes Of Chaos (the follow-up to 2003's ultra-successful Enemy Of God), Kreator delivers ten tracks of pure unadulterated thrash metal like only the true masters can. Long known for often incorporating lyrics that confront political hypocrisy and inhumanity, our current world climate provides a natural well of inspiration for guitarist, vocalist and bandleader Mille Petrozza. "The global political situation has come apart at the seams. The Eastern and Western Blocs no longer exists, today it's a case of dog eat dog." Petrozza considers the album's furious finale (featuring the songs "To The Afterborn, "Corpses Of Liberty", and "Demon Prince") "a warning to the coming generation. Everybody has to go their own path in life and should try not to buy into the propaganda lies that governments feed us." Hordes Of Chaos was recorded at Berlin's Tritonus studios under the direction of producer Moses Schneider. Schneider is renowned for his fresh and exceptionally dynamic working methods with a variety of cutting-edge, successful artists across Europe. "We consciously decided on Moses as our producer for the live recording of the basic tracks at the studio," Petrozza explains. "This was the first time since Pleasure To Kill that we worked in this way. The new album is a 100% realistic reflection of Kreator's live qualities. Instead of exploring every little detail to sterile perfection with the help of computer technology, this time around we wanted to deliver as dynamic a production as possible. There can be no doubt that we've achieved our target in Hordes Of Chaos. The album was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine, Cradle Of Filth, etc.). The Hordes Of Chaos world tour kicks off in early 2009, with a six-week trek across North America in place for April. Kreator will be joined by fellow thrash metal pioneers Exodus in what will undoubtedly be one of the premier metal events of 2009! KREATOR Hordes Of Chaos"North American Tour 2009 with Exodus, Belphegor, Warbringer and Epicurean 4/07/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD 4/08/2009 Nokia Theatre - New York, NY 4/09/2009 Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA 4/10/2009 Palladium - Worcester MA 4/11/2009 Medley - Montreal, QC 4/13/2009 Imperial de Quebec - Quebec City, QC 4/14/2009 Opera House - Toronto, ON 4/15/2009 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH 4/16/2009 Rave - Milwaukee, WI 4/17/2009 House of Blues - Chicago, IL 4/18/2009 The Rock - Maplewood, MN 4/19/2009 Garrick Centre - Winnipeg, MB 4/20/2009 The Distrikt - Regina, SK 4/21/2009 Warehouse - Calgary, AB 4/22/2009 Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB 4/24/2009 Plaza Club - Vancouver, BC 4/25/2009 Sugar - Victoria, BC 4/26/2009 El Corazon - Seattle, WA 4/27/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR 4/28/2009 Slims - San Francisco, CA 4/30/2009 House Of Blues - Las Vegas, NV 5/01/2009 House of Blues - San Diego, CA 5/02/2009 House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA 5/04/2009 Gator's, Farmington - NM 5/05/2009 Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO 5/06/2009 Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK 5/07/2009 Ridglea Theate - Ft Worth, TX 5/08/2009 Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX 5/09/2009 Scout Bar - Houston, TX 5/11/2009 The Garage - St. Petersburg, FL 5/12/2009 Culture Room - Ft Lauderdale, FL 5/13/2009 Masquerade - Atlanta, GA 5/14/2009 Headliner - Louisville, KY 5/15/2009 Orange Peel - Ashville, NC 5/16/2009 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC 5/17/2009 Jaxx - West Springfield, VA http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de http://www.myspace.com/officialkreator http://www.spvusa.com http://www.myspace.com/spvusa December 8, 2008 View TESTAMENT's "More Than Meets The Eye" video on Headbangers Blog! THE WAIT IS OVER!!! http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2008/12/05/video-premiere-testaments-more-than-meets-the-eye/ December 8, 2008 HAWK NELSON LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE WITH "ONE LITTLE MIRACLE" FOCUS "HAWK NELSON IS MY FRIEND" GARNERS PACKAGING GRAMMY® NOD; BAND PREPARING FOR WINTER JAM 09 SEATTLE, WA...December 5, 2008...This week Hawk Nelson is celebrating the launch of their newly designed website (hawknelson.com), which focuses on their "One Little Miracle" campaign. The band is also thrilled as their most recent project "Hawk Nelson is My Friend" received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Recording Packaging." The GRAMMY® nomination goes to the designer Don Clark who created the packaging concept for the album.  Hawk Nelson's album design is nominated along with the recording packaging for "Death Magnetic" (Metallica), "Nouns" (No Age),  "Radio Retaliation" (Thievery Corporation) and "Summer Rains" (The Ditty Bops). Debuting in September was Hawk's "One Little Miracle" campaign, which involves multiple facets partnering with various organizations to urge others to reach outside and be that "one little miracle" that can change someone's life.  The moniker for the program is based of the band's Top 3 CHR single "One Little Miracle" which is also available as an EP on iTunes featuring a special performance with Amy Grant. A part of this initiative includes Hawk Nelson partnered with TOMS shoes, who provide shoes for children in poverty stricken areas with the motto "One for One." For the band's effort, every pair of shoes purchased via Hawk Nelson's website, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to someone in Haiti as the band's ongoing involvement with the Hands & Feet Orphanage. Coming in 2009 will be a Hawk Nelson TOMS shoe designed by the band. As one of the features on the new site, fans can watch Hawk Nelson's famed Vodcasts.  The newly posted video from Sacramento, CA shows the heart of the band as they outreached to Ronald McDonald homes this fall in the REVOLVE tour cities.  After the last REVOLVE date of the year this weekend the band will be back on the road in 2009 for the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular beginning January 8 in Roanoke, VA. For complete dates visit the Winter Jam official site. December 5, 2008 MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP RELEASES LIMITED-EDITION SILKSCREENED DEVO AND WEEN (SIGNED) POSTERS MVD Entertainment Group (MVD) has created two posters for recent Devo and Ween releases. For a limited time, fans can purchase these limited-edition silkscreened posters of the cover art bundled with their respective release. The Ween posters are signed by the band. DEVO - Watch Us Work It LP + Silkscreened Poster This package comes "Watch Us Work It" vinyl plus a 5-color, handmade, silkscreened poster of the cover art. The record contains four versions of the song "Watch Us Work It": Teddy Bears Version,