Nach dem schon sehr erfolgreichen Auftakt in der Zeche Carl in Essen im vergangenen Jahr, legen die Veranstalter des EVIL HORDE METALFESTin diesem Jahr noch eine gehörige Schüppe drauf:
Am 12.05. spielen in der traditionsreichen Heimstätte des Ruhrgebiets Heavy Metal 23 internationale Bands auf2 Bühnen!
An der Spitze des Billings stehen NAPALM DEATH und EXUMER, die euch auch mit Songs ihrer aktuellen Alben 'Utilitarian' und 'Fire & Damnation' den Rest geben werden.
Weitere Topacts sind ORDEN OGAN, NIGHT IN GALES sowie EURE ERBEN (Darkness), wobei letztere in Altenessen ein echtes Heimspiel feiern werden.
Neben aufstrebenden deutschen Bands wie HARASAI, WORDS OF FAREWELL und KADAVRIK gibt es eine exklusive Reunion Show von DEADSOIL und ein Gastspiel derSchweden CANOPY.
Auch der äußerst günstige "Von Fans für Fans"-Preis von 15,- € an der Abendkasse (kein Vorverkauf!) macht das Evil Horde Metalfest 2012 zu einem Pflichttermin für alle Headbanger der Region!
Die auftretenden Bands im Einzelnen: NAPALM DEATH (Grindcore aus Birmingham, UK) EXUMER (Thrash Metal aus Frankfurt am Main & New York, USA) NIGHT IN GALES (Melodic Death Metal aus Voerde) ORDEN OGAN (Power Metal aus Arnsberg) HARASAI (Melodic Death Metal aus Essen) EURE ERBEN (Thrash Metal aus Essen) KADAVRIK (Melodic Death Metal aus Wesel) CANOPY (Progressive Death Metal aus Stockholm, SWE) WORDS OF FAREWELL (Progressive Death Metal aus Marl) UNCHALLENGED HATE (Grindcore aus Essen) ARMS TO AMEN (Modern Metal aus Bad-Lasphe) PSYCHOMANTIUM (Symphonic Black Metal aus Bochum) DECEMBER FLOWER (Melodic Death Metal aus Datteln) DEADSOIL (Metalcore aus Essen, Exclusive Reunion Set) COPYKILL (Hardcore aus Essen) GLORYFUL (Heavy Metal aus Gelsenkirchen) DIAROE (Grindcore aus Essen) MY DOMINION (Melodic Death Metal aus Essen) CROSSHEAD (Thrash Metal aus Krefeld) ABADDON (Symphonic Metal aus Wesel) THEY SWARM AT NIGHT (Glam Punk aus Essen) ASBESTOS IN OSBESTRICS (Crustcore aus Essen) CRAVING FOR CHAOS (Melodic Death Metal aus München)
German thrashers EXUMER have been confirmed to play a series of live shows in South America in May and June 2012! The trek will take the band through Argentina, Chile and Brazil. Danish thrash masters ARTILLERY are joining them on the whole tour. This is EXUMER's first appearance in South America in 24 years, where the band last played in Brazil in 1988.
Vocalist Mem V. Stein comments: "We have been waiting for this moment for a long, long time! It's a huge milestone in our career to return to Brazil after 24 years, where there are numerous online communities that wholeheartedly embrace EXUMER and where our fans have been loyally following us since our first appearances in the 1980s. There could hardly be a more cult tour package, between EXUMER and ARTILLERY, to hit South America and the timing could not be better for us to return there shortly after the release of our new album."
EXUMER's first new album in 25 years, 'Fire & Damnation', will be released via Metal Blade Records in April 2012.
ARTILLERY's Michael Stützer comments: "ARTILLERY are looking forward to come to South America to play for some of the most dedicated thrashers in the world. It has been one of our main goals from the start of ARTILLERY, and we are so excited to play for the headbangers who have supported us through all these years!"
EXUMER + ARTILLERY 05/30 –Buenos Aires (Argentina) @ Asbury 05/31 – Santiago (Chile) @ Teatro Teleton 06/01 – Belo Horizonte/MG (Brasil) @ Music Hall 06/02 – São Paulo/SP (Brasil) @ Hangar 110 06/03 – Recife/PE (Brasil) @ Teatro Mauricio de Nassau 06/04 – Porto Alegre/RS (Brasil) @ Bar Opinião The 'Fire & Damnation' title track is now available for free download and you can pre-order the album at this location!
The new song 'Electric Rattlesnake' by New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL can now be streamed on SoundCloud.
'Electric Rattlesnake' is taken from Overkill's upcoming album 'The Electric Age', scheduled for release inNorth AmericaonMarch 27 via eOne Music and in Europe onMarch 30throughNuclear Blast Records.
'The Electric Age' was recorded and mixed at Gain Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by Overkill bassist D.D. Verni.
Overkill will tour the U.S. on the 'The Electric Age Tour 2012'. Support comes from GOD FORBID, DIAMOND PLATE and SUIDAKRA.
Originally announced as the Killfest 2 tour, Overkill have dropped this moniker while the dates for the tour remain the same.
Both Overkill (The Electric Age) and God Forbid (Equilibrium) will release their new albums in North America on March 27.
These are the confirmed dates so far:
Apr. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theater Apr. 21 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium Apr. 22 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon Apr. 23 - Columbus, OH - Screamin Willie's Apr. 24 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's Apr. 25 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Apr. 26 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club Apr. 27 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater Apr. 28 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex Apr. 30 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon May 01 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater May 02 - San Francisco, CA - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center May 03 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia May 05 - Austin, TX - Emo's East May 06 - Dallas, TX - Trees May 08 - Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone May 09 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room May 10 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade May 11 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx Nightclub May 12 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
Der Ticketvorverkauf für das diesjährige Dong Open Air in Neukirchen-Vluyn beginnt am Sonntag, 26. Februar, um 12:00 Uhr.
Nach den Erfahrungen des Vorjahres ist Timing auch in diesem Jahr sicher wieder alles, denn das Festival 2011 war nach knapp 17 Minuten ausverkauft - also haltet euch ran!
Bisher sind für das Dong Open Air 2012 bestätigt: Aardvarks (Thrash Metal), Armored Saint (Heavy Rock), Basanos (Thrash Metal), Black Blitz (Hard Rock), Burden Of Grief (Death Metal), Circle Of Silence (Power Metal), Collapse (Thrash Metal), Cyrcus (Power Metal), Davidian (Death Metal), Drone (Thrash Metal), Eastern Front (Black Metal), Hungöver (Thrash / Death), Knorkator (Ulk), Napalm Death (Death / Grindcore), Night in Gales (Melodeath), Omnicide (Death Metal), One Bullet Left (Metalcore), Path Of Golconda (Death Metal), Pictura (Prog Metal), Rage (Power Metal), Revolving Door (Rock), Sepultura (Thrash Metal), Soldiers Of Rock (Cover-Rock), Suidakra (Pagan / Melodeath), The Very End (Metal).
Dong Open Air 2012: 12.-14. Juli in Neukirchen-Vluyn
Festival Ticket inkl. Camping und Parken 39,90 € (+ 5,- € Müllpfand)
Legendary German Thrashers EXUMER are all set for the release of their long anticipated comeback album 'Fire & Damnation', to be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on April 6, April 9in Europe and April 10 in North America via Metal Blade Records.
Comments EXUMER singer Mem V. Stein: "With 'Fire & Damnation', we tried to create the most punishing and dominant thrash metal album of our career. No lackluster songs, no fillers, no lazy performance and no compromises. It moves straight forward from the the very first song to the last, delivering a vibrant mix of skilled musicianship with the urgency of the classic thrash records from the 1980s!"
The 'Fire & Damnation' title track is now available for full streaming, and you can pre-order the album at EXUMER's new Metal Blade landing page at www.metalblade.com/exumer!
EXUMER recorded their first new album in 25 years with renowned producer Waldemar Sorychta (Grip Inc., Therion, Sodom, Moonspell, etc.) at the helm. The 10-track strong, hard-hitting CD 'Fire & Damnation' combines a punishing production with aggressive song writing. EXUMER manages to capture the intensity and feel of the 1980s thrash metal gems and yet sound up to date on their latest output.
'Fire & Damnation' will catapult EXUMER back in the forefront of the international music markets and the following live assaults in 2012 will only further cement the band’s cult status among the ranks of classic thrash metal acts in the world!
Mem V. Stein - Vocals, Ray Mensh - Guitars, T. Schiavo - Bass
Formed in 1985, by singer/bassist Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh, EXUMER went on to release two albums in 1986 (Possessed by Fire), and 1987 (Rising from the Sea), that are regarded as some of the most cult thrash metal releases ever to come out of Germany. EXUMER was also one of the first thrash metal acts to capture exotic, foreign markets like Poland and Brazil, where their albums were domestically released in the 1980s. The subsequent tours that followed those releases secured the band live shows in front of thousands of fans and an unusually large following outside of Germany.
Plagued by line-up changes and internal turmoil the band broke up in 1990, and did not perform live, with the exception in 2001 at the prestigious Wacken Open Air Festival, until 2009.
Mem and Ray decided to re-activate EXUMER in 2008, and the band embarked on their first tour since 1988, where they played 5 shows in April/May of 2009. The “5 Nights of Fire Tour”, took the band through Europe (Germany, Holland, Greece), and the USA, where they headlined the “Thrasho de Mayo Festival”, in front of 1.300 fans in Los Angeles.
EXUMER returned to Europe in spring and the fall of 2010, where the band appeared at Norway’s “Inferno Festival”, among other stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Bulgaria during their “European Ignition Tour Part I & II”.
Der von den Veranstaltern ausgerufene Band Battle wurde von Gloryful gegen starke Mitbewerber überlegen gewonnen, und damit könnt ihr die Gelsenkirchener Heavy Metal Truppe am Samstag, 25.02., ab 19:20 Uhr im direkten Anschluss an Harasai sehen.
Dazu Sänger Johnny La Bomba: "Das Warten hat nun ein Ende, und Gloryful konnte den Band Battle erfolgreich für sich entscheiden. Dies wäre ohne eure Stimmen, Geduld und euer Engagement nicht möglich gewesen. Vielen, vielen Dank dafür - und lasst euch das WNT-Festival nicht entgehen!" Gloryful beginnen Anfang März die Aufnahmen zu ihrem Debutalbum in den Weseler Synesthesy Studios.
Die EP "Sedna's Revenge" aus dem Jahr 2010 gibt es zum kostenlosen Download:
The latest episode ofBEYOND THE BLAZE metal radio show hosted by DJ Valkyrie is now available for streaming.
The show on February 17 featured an interview with special guests FALLEN FATEand tracks by Hollow, Stemm, James LaBrie, Eldritch, Theocracy, Exodus, Dragonsclaw, Seven Deadly, Dark Day Sunday, Def-Con-One, Fates Demise, Aggression, Revenge, Fallen Fate, Helgrind, Crisix, Overkill, Necronomicon, Suicidal Angels, Words Of Farewell, Kambrium, Engraved Disillusion, Mourning Caress, Deadsoil and Criminal.
BEYOND THE BLAZE metal radio show: Fridays 12pm - 3pm EST / 6pm - 9pm CET
The Fallen Fate debut album 'The Virus Has Spread' was released by the band itself in 2011. ONSLAUGHTvocalist Sy Keeler has a guest appearance on the track 'Pendulum'. The CD is available at the band's online shop and the album can be downloaded at digital music stores worldwide.
Fallen Fate recently released the official video clip for the track 'Origin Of Sin':
EURE ERBEN / DARKNESS guitarist Hobie talked to Konstantin Chilikin about his musical background, the 'Terror 2.0' Double-CD, German vs. English lyrics and his Russian drinking habits. Please tell me how did it all start for you? How did you decide to be a guitarist? Was there any particular band or album which made you to make this decision?
- When I was a child I just listened to the music my parents put on at home, which was usually Classical Music, Blues, Rock or Jazz. I still enjoy these styles of Music (especially Classical Music) but when I got hold of the Master of Reality album from Black Sabbath at about 13/14 years old, Heavy Metal became my favourite music. I also sold my acoustical guitar (which I couldn’t play very well anyway) to buy an electrical guitar and began to practise a lot.
Can you say a few words about your childhood? Where you were born? Did you parents support your decision to play a guitar?
- I was born in Victorville, a small town in California, but my parents moved to Germany almost right away, so I don’t have any childhood memories of living in the USA. My parents supported my decision to play the guitar. They’re both no fans of Heavy Metal, but they like music and my mother plays the Violin.
Do you remember your very first band? What kind of music did you play at that time?
- Yes I do, we named ourselves Invasion and tried to play Thrash. I don’t know if you should really call it a band though, the drummer was rarely playing with us and we only wrote some shitty vocals and guitar riffs, that we never performed live.
Please tell me about your time with Erazor: how did you get to know them? how long did you play with them? did you contribute anything to their self-titled debut album which came out in 2010? why did you leave the band eventually?
- Erazor had a rehearsal room in the same complex of buildings as Invasion and I know Fredi, the bass player (and at that time singer), from school. As I mentioned Invasion was not working out and Erazor needed a second guitarist, so I joined them and played with them from about 2006 to 2007. When the debut album was finally recorded I had quit Erazor for more than two years, but I wrote the music and lyrics of the two songs Demonic Slaughter and Creator of Destruction, which are both from around 2007. Erazor changed more to a Black and Death Metal influenced style of Thrash and also everything took forever, as you can guess by the time span between writing songs in 2006 and 2007 and recording them almost 3 years later.
You mentioned that you play with Warhammer 2 and 1/2 shows but anyway - what can you say about this band and its mainman Kevin Wittek? Is it true that this band tries to rebuild the sound of Hellhammer using the same equipment which Hellhammer used to play? By the way, do you personally love Hellhammer?
- Well, I personally really like the concept of Warhammer, because I’m a big fan of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. And yes, they try to bring to life a Hellhammer atmosphere, not really through the equipment, but more by the way the songs are composed and so on. Kevin Wittek isn’t the mainman of Warhammer though. He’s the guitarist and also plays in Iron Kobra. Volker Frerich, the singer, is Warhammer’s mainman I would say. He’s a real die hard fan of Hellhammer and also a very cool guy, like the rest of Warhammer.
Now let’s talk about Eure Erben. In our interview Arnd said that you came up to their show and said: “I heard you’re looking for a guitar player. It’s me!” Why did you decide to join them? Are you a fan of Darkness? If yes, what makes this band so special for you? When did you hear this band for the first time?
- I listened to Darkness the first time around 2004, when I heard they were playing again under the name Eure Erben. I really liked that style of fast Thrash Metal and saw them live in 2005. Fredi from Erazor had contact with Arnd at that time, so I also met the band and got to know them a bit. Later when I was playing with Erazor we played shows together with Eure Erben. When I heard, that Jöter had quit Eure Erben I had just quit Erazor. As I was looking for a band and Eure Erben played Thrash that I loved, I decided to ask them if I can be the new guitar player. Luckily it worked out. :-)
In your opinion, is it a right decision for the band to play under the moniker “Eure Erben”? Wouldn’t it better to use the name “Darkness”?
- For me personally the name doesn’t matter, because the language of the vocals is the only real difference and I understand both. I for my part play the same riffs, no matter if Arnd or Emma sing in German or English (my luck, they have to memorize more stuff ;-) ). The problem with Eure Erben is, that less people know the name and less people understand German. I think the decision may not be the best concerning these two aspects, but for that reason we included the second CD to the Album with the English vocals.
I guess “Terror 2.0” was your first studio experience. So what are your brightest memories about the recording process? In general, are you satisfied with the result or are there any moment which you’d like to do in other way?
- Yes, it was basically my first real studio experience. I still have in mind the guy from the studio. He was a little odd and wanted us to put all kinds of effects like sirens and things that sound like roller coasters into the songs, which we didn’t do. The recording itself went very well and was finished quick. I’m not completely satisfied with the mix, but I guess it’s pretty normal with the first record, that it doesn’t sound exactly like you had it in mind.
Was it easy to work with three guys who are a bit older than you? Did they accept your ideas easily?
- It’s not easy to work with any of us I think, ha ha ha. No just joking. The age didn’t make any difference. We treat all ideas equally and decide if we use them or not.
Some tracks on “Terror 2.0” include more melodic stuff in the vein of traditional heavy metal. Who was responsible for these influences?
- On Terror 2.0 I would say Arnd. Although we all love traditional Heavy Metal a lot, too! The ideas I contributed on Terror 2.0 were more Thrash stuff, but the new album will also have some more Heavy Metal stuff were working on together.
You also contributed some very nice lyrics to this album. I’m especially interested in the story behind the song “Deus Lo Volt”. How did you get this idea? Do you like historical stuff about crusaders and so on?
- Well, I have to disappoint you. I only did the English translation of Deus Lo Volt, Arnd and Emma wrote the original lyrics in German. So you have to ask him, what his exact influence was. I myself think the song is more about modern day events in the middle east.
Can you comment on the lyrics for the song “Reach The Limits”? Do you think mankind hasn’t a chance to survive?
- If governments and people continue the way they are doing it now I think mankind will have a lot of problems; the Earth and poorer population are being exploited by few. People will survive, but a what cost and how good will their life be then?
Speaking about the lyrics, firstly they supposed to be only on German, but later the band decided to add English versions as well. I know it’s a king of a gift to your die-hard fans but wasn’t it hard to translate them and keep the same message? Are you satisfied with English translation? What versions – German or English – do you prefer?
- Translating the songs, keeping the message and also the measure (or at least a similar one) was some work, but I think we did a good job. I’m satisfied with them. At first I preferred the German versions, simply because I was used to them. Now I would say I like both.
What can you say about live shows with Eure Erben? Can you share some funny stories from the road?
- Live shows are always great fun. I think we are a good team. As you can imagine the funniest stuff besides the shows happens when everybody is drunk or the morning after. While trying to figure out how our camcorder works Lacky tried to explain it like this: “Closed is off, open is closed.” Besides that singing old Manowar songs at the Serbian boarder control was a funny episode, that wasn’t to annoying for the driver I hope.
I guess it’s hard to live off the music playing in such band like Eure Erben. Do you have a day job?
- It’s not just hard, but impossible for anyone of us to live of Eure Erben, maybe this will change some day. I don’t have a Job, because I’m in school still.
What can you say about the new stuff of Eure Erben? Did you start to work on it?
- As I mentioned earlier we are working on new material. It’s going to be fast Thrash songs and some more Heavy Metal songs again. It will still be old school.
What do you know about Russia outside cold winters, hot chicks, vodka and bears which walk right on the streets?
- I actually have a bit of contact with Russian culture here, due to friends that come from Russia and other ex soviet countries. I like to read old Russian literature like Michail Bulgakov but am also a big fan of the modern day author Viktor Pelevin. To get to your question about Vodka: My Friends and I have adapted the habit of occasional “Sapoj” drinking (hard drinking) while listening to a mix of music containing stuff from Moussorgsky to Krasnaja Plesen. :-)
Please say a few words for your Russian fans:
- I hope I will have the opportunity to play in Russia for you one day and have lots of fun with you during and after the show! Cheers!
Konstantin Chiliki is the admin of the Eure Erben page on vk.com, the biggest European social network.
The Eure Erben / Darkness 'Terror 2.0' Double-CD (German and English lyrics) is available at the band's shop. Here's the official video clip for the track 'Terror Für Terror':
ONSLAUGHT have announced a venue change for the 'Scream For Violence North America 2012' tour. The show that was originally scheduled to be held at The Pound in Oakland on March 21, has changed to Avalon in Santa Clara, CA.
The 'Scream For Violence North America 2012' tour consists of 21 shows in the US and Canada. Onslaught are to be supported by M-PIRE OF EVIL (feat. ex-Venom members Mantas and Demolition Man). Special guests at all West Coast dates are EVILDEAD.
March 19 - Seattle, WA - Studio 7 20 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre 21 - Santa Clara, CA - Avalon 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Ecoplex 23 - San Diego, CA - Jumping Turtle 24 - Tempe, AZ - 910 Live 25 - El Paso, TX - House Of Rock 26 - San Antonio, TX - The Korova 27 - Laredo, TX - Old No.2 28 - Dallas, TX - The Ranch (Arlington) 29 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar 30 - Chicago, IL - Reggies 31 - Dayton, OH - House of Rock
April 1 - Detroit, MI - Blondies 2 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's 3 - Toronto, ON - Wrek Room 4 - Montreal, QC - The Katacombs 5 - Quebec City, QC - L'Agitée 6 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall 7 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar 8 - Washington, DC - U St. Music Hall
Here's a video trailer for the show on March 21 in Santa Clara, CA:
Am 24. und 25. Februar steigt in der Schützenhalle in Arnsberg-Oeventrop die achte Auflage des WinterNachtsTraum-Festivals.
Das von ORDEN OGAN Sänger Sebastian Levermann organisierte Festival bietet dem geneigten Heavy Metal Fan auch in diesem Jahr wieder ein stilistisch breit gefächertes Programm, das seinen Höhepunkt sicherlich im ersten MORGOTH Heimspiel seit gefühlten Äonen finden wird!
Mit von der Partie sind auch die Featured Artists NIGHT IN GALES, THE VERY END und HARASAI. Als Rahmenprogramm gibt es am Samstag den WNT-Frühschoppen und eine Lesung von Till Burgwächter.
Die gesamte Running Order findet ihr auf der Website des Festivals, Tickets im VVK gibt es hier.
Germans SUIDAKRA, who just returned from their first ever shows in India, have been added to OVERKILL's U.S. 'The Electric Age Tour 2012'. The package will be completed by GOD FORBID and DIAMOND PLATE.
Originally announced as the Killfest 2 tour, Overkill have dropped this moniker while the dates for the tour remain the same.
Both Overkill (The Electric Age) and God Forbid (Equilibrium) will release their new albums in North America on March 27.
These are the confirmed dates so far:
Apr. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theater Apr. 21 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium Apr. 22 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon Apr. 23 - Columbus, OH - Screamin WIllie's Apr. 24 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's Apr. 25 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Apr. 26 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club Apr. 27 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater Apr. 28 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex Apr. 30 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon May 01 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater May 02 - San Francisco, CA - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center May 03 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia May 05 - Austin, TX - Emo's East May 06 - Dallas, TX - Trees May 08 - Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone May 09 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room May 10 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade May 11 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx Nightclub May 12 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
Vocalist Mat Maurer of veteran Australian thrashers MORTAL SIN has announced his departure from the band in this official statement today:
"I have decided to leave the band for personal reasons, & irreconcilable differences. Last year was an incredibly difficult year for me personally & I have decided to put my family first. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. Over & out. Mat"
Mortal Sin released their latest album 'Psychology Of Death' via Noise Art Records in November 2011 and toured Europe with Sepultura, Exodus, Destruction and Heathen on the "Thrash Fest Classics" tour in 2011.
See the official video clip for the track 'Blood Of My Enemies':
Acting As A Support Act! - A Guest Post By Tommy Morriello (Crash Bang Management)
Touring... the most desirable word in the musicians dictionary... but...
I am talking here about the touring reality as a support band, playing for a crowd that really doesn't care about you.
Let's jump over that phase where you are in your garage, discussing the name of the band with your friends and what instrument each of you shall play.Let's assume that you already have a record out, that it has been released by a label and you even got a HUGE advance from them allowing you to buy 200 T-shirts to sell it on a tour.
Let's assume as well that you have a regular job, because making money even for a signed band is as hard as starting from scratch - with the only difference that someone else is trying to make money out of you.
Furthermore you have to take into consideration that unlikely the 80's where even a lousy demo-tape was at that time a huge achievement to any band. Nowadays having a fully produced album makes you no more special than Mr. Jingles (my cat).
Beside your friends parents nobody really cares if you have an album out. To make a difference, without putting all your cards on pure luck or, god forbid, talent! You will have to realize that the music business is made of personal relations in all levels. (Like that guy from the club that always let you in for free. You see, this goes on all levels and all doors).
There is much more work and much more people needed than you can imagine just to make a band look a bit professional. It will take some skillful marketing, planning and people taking a huge financial risk just to start things to happen. Even having all of that, the chance that all of this will never succeed is way lower than 1% just that you know.
So we learned until now that putting a band together and renting a van (because you have a day job to pay for it) does not qualify you as a touring artist. Not even a record deal does so!
If you are already a local headliner you might want to take the chance to go as a support for a bigger act. You might not get paid, maybe you will have even to contribute to share the nightliner, but in this way you have an absolute unique chance to understand and learn how a touring band works. Remember this is very hard to get so if you get this opportunity don't waste it by drinking yourself to death after your set, instead go and watch the headliner preparing and playing, they are doing this for a long time and there is always something useful you can learn. (I still learn a lot when I am on the road).
Many headliners are a bit hard to handle, in other words they are a bunch of douches. Don't ever take this personal. Think at that as a minor setback if compared to the big picture, at least you are on the road living the "dream" which not many people will ever have the chance to experience. Anyhow, if you land a support slot, use this in your favour, by taking photos and writing about that, on your social media profile (yes facebook and all that shit...) it will increase your "local" clout and that girl that never looked at you might spare a moment next time you meet.
Another very important detail that can help you in the future is to learn to listen to people in the business instead of trying to impress them, they have something that you need, knowledge and experience, so whenever you have time talk to the crew, they will continue to be crew even after your career is long gone! Bands come and go. Good crew guys have been touring for years with countless artists and they can teach you a lot more than a single artist and from my experience most of them are happy to share their stories.
Touring nowadays is the only way to make money for most artists not only for the fees but also for the merchandise sales. For a young band the cost to go as support may be high but it will always be better than headlining a bunch of gigs for no one. It can take quite a long time until that holy email in your mailbox pops up, and it will take a long time applying for support slots as well. If it happens rest assured that it will be hard but very rewarding as you will get to know the business, to meet relevant people and to get some decent media towards your music.
And if one day you shall grow to be a bigger artist remember that being nice to support bands will always prove to be a positive thing no matter what, because the world turns and the headliner today may be the support from tomorrow.
Take care and may the holy email reach thy mortal mailbox!
Tommy Morriello (Crash Bang Management) is business and tour manager of Onslaught, Gama Bomb, Exumer, M-Pire Of Evil, Girlschool, Torture Squad and Musica Diablo.
The latest episode ofBEYOND THE BLAZE metal radio show hosted by DJ Valkyrie is now available for streaming.
The show on February 10 featured an interview with special guest Nige Rockett ofONSLAUGHTand tracks by Van Halen, Saint Jezebel, The Element, Ronny Munroe, Brainstorm, Circle Of Silence, Diabolos Dust, Mystic Prophecy, MyGrain, Piranah, Testament, Onslaught, Metallica, Fallen Fate, Contradiction, Necronomicon, Demolishment, In Blackest Velvet, Diamond Plate, Lamb Of God, Kataklsym, Collapse 7, Savage Messiah and Artillery.
BEYOND THE BLAZE metal radio show: Fridays 12pm - 3pm EST / 6pm - 9pm CET
German thrashers KREATOR have just revealed the cover art of their highly anticipated new album 'Phantom Antichrist'.
The piece has been created by iconic artworker Wes Benscoter who has worked for heavyweights such as SLAYER, DIO or BLACK SABBATH before.
The album is currently being produced at the famous Fascination Street Studio with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH) in Örebro, Sweden.
'Phantom Antichrist' marks the bands debut for Nuclear Blast and is set to be released June 1, 2012 (Europe), June 5, 2012 (North America).
As announced earlier, KREATOR will also release an exclusive 7“ single of the titlesong on April 20, 2012.
The collector's item will be available in coloured red vinyl (limited to 250 pieces) as well as in clear vinyl (limited to 250 pieces, exclusively available at the Nuclear Blast Mailorder.
KREATOR will exclusively perform a new song during their shows at this years METALFEST open air events!
The Very End kämpfen sich rein
Foto von Jörg Müller
Ein Auszug des Berichts von
Jörg Müller für the-pit.de
Schon zum neunten Male heißt es: Battles in Neuss, doch mittlerweile ist das „in the Norf“ auf der Strecke geblieben, da ein Umzug in eine neue Lokation unvermeidlich wurde – ausgesucht haben sie sich das Greyhound Pier 1, ein Jugendzentrum mit Kletterwand und anderen Erbaulichkeiten für Jugendliche. Natürlich stellt der Wechsel auch ein kleines Wagnis dar, denn im Haus Derikum war es einfach immer recht kuschelig, allein schon durch die gedrungene Bauweise. Im Greyhound ist alles ein wenig geräumiger, von der Deckenhöhe bis hin zur Bühne, und so kann man sich schon vertun, wenn man einen Blick auf die Zuschauerzahlen wirft – am Freitagabend tummeln sich so wenigstens 230 zahlende Gäste, der Samstag sackt dagegen leider auf etwas über 150 Fans ab.
Als kleine persönliche Anmerkung sei gestattet: Aus beruflichen Gründen konnte ich erst später im Greyhound eintreffen, mitten im Requiem-Set, weswegen hier Bilder von eben Requiem, Lifeless und auch godcomplex fehlen. Ging leider nicht anders, sorry.
Schon früh im Jahr läuten bei The-Pit.de die The Very End-Glocken – erst die Show vor knapp 14 Tagen beim NRW Underground Metal Fest II, heuer beim neunten Battles, und schon knapp vier Wochen später werden die Essener Melodic Deather beim Winternachtstraum Festival erneut ins Visier genommen.
Hatten sie noch in Krefeld ein perfekt vorgewärmtes Publikum übernommen, so müssen sie sich an diesem Abend einer gänzlich neuen Situation stellen – die Fans scheinen durchaus interessiert, aber das ist es auch schon. Freiwillig wird den Fotografen ein knapp fünf Meter breiter Graben überlassen – schön viel Freiheit für die einen, doch Stimmung oder gar Festival-Feeling kommt so nur schwer auf – da zündet dann auch auf keinen Fall Björns Kalauer: „Mach mal ein bisschen noise, Neuss“. Das anschließende „Flatline“ kann dann allerdings doch ein wenig mehr Applaus einheimsen, auch wenn die Stimmung weiterhin etwas distanziert bleibt.
Am Engagement auf der Bühne kann das allerdings nicht liegen, denn wie gewohnt montieren sich die Jungs die Rüben ab; schon früh vom Schweiß gezeichnet, versuchen sie immer wieder, das Publikum zu Mitmachen zu animieren, was nach der Hälfte des Sets auch endlich gelingt – witzigerweise trauen sich als erstes ein paar headbangende Mädels Richtung Bühne und lösen so mehr und mehr die Distanz auf.
Na endlich, könnt man glatt meinen, immer mehr Fans füllen die empfindlichen Lücken, und der Gig entwickelt sich gegen Ende dann doch noch zu einer ordentlichen Show, auch wenn die ganz großen Emotionen eher draußen im Maische-Becken absaufen – The Very End mussten sich ihr Publikum erkämpfen, aber genau dieses haben sie dann auch antizipiert und bringen mit „Rat Nation“ und „Three Zero Nine“ sogar erstmals zwei Stücke zum ersten Male überhaupt live.
Kurioses am Rande: Einige Fans meinen, dass es zu leise sei – eine klare Ansage Richtung Mischer Sascha, der schmunzelnd zur Kenntnis nimmt, wie verdreht die Welt doch sein kann – der Herr der lauten Töne hat allerdings auch an diesem Abend alles aus den Reglern herausgeholt.
Setlist:
Memento Ball & Chain The Leper Flatline A Hole In The Sun Sewn Eye Sleep Rat Nation Dead Is The New Alive Three Zero Nine Letters To The Living Blacklisted The Loss Theory
M-PIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the band formed by Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) in 2010 with fellow ex-VENOM members Antony "Antton" Lant (drums) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals) — will release its full-length debut, 'Hell To The Holy', on March 26 via Scarlet Records. The CD boasts 10 brand-new tracks displaying the band's infectious and groovy heavy metal assault, conveying Mantas' thunderous riffs, a huge rhythm section and Dolan's abrasive vocals into a monstrous musical holocaust which will appeal to both old-school and modern metal fans.
Produced by Mantas himself and featuring stunning cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER), 'Hell To The Holy' is without any doubts a "must have" album for 2012.
A North American tour with British thrash legends ONSLAUGHT has already been confirmed but many more dates will follow soon.
Despite having played on the album, drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (ex-VENOM) has since left the band for personal reasons but a replacement for the tour will be announced soon.
'Hell To The Holy' track listing:
01. Hellspawn 02. Metal Messiah 03. Waking Up Dead 04. Hell To The Holy 05. Snake Pit 06. All Hail 07. Devil 08. Shockwave 09. The 8th Gate 10. M-pire (Prelude)
The song 'Hellspawn' can now be streamed on SoundCloud:
M-PIRE OF EVIL released its debut mini-album, 'Creatures Of The Black', on October 21, 2011 via Scarlet Records. The CD features cover versions of four songs that influenced the members of M-PIRE OF EVIL ("Exciter" by JUDAS PRIEST, "God Of Thunder" by KISS, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be" by AC/DC and "Motörhead" by MOTÖRHEAD), plus two new songs, "Hellspawn" and "Reptile", which are available for streaming on the group's Facebook page.
M-PIRE OF EVIL will be opening for ONSLAUGHT on their upcoming BraveWords.com-sponsored North American tour. The schedule is as follows:
March 19 - Seattle, WA - Studio 7 20 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre 21 - Oakland, CA - The Pound 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Ecoplex 23 - San Diego, CA - Jumping Turtle 24 - Tempe, AZ - 910 Live 25 - El Paso, TX - House Of Rock 26 - San Antonio, TX - The Korova 27 - Laredo, TX - Old No.2 28 - Dallas, TX - The Ranch (Arlington) 29 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar 30 - Chicago, IL - Reggies 31 - Dayton, OH - House of Rock
April 1 - Detroit, MI - Blondies 2 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's 3 - Toronto, ON - Wrek Room 4 - Montreal, QC - The Katacombs 5 - Quebec City, QC - L'Agitée 6 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall 7 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar 8 - Washington, DC - U St. Music Hall
Here's a video trailer for Scream For Violence North America 2012:
