Showing posts with label Onslaught. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Onslaught. Show all posts
Saturday, September 21, 2013
ONSLAUGHT - New Album VI Now In Stores
"Touch" this interactive image and play tunes, buy the album, see tour dates and join ONSLAUGHT on the web directly from there!
Labels:
66 Fucking 6,
AFM Records,
Album,
Album Cover,
Chaos Is King,
iTunes,
Lyric Video,
Nuclear Blast,
Onslaught,
Sounds Of Violence,
Thrash,
Thrash Metal,
UK,
VI,
Video,
YouTube
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
ONSLAUGHT Release New Song Chaos Is King
British thrash masters ONSLAUGHT have released a lyric video for the new song Chaos Is King, taken from their upcoming album, VI. The follow-up to 2011's Sounds Of Violence was mixed by Thomas "Plec" Johansson (TIAMAT, SCAR SYMMETRY) at Panic Room studios in Skara, Sweden and will be out September 20 via AFM Records.
The official lyric video for Chaos Is King can be seen below. Since the video is currently not available in Germany, you can listen to the track via SoundCloud instead.
Comments guitarist Nige Rockett: "Well, the new album, VI, is finally complete and ready to roll on September 20th, and man, it has exceeded all our expectations, by a long long way!! We really pushed ourselves to the limits in making this record and I think that truly shines through in the final results.
VI is the most brutal and technical album ONSLAUGHT has ever made, no question. It's old school, it's contemporary and it's fucking aggressive in the extreme, with a few big surprises thrown in for good measure!
We've gone about the whole album-making process with a completely different approach and mindset this time around, ranging from the artwork (by Pär Olofsson) through to the final mixes with Thomas Johansson, who I must single out for mention along with our drummer Michael Hourihan for really upping the ante in the ass-kicking stakes!
We're feeling kind of proud right now and pretty confident the fans are gonna dig it too!"
VI track listing:
01. A New World Order
02. Chaos Is King
03. Fuel For My Fire
04. Children Of The Sand
05. Slaughterize
06. 66 Fucking 6
07. Cruci-Fiction
08. Dead Man Walking
09. Enemy Of My Enemy
A bonus track on the limited digipak and 2LP vinyl will be a re-recorded version of Shellshock (taken from the 1989 album In Search Of Sanity), featuring legendary Japanese thrashers UNITED.
Labels:
AFM Records,
Chaos Is King,
Lyric Video,
Onslaught,
Soundcloud,
Sounds Of Violence,
Thrash,
Thrash Metal,
VI,
Video,
YouTube
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
ONSLAUGHT Announce Album Release Date And European Tour
UK thrashers ONSLAUGHT have announced September 13, 2013 as the worldwide release date for their sixth studio album.
The follow-up to 2011's Sounds Of Violence will once again be recorded, mixed and co-produced by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark. Recording sessions are set to commence on May 18 and the album will be released via AFM Records.
Commented Onslaught guitarist Nige Rockett: "It's awesome to be making another album with Jacob Hansen. There was never gonna be anyone else considered, simply because of the way Jacob works on a personal level and the incredible dynamics of his final mixes. We just know it's gonna be totally immense.
The writing is 90% complete and it's sounding very, very cool. I'm not gonna say it's 'louder, faster, heavier’ than anything we've ever done because that's a little bit cliché these days. All I will say is that it's very fresh, it's old school and it's ferocious. The rest we'll leave up to you guys to decide."
Onslaught will headline the first SLAUGHTERFEST across Europe in October, with German cult thrashers EXUMER, M-PIRE OF EVIL and death metal legends MASTER completing the bill.
Fans will have the opportunity to take part in meet-and-greet events on selected dates.
The follow-up to 2011's Sounds Of Violence will once again be recorded, mixed and co-produced by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark. Recording sessions are set to commence on May 18 and the album will be released via AFM Records.
Commented Onslaught guitarist Nige Rockett: "It's awesome to be making another album with Jacob Hansen. There was never gonna be anyone else considered, simply because of the way Jacob works on a personal level and the incredible dynamics of his final mixes. We just know it's gonna be totally immense.
The writing is 90% complete and it's sounding very, very cool. I'm not gonna say it's 'louder, faster, heavier’ than anything we've ever done because that's a little bit cliché these days. All I will say is that it's very fresh, it's old school and it's ferocious. The rest we'll leave up to you guys to decide."
Onslaught will headline the first SLAUGHTERFEST across Europe in October, with German cult thrashers EXUMER, M-PIRE OF EVIL and death metal legends MASTER completing the bill.
Fans will have the opportunity to take part in meet-and-greet events on selected dates.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
ONSLAUGHT - 30th Anniversary Aboard 70000 Tons Of Metal
British thrashers ONSLAUGHT will begin the celebrations of their 30th Anniversary aboard 70000 TONS OF METAL, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise Festival!
To commemorate this event, they will play two very special sets: For the first show they will play The Force in its entirety, the second show will be a best of 30 years of violence set.
Celebrations will continue with an appearance at Portugal's premier Metal Festival SWR Barroselas (April 24-27, 2013).
The Force, the band’s second album and originally released in 1986, has been remastered by Jacob Hansen and the reissue is available via AFM Records (CD / Digital Download).
To commemorate this event, they will play two very special sets: For the first show they will play The Force in its entirety, the second show will be a best of 30 years of violence set.
Celebrations will continue with an appearance at Portugal's premier Metal Festival SWR Barroselas (April 24-27, 2013).
The Force, the band’s second album and originally released in 1986, has been remastered by Jacob Hansen and the reissue is available via AFM Records (CD / Digital Download).
Friday, November 30, 2012
ONSLAUGHT - Japanese Assault Begins In Osaka On December 1
UK thrash legends, ONSLAUGHT, will play a series of shows in Japan from December 1-3.
Support comes from fellow Brits M-PIRE OF EVIL (featuring ex-VENOM members Mantas and Demolition Man), Japanese thrash meisters UNITED and special guests ABIGAIL.
This is the first time Onslaught are performing in Japan since taking part in the Thrash Domination Festival back in 2006 and the three dates (see details below) will be their first ever headlining shows there.
Long standing bassist, Jeff Williams, is quoted "to say this is going to be completely epic is a massive understatement, we honestly can't wait to get over to Japan and thrash the fuck out of everyone, hell fucking yes, lets go!"
SPIRITUAL BEAST presents
Japanese Assault Vol. 1
ONSLAUGHT / M-PIRE OF EVIL / UNITED / ABIGAIL
Dec 1 - Avenue A, Shinsaibashi, Osaka
www.avenuea.jp
Dec 2 - Heaven’s Rock, Saitama Shintoshin, Saitama
www.heavensrock.com
Dec 3 - Astro Hall, Harajuku, Tokyo
www.astro-hall.com
Support comes from fellow Brits M-PIRE OF EVIL (featuring ex-VENOM members Mantas and Demolition Man), Japanese thrash meisters UNITED and special guests ABIGAIL.
This is the first time Onslaught are performing in Japan since taking part in the Thrash Domination Festival back in 2006 and the three dates (see details below) will be their first ever headlining shows there.
Long standing bassist, Jeff Williams, is quoted "to say this is going to be completely epic is a massive understatement, we honestly can't wait to get over to Japan and thrash the fuck out of everyone, hell fucking yes, lets go!"
SPIRITUAL BEAST presents
Japanese Assault Vol. 1
ONSLAUGHT / M-PIRE OF EVIL / UNITED / ABIGAIL
Dec 1 - Avenue A, Shinsaibashi, Osaka
www.avenuea.jp
Dec 2 - Heaven’s Rock, Saitama Shintoshin, Saitama
www.heavensrock.com
Dec 3 - Astro Hall, Harajuku, Tokyo
www.astro-hall.com
Thursday, November 15, 2012
EXUMER Confirms Appearance At Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse Festival 2013 In Chicago, IL
German thrash metal legends EXUMER have been confirmed to appear at the Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse Festival in Chicago, IL! The fest is scheduled to take place from May 3-4, 2013, and also includes Onslaught, Eldritch, Oz, Omen and many more. Information and tickets can be found at www.ragnarokkrmetal.com.
This appearance will be part of EXUMER's first full U.S. tour in the band's 27 year long history, which is scheduled to take place April/May 2013. Dates and details will be announced as they are confirmed.
EXUMER released their latest album, Fire & Damnation, in April of this year. The album, described by Bloody Disgusting as a "blistering, arcing, glorious moshfest", is the band's third full length release and first since 1987's Rising from the Sea.
EXUMER's debut album, Possessed by Fire, holds exalted status in the thrash underground as being one of the best releases of its era. And now, in 2012, EXUMER has returned to the stage, many years wiser, and as electrifying as ever.
This appearance will be part of EXUMER's first full U.S. tour in the band's 27 year long history, which is scheduled to take place April/May 2013. Dates and details will be announced as they are confirmed.
EXUMER released their latest album, Fire & Damnation, in April of this year. The album, described by Bloody Disgusting as a "blistering, arcing, glorious moshfest", is the band's third full length release and first since 1987's Rising from the Sea.
EXUMER's debut album, Possessed by Fire, holds exalted status in the thrash underground as being one of the best releases of its era. And now, in 2012, EXUMER has returned to the stage, many years wiser, and as electrifying as ever.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
ONSLAUGHT - The Scream For Violence North America 2012 Tour Blog
is sponsored by Wacken Foundation
UK Thrashers ONSLAUGHT have embarked to tour North America for the first time ever: from March 19 to April 8, 2012, the sounds of violence are spread over the U.S. and Canada!
Onslaught are joined by M-PIRE OF EVIL, EVIL DEAD at all West Coast shows and great local supports like e.g. FUELED BY FIRE.
See all tour dates at this location!
To let their fans have a share in the tour, Onslaught will check in from the road daily and the official tour blog is exclusively brought to you by Featured Artists.
This is the story of Scream For Violence North America 2012 - Mr. Nige Rockett has the floor!
DAY 1: God doesn't exist and circle pits rage at first show in Seattle, WA
Well here we are, first time for Onslaught in the US to play some live shows... and to be totally honest: it's been a fucking tough start!
We flew out from London Heathrow on what surely had to be a Wilbur & Orville prototype 'jumbo jet' with no on board entertainment and zero leg space, worst long haul flight I have ever experienced. 11 hours of pure boredom and discomfort courtesy of United Airlines. To quote Jeff: "I was praying to god that the plane would crash just so i could get off the fucking thing, but as he doesn't exist - it didn't." :D
We eventually arrived in Seattle at around 10pm sunday night after a second and equally uncomfortable flight from San Francisco and met up with tour manager Dustin Schoenhofer (drummer for Walls of Jericho). Real cool guy, which is great as he is gonna be our 6th member for the next month.
M-Pire Of Evil guys are already in town and catching some Z's, something I am unable to do cos of the fucking jet lag kicking in! We hit the diner next door to the hotel for a late night snack only to find they 'dont sell beer... NOOOOOOOOO - Coke it is! Liquid variety I hasten to add.
Sporadic sleep ensues and then it's up and off to the first show at Studio 7 on a very cold and rainy monday afternoon in Seattle. All the backline is here, everything works just fine and soundcheck sounds great. Cool enough venue, cool local crew, typically Metal...works for me!!
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| A sad moment for Andy in Seattle... |
There is another first for Onslaught tonight and it is that we perform the track 'Godhead' from the Sounds Of Violence album for the first time live, it works really really well and i think it will now become a permanent addition to the set over the duration of the tour.
So first show down, no dramas no crisis no tears and we blasted out the cobwebs. Portland here we come for round 2!
Seattle set list March 19, 2012:
Killing Peace
Born for War
Let there be Death
Angels of Death
Destroyer of Worlds
The Sound of Violence
Metal Forces
Planting Seeds of Hate
Fight with the Beast
Shellshock
Burn
Demoniac
Godhead
Power from Hell
Thermouclear Devastation of the Planet Earth
Day 2 - Portland, OR: Getting back into the groove
Are we back in the UK??? Fuck, this is just like being at home. It's freezing cold and pouring with rain, totally unexpected and definitely unwanted!
We have a short drive from Seattle to Portland for the next show and the first impressions of the city are great, it looks a beautiful place even in this gloomy weather, somewhere I'd definitely like to see much more of. We arrive at the Hawthorne Theatre around 3pm, it's a cool venue and soundcheck is real good, sounding brutal!
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| Onslaught, then rehab. That's the spirit! |
Got chance to hang out with some fans after the show and have a few beers which was cool, especially with the fucking horror that is facing us in the morning...
Day 3 - Santa Clara, CA:
Losing Taco Bell virginity and looking for Dolly Parton in California
We decided not to take a hotel after the Portland show as we have to be on the road for 6.30am, a friend of our tour manager has kindly offered the band to crash at his ranch to get a few hours sleep before the "11 hour drive" to California.
We arrive at the ranch around 2.30am and now its fucking snowing, jeez can it get any more like home - and can anyone remember the Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Haha! 4 hours sleep and we wake to 4 inches of snow which means the journey will be even tougher and take even longer. It's about 3 hours until we drive clear the snow, passing several smashed cars and trucks along the way. This will probably be one of the weirdest weather days of our lives.
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| Finally: Onslaught over California! |
TACO BELL stop. We lose our Taco Bell virginity on Wednesday lunch time. Obviously heard about it, never tried it. It was great, what else can I say except: bring us some more! It breaks the monotony of this monster of a drive that is now thankfully coming to an end and we arrive in Santa Clara at 6pm ffs. Doors are 'meant' to be at 7pm - I dont think so somehow.
The organisation for this particular show has been a total nightmare with cities and venues being changed no less than 3 times due to venue refurbishments etc., which I'm sure doesn't bode well for a properly promoted show. Anyway, this venue is fucking weird / huge and about as 'un-metal' as you can get.
We're all looking around for Tony Bennett or Dolly Parton to appear, so maybe we should do our Lounge set tonight? But that's another story... The turn out tonight is pretty average for obvious reasons though not a complete disaster by any means, but the crowd is well up for the show and it really is enjoyable.
The sound in particular was fucking immense and we are dead on our feet. Goodnight all!!
Day 4 - Los Angeles, CA:
Insanity in L.A., but will we ever get round to partying again?
It's real nice to get a decent night's sleep at last, and waking up to the Californian sunshine sure makes for a good start to the day! Then we remember we have a 6 hour drive to Los Angeles. Hhhhmmmnn, where's the time for partying? We could sadly be earning ourselves a good reputation at this point! FUCK THAT!! Surely we can find ourselves some chaos in L.A., the Rock 'n' Roll capital of the world. Can't we?!?
Everything is manic today as usual, me and Sy have a live interview with Jimmy Kabbs on KNAC Radio this afternoon as soon as we arrive in L.A.. Interview goes great and it's real cool to meet everyone down there, the guys have been really fantastic in their support for the show! (Thanks so much guys, very much appreciated.)
We get to the Echoplex venue for 6pm and straight into soundcheck, again the sound is brutal in the extreme. I'm real suprised by the standard of 'in house techs' over here, everyone so far has been a real star and delivered exactly what we're looking for and beyond.
By 7.30pm queues are winding all the way down the street and these guys / ladies are definitely up for some violence. The show really starts to liven up when Evil Dead hit the stage, so we know it's gonna be 666% mental tonight - bring it on!
L.A. does NOT disappoint!! "Fucking Insane" are the words that immediately spring to mind, these guys are relentless without respite thru the first 4 nonstop tracks of our set. There's a great atmosphere and incredible energy in the venue tonight. What a fucking show, everyone is wasted including us, hahaha. We're buzzing right now.
Met up with some old and new friends after the show which is real nice, but it's late on a Thursday night and yet again the chaos fails to transpire as we had hoped for. I'm gonna go back to the hotel and burn the fucking bible just to prove we're not going soft... Rockett out!
Day 5 - San Diego, CA:
A special meeting, another great show - and still no party in sight
Today we actually get to stay in bed for a few extra hours, even though I'm still on an adrenaline rush from last night's show. We only have a 90 minute drive to San Diego, so no mad rush. The sun is shining and it's another beautiful day here, this place is definitely taking hold of me in a way I never thought possible. I love the general vibe and feel of L.A., it's a real cool city!
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| Mic, Rusty Coons and Sy |
WOW, it's truly fucking awesome: there's around 20+ bikes here and each and everyone is stunning. It really makes ya wanna get back on 2 wheels once again, although it's totally against my better judgement, haha! Sy seizes the opportunity for an impromptu photo session and really looks the part on Big Otto's machine.
We have a quick spot of lunch at a nearby diner. I'm on a health kick right now, so it's salad all the way for me - with a few beers. ;) I know, I know, but it's sunny and hot outside...
It's a 45 minute drive from here to the Jumping Turtle venue, and the scenery is amazing as we travel along the Pacific coast. This is the first day that has offered us even the slightest hint of relaxation.
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| The Jumping Turtle - San Diego, CA |
So once again, showtime comes around, it's fairly busy and there's a hell of a lot of ladies in tonight. It's not far off a 50/50 split, so no complaints there. It's a very different reaction compared to L.A. last night, but we take each show as it comes and on it's own merits. Everyone including us has a great time and the band is getting it's shit together now. We should be just about listenable by the time we hit Washington, D.C., hahaha!
No fucking parties again tonight, what's going on??? Hotel bibles beware, we are the METAL FORCES!!!
Day 6 - Tempe, AZ: Jeff keeps cool in Arizonian heat - and where's the roof?
Here we go again, up and out early at 8am for another monster drive to Tempe, Arizona. 8 hours, so we are told as we reluctantly leave California.
It's really bizarre in the fact that as soon as we hit Arizona the scenery changes radically, almost like another continent not just another U.S. state. For any of you cartoon freaks out there (like me), this is real 'Roadrunner / Wile E Coyote' territory, speaking of which: when will Wile E actually catch that annoying fucking bird?
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| Welcome to Arizona! |
We have a stop for refuelling and to grab some lunch, as soon as we step out from the air conditioned bus it's like being thrown into a furnace. It's close to 90 degrees out here and Jeff promptly sticks as much of his torso as he can manage into a huge ice container on the forecourt. Cool dude is our Jeff, haha!
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| No kidding - no fucking roof!! |
Soundcheck is shocking, everything sounds so bright and thin because of the atmosphere and we just cannot get good guitar tones whatever we try, the onstage monitors are dreadful, too. These things are so crucial for us to play a good show, we really gotta hear stuff very clearly when playing at such tempos.
Unfortunately the heat does not subside and the problems remain at show time, which kinda takes the edge off of things for me, especially when other technical problems begin occurring too.
The show is all just a blur to me as I'm fighting with shit all the way through the set. My one lasting memory of this show though will be a real young lad probably only around 10 years old, stood on the barriers and really going for it. So fuckin' cool!!! Rockett out...
Check out this audio interview with Sy Keeler, conducted by The Age Of Metal:
Day 7 - El Paso, TX:
"Children of God pure fucking evil!!!" - Onslaught enter Texas
8am, another beautiful sunny Sunday morning, up and at it again!
These mighty journeys are now becoming the norm and anything under 5 hours we consider to be a mini day trip, hahaha. Unfortunately today is another long haul as we head for El Paso in the Lone Star state of Texas. I'm really looking forward to these shows, you always build up pre-conceptions of cities / countries before you visit, and Texas conjures up all kinds of interesting images for me. Cowboys / oil fields / TV shows / infamous border towns and of course Pantera, all kinda cool stuff.
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| Not very convincing: the Hitler mannikin at The Thing? museum in Arizona |
We take a stop for fuel and food after several hours of travel at the famous The Thing? roadside attraction in Dragoon, Arizona. There is a huge kind of tourist shop here selling everything that is Texas, and of course there is The Thing? museum!
$1 entry fee, ya just gotta be inquisitive and take a look! A museum sure don't come any more basic than this, but the things on display are quite fantastic.
Stagecoaches like you've seen in the old Western movies / cars so old and primitive that they probably actually pulled the stagecoaches / a Rolls Royce that belonged Adolf Hitler, which contains a not very convincing Adolf mannikin :) / muskets & rifles dating back hundreds of years - and finally I guess what is the main attraction: the Thing itself!
The corpses of a partially decayed woman and her baby in a coffin, freaky shit. If you are ever randomly passing this way ya must drop in and take a look, it's the best dollar you will ever spend!
En route the scenery rarely changes once we cross the state line, again it's quite different to Arizona in terms of landscape. We have small mountain ranges flanking us either side and this just goes on and on and on with no habitation to be seen. It's lucky for us that the bus has WiFi and we are able to occupy ourselves in times of such mega boredom.
After a few more hours drive we finally reach El Paso and to our right is Juarez, Mexico literally metres away as we drive along the Rio Grande (which really isn't so grand, Jeff said he could piss a bigger river, haha). What an amazing visible contrast between the 2 countries!!
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| The lights of Juarez, Mexico |
The venue is a stones throw away from Mexico and as darkness descends the lights of the vast Juarez city look stunning, sprawling as far as the eye can see. It's meeting day for the local bike gang at the House of Rock venue and there are some real cool machines parked up outside.
Soundcheck goes pretty smooth in front of a large audience of biker dudes who offer a great round of applause at the end of Destroyer of Worlds.
Soundcheck goes pretty smooth in front of a large audience of biker dudes who offer a great round of applause at the end of Destroyer of Worlds.
Only one local support tonight which is cool, because it's not great to finish late on a Sunday. The crowd is good tonight and very much up for some thrashing, it appears several of our Mexican brothers have crossed over for the show which is real nice to see!!
Real enjoyable show goes off with out a hitch, Godhead is getting stronger every time we play it, and the Americans always enjoy Sy's banter about the amount of weird religious cults in the country. "Children of God pure fucking evil!!!"
Thursday, February 16, 2012
ONSLAUGHT - Venue Change Announced For Oakland Date On Scream For Violence Tour
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:
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.
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:
Monday, February 13, 2012
Acting As A Support Act! - A Guest Post By Tommy Morriello (Crash Bang Management)
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.
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.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
BEYOND THE BLAZE Metal Radio Show - New Episode Available For Streaming
The latest episode of BEYOND 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 of ONSLAUGHT and 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
The show on February 10 featured an interview with special guest Nige Rockett of ONSLAUGHT and 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
Thursday, February 9, 2012
M-PIRE OF EVIL - New Song 'Hellspawn' Available For Streaming
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:
Sources: Blabbermouth, Bravewords
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:
Sources: Blabbermouth, Bravewords
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