Author Archives : Dana

GUITARIST MARTY FRIEDMAN UNVEILS NEW SONG “STEROIDHEAD”

Legendary lead guitarist Marty Friedman — whose performances on landmark releases such as Rust In Peace (Megadeth), Speed Metal Symphony (Cacophony) and Dragon’s Kiss (his influential solo debut) have earned him hall-of-fame status in the heavy metal guitar pantheon — has unveiled the first full track from his upcoming studio album, Inferno. The brand new song Steroidhead can be heard below.

Steroidhead sees Friedman backed by some notable young musicians — Keshav Dhar and Anup Sastry (Skyharbor). Says Friedman, “I love working with innovative, risky and borderline crazy musicians, and the guys on Steroidhead certainly fit that description. Each track on the album has a separate dream team on it, so it feels like a constant barrage of fresh interpretations of my music.”

Due in May, Inferno is Friedman’s first solo album of original material in four years, and his first recording in more than a decade that will be released worldwide simultaneously. Featuring what he describes as the heaviest, most intense playing of his career, the album will feature guest appearances by several artists influenced by Friedman, including Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), flamenco/metal acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela and Revocation’s David Davidson. In addition, Inferno includes Friedman’s first songwriting collaboration with Jason Becker since the pair played together in Cacophony, the pioneering duo of guitar mayhem.

In other news, Friedman will appear at this week’s NAMM trade show in Anaheim, Calif., where he will officially introduce his new Paul Reed Smith MARTY FRIEDMAN Signature Model guitar. He will also play a brief solo live set at the Roland/Boss booth and perform at the “Randy Rhoads Remembered” NAMM after-party/concert.

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF ZAKK WYLDE’S APPLE IN-STORE APPEARANCE IN NYC POSTED ONLINE

Munsey Ricci of Skateboard Marketing Ltd. has posted video footage of Zakk Wylde’s in-store performance at the Apple store in SoHo, New York City on January 17th. Watch the video below. Additionally, pictures of the event can be found on Skateboard Marketing’s facebook page.

Black Label Society’s forthcoming new album Catacombs Of The Black Vatican is scheduled to be released in April.

DEF LEPPARD TO RELEASE AN EXTENDED VERSION OF “SLANG” WITH BONUS MATERIAL NEXT MONTH

Def Leppard have confirmed that they will release an extended version of their groundbreaking 1996 album Slang next month.

The deluxe edition, released via their own Bludgeon Riffola label, includes a second disc of previously unreleased tracks, demos and alternative versions.

Slang was their first record with guitarist Vivian Campbell following the death of Steve Clark in 1991. The album saw Def Leppard reacting to the grunge era by moving away from the ultra-polished sound masterminded by Mutt Lange – and although it didn’t sell as well as had their previous records it has come to be regarded as their most underrated work.

The new version comes in CD and digital formats, both including the album’s 11 original tracks plus the additional material. An iTunes edition contains more bonus tracks, while a double-vinyl version also contains exclusive songs.

The Slang Deluxe Edition goes on sale on February 10th.

Tracklisting:

CD/ Digital Edition

Disc 1:

1. Truth?
2. Turn to Dust
3. Slang
4. All I Want Is Everything
5. Work It Out
6. Breathe a Sigh
7. Deliver Me
8. Gift Of Flesh
0. Blood Runs Cold
10. Where Does Love Go When It Dies
11. Pearl of Euphoria
12. Move With Me Slowly
13. Truth? (Original Version)
14. Burn Out
15. Worlds Collide
16. Can’t Keep Away From The Flame

Disc 2:

1. Turn To Dust (1st Draft)
2. Raise Your Love
3. All I Want Is Everything (1st Draft)
4. Work It Out (1st Draft)
5. Breathe A Sigh (Rough Mix)
6. Deliver Me (Rough Mix)
7. Black Train
8. Blood Runs Cold (Rough Mix)
9. Where Does Love Go When It Dies (1st Draft)
10. Pearl Of Euphoria (Rough Mix)
11. All On Your Touch (2012 Revisit)
12. Anger Me (Deliver Me -1st Draft)
13. Move On Up (Viv Demo)
14. Gift Oof Flesh (Phil Vocal)

Vinyl Edition:

Side 1:

1. Truth?
2. Turn To Dust
3. Slang
4. All I Want Is Everything
5. Work It Out

Side 2:

6. Breathe A Sigh
7. Deliver Me
8. Gift Of Flesh
9. Blood Runs Cold
10. Where Does Love Go When It Dies

Side 3:

11. Pearl Of Euphoria
12. Move With Me Slowly
13. Truth? (original version)

Side 4:

14. Burn Out
15. Worlds Collide
16. Can’t Keep Away From The Flame
17. All Oon Your Touch (2012 Revisit)
18. Black Train

additional source:classicrockmagazine.com

PANTERA “FAR BEYOND DRIVEN” 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION AVAILABLE MARCH 25TH

Pantera reached a major milestone in 1994 when the legendary metal band’s seventh studio album, Far Beyond Driven, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, becoming the fastest-selling album of the group’s career and its second consecutive platinum release. Not only a commercial success, the album also earned positive reviews around the world for the beautiful brutality of its all-out sonic assault.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of that landmark album and Rhino is celebrating with a special two-disc version that includes a newly remastered version of the album, along with a live performance from the 1994 Monsters of Rock Festival. Far Beyond Driven: 20th Anniversary Edition will be available on March 25th for a suggested list price of $19.98. A digital version will also be available.

Following the breakthrough success of 1992’s Vulgar Display of Power – which has since been certified double platinum – singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul returned in March 1994 with Far Beyond Driven. Following its #1 debut, Far Beyond Driven remained on the Billboard album chart for seven more months and many still regard it as the heaviest album to ever top the chart.

Its 12 songs represented a continuation of the previous album’s relentless musical onslaught with hard-hitting tracks like the first single I’m Broken as well as the mosh-pit classics 5 Minutes Alone and Slaughtered. Another standout track was the group’s swirling acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s Planet Caravan, which became a live favorite when Pantera hit the road to support the album later that year.

Fans already familiar with Far Beyond Driven are in for a treat with the second disc of the 20th Anniversary Edition. Dubbed Far Beyond Bootleg-Live From Donington ’94, the disc contains Pantera full live set recorded at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Donington, England on June 4th, 1994. The 40-minute show comprises nine tracks taken from the band’s three most recent albums including: Use My Third Arm and Strength Beyond Strength from Far Beyond Driven, Walk, Mouth For War, and This Love off of Vulgar Display of Power, plus the title track from Cowboys from Hell as well as the live staple melding Domination and Hollow.
Far Beyond Driven: 20th Anniversary Edition Track Listing:

Disc One – Original Album Remastered

1. Strength Beyond Strength
2. Becoming
3. 5 Minutes Alone
4. I’m Broken
5. Good Friends And A Bottle Of Pills
6. Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks
7. Slaughtered
8. 25 Years
9. Shedding Skin
10. Use My Third Arm
11. Throes Of Rejection
12. Planet Caravan

Disc Two- Far Beyond Bootleg – Live From Donington ’94

1. Use My Third Arm
2. Walk
3. Strength Beyond Strength
4. Domination/Hollow
5. Slaughtered
6. Fucking Hostile
7. This Love
8. Mouth For War
9. Cowboys From Hell

THE WINERY DOGS SET TO RELEASE SPECIAL EDITION AND DELUXE EDITION OF DEBUT ALBUM

The Winery Dogs–Mike Portnoy (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Richie Kotzen (lead vocals, guitars)— is getting 2014 started with a new round of tour dates and the release of two new special versions of their self-titled and self-produced debut album that debuted in the Top 10 on various Billboard charts.

Set for release in April, The Winery Dogs Special Edition will be comprised of two-CDs. Disc 1 is the standard album and Disc 2 is entitled Unleashed In Japan 2013, comprised of 10 songs recorded live in Japan during their July ’13 tour including Criminal, a track previously unavailable in the U.S., along with a 16-page booklet of live photos and lyrics. A deluxe package for die-hard fans will be released simultaneously. Dog Treats: The Winery Dogs Deluxe Special Edition will be sold in a box resembling a box of dog treats, and will include the special edition collection of music, a DVD featuring four music videos and interview footage, demos from the original recording sessions, a “studio diary” written by Mike Portnoy, as well as some unique merchandise unavailable elsewhere.

After The Winery Dogs was originally released on July 23rd, 2013 on Loud & Proud Records, it debuted on Billboard’s “Top Alternative Albums” chart at #3, “Top Independent Albums” chart at #4, “Top Rock Albums” chart at number five, “Top Internet Albums” at #8 and “Top 200 Albums” chart at number 27.

The four videos that have been released (Time Machine, the latest single currently being serviced to radio, Elevate, I’m No Angel and Desire) have garnered over 1.5 million views on their official YouTube page.

Check out The Winery Dogs at any of the following U.S. tour stops (with more dates to be added in the coming weeks):

3/25 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
3/26 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
3/27 Chicago, IL Arcada Theatre

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY RELEASES ALBUM ART WORK AND TRACK LISTING FOR “CATACOMBS OF THE BLACK VATICAN” DUE APRIL 8th

Black Lable Society have released the album art, track listing and first single from their forthcoming LP due later this year.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican is available immediately for iTunes pre order and the brand new single My Dying Time is also available for purchase. Fans who pre-order the iTunes versionwill get the My Dying Time immediately as an instant gratification download.

Zakk Wylde recently appeared on VH1 Classic’s That Metal show. Wylde also stopped by the Artie Lange show while in NYC to talk all things Catacombs of the Black Vatican.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican, will be released Tuesday, April 8th, 2014.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican track listing:

1. Fields Of Unforgiveness
2. My Dying Time
3. Believe
4. Angel Of Mercy
5. Heart Of Darkness
6. Beyond The Down
7. Scars
8. Damn The Flood
9. I’ve Gone Away
10. Empty Promises
11. Shades Of Gray
12. Dark Side Of The Sun (bonus track)
13. The Nomad (bonus track)