MAY 2012

SUPPORT AN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC LEGEND
While working as a taxi driver in Sydney early on Friday morning, Hard Ons legend Blackie was bashed by a couple of teenagers in the northern suburbs, and is now receiving treatment in hospital for a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. Blackie was to appear with Michele Madden on the final night of her residency at the Sandringham Hotel on May 23; the evening will now be a fund-raiser for him featuring a $10 cover charge, every cent of which will be donated to Blackie's medical costs. Supporting Michele on the night will be Ratcat's Simon Day, Mo Mayhem from Hell City Glamours and Marcus de Pasquale of Looking Glass. Blackie's attackers were arrested and have been charged.

TOURS, TOURS AND YEP, MORE TOURS
The past few days has featured a flurry of tour announcements. Slash alongside Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators are here in August, as are punk legends Pennywise. Grindcore veterans Nasum (pictured) will pay us a visit as part of their 20th anniversary farewell tour and the first batch of bands have been announced for Bastardfest 2012. Steel Panther's Sydney and Melbourne shows have also sold out in quick time. See Tour Announcements for details. 

BRINGERS OF WAR!
New generation US thrashers Warbringer are heading to Australia in October! Out here to support their latest release Worlds Torn Asunder, the band will be touring with an array of solid local supports from October 4. Details in Tour Announcements.

RIP ROB DOHERTY
Former Into Eternity guitarist Rob Doherty has died suddenly of unknown causes. Doherty featured on the band's Buried in Oblivion album before departing in 2005; he guested on "Fukushima" and "Sandstorm" on their latest album and launched his solo band Final Darkness late last year. He was 41.

ANOTHER TOMORROW
Following what appears to be an unfortunate current trend, French experimentalists Hypno5e have been forced to cancel their tour supporting Acid Mist Tomorrow due to guitarist Jo being struck down with a medical condition.

END OF THE LINE
DevilDriver have been forced to cancel their upcoming Australian tour with Darkest Hour and Six Feet Under, due to frontman Dez Fafara being able to fly for at least two weeks due to pneumonia. Ticketholders can get a refund from their point of purchase. Darkest Hour will still be appearing at special 18+ only shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

APRIL 2012

CHOKE ARTISTS
Australian extreme metal collective The Amenta will release their latest digital offering, the Chokehold EP through Listenable Records in mid-May. The EP features new songs, live tracks, remixes and a cover of Godflesh's "Christbait Rising". The band have also posted an official video for the track "V01D", which you can watch here.

RETURN OF THE MUTILATED
Soundworks Touring has just announced that death metal kings Cannibal Corpse will return to Australia in October. After a three year absence, the world's best selling death metal band will play Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from October 4. Tix and details in Tour Announcements.

NEW TRANSMISSION
In an announcement that probably surprised nobody who's visited this site regularly, The Tea Party will be touring Australia in July. The Canadian band, which toured here 12 times in ten years from the mid-90s until they split in 2005, will be here from July 14. Tix and deets: Tour Announcements.

NO EXPLOITATION
Soundworks Touring has announced that The Exploited's Australian tour has had to be cancelled due to a family emergency affecting bass player Rob. Wattie from the band had this to say: "I'm really sorry to have to say this but I'm afraid we'll have to cancel. Apart from feeling sorry for Rob, we're all totally gutted as we were really looking forward to this, but it is out of our control. I don't really know what else to say except for I'm sorry to have to be saying this in every aspect. We'd just like to apologise to the promoter and everyone involved in these gigs and especially all of the people who were coming to see us. There’s no one more disappointed than us!  So hopefully in the future we can get a chance to come back and play to the people of Australia and New Zealand. "

HEIRS APPARENT
Melbourne's dark experimental avant garde shoegazers Heirs head out in May to support their latest release "Hunter" (Denovali/FUSE). After stunning crowds nationally on tour with Alcest last year, Heirs headline their own shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne early next month. Dates: Tour Announcements.

4DOWNLOAD
Following on from their signing to Riot! Entertainment last month, Melbourne thrashers 4arm will be playing the Download festival in the UK in June alongside massive names like Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Machine Head and Lamb of God. Following this, the band heads to the US for a three month tour.

BLOOMIN' GOOD
Roadrunner Records Australia's newest signings, Make Them Suffer will release their debut album Neverbloom on May 25. The band's video for the title track has also had a huge response, reaching more than 14,000 views within the first 24 hours alone. Check out the video here.

TALES OF THE MACABRE
Back in Australia for the second time in three years, Chicago metal outfit Macabre are bring their gore soaked humour in support of their Grim Scary Tales album, headlining Melbourne's High Voltage Fest as well as a body bag of other dates, covering most states. As always, check the tour guide for dates.

PROCESSION OF DOOM
Brutal Chilean doom merchants Procession are set to bring the riff to Australian audiences this September. Joining the caravan will be South Australia’s Mournful Congregation. Tickets can be purchased via The Coffins Slave website.

REAL WILD CHILD
Recently seen on our shores pummeling audiences as part of the Soundwave Festival, French metallers Gojira will release their new album L'Enfant Sauvage through Roadrunner on June 25th. The title translates to "The Wild Child", will feature 11 tracks and was produced by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God). 

GO THROUGH THE PORTAL
Australian progressive/melodic/extreme metallers Ne Obliviscaris will finally release their debut album Portal Of I on May 7 through Welkin Records. The album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia). The band will also be hitting the road in support of the album- see Tour Announcements for details.

INVADING SYDNEY
In association with The Coffin's Slave, Loud has a double pass to the epic Evil Invaders IV event to give away. Head over to the competitions page now to find out how you could win.

THEY ARE LEGION
In support of new album Blood for the Master (Metal Blade/Riot!), US extremists Goatwhore return to Australia in July for the Underground Legions tour. Teaming up for the four-show jaunt will be Singaporean black/death/thrash legends Impiety, in Oz for the first ever time and with a new album Ravage and Conquer under their belts and Tassie's own Ruins who will have their own fresh slab The Place of No Pity to unleash. Hitting Brisbane, Melboune, Sydney and Hobart, tickets are a remarkably low $39.95 from Moshtix.

MARCH 2012

HEAVEN SENT RELIEF

To help those in the NSW town of Wagga Wagga recover from the devastating floods of the past couple of months, the Wagga Massive Collective has organised a fund-raising concert at the town's Junior Football Oval on April 7. Headlining will be Angry Anderson and Heaven the Axe. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children. The Metal Mulisha FMX Flood Relief Show is still seeking sponsors, so go check out the Facebook event page.

SWEET AND SOUR
Stone Sour, the Gold-certified, Grammy-nominated rock band, are proud to announce that they will begin recording their fourth album this month for long-time label Roadrunner Records. With most of the new album already written, the band will soon head into Sound Farm Studios just outside of their native Des Moines, Iowa with producer David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, Staind). The album is expected in the Australian spring of 2012, two years after the band's most recent long-player Audio Secrecy, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard chart, No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Rock Album chart, and scored the highest international debuts of the band’s career including Top 5 charts in Germany, Japan and Austria, and Top 10 in the U.K. and Australia To get fans excited for the next chapter of Stone Sour, Roadrunner will be giving away a digital copy of ‘The Pessimist’, a new single which appeared on the Transformers 3 soundtrack. To grab your copy of the song, click here. 

PERMISSION TO ROCK
Confirming Facebook posts earlier this week, British glam rock sensations, The Darkness would like to officially announce their Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Australian 2012 tour dates.
It’s been four years since The Darkness toured here, and in 2012 Australian fans will be graced with the original line up of Justin Hawkins (vocals/guitars), Dan Hawkins (guitars/backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass), and Ed Graham (drums), following their reunion in 2011.
Their yet-to-be titled third studio record, their first in eight years, and the follow-up to their multi-platinum selling Permission to Land, that spawned the smash hit singles ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’, ‘Growing On Me’ and ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’ is due out later this year. Tickets are on-sale at 9am on April 4 - see Tour Announcements for details.

SMELL THE REISSUES
Sydney punk legends The Hard-Ons are about to celebrate 30 years of madness with part one of their five-part reissues series, Smell My Finger (Citadel). Containing everything the band released between 1984 and 1987, Smell My Finger contains over 60 songs including never-before-released desk tapes and tracks from every 7" and both 12" singles. The release will be supported by a national tour that kicks off in Toowoomba on May 3.

VOOLIGANS
Prog-rock favourites Karnivool's two Melbourne shows have sold out in a matter of days. The band have announced a third and final show for The HiFi on Saturday, July 7. See Tour Announcements for details. The band will be road-testing new material during what they have dubbed the Melodias Frescas tour.

METAL IS DEAD
Death metal veterans Six Feet Under have been added to to the DevilDriver/Darkest Hour tour in May. See Tour Announcements for dates and ticketing details. 

EXPLOITING PUNK ROCK
With just over a month until their tour kicks off, The Exploited have announced another support act for their Melbourne show in April. Local four-piece hardcore street punk band, The Worst, join the Melbourne lineup at The Corner Hotel, alongside hard punk rock outfit Chainsaw Hookers – who will join The Exploited in all three cities - and rock ’n roll juggernauts, Wolfpack.The Scam complete the Brisbane bill and Sydney’s hometown, rhythm-driven, noisy guitar three piece skinpin will get the Manning Bar off to a pounding start. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now.

... AND OUT COME THE WOLVES
Sydney's Our Last Enemy are hitting the road again in support of their new, digital only EP, Wolves of Perigord. See Tour Announcements for details.

THE MEANING OF TOURING
Perth melodic prog-metallers Voyager are heading to the US and Canada in May for their first full-length tour there. Kicking off in Philadelphia on May 25, the band is supporting Italian symphonic metal legends Rhapsody of Fire on a 17-date jaunt.

STUDIO UPDATE
Nekrofeist, the outspoken Australian groove/thrash metal outfit whose frontman Dave Tinelt was recently recruited by thrash giants Mortal Sin, have issued a studio update via their Facebook page. The video reveals the title of their soon-to-be-released album, Without Reserve or Regret. Nekrofeist have been working on their debut album since January with producer Darren "jENK" Jenkins. Featured in the video is a surprise phone call the band received from Australian comedy legend Rodney Rude. The band are funding the album independently and will be seeking a label when the project is complete. You can also check out the update here. 

A MORTAL RETURN
Less than a month after former singer Mat Maurer announced his departure from Mortal Sin, the band has already signed up Nekrofeist frontman Dave Tinelt to replace him and the new line-up will hit the stage at Venom in Sydney on March 17. In other news, Adelaide's Double Dragon have announced that following the completion of upcoming touring commitments, they will be changing their name to Sons of Asena. According to a press release, they will also shortly begin work on a new EP.

GIVEAWAY TIME
You can win a fully signed Dystopia CD and Australian tour poster pack from USA power/thrash gods Iced Earth, thanks to Century Media and Soundworks Touring. There are five signed tour pack giveaways for each show. To be eligible to win, you need to have already purchased a pre-sale ticket for one of their Australian shows or buy one before April 2.  Email your name and proof of purchase to promo@soundworkstouring.com or message them on their Facebook page for your chance of winning. The winners to be notified by Soundworks Touring on April 3.

THE RIOT CREW HIT OUT
Three of Riot! Entertainment's hottest Aussie bands are hitting the stage over the next few weeks. Gold Coast rockers The Poor are doing shows in Melbourne (Wheelers Hill Hotel 16/3 and House of Rock 17/3) and two in Sydney (The Sando 23/3, Clarendon Tavern 24/3), metal merchants Segression hit SEQ (Surfers Beer Garden 15/3, Jubilee Hotel 16/3 and the Logan Tattoo Show 17/3) and melodic hard hitters Melody Black play Sydney (Bald Faced Stag 16/3), Gold Coast (Shark Bar 23/3), Brisbane (Jubilee Hotel 24/3) and Melbourne (Revolver 21/4).

TUMBLEWEEDS BLOW INTO TOWN
Stoner rock heroes Tumbleweed return to the studio in Sydney on June 9 with Paul McKercher, who last worked with the band on the last album the original Tumbleweed lineup recorded; the Galactaphonic LP back in 1994. After the success of the recent headline reformation shows which saw the band tour from Brisbane to Perth, Hobart to Melbourne and Adelaide to Sydney, the band also played the Meredith Music Festival, Pyramid Rocks Festival, the Big Day Out and Homebake. They also shared stages with the likes of Swervedriver and Kyuss Lives. Tumbleweed has even had the time to come up with 20 new songs, to be recorded for the new album. But before all that, the band are taking some new songs out for road-testing. See Tour Announcements for details.

NO WAY BUT THE ROADRUNNER WAY
Roadrunner Records Australia has announced they will release the forthcoming third album from Australian hard rockers Airbourne. The album is due for release later this year.

ONE HELL OF A DRIVE
Following frontman Dez Fafara's recent visit as part of the reformed Coal Chamber, he will return to Australia in May with his crushing metal juggernaut DevilDriver in tow. See Tour Announcements for details.

VALE RONNIE MONTROSE
Legendary rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose has died from prostate cancer aged 64. Montrose, his eponymously-named band's 1973 debut album - that featured Sammy Hagar on lead vocals - was once considered one of the top 5 best heavy metal records of all time. Ronnie formed the band after working with Van Morrison and Edgar Winter in the early 70s and later formed the AOR band Gamma, with whom he made four albums. The guitarist, who was cited by Eddie Van Halen as a major influence, died on March 3 after battling the disease for five years.

NO PLANS FOR CHISEL
Rock legends Cold Chisel will be launching their new album No Plans at Bluesfest in April. Featuring the last recordings by late drummer Steve Prestwich, the thirteen song set was produced by Kevin Shirley and will be supported by three intimate shows in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Details: Tour Announcements.

FEBRUARY 2012 

RIDING THE WAVE
Soundwave Sydney was a huge day for everyone, iucluding us here at Loud. We'll let you know more about what we thought and show a bunch of pictures soon. For now, enjoy the shots from the System of a Down and Bush/Staind Sidewaves!

STEMMING THE TIDE
Black Tide have announced via their Facebook page that they have had to pull out of the Soundwave Festival due to a family emergency. No word yet on what effect this will have on timetables. 

SUFFER BASTARD
Perth deathcore mob Make Them Suffer have been announced as Roadrunner Records Australia's latest signing. The band, who most recently toured with Thy Art is Murder, will release their debut full-length Neverbloom on May 25.

THE BELL TOLLS TWICE MORE
Finnish drummer Tommi Lillmann, who played for numerous Finnish acts including Lordi, To/Die/For, Sinergy, Ajatarra and more and was also known for his session and sound engineering work with bands such as Beherit, Lie in Ruins, Serene Decay, Trauma and others, died of unknown causes on February 14, aged 38. MC5 and Destroy All Monsters bassist Michael Davis has also passed away, aged 68. Davis, who also had a prominent art career, succumbed to liver failure on February 17.

NO MORE ROOM AT THE INN
Seven Sidewave shows have now completely sold out. Along with both Alter Bridge/Steel Panther shows and both Mastodon/Gojira/Kvelertak shows, the Marilyn Manson/ Wednesday 13/Coal Chamber concert in Brisbane, Sydney's Devin Townsend Project/Meshuggah/Dredg show and the Melbourne Black Veil Brides gig have also put up the House Full sign.

WHAT A RACKET
Triple j's program for all things heavy, The Racket, now has a new host. Holding off some stiff competition, 24-year old Brisbane local Lochlan Watt will take over the reins on Tuesday, February 28. Loud readers will likely be familiar with
his experience as vocalist/drummer/synth player for Western Decay, The Surrogate, Ironhide and current post-hardcore outfit Nuclear Summer. Lochlan begins his reign over The Racket at 10pm on February 28.

A BROAD MUSICAL CANVAS
Soen, the new four-strong ensemble featuring Swedish drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth), Stockholm-born vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree), and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis- have inked a deal with Spinefarm Records. Originally formed by Lopez and Platbarzdis back in 2005, the project was initially put on ice, only to be resumed with the arrival of Ekelöf in early 2010. Later that year, DiGiorgio was recruited, finally completing the veritable all-star lineup. On their debut album, Soen paint their musical canvas with broad strokes. Overseen by Grammy Award-winning Canadian producer Dave Bottrill, who has previously worked with Tool, Smashing Pumpkins and Muse, Cognitive is set for Australian release on March 16. Get a taste of what is to come from Soen with their first single ‘Savia’ here.

 

LET'S DRIVE
According to a post on the Soundwave Touring Facebook page, DevilDriver will return to Australia in May, alongside special guests Darkest Hour. More details to follow.

SINNER'S END?
A day after announcing their first ever show in New Zealand, Mortal Sin vocalist Mat Maurer has posted on the band's Facebook page that he has decided to leave the group. An official announcement from the rest of Mortal Sin is expected soon.

YOUR WORST ENEMY
Swedish melodic metal titans Arch Enemy will return to Australia at the end of April for two exclusive shows in Sydney and Melbourne. See Tour Announcements for details.

GET INSIDE
Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has announced a special in-store signing during the band's Australian tour as part of the Soundwave Festival. Taylor will be signing copies of his best-selling book Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good in Sydney. The signing will take place at 12pm on Tuesday, February 28 at Dymocks Bookstore, 428 George St, Sydney.

QUICK-FIRE DEMISE
Thousand Needles in Red guitarist and songwriter Tristan "Trizo" Bouilliaut has launched a new project, Dead In A Second. The band will release their self-titled debut EP on June 6. You can check out a preview here. 

RIP 'EM APART
Vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens has announced a solo tour of Australia for May. See Tour Announcements for details. 

THE ENEMY RETURNS
Sydney metalheads Our Last Enemy are mixing their forthcoming CD Wolves of Perigord for a March/April release. The EP will be available as a download, with limited physical copies available direct from the band. Expect a full length tour mid-year.

TAKE IT AWAY
Brisbane hard rockers The Butterfly Effect have announced via their Facebook page that vocalist Clint Boge has parted ways with the band. "Clint’s departure is an amicable one and the band are giving fans a chance to see them perform together for the last time on the club circuit by announcing the 'EFFECTED' national tour starting late April 2012," the band have said in a press release. Tickets go on-sale on February 13 with more details to be announced shortly.

SHREDMASTERS
Power metal sensations DragonForce have revealed details about their forthcoming album. The Power Within will feature ten tracks and the debut of new vocalist Marc Hudson. The album will be released on April 13 via 3Wise/Sony.

JANUARY 2012

R.I.P. MARK REALE
Mark Reale, guitarist and foundation member of New York metal pioneers Riot, died on January 25 aged 57. Reale formed Riot in 1975 and is the third member of the band to meet his end, following original vocalist Guy Speranza (who died of cancer in 2003) and his replacement Rhett Forester, who was murdered in 1994. Reale died in San Antonio, Texas, following complications with Crohn's Disease, from which he had suffered for many years.

WALK THE PLANK
Soundwave Festival has announced the launch of Soundwave Pirate Radio. An online radio station streaming 24/7 packed with exclusive interviews, daily news updates and fist-pumping tracks from all your favourite Soundwave artists. Exclusive to Soundwave Pirate radio will be Haugmetal, a weekly two-hour metal show hosted by none other than Andrew Haug, every Thursday night from 8pm–10pm. Soundwave Pirate Radio launches on Thursday, January 26 at 8pm with Haugmetal. Tune in here.

SISTERS, DOING IT BY THEMSELVES
Following the announcement that their first show at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne has sold out, UK post-punk legends The Sisters of Mercy have announced a second headline show at the same venue on Thursday, March 1. Tickets are available from the venue. The band are also touring as part of the Soundwave Festival in February/March. 

A BRUTAL CELEBRATION
Head to Black Betty's, Perth this Australia Day for Wired, featuring the mighty Psycroptic showcasing their new album The Inherited Repression. Support acts are Nails of Imposition and Sensory Amusia, plus DJs playing a host of metal classics all night. Tickets are $15 and available at the door only. The brutality kicks off at 9pm. 

NO MASTER INVADER
Before we even had time to announce they were headlining, US thrashers Master have pulled out of Evil Invaders IV. Apparently the band has received an offer to play at a German festival on the same day. Promoters The Coffins Slave promise a replacement act to head the bill in June. In related news, Denouncement Pyre is about to enter the studio to record The Almighty Arcanum, their second album. The band will play their first shows in almost five years at the festival.

EVEN MORE WAVES OF SOUND
In what's becoming a tough choice for which one to attend as more and more are piled on top of each other on the same day, two more killer metal Sidewaves have been announced this month, with the release of details for performances by The Devin Townsend Project plus Meshuggah and Dredg AND Cathedral plus Paradise Lost (who, incidentally, first teamed up together in Australia in 1996) and Turisas in Sydney and Melbourne. Details in Tour Announcements.

BIG DAY APP
To further your Big Day Out experience, download the BDO App for iPhone. This year's app includes a schedule sync so you can plan your day and a weather function so you can be prepared for stinking heat or drenching rain (or if you're in Sydney, both). Download for free from the Big Day Out website.

SWARMING THE SOUTH EAST
Twelve Foot Ninja, Jerrico and Circles are teaming up for The Swarm Tour through March. All three bands have won strong plaudits for their alternative and progressive takes on the metal genre and those in Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide can get a taste from March 1. Deets: Tour Announcements.

THE BLU-RAY FRONTIER
It wouldn't be an Iron Maiden tour without a live document, and the metal gods will unleash the Blu-Ray release En Vivo! on March 26. Featuring 22-camera footage of their show in front of 50,000 fans in Santiago, Chile, the double DVD/Blu-Ray/CD soundtrack package includes their entire 17-song set plus a two-hour tour documentary. And because they never do anything by halves, En Vivo! will also be available as a 2-DVD limited edition in a steel case and double picture disc vinyl.

SIDEWAVE SHUFFLES AND SOUNDWAVE SHAKE-UPS
British metal nuts DragonForce have withdrawn from the Soundwave line-up; in their place have been added not only doom gods Paradise Lost but San Diego rockers Switchfoot. Hellyeah are no longer playing the Hatebreed/Biohazard/Cro-mags Sidewaves but will instead be appearing with Black Label Society, Black Tide and Holy Grail at Sidewaves in Melbourne and Sydney. Check the tour announcements section for details!

TAKING IT TO THE WORLD
Aussie metal bands will continue to make waves overseas when Adelaide's Truth Corroded head to Europe and the UK for 19 shows this month with Malevolent Creation, Krisiun and Vital Remains. Soon after, Psycroptic will be doing a 28-date European jaunt with Origin and Leng T'che starting on February 3. 

IRON MAN'S CANCER FIGHT
Metal pioneer Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath has revealed he has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the immune system, as explained by this news release at Blabbermouth. Of course everyone of us here wishes Tony a full and speedy recovery.

TRENCH WARFARE
Melbourne's In Trenches features members of I Killed The Prom Queen, Day of Contempt and The Abandonment. Details of the band's second release and first for MONOLITH will be unveiled in the coming weeks, but you can watch the teaser trailer for the record here. 

ROCK FOR LIFE
One for the metal fans on the South Coast of NSW. Wollongong’s Segression will headline a special fundraising show on Friday, February 3 at Kiama Leagues Club. All proceeds will go to the Cancer Council and several Illawarra/South Coast bands are reforming for one night only to play the show. More details and tickets here.

R.I.P. JOE LOMBARD
SMN News has confirmed that former Incantation bassist Joe Lombard took his own life on Tuesday January 3. Lombard was a member of the Pennsylvanian death metal extremists between 2001 and 2006 and played on four of their albums. He was 42.

HATE, HELL AND HAZARD
Hatebreed and Hellyeah are teaming up with Biohazard and Cro-mags for another couple of Sidewaves in February. All four bands will bring it to Panthers in Newcastle - for an all-ages extravaganza - and the HiFi in Melbourne Feb 28 and 29. For deets, see Tour Announcements

TEENAGERS ON ICE
Iced Earth's Sydney show on Thursday, April 5 at The HiFi is now All Ages. Tickets are on-sale now- see Tour Announcements for more details.

RETRANSMITTING
According to a post on Jeff Martin's official Facebook page today (Jan. 4), a tour by The Tea Party is set to be announced next month.

TO BURN NO MORE
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Karma to Burn will no longer be touring Australia this month.

DECEMBER 2011

BLACKENED IS THE END
Texan black metallers Absu have added a second Melbourne date to their Australian tour. They will perform with Stargazer, Demonreich and Order of Orias at Melbourne's Bendigo Hotel on Friday, January 20. The show has a limited pre-sale allocation of just 111 tickets, and a small amount of door sales on the night. Tickets are available from Moshtix. 

METAL FOR RAGE
Local metal got a run in the Rage Top 50 for 2011 with both Segression's "Black Lace Blood Day" (#21) and "Kills Everything" by Nekrofeist (#28) hitting the list.

UNITE FOR THE FIGHT
Metal for Cancer is an idea launched by Richard Ofsoski of Brisbane band Sedition. His latest effort is a downloadable song "Let's Unite in Rock" by The MFC Dragon Slayer All Star Project, featuring members of Therion, Sonata Arctica, Firewind, Vanishing Point, Testament, Pyramaze, TNT, Empires of Eden and more, along with Ofsoski himself. Get a copy from here, and help make a difference in the war against cancer, as all proceeds go to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

R.I.P. DAVID GOLD
David Gold, founder and frontman of Canadian melodic black/doom band Woods of Ypres was killed in an accident in Barrie, Ontario on December 22. Gold formed Woods of Ypres in 2002 and was a well known figure on the Canadian underground metal scene, featuring in a string of other bands and the founder of two labels, Krakenhaus and Practical Art.

TRAILERS GALORE
Tasmanian technical death metal masters Psycroptic have posted the first trailer for their forthcoming album The Inherited Repression online. You can watch it here. The album will be released on February 10 through Riot!.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Lamb of God have released the second trailer for their forthcoming album Resolution, which will be released on January 20 via Roadrunner. You can watch the trailer here. A few of the folks here at Loud have been lucky enough to hear the album and don't think diehard fans will be disappointed. The band will also perform at the Soundwave Festival in 2012, as well as selected Sidewaves. 

A DEAL NOT TO BE BROKEN
Canberra's crushing crew I Exist have announced that their fantastic latest album II: The Broken Passage will be released in North America and Europe through Lost Shepherd/Prosthetic Records on the 31st of January (US), 6th of February (UK) and 10th of February (Europe). You can read our review of the album here.

NEW YEAR'S EVIL!
As you can see from the stunning art to the right, Loud Online in association with Metal Evilution is presenting two nights of glorious metal on the New Year weekend. Black Majesty headline with Elm Street, Taberah and Overdrive at the Prague in Melbourne on December 30 and on New Year's Eve at the Sando in Sydney it's Darker Half with Taberah and Elm Street once again, plus Teratornis and Thundasteel opening the gates. See yas there!

COOL WHITE LINES
Perth stoner combo The Devil Rides Out has made a video for their track "Broken White Line" from footage of the cult 1978 Aussie grindhouse film Cosy Cool. You can check out the top-fuel action and clip of a dude trying to pop an endo and losing it here.

MEET AND GREET
Sydney fans will get a unique opportunity to meet US black metallers Absu at a special in-store signing before their show at the Sandringham Hotel, Newtown. It will take place at Le Cabinet des Curiosites, located at 97 Enmore Rd, Enmore on Friday, January 13 from 6pm.

SHREDMASTER
Opeth played a great show in Sydney last night- check out a short video of guitarist Fredrik Akesson shredding away here. 

EXPLOITING PUNK ROCK
Punk icons The Exploited will be starting riots, breaking rules, trashing hotels, baiting cops, making noise and tearing through Australia next April. See Tour Announcements for details.

BUY A BRICK. SAVE A PUB
Sydney's Annandale Hotel is not just one of Australia's most iconic live venues - it's probably one of the most idolised in the world. Almost anyone who's anyone in Australia (and plenty who aren't) from the last few decades have played there and it has also hosted uncounted overseas artists. In debt and in urgent need of repair, the Annandale is under threat of going the way of so many of Sydney's band rooms - the Excelsior, the Hopetoun, how many others? - unless we all chip in to save it. Owners Matt and Dan Rule are hoping that a buy-a-brick scheme will help them save this legendary establishment. For as little as $20, you can buy a piece of this pub and keep it alive. For further details, visit the Annandale's website.

SIDEWAVES GALORE
A bunch of killer Sidewave shows were announced today, featuring the likes of Machine Head, Mastodon and Lamb of God. See Tour Announcements for details. 

THEY'RE BACK
Australian metal heavyweights LORD have announced that they will be supporting Iced Earth for their two exclusive Australian debut shows in 2012. Commented LORD bassist Andy Dowling, "After a full 12 months off the touring circuit, 2012 is shaping up to be one of our biggest years yet. We are extremely excited to be sharing the stage with Iced Earth, and it's just one of many exciting announcements we have in the pipeline for the new year." LORD are currently writing/recording the follow up to 2009's critically acclaimed album Set in Stone, due out in 2012. Along with the highly anticipated album, the band will be embarking on an extensive world tour.

SLAVE TO METAL
Still on the new release front, metallers Soulfly will release their new album Enslaved on March 9 via Roadrunner. The record will mark the band's 15th anniversary and feature guest appearances from Dez Fafara (DevilDriver/Coal Chamber) and Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation). It also showcases the band's new lineup of Max Cavalera (vocals/guitars), axeman Marc Rizzo, Static-X bassist Tony Campos and drummer David Kinkade.

METAL TRUST FUND?
Tasmanian technical death metal masters Psycroptic will release their new album The Inherited Repression on February 10 through Riot. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by guitarist Joe Haley, while Alan Douches will handle mastering duties.“The Inherited Repression is far and away my favorite Psycroptic album thus far - all of us in the band think this," Haley said in a statement. "It’s a very dynamic album - the fast elements faster, the slow elements slower, and a lot of light and dark binding it together. It’s a very catchy album as well - you can tap your foot, bang your head or anything else you want. Basically it has a lot of groove on it from start to finish."

SONS FOR NIX
Adelaide metal mob Double Dragon release their new album today (Dec. 4) as a free download exclusively. Featuring their usual stomping metal attack and a guest appearance by Kate Miller-Heidke, Sons of Asena can be downloaded from 4pm Adelaide time from here. 

KNOT SURPRISING
Rounding out another list of Sidewave announcements is the perhaps unsurprising news that Slipknot will be playing two shows during the Soundwave run, February 27 in Sydney and March 1 in Melbourne. Tickets from December 9.

THE HAMMER'S APPROACHING
After years of waiting, The Mark of Cain's new single "Barkhammer" will be released as a download for the 24 hours of Monday December 5 ONLY. After that you'll just have to wait until the album comes out. Download from here.

ONSLAUGHT OF THE REAPER
Cult metal icon Steve Grimmett will be playing three exclusive Australian shows in March. The vocalist of Onslaught and Grim Reaper will be touring with a band made up of members of Dungeon, Paindivision, Dragonsclaw and The Amenta with gigs in Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra. Deets: Tour Announcements.

ALL THAT REMAINS
Remains Alive, the live album recorded during metallers Fozzy's Australian tour in 2005, has finally been made available for purchase on iTunes. The recording captures the band's Brisbane show in all of its glory. 

NOVEMBER 2011

LOUDER THAN FUCK
90s hard rock icons Soundgarden have announced two select side shows for their national Big Day Out run in 2012. See Tour Announcements for details.

YOU'RE A SELLOUT!
The Brisbane leg of the Soundwave 2012 tour has officially sold out. Melbourne has already done the same and Sydney is expected to sell out in the next few weeks, so if you want to get there, don't mess about. Details in tour announcements. 

ICE OVER OZ
US metal giants Iced Earth have announced a whirlwind Australian tour for April 2012.  Soundworks Touring will present Iced Earth two exclusive shows in Sydney and Melbourne only. You know these will sell fast, so get ready. Deets: Tour Announcements.

DOWN FOR SIDEWAVES
Soundwave headliners System of a Down are confirmed for Sidewave appearances in Sydney and Melbourne. Tix go on sale December 1. As usual, full details in Tour Announcements.

NIGHT TIME ROBBERY
Sydney electronic metallers Dawn Heist have just released their new EP Time Wave Zero. The CD is available through the band's Facebook page, iTunes and music stores throughout the country.

MORE MURDER
Thy Art is Murder's already huge Soldiers of Immortality tour is now bigger still, with three shows in Perth now added and a list of solid opening acts and other supports. Dream on Dreamer join the tour for two shows in Melbourne and in Perth TAIM team up with Northlane for a couple. Full details in Tour Announcements.

ANOTHER CONSPIRACY
Cavalera Conspiracy have announced a handful of side shows during their Big Day Out run in January/February. See Tour Announcements for details. The band's latest album Blunt Force Trauma is out now through Roadrunner. 

STEEL BRIDGES
The first Sidewave announcement has been made, with the news that Alter Bridge and Steel Panther will be going head to head in Melbourne and Sydney. Details in Tour Announcements.

THE FINAL WAVE
The final batch of acts for Soundwave 2012 have been announced. Added to the already monstrous bill are Bush, In Flames, The Black Dahlia Murder, Black Tide, In This Moment, Holy Grail and more.

ROLLIN' ON
The always entertaining Henry Rollins will return to Australia in April/May for a new spoken word tour. See Tour Announcements for details.

FULLY SICK
Already kicking off 2012 as part of the Big Day Out, Parkway Drive have announced a regional tour for February/March. See Tour Announcements for details. 

THIS IS GOING TO BE LOUD
Japanese noisemakers Boris will return to Australia in March. See Tour Announcements for details. 

IRON MEN
The original lineup of Black Sabbath has confirmed they are working on a new studio album. It will be their first with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978. The album will be produced by Rick Rubin and released next year, with a world tour to follow.

A HEAT EXPLOSION
Nuclear Summer is a new band formed in Brisbane in 2010 featuring current and ex-members of Willows, The Peel Street Band, Ironhide, Western Decay, Light Sleeper and The Surrogate. The band have (tongue-in-cheek) dubbed themselves "sunshine metal" and their debut full-length album will soon be available for free download. The album was recorded by Chris Brownbill at Sun Distortion Studios, Brisbane, mixed by Mike Deslandes and mastered by Pelle Henricson (Poison The Well, Refused) in Sweden. The album will be launched online through MONOLITH this month and the band will be touring in support of it in December. See tour announcements for details.

CONSPIRACY THEORY
The annual Big Day Out festival has added a few Loud-approved acts to for the 2012 installment of the festival. Added to the bill are Cavalera Conspiracy, The Amity Affliction, Calling All Cars and more. See tour announcements for ticketing information.  

A HUGE DEAL
French metallers Gojira have inked a new deal with Roadrunner Records. The band will perform at Soundwave 2012.

LUCKY AFTER ALL
In an interesting (and appropriate) development, Megadeth's new album TH1RT3EN has debuted at, you guessed it, Number 13 on the ARIA Charts. Lulu, the collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica, debuted at Number 33.

EMBEDDED CIRCLES
Metal Hammer is featuring the video for the latest single from Melbourne djent gents Circles. "Eye Embedded" is the latest song to be released from their EP "The Compass" and can be viewed here.

THE ETERNAL ALTERNATIVE
Melbourne progsters The Eternal are about to begin work on their fifth album When the Circle of Light Begins to Fade. It will include thirteen songs and be the first album to feature guitarist Brad Cook. The Eternal mainman Mark Kelson is also a member of Alternative 4, lead by ex-Anathema vocalist Duncan Patterson and will be part of their European tour in December to promote their album The Brink.

Pic: Metalsucks
 

VALE FLATTUS MAXIMUS
In terrible news, Cory Smoot from GWAR has been found dead by his bandmates during a North American tour. Better known as Flattus Maximus, the guitarist was discovered as the group prepared to enter Canada. Band leader Dave Brockie has posted this message: "It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their long time guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot,  also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus.  Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing.  There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred.  At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR’s current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long term plans.  At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today.  We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss".
A formal statement is expected shortly.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
US metallers Lamb of God will release their new album Resolution on January 20 through Roadrunner. The album was produced by Josh Wilbur and will feature 14 songs.
 
CHILDREN DOING IT FOR THE KIDS
Soundworks Touring has announced that the Adelaide Children of Bodom/Voyager date on November 7 has been moved to Fowlers and is now an all ages show!

BON VOYAGE
After six years, drummer Mark Boeijen has parted ways with Perth prog-metallers Voyager. His replacement is Ashley Doodkorte. The band's incredible new album The Meaning of I is out now through Riot!.

THE SOLDIERS OF MURDER
Sydney deathcore exponents Thy Art is Murder will hit the road in December on their Soldiers of Immortality tour with special guests, Germany's War From a Harlot's Mouth, The Bride from Sydney and Perth's Make Them Suffer. Tix are on sale now, check Tour Announcements for details.

SONS OF AZRAEL GUITARIST SHOT
Tony Lorenzo of New York death metal band Sons of Azrael was shot during a mugging on October 26 near his home in Buffalo. He remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

DOUBLE DRAGON FOR FREE
Adelaide metal campaigners Double Dragon will release their new album Sons of Asena on December 4. Featuring a guest appearance by Kate Miller-Heidke on one track, the album will be issued only as a download and completely free of charge! Vocalist Lee Gardner had this to say of the move: "We have a pretty big network online already, so we thought, fuck it, let’s just give it away. We all download music, so it’s only fair. If you want to support the band, then take it, and pass it on to your friends if you think it’s worthy. And if you dig it, buy a t-shirt."

OCTOBER 2011

 AUTUMN RETURNS
Touring Australia as part of the Harvest Music & Arts Festival, former asylum patient, fashion icon and bipolar author Emilie Autumn is bringing her glam burlesque show to the Gershwin Room in Melbourne for a special one off sideshow on November 15th. Backed by her all-female band The Bloody Crumpets, the hauntingly beautiful vocalist/violinist will put on a display more akin to a Broadway musical. This is sure to sell fast, with tickets on sale now.

GUITAR WOLF ON THE WAY
Japanese garage punk rockers, Guitar Wolf, have been peddling their wares now for more than two decades, with nine studio albums and numerous singles, compilations and dvd releases under their belt, the powerhouse trio are set to bring their energetic rock n roll show to Australia. Check the tour page for dates.

THE BEST TOUR NAME EVER
Swamp metallers Gay Paris, near naked hardcore nuts Totally Unicorn, and the simply insane God God Dammit Dammit have teamed up for the Totally Gay Dammit tour on a run of shows down the east coast. Check the tour section for details.

KARMA TO COMA
West Virginian instrumental legends Karma To Burn are set to make their way down under early next year for a run of shows in support of recent release V. Taking time out due to guitarist Will Mecum suffering an ankle injury, Karma To Burn will complete a month long European tour before kicking things off in Melbourne on Jan 12 and also appearing at Coma Fest in Sydney on the 28th. More acts on the bill and dates are to be announced in the near future.

SOUNDWAVE A SELL OUT!
Still months out from the gates opening, Melbourne's Soundwave Festival has already sold out.

THE NITRO EXPLODES
Iconic Aussie rock gods Cold Chisel finally kicked off their latest tour last week with sold out shows across northern Australia. A new release of tickets has now been made available to almost all of their remaining shows except the Day on the Green performances. Further shows have been added to the tour in Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle, making this the biggest tour in the band's history. The band's latest hit collection All For You debuted on the ARIA chart at #2, following on from the release of all previous studio albums in digital format earlier this year. 

MEET THE BODOM FAMILY
ESP will present two exclusive in-store signings featuring Children of Bodom members Alexi Laiho, Roope Latvala and Hennka Blacksmith. The Melbourne signing will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at Cranbourne Music (City Store) at 5.30pm. The second will take place at Sydney's Icon Music on Friday, November 11 at 5.30pm. 

FORGING A FUTURE
Welkin Entertainment is again helping the people of Haiti rebuild their future through the Sonic Forge Festival in Melbourne on November 27. Last year's enormous earthquake in the Caribbean nation decimated the country; funds raised from last year's Sonic Forge helped to send kids back to school and pay for their teacher. This year, the Welkin guys have invited Romania's legendary Negura Banget to take top billing at the show along with more than two dozen acts from around Australia including Dreadnaught, Eye of the Enemy, Aeon of Horus, Ouroboros, A Million Dead Birds Laughing, Black Orchid and more. Check the Tour Announcements section for more details.

 

DREAMING ON THE ARIAS
After the embarrassment of last year's "ceremony" at the Opera House, the ARIA Awards move back to Allphones Arena at Olympic Park this year. The nominees for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album have been released: Dream on Dreamer - Heartbound, FLOATINGME - FLOATINGME, Cosmic Psychos - Glorius Basterds, Coerce - Ethereal Surrogate Saviour and Front End Loader - Ritardando.  

ANOTHER WAVE
The second announcement of the Soundwave 2012 bill has arrived and we're very excited about it. Joining the bill are Bad Religion, Strung Out, Cathedral, Wednesday 13, Unearth, Shadows Fall, Heaven Shall Burn, Dream on Dreamer, Kittie, Staind and more. Tickets go on sale 9am tomorrow (Thursday), so get in quickly or you'll miss out.

SHRED LIKE ALEXI
Thanks to CMI Music and ESP guitars, Soundworks Touring has ONE only ESP/LTD ALEXI 200 BLACK guitar that will be signed by the entire band. The guitar is an Alexi Laiho Signature Series, 24 Fret, with a Basswood Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, ESP Tuners and Floyd Rose. To be eligible to win this fantastic shredding axe, you need to have already purchased a pre-sale ticket or buy one before October 24. Email your name and proof of purchase to promo@soundworkstouring.com or message the Soundworks Touring Facebook page. The winner will be notified by October 25. 

NIGHTWISH- NEW ALBUM DETAILS
Finland's symphonic metal superstars Nightwish  will release their new album Imaginaerum on January 6 via Roadrunner. Instead of a mere concept album though, the band set the music to a film, which is tentatively due for a 2012 release. The band will also have a small role in the film.

THE UGLY WORLD TOUR
The opening acts for Children of Bodom's Australian tour in November have been announced. Perth's Voyager are the national support, with an opening act also playing in each city. See Tour Announcements for details. 

HAVE A LISTEN
Melbourne's Ne Obliviscaris will be hosting a special listening party/album preview for their forthcoming release Portal of I. The event takes place this Sunday, October 16 at Eurotrash, Melbourne. Doors are at 7pm and entry is free. Check out the event Facebook page here. 

SYSTEM OF A WAVE
The line-up for next year's Soundwave Festival has been revealed, with headlining honours going to System of a Down and Slipknot ahead of a cast that also includes Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, Hole, A Day to Remember, Lamb of God, Trivium, Alter Bridge, Devin Townsend, Machine Head, Sisters of Mercy and literally dozens more. Many were originally announced for Soundwave Revolution, but others are new entries, including Chimaira, Dragonforce, Biohazard, Meshuggah, Black Label Society and the Dillinger Escape Plan. Tickets hit outlets on October 20, with further details available in our Tour Announcements section.

HARD ON FOR THE SANDO
Sydney punk legends the Hard Ons have a residency every Wednesday night at the equally legendary Sandringham Hotel in Sydney's Newtown throughout November. Each night the band will be giving away a super prize, with one of the following up for grabs - a complete merchandise pack featuring every CD, LP, 7" vinyl, t-shirt and hoodie (probably worth more than your car), an autographed cymbal, a guitar used by the band to write songs and the original ink drawing of the famous Donald Duck-war pig flyer art (maybe worth more than your house). Supports across the month include Japan's Cyberne, Chinese Burns Unit, Lo! and more.

GOING OFF!
There's few more legendary names in hardcore circles than Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Red Kross, and now former members of those bands and more come together in Off! Featuring Keith Morris (Black Flag, Circle Jerks), Steve McDonald (Red Kross), Mario Rubalcaba (Earth Crisis, Rocket from the Crypt) and Dimitri Coats (Burning Bridges), Off! has been smashing out sets of classic hardcore since their first live appearance in March last year, and in December they hit Australia. For hardcore fans, this will be unmissable. Details: Tour announcements

SHORE NO MORE
Geelong extremists The Red Shore have announced by Facebook that they have decided to split up. After seven years of triumph and tragedy, the band writes: "t is with much love, respect & regret that we have to announce the end of The Red Shore. The members have moved onto other projects and different stages of life, which meant that the band could not continue.

Geelong extremists The Red Shore have announced by Facebook that they have decided to split up. After seven years of triumph and tragedy, the band writes: "

The Red Shore has been such a large part of our lives and we the members past and present would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of their love and support over the years, through the good times and the bad, ups and downs. You gave us the strength to carry on and for this we are eternally grateful."

WHAT A DISASTERPIECE
It's been 10 years since Slipknot unleashed their second album, IOWA. Slipknot had impacted the music scene in revolutionary, unpredictable ways and established themselves as a way of life for their fans with their 1999 self-titled debut.  

To celebrate the album's decade of existence, the band is releasing a special, tenth anniversary edition of this landmark release, which will drop on October 28. The anniversary edition will include plenty of extras for the maggots and beyond to feast upon. It will be issued as a two-disc, one-DVD digipak with brand new artwork, including photography by #6 - M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan.  Disc One will comprise the original IOWA album along with a remix of ‘My Plague’ as an added bonus track. Disc Two will include the full live audio from the legendary Disasterpieces DVD, where the band's 2002 show at the London Arena was captured by 30 cameras and released as a concert film. The DVD will include Goat, a new film directed by Crahan featuring never-before-seen interviews and footage showing the madness that surrounded the IOWA era, plus four music videos.

The original pressing of IOWA is certified platinum in Australia.

LOOKING CALIFORNIA
The Big Day Out lineup has been announced and there's several bands on the bill we're mighty excited about, most notably grunge icons Soundgarden, Parkway Drive, Frenzal Rhomb and Mariachi El Bronx. See tour announcements for ticketing details.

HOMETOWN THROWDOWN

Wollongong metallers Segression will play their first hometown show in nearly a decade at The Patch on Friday, October 7, co-presented by Loud. The band have also posted the video for the track 'Blood Lace Black Day' online, which you can watch here.

SEPTEMBER 2011

EMPIRES IN RED
With their album Empires hitting #4 on the iTunes Album chart a day after release and a subsequent Top 40 placing on the ARIA list, Thousand Needles in Red head out on another national tour in November, starting in Launceston before playing Devonport, Hobart, Adelaide, Mandurah, Perth, Bunbury, Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne. Details in Tour Announcements

SHRED LIKE ALEXI
Thanks to CMI Music and ESP guitars, Soundworks Touring has ONE only ESP/LTD ALEXI 200 black guitar that will be signed by all the members of Children of Bodom. The guitar is an Alexi Laiho Signature Series, 24 fret, with a basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, ESP tuners and Floyd Rose. To be eligible to win this fantastic shredding axe, you need to have already purchased a pre-sale ticket for one of their Australian shows or buy one before October 24.  E-mail your name and proof of purchase to promo@soundworkstouring.com or message Soundworks on their Facebook page to have your chance of winning. The winner to be notified by Soundworks Touring on October 25.

CLIFF 'EM ALL 
Today (September 27) marks the 25th anniversary of Cliff Burton's death. A special tribute show, Pulling Teeth is taking place in his honour at Sydney's Valve Bar on Friday, October 21. It will also celebrate Metallica's 30th anniversary. The show will showcase an all-star band featuring Vo Simpson (Darker Half), Jimmy Lardner-Brown (Killrazer), Corey Eves (Starforge) and Benito Martino (Hell Itself). They will perform a range of early Metallica favourites and will also feature special guests. The show is Over 18s only, kicks off at 7pm and entry is $12. The venue is located at 900 Princes Highway, Tempe. 

ME LOCO
Dez Fafara, co-founder and vocalist of 90’s nu metal band Coal Chamber and current vocalist for DevilDriver, is announcing an upcoming reformation of the band specifically for Soundwave shows. Coal Chamber is highly-regarded for their countless high-energy performances with several of today’s biggest names and selling millions of albums worldwide.

“Coal Chamber is playing Soundwave Down Under," Fafara said in a press release. "These reunion shows are for the fans that want to see us again as well as all the people that never got to see Coal Chamber. It is and always will be a very special part of my life, so these few shows are for those people and for us. If you’re not from Australia, better get a ticket now to come see this event!”

“Australia has never seen us, nor have we seen them,” guitarist Meegs Rascón said. “It will be an extraordinary exchange of energy and adrenaline. Hello Aussies, nice to meet you.”

BOW DOWN
Loud will have the privilege of chatting with Anthrax next week about their killer new album Worship Music, which is out now. We're also giving our readers a chance to submit questions for the band- the best entries will be put to Scott Ian during his stay in Sydney. E-mail your questions by Monday morning AEST to chinese_whispers_spiritech@yahoo.com.au for consideration. 

REVOLUTION BEGINS
For those needing their fix in the wake of Soundwave Revolution's cancellation, the Counter Revolution tour kicks off this week. The Hollywood Undead/Skindred and Every Time I Die/The Acacia Strain/The Word Alive bills will also be making their way throughout the country. See tour announcements for details.

A NEW AFFLICTION
Roadrunner has announced the worldwide signing of Queensland's The Amity Affliction. The band will head in to the studio in early 2012 to record the follow-up to last year's Youngbloods with producer Machine (Lamb of God, Suicide Silence). Read our interview with the band here.

LO AND BEHOLD!
Sydney sludge monsters Lo! hit the road in October to support their forthcoming release Look and Behold (Pelagic). For details, check the tour announcements section.

KNIFING THE TRUTH
Adelaide metal veterans Truth Corroded have just produced a video for the track "Knives of the Betrayed", from their killer album Worship the Bled. Featuring footage culled from their tour of Australia and SE Asia earlier this year, the clip can be seen at this location.

SWEDISH HERITAGE
Prog-metal legends Opeth will return to Australia in December for a headlining tour. Tickets are on-sale Friday. September 23 at 9am. The band's new album Heritage, which we here at Loud think is pretty special, is released this week. Read our review here. 

DESTRUCTION OF AUSTRALIA
German thrash metal legends Destruction will embark on Australian tour this November with national support from Mortal Sin and 4ARM.

OUT FOR BLOOD
The Bloodline Festival will be ripping the Gold Coast apart on October 22 and 23. Established to reinvigorate the SE Qld heavy music scene, the festival will feature 20 bands over two days at Shed 5 in Arundel. It's all ages too. Bands appearing include Datura Curse, This City Ignites, Sausage Chopper, Azreal, Torn Asunder and more. For more info, head to the Facebook page.

MISFITS TO RAIN ON OZ
Punk legends The Misfits have announced a five date Australian visit as part of their Devil's Rain tour, ahead of the release of the album of the same name later this year. Featuring original Misfit Jerry Only, the band will appear in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. Deets: Tour Announcements.

MOVING SILENCE
Sydney's Suicide Silence show has been moved to the Bald Faced Stag Hotel at Leichhardt. All tickets for the Roundhouse will be current for the new venue.

DOPES NO MORE
The Monster Magnet Dopes To Infinity tour, set to kick off in Perth next weekend, has been cancelled due to a “perfect storm” of issues. All tickets purchased via credit card will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased via cash of EFTPOS will need to be returned to the point of purchase to obtain a refund.

AUGUST 2011

THE DECADE EFFECT
The indefatigable Clint Boge will step back out front of The Butterfly Effect in October as the band celebrates ten years since the release of their debut EP. With three gold-certified albums since that time, The Butterfly Effect kicks off their latest tour on October 14.

CLAIM THE PRIZE
Those crazy drunken loons Claim the Throne hit the road again this month and to celebrate they are giving away a massive prize pack that includes: Triumph and Beyond, "Ale Tales" CD/DVD, Only the Brave Return, a tour shirt, cap, keyring, g-string, guitar pick and a signed tour poster. To win, head over to

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claim-The-Throne/38581471187  and tell them in 25 words or less about your best ale tale. The winner will be announced on August 13.

BOBIS BODY FOUND
The body of Danny Bobis, drummer for NYHC band Cipher, has been recovered in Indonesia. Bobis disappeared while surfing in West Lampung on July 24. He was found by fishermen off Sumatra on July 29. Bobis was 32.







JULY 2011

R.I.P. KIERAN O'REILLY
Kieran O'Reilly, frontman and founder of long-serving Melbourne Goth rock/metal band Catwitch, has died from bowel cancer, aged 40. The singer had suffered from the disease since 2009. His death came only five days after a fund-raising show for him was held on July 23.

TONGUE OF THE HUNTER
Mastodon has launched the pre-order facility for The Hunter limited edition at their website. The collector's edition of their third album, due September 23 thru Roadrunner in Australia, features a CD/DVD digipak with alternative artwork, a lenticular poster of the original art and an instant download of their new track "The Black Tongue", plus more.

LABEL LAUNCH
Our friends at Soundwave, the folks behind the annual Soundwave Festival and numerous other metal, hardcore, punk and rock tours have launched their own record label, 3Wise Records. The label will be distributed by Sony and they have announced their first signings. Detroit pop/punkers Fireworks will release their new album Gospel on August 5, with the Australian release to feature Australian-only content, including the Bonfires EP. On the same day, 3Wise will also release the new album Get Nice! from legendary punkers Zebrahead, who will tour our shores for the first time as part of Soundwave Revolution. More signings will be announced shortly, so stay tuned.

TITLE IS ON THE LINE
Supports for the Title Fight/Touche Amore tour have been announced. See the tour announcements section for more details.

THE MASTER RETURNS
Steve Vai returns to Australia in October for his Masterclass Clinic Tour, which will include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Dates and venues have been announced - click here for details.

ONE HELL OF A VOYAGE
Perth's Voyager are currently hard at work on their new album with master producer Jens Bogren. The band have revealed that TesseracT''s Daniel Tompkins and DC Cooper (Royal Hunt/Silent Force) will provide guest vocals on their as-yet-untitled opus.

SLAUGHTERING SYDNEY
Grind, death, doom, drone, stoner, psychedelia, rock n roll and alternametal combine in a 15-pronged assault at Sydney's Sandringham Hotel on July 30. Slaughterfest IV features Fuck... I'm Dead in their first Sydney appearance in yonks, with the likes of Roadside Burial, Looking Glass, Summonus, Agonhymn and more from noon.

THE DELUXE TREATMENT
Soon to be making their live debut on these shores as part of Soundwave Revolution, Norway's Kvelertak will release a limited edition version of their acclaimed self-titled debut album. Due for release on September 27, it contains a digipak featuring the original album, six bonus tracks, a DVD featuring music videos, live and studio footage and more, extended artwork, a brand new booklet and poster.

KEEP ON DREAMING
With their second tour in as many months announced yesterday (July 20), Melbourne's Dream On Dreamer have now scored the national support on the much anticipated Avenged Sevenfold tour. The band's new album Heartbound is released August 4 on Unified and will be supported by a headlining tour with The Bride and Hands Like Houses from August 17.
 
MY LOST BRIDE
Alabama Christian metalcore mob MyChildren MyBride will be in Australia to support their 2010 album Lost Boy from September 15, aided and abetted by the most able For All Eternity. Tix and deets: Tour Announcements.

MOSHING MORTALLY
Loud Online in conjunction with Black Ocean is presenting Mortal Sin at The Patch in Wollongong on Saturday August 13. Also featuring Wolfkahn, Nekrofeist and Casket, the show is $15 and the first of others to come that Loud will be presenting at the venue.

WHOLE LOTTA LED
Marking the 40th anniversary of Led Zeppelin IV, the ninth annual Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin Celebration tour this year features the likes of Jeff Martin and Noiseworks' Steve Balbi recreating both that classic album and other Zeppelin favourites live on stage from September 14 at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. Demand for the show has already led to a second Sydney show being announced today (July 19), with tickets on sale now. Performances: 14 & 15 Sept., Enmore Theatre - Sydney (Ticketek), 17 Sept., Palais Theatre - Melbourne (Ticketmaster), 22 Sept., QPAC Concert Hall - Brisbane (Qtix), 24 Sept, Burswood Dome, Perth (Ticketek). 

NEEDLES UNPLUGGED
Thousand Needles in Red vocalist Clint Boge and guitarist Tristan"Trizo" Boulliaut are stepping out on an acoustic tour in August. After successive successful tours with TNIR, the duo will be playing selected venues in unplugged mode on the No Cities Left Tour. Tix and deets in Tour Announcements.

ANOTHER OPEN DOOR
Arkansas rockers Evanescence will soon release their first album in five years. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and featuring returning guitarist Troy McLawhorn, the band's third studio album will appear on October 7.

A THIRD FOOT
The first single from the second album from LA supergroup Chickenfoot will be released on August 2. "Big Foot" will be the opening salvo from Chickenfoot III, featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith. "We're calling the album Chickenfoot III because it's so good, the songs are so tight, it's like we jumped right past having to make a second record," Hagar said of the album, out September 27.

NO SEVENFOLD FOR PERTH
After yesterday's announcement that Sevendust has withdrawn from their tour, Avenged Sevenfold has now cancelled their Perth date. The rest of the tour is expected to go ahead as planned. Refunds are available from your ticketing agent.

LIVING IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY

Adelaide hard rock bruisers The Mark of Cain will release their new album Songs of the Third & Fifth in late 2011. It will be the band's first studio album in ten years. The band also has plans to hit the road early next year.
 

 R.I.P. WURZEL
It has been reported that Michael "Würzel" Burston, who partnered Phil Campbell in Motörhead's guitar team during the 80s, has died at his house aged 61. Würzel joined Motörhead after Brian Robertson was fired during the Another Perfect Day tour and made his first appearance with them on an episode of The Young Ones, performing "Ace of Spades". He played on six studio albums between 1986 and 1995, departing after Sacrifice. Würzel also played in Disgust and Warfare and was playing in Leader of Down at the time of his death, from heart failure. 

FULL HOUSE
The Periphery/TesseracT show at the Annandale Hotel has officially sold out. If you want to catch them at their other shows, get in quickly.
 
PET SOUNDS
Sydney melodic punk rock upstarts Frenzal Rhomb are back on the road in September to support their brand new album, Smoko at the Pet Food Factory. Recorded in a studio within a pet food factory (!!) in Colorado, the perfect spot for a band of vegetarians to record, Smoko will be released thru Shock on August 19. Coming along for what will no doubt be another road trip of fuel-injected madness is US punks Teenage Bottle Rocket. You know where to go for tix and venues.

THE SHADOWS ENTHRONED
Sydney black metal warlords Pestilential Shadows and Erebus Enthroned embark on the Heraldry of Heresy Tour from August 12, supporting their releases Depths and Night's Black Angel respectively. Taking in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, the shows will also feature appearances by Sanguinary Misanthropia, Wardaemonic, Crowned, Moon, Corvus and Order of Orias at various venues. A further show in Sydney will feature Erebus Enthroned only, supported by Crowned and Sanguinary Misanthropia. See Tours for more. 

TIME TO GET ROCKED 
Melodic rock superstars Def Leppard return to Australia in October. Following the recent release of their Mirror Ball Live & More set (Riot!), the two-time Diamond accredited band hit our shores on October 15, accompanied by the legendary Heart on their first ever tour Down Under. Joining this esteemed pair will be local rock heroes Choirboys, making this without doubt the melodic rock tour of 2011. Deets - Tour Announcements.

RINGING THE SCARS
Ohio metallic hardcore pioneers Ringworm will be in Australia in September for only the second time. Touring in support of their new album Scars, the legendary five piece will be appearing at Bastardfest in Melbourne along with their own shows, dragging Mindsnare out of retirement to join in the fun.

JUNE 2011
LEGENDS LIGHTING UP AGAIN 
Unprecedented Australian rock heroes Cold Chisel will be embarking on a massive national tour from October in what looks to be their biggest ever, set to take in almost every major centre both here and in New Zealand. With journeyman drummer Charley Drayton stepping in for the late great Steve Prestwich, the Light the Nitro tour will explode across the tropics before heading to just about everywhere on the map. Dates and deets: Tour Announcements.

MONSTER DOPE
New Jersey rock legends Monster Magnet return to Australia in September for a whirlwind tour of psychedelic galactophonic doom rock madness, presenting their killer 1995 album Dopes to Infinity in its entirety. Catch them and their definitive masterpiece in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from September 11. Details: Tour Announcements.

CHURCH OF DOOOOM
Japanese doom lords Church of Misery will be in Australia for the first time ever in October. Taking in four Doomsday Festival (details soon) appearances, the band will also play separate shows in Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra and Melbourne. Not to be missed.

CIRCLING AUSTRALIA
Hailing from Chicago in the States, Russian Circles have been making their way about the underground music scene, playing heavy but atmospheric instrumental metal. Having released three monumental LPs to great acclaim, and currently on tour in Europe with Boris, Heathen skulls have announced the arrival of Russian Circles on Australian soil this September.

DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL
Sex-crazed metal gods Steel Panther will be in Australia in September as part of Soundwave Revolution. We're catching up with the lads soon, and we're giving three Loud readers the chance to have their question answered by the band. If you'd like your question answered, send an e-mail to chinese_whispers_spiritech@yahoo.com.au with "Death To All But Metal" in the subject heading, or visit our Twitter page and message us your question there. Keep in mind that it's Steel Panther we're talking about, so the most creative, crazy and outright stupid entries are the most likely to get the nod.

RIDERS OF DOOM
Announcing their first time to Australia are Massachussetts metal/hardcore band, Doomriders. Featuring Nate Newton of Converge on bass, Doomriders will be tearing apart the country with their distinct mix of hardcore, punk and sludge riffs. Joining them will be Canberra's I Exist, who will be touring their recently released second album II - The Broken Passage. For all dates and details, check the tour announcement page.

SLAUGHTER AT THE SANDO
Slaughterfest is back in 2011 for its fourth festival since its inception in 2007. This years lineup boasts Melbourne's Fuck...I'm Dead plus Looking Glass, Roadside Burial and a whole swag of top notch Australian doom, grind, stoner and death bands. The first 100 payers on the day will also receive a free Slaughterfest IV CD, featuring tracks from each of the bands on the bill. Tickets are $20 and there will be loads of Grindhead Records merch on sale as well. This all takes place at the Sando Hotel in Newtown (Sydney) on July 30th. Full lineup in tour section.

SMOKING HABIT
Having toured here once before with NoFX and Bad Religion, returning to our shores for a fully fledged headline tour are Fat Wreck Chords darlings, Pour Habit. This tour will be a whirlwind of fast riffs, drinking puns and hard hitting punk fun. Doubling the fun and joining Pour Habit are those other Fat Wreck Chords punkers, Smoke Or Fire. This co-headlining tour will consist of nine shows spanning the country. The tour kicks off on October 5th at Waves, Wollongong. All details in the tour section.

THEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDS
The long awaited Anthrax album Worship Music will be released on September 13. As a thank you the fans, the band has issued "Fight 'em til You Can't" as a free download. To obtain this track, click here. 

DRUMMING UP A STORM
Nile drummer George Kollias heads to Australia for a series of clinics beginning Sunday June 25 in Melbourne. Accompanied by Psycroptic's Dave Haley, he will also be stopping by Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Venue and booking information can be found at allansbillyhyde.com.au 

FORGING AHEAD
Following the success of last year's show that saw over 1000 people flood the Espy, the folk at Welkin Entertainment have announced that the Sonic Forge Festival will go ahead again this November. The promoters are currently looking for acts to appear, so if your band is interested (and good enough) email them now: sonicforgefestival@gmail.com

A NEW AGE
Ohio groove metal merchants Chimaira unleash their new album on August 16 through E-One. Titled The Age of Hell, the newie features a guest appearance from Phil Bozeman from Whitechapel on the track "Born in Blood", which can be heard at Metalsucks.

MOVING DJENTLEMEN
Due to the huge demand, Soundwave Touring has announced that the Melbourne Periphery/Tesseract show on July 31 is moving to the HiFi Bar. All tickets remain valid. Act fast!

I'M BROKEN
Eclectic hardcore crew I Exist have just released their new album II- The Broken Passage through Resist. The album was produced by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Eyehategod, High on Fire). Click here to preview tracks from the album. 

RIP BILLY HUGHES
Billy Hughes, singer/guitarist and founder of Sydney 90s hardcore band Downtime, died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday June 19. Billy formed Downtime in 1994 after splitting from Toe to Toe. The band released two full length albums, two EPs and featured at the Big Day Out, Alternative Nation and Vans Warped tours in the mid-late 90s as well as playing alongside Pennywise, All, Suicidal Tendencies, Bad Religion, Sex Pistols and more before disbanding in 2001. He went on to play in Black Elvis before rejoining Toe to Toe. A pretty good overview of Billy's legacy can be found here.  

HELMET TOUR GIVEAWAY
In association with Principal Entertainment, Loud has scored a double pass to the Helmet show in Wollongong on July 1. To find out how you could be a winner, head over to our competition page.

NO TIME TO WASTE
Tickets for the tours by Suicide Silence and Periphery went on sale yesterday (Friday) and Periphery's Melbourne show with Tesseract has already sold out. Get in quick if you want to see them in other cities! Dates and ticketing info in the Tour Announcements section.

BOW DOWN TO THE THRASHER
British thrashers Evile have posted a ball-tearing new track, 'Eternal Empire' online. The song comes from their forthcoming new album Five Serpent's Teeth, which is due for release in September. Listen here.

MASKING THEIR TRUE SELVES
Brazilian metallers Sepultura have posted new track 'Mask' online. The song comes from their new album Kairos, which will be released on June 24. You can check out the song at this location and read our review of the record here.

LORDS OF THEIR DOMAIN
Sydney/Wollongong metallers LORD have released a new video for the title track from their latest album Set In Stone. You can watch the video here. 

AN ENTICING RETURN
Enticer was one of Sydney's best known metal acts in the late 80s-early 90s but split in late 91 while recording their first album. Twenty years on, bassist Michael Keating and guitarist Rhett McCoullough have reunited with Mike Briggs (vocals) and Mantissa/iota drummer Syd Green to record two new songs. "Redemption" and "Speak the Truth" are available as downloads or on CD for $5 including postage from Quarterpipe Records. Follow this link.

LET FREEDOM RING...
Machine Head will release an advance mix of the new track 'Locust' as a digital only single on June 17. The track is from their as-yet-untitled new album, which is due for release on September 23 through Roadrunner.

THEY'RE BACK
Progressive-metal quartet Aeon of Horus will release their new EP Exile on July 16. The material was recorded, mixed and engineered by the band, with Jochem Jacobs (Textures, The Red Shore) on hand for mastering duties. It will feature both new songs and reinterpretations of earlier material. The band will also hit the road from July-September before working on their next full-length album. You can check out new track 'Symbiosis' here.

BEYOND THE THRONE
Ale-guzzling, mead-smashing metal maniacs Claim the Throne hit the road on a quest to drink Australia dry from August 12. Recently on tour with Alestorm, the band is now out in support of their album Triumph and Beyond, bringing their mighty folk metal and hard-drinking behaviour to Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Adelaide and Mt Gambier. Dates: Tour Announcements.

SETH PUTNAM DIES
Seth Putnam, the 43-year old founding member and vocalist of Boston noise and grind pioneers Anal Cunt, has died of a suspected heart attack. He had recently completed work on the band's ninth and tenth studio albums, Fuckin' A and Same Old Shit, originally intended as a single release ironically titled Wearing Out Our Welcome. Anal Cunt was known for making up structureless noise songs on the spot, and for Putnam's hate-filled lyrics that attacked and lampooned virtually anyone, with gays, women, AIDS sufferers and rape and Holocaust victims popular targets. Apart from Anal Cunt, he would also form other short-lived projects like Impaled Northern Moonforest and Full Blown AIDS and recorded with Pantera, Napalm Death, Corrosion of Conformity, Brutal Truth and dozens of others. Putnam was also a member of the early thrash band Executioner, and briefly with Boston hardcore band Siege.

THE CROWN OF SILENCE
Still the champions of our Most Popular Feature Story Ever, our interview with Suicide Silence from 2010 still cops dozens of hits every day. Now they're coming back with The Black Crown and their own headlining shows after storming the country on the No Sleep til Festival last year. Tx and dates - Tour Announcements.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK
To get the latest updates on all Loud Online content, including the latest news, reviews and interviews, make sure you visit our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter so you don't miss out on anything.

MAKING WAVES
Metallers Trivium will release their new album In Waves in August. The band has made the title track available online, from their Facebook page.

A MOST OBVIOUS ALBUM TITLE
The forthcoming new album from Dream Theater will be called A Dramatic Turn of Events. Due for release thru Roadrunner on September 9, the album will the first to feature new drummer Mike Mangini and their eleventh studio release overall.

A GATHERING OF DJENTLEMEN
Periphery and Tesseract are about to visit Australia together, doing a series of intimate shows on the east coast as part of their worldwide League of Extraordinary Djentlemen Tour. The bands will appear at Brisbane's Zoo (July 29), Sydney's Annandale Hotel (July 30) and Melbourne's Northcote Social Club (July 31). All shows are 18+. Tickets are available from Oztix and the venues.

MOTLEY, MICHAELS AND THE DOC
McManus Entertainment has announced the dates of the rumoured Mötley Crüe Australian tour. The Crüe, plus Bret Michaels and Doc Neeson will be playing three shows in September. Pre-sale tickets will be available from June 16 at 9am until June 17 at noon thru Ticketmaster. Dates: September 21 - Riverside Stage, Brisbane; September 23 - Entertainment Centre, Sydney; September 24 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne.

MORE BASTARDY ANNOUNCED!
Soundworks Touring has announced the final cache of acts to appear at the national Bastardfest carnivals playing in September and October. Joining Psycroptic and Blood Duster as headliners at three of the shows will be power violence maniacs Extortion. US hardcore legends Ringworm and local heroes Mindsnare will also be appearing at the Melbourne show. Added to the national carnage - Extortion, d.USK, The Dead, Iron Hide, Synthetic Breed, Happy Camper, Through Plagues (Brisbane); Extortion, Ruins, Daemon Foetal Harvest, Enforce, Ignite the Ibex (Sydney); Extortion, Mindsnare, Ringworm (US) (Melbourne); Extortion, Cuntscrape, Grotesque, Cold Fate, Nails of Impositin, Disease Process (Perth); Abysm, Katabasis, Vicious Apathy, Crucible (Darwin); Wolfpack, Meticulous Despoilment (Hobart); Sex Wizard, Iron Wurzull (Adelaide). More line-up and ticketing info to be found in our Tour Announcements section.

FORBIDDEN WAVE
In support of their latest album Omega Wave, Bay Area thrash legends Forbidden will be in Australia in July. For the first time, the band will rip through some old school metal, with original members Craig Locicero and Russ Anderson teaming up with Matt Camacho, former Nevermore and Exodus guitarist Steve Smyth and drummer Mark Hernandez. Dates: Tour Announcements.

THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME
40 years after the release of Led Zeppelin's fourth, untitled album, the 9th annual Whole Lotta Love - the Led Zeppelin Celebration is set to roll across the country. Featuring the inimitable talents of Jeff Martin and Steve Balbi, backed by a nine-piece band, the show will feature the IV album performed in its entirety, plus a selection of other great Zep classics. The performances will be held at the Enmore Theatre (Sydney), Palais Theatre (Melbourne), QPAC Concert Hall (Brisbane) and Burswood Theatre (Perth) from September 15. Further information is available from www.ccent.com.au

A THOUSAND FLOATING REASONS
They've toured separately. Now they're together for three shows only. Prog supergroups Thousand Needles in Red and FLOATINGME will be co-headlining the huge A Thousand Reasons tour in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in July, with support from ex-Sunk Loto alumni Electric Horse and local openers. Tix and date in the Tour Announcements section!

LORDING OVER THE METRO
Sydney's LORD has released the full-length video of their Live - at the Metro recording, previously only available as an audio download. The 2006 gig, the final performance of the band's original line-up, is a 90-minute set featuring rare Dungeon tracks and Megadeth and Helloween covers. It is now available for the first time, streaming from the LORD site.

MAY 2011

THE REVOLUTION HAS BEEN FINALISED
The full list of venues for Soundwave Revolution has now been released: Brisbane - RNA Showgrounds; Sydney - Kings Park, Parramatta; Melbourne - Tabcorp Park, Melton; Adelaide - Showgrounds; Perth - Arena Joondalup. Alesana has also been added to the line-up.

OPENING HONOURS
With Helmet's tour three weeks away, the support acts have just been announced. Featuring members of Regurgitator and Wolfmother, Brisbane's alterna-metal mammoth Pangaea have reawakened after almost two decades to appear at four of the shows. Hytest, Arc Icarus, Memorial Drive, Motherlode, Escape Syndrome, Sleeping Giant and Engine Three Seven are others who will take opening honours.

OPETH HERITAGE ON THE WAY
The tenth album from Swedish progressive metal mavens Opeth is due for release on September 16. Produced once again by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson, and with art from long-time colloborator Travis Smith, Heritage features ten tracks described by Åkerfeldt himself as "quite intense at times in some 'old' murky way, and quite beautiful and stark at times". So, in other words, Opeth songs. Heritage is out thru Roadrunner.

THE KARNIVOOL KICKS ON - AKT KWIK
With three shows already sold out on their national tour, Karnivool has announced two extra dates for Melbourne and Brisbane. The new shows are at the Corner on July 6 and the HiFi in Brisbane on July 4. No further shows will be added, so if you've missed out, get onto these quick. Joining them on their jaunt will be Perth's drum n' bass technician Shockone and Melbourne death hop crew Over-reactor. Karnivool then heads to Europe for the Area 4 festival in Germany with NOFX, Deftones and others. Tix: karnivool.com.au Dates: See Tour announcements.

SWITCHING OFF
Adding to the seemingly ever-growing list of bands coming to an end, Sydney's Switchblade has announced today (May 23) that they have split up: "We have all agreed that as soon as playing in the band stops being fun, and we can no longer put 100% dedication, passion and focus into Switchblade, we should not be doing it, and to continue would be selling our fans and ourselves short. Over the past 10 years we have been lucky enough to experience and accomplish so much more than we ever thought possible, from supporting some of the greatest metal bands of all time, to sharing our music with people all over the world. However it has become obvious that the energy and passion that has driven the band all these years has faded with time, and in order to preserve the past, we must move on." Their remaining CDs and merch will be going cheap, with info about that to be posted on their Facebook page soon.

CATHEDRAL TO MEET THEIR DOOM
Cathedral, one of the greatest doom bands of all -- of all! -- have announced they will be playing their final show ever on December 3 in London. Vocalist and all-round legend Lee Dorrian is adamant the band will never reform: "The music means more than that to us, and it's not as though people haven't had enough chance to see us over the years."

WHAT A BASTARD!
Blood Duster, Claim the Throne, Dreamkillers and more have been added to the various Bastardfest line-ups, taking place across the country between September 3 and October 22. Check out the Tour Announcement section for complete bill and ticketing info.

SAINTS AND A SINNER
A few sources have half-confirmed this, but a story on Triple M's website (accompanied by a near-30 year old photograph, of course) today (May 18) is telling us to expect Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake and someone from Poison - most likely Bret Michaels - as a touring package here in November (we heard August, but with Soundwave Revolution right on top of it, this would work better later on). Nothing firm yet except solid rumours.

FORBIDDEN GUARDIAN
Metal Massacre has announced that Blind Guardian will be returning to Australia for two shows at the end of September/beginning of October. The dates are Sept. 30 at The Factory in Sydney and Oct. 2 at Billboard in Melbourne. In other tour news, US thrash pioneers Forbidden will be in Australia in August. Full details when we know them!

DEEP BLUE AND GOLD
With their Mix N Mash tour only two days away (May 18), Parkway Drive has announced that their latest album Deep Blue has been declared gold. After debutting in Australia at #2 and at #39 in the US, the ARIA and AIMA Award winning album is the first gold record for the band and their label Resist. 

LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!
Though pre-empted by leaks on social media, the final Soundwave Revolution line-up announcement was made this evening (May 11) just before 10pm. In news that has set the Internet ablaze, Van Halen were named as the event's headliners, along with a final release of artists to make you drool with anticipatory joy: Alice Cooper, Machine Head, SIsters of Mercy, Hole, Alter Bridge and Danzig round off the bill which also includes Devin Townsend Project, Hellyeah, Whitechapel, Black Veil Brides, Steel Panther, Sum 41, Unearth, Hatebreed, Gojira, Times of Grace, Watain, Kverletek, In This Moment and dozens more. Soundwave Touring has announced that Soundwave members will be able to but tickets from May 24 (Brisbane), May 25 (Sydney), May 26 (Melbourne), May 27 (Adelaide/Perth). To be eligible for early-bird sales, you need to be signed up to soundwaverevolution.com or an existing member of soundwave.com. General public sales go online from June 9. 

A7X + 7
After bowing out of Soundwave earlier this year, Avenged Sevenfold will make their return to Australian stages from July 28. Coming along for the ride will be Sevendust, returning after their triumphant Soundwave jaunt, now with Clint Lowery back in the fold. Pre-sale tickets thru Frontier Touring from May 19 @ 12AEST, with general ticketing open from May 26.

RELEASED FROM ASYLUM
After six years together, an album and EP and shows with bands like Cannibal Corpse and Hellyeah, Central Coast quartet Black Asylum announced their disbanding today (May 11) on Facebook.

A LEGACY OF PINK

Pink Floyd is one of the greatest and most influential bands of all time. On September 23, the band in conjunction with their long-term record label EMI will launch a huge campaign that will re-introduce their legacy for the digital era. All fourteen of their studio albums will be released in remastered “Discovery” editions as individual CDs, a box set of all of them, and as downloads. But this is Pink Floyd, so that’s not all. Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall will also be available (in staggered release over twelve months) in both “Immersion” box set editions featuring CD, DVD, Bluray and memorabilia, and “Experience” editions which also include another two discs of related content, including live footage, restored archival film material and previously unreleased recordings. And if that wasn’t enough, these will be released on vinyl and as downloads too. If that all sounds too much, you could settle on A Foot in the Door – the Best of Pink Floyd. But who would do that? To find out more, visit pinkfloyd.com or become one of their 11 million plus friends on Facebook.

[ME] FOR FREE
Melbourne progsters [ME] are running a live music month by giving away one track a week free to their fans. A new live track will be available from here each week in May, and every download also includes Steve Walker's hand drawn cover art.

MONDO A NO GO
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the one-off Mondo Generator show on May 17 has been cancelled. Refunds will be available from May 9.

DOUBLE DRAGON NEEDS YOU!
Double Dragon is shooting a clip for their track "Slaughter of Virtue" on June 10 and need "some head banging / moshing / stage diving and general shenanigans" according to singer Lee Gardiner. So Adelaide metalheads, get down to House of SAP, 17 McGowans Rd, Pooraka and get involved. F.U.C!, A  Murder of Crows and The Scabs will also be playing.

MIX N' REMASHED
Due to their extended recording schedule, You Me At Six have withdrawn from the Mix N' Mash tour this month. Bleeding Through has also cancelled. Ohio-based up n' comers Miss May I have taken the place of You Me At Six, with local supports opening.

THE END OF DAYS
Continuing the disturbing trend of disbandments lately, Sydney's Daysend has announced they have split: "The reason is not due to artistic differences or personal issues but rather that we feel we cannot continue with the band any longer. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our family and friends who have supported us over the years and most of all, our loyal fans." 

NEVERMORE OFFICIALLY POSTPONED - Red Ant Touring
In light of the departure of Jeff Loomis and Van Williams from Nevermore, Red Ant Touring announced officially today (May 3) that the tour has been postponed. All tickets are refundable from the point of purchase.

A MORBID EVENING
Death metal icons Morbid Angel will return to Australia later this month for two exclusive shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The supports for the tour have been announced - Sydney's The Amenta will be the main support for both shows, with Ouroboros to open. Tickets for the tour are on-sale now.

NO ACTION 2011 - PHIL LEWIS SPEAKS OUT
Going into detail about what's happened here would require the entire section of this site. If you have'nt already heard, the Sex Action Tour featuring LA Guns and Defryme was cancelled on Friday night when the headliners turned up to the venue to find no backline in place; support Heartbreak Blvd arrived to learn the show was off. Two smaller shows at Melbourne's Back in the Day night club were organised at the last minute to offset some of the disappointment. LA Guns are now (May 1) on their way back to Hollywood. Tour promoter Shane Tester of Intense Impact has issued a series of rambling statements on his Facebook page, but no official press releases, blaming everyone involved in the tour but himself and seems to be refusing to take any responsibility for one of the greatest screw-ups in this industry in a very long time. Click here to read what Phil Lewis had to say on his personal Facebook page.

APRIL 2011

NEVER MORE
Due to the departure of Van Williams and Jeff Loomis from the band, all Nevermore's touring commitments have been pulled, including the Australian shows. This also means that the Daysend show Loud Online was presenting as a percursor to the tour has also been unfortunately cancelled. Apologies to everyone who was planning to attend.
 
MORE AUSSIE BANDS PULL THE PIN
In the wake of member departures from Judas Priest, Nevermore and Kamelot in the last week, and the dissolution of Five Star Prison Cell, two more Aussie metal bands have called it a day. Perth's Gallows for Grace announced this week that creative differences had forced them to quit, and just today (Apr. 27) Hobart's Separatist posted on their social media pages that due to a catastrophic computer failure that wiped out their almost-completed second album, they too have disbanded.

TANGLED THOUGHTS OF DEADEN FIELDS
Perth post-metal act Tangled Thoughts of Leaving will release their album Deaden the Fields in July. With that currently in the hands of Pelle Henricssen (Cult of Luna, Poison the Well) for mastering, the band launch a single, "Deep Rivers Run Quiet" at Manhattans in Victoria Park on May 13. The band's other recordings are available as free downloads from their website.

NO MORE NEVERMORE?
In a statement released early this morning (Apr. 22), Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have announced their departure from Nevermore: "In a mutual decision Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have decided to leave Nevermore. The time has come to pursue our own paths from the group. Due to internal struggles and ongoing issues within the band, we feel it is our time to move on. We would like to thank all of our fans around the world for their years of love, support and enthusiasm." Expect a statement about their proposed Australian tour soon. 

WARRANT CANCELS/LA GUNS CONFIRMS
Early this morning (Apr. 21) Australian time, Warrant posted this on their FB page: "It is with deep regret and disappointment that Warrant's Australian/New Zealand portion of their 2011 World Tour will not take place at the end of April & early May due to matters out of the band's control." LA Guns, however, has confirmed they will be making the trip, and the tour will now feature them and The Stick People.

FIVE STAR NO MORE
Melbourne mathmetal maniacs Five Star Prison Cell have called it quits. According to a note on their Facebook page, "After 7 years together, 3 albums and some seriously different, challenging and creative music, the time is come for Five Star to go their separate ways... There is no definitive reason or fallout or "creative differences" - Fortunately, those are things that Five Star never had to encounter".

KK DOWNING TOOLS
Judas Priest has made the surprising announcement that founding guitarist KK Downing - who formed the band as Freight with bassist Ian Hill in 1969 - has decided to retire from the band effective immediately. Downing will take no further part in the band's Epitaph farewell world tour. 31-year old Richie Faulkner, who toured here with Lauren Harris' band in 2008, has stepped in to the role.

SLAYER FOREVER
In Sarpsborg, Norway in 1985, Jon "Metalion" Kristiansen put together his first issue of Slayer Mag. Over the next 25 years it became one of the most influential metal zines in the world, elaborately depicting the Scandinavian extreme metal movement from an insider's viewpoint. Slayer covered the development and growth of the Norwegian black metal and Swedish death metal scenes and the worldwide metal scene as a whole. With forewords by Sunn 0)))'s Stephen O'Malley, Chris Reifert from Autopsy, Fenriz and Tomas Lindberg of At the Gates, Bazilion Books will soon release Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries, a hardcover volume of Kristiansen's life's work. This enormous 700+ page tome includes reproductions of every issue of Slayer, featuring classic interviews with some of the greatest names in metal that are still quoted today. Metalion is released in June. Check it out here.

METAL HEALTH WILL DRIVE YOU MAD
In latest developments, Intense Impact has confirmed that LA Guns will still be touring Australia. It has been an intense (no pun intended) few days for the promoter since Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali announced via Facebook on Monday morning (Australian time) that the Metal Health had been cancelled. Banali blamed the decision on a breach of contract by the promoters. Intense have since been in discussions with both Warrant and LA Guns for the tour to continue, with Queenryche guitarist Mike Stone's band The Stick People in for Quiet Riot and Warrant moving to headline status. By this morning (Apr. 20) things still seem up in the air about the tour, but Intense has made several posts on their Facebook page that LA Guns have confirmed they will still be appearing. 
 
NO TOMORROW
Swedish melodic death metallers Arch Enemy have posted their new video for Yesterday is Dead and Gone online. The track is from their forthcoming album Khaos Legions, which will be released on May 30 through Century Media. We here at Loud think the new song is pretty solid and ought to get a lot of fans very excited for the new record.

PSYCROPTIC ARE BASTARDS!
Psycroptic will be headliners at each of the Bastardfest dates in September. With a show in every capital and a supporting cast that includes I Exist, Fuck... I'm Dead, Chaos Divine, Pod People, Ouroboros, Separatist, Shellfin and more at various locations, this will be unmissable. Check the Tour Announcements section for the line-ups so far revealed.

SOUND ALIVE
After touring the world and playing prestigious shows like Sonicsphere UK last year, Karnivool is off on an extensive East Coast tour this June and July. Kicking off in Frankston on June 8, the lads will also hit Melbourne, Traralgon, Wollongong, Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney, Penrith, Coffs, Port Macquarie, Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Mackay, the Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns and Adelaide. Tix from various outlets from April 18.

VIDEO MANIA
Frankenbok's sixth album is out soon and the lads are launching the first single "Dine in Hell" at the Prague (Melbourne) on May 21 with good buddies Dreadnaught. Both bands will be filming their sets for future DVD release so get along and be part of the madness.

A DIGITAL EMPIRE
Fallen Empires, the latest from Sydney's Our Last Enemy, has seen release on iTunes today (Apr. 11). The digital release features a bonus track unavailable on the CD version. This month the band heads out on the second leg of their national tour in support of the album, and will also take some time to shoot a video.

NIRVANA REVISITED
Twenty years ago a small Seattle band called Nirvana released their second album Nevermind. It was expected to sell around 30,000 copies, so imagine the surprise of everyone involved when it went on to shift nine million units, suddenly legitimising alternative rock in a way no one had thought imaginable. Nevermind caused a paradigm shift in the music industry that hasn't been seen since. Paying tribute to the 20th anniversary of the release of one of the most important albums in rock history, The Basement in Canberra is hosting a Nirvana tribute night tomorrow night, April 8, with five acts tackling a Nirvana album each in its entirety. John Lollback will be recreating MTV Unplugged, Looking Glass is doing Incesticide, Inside the Exterior presents Bleach, Variodivers will be performing In Utero and Na Maza closes the show by interpreting Nevermind. For $15, what more could you want?
  
PARKWAY HITS THE WAVES
Parkway Drive has released a video for the track "Karma" from their ARIA Award winning Deep Blue album. The clip was filmed on Dolphin Beach, Byron Bay and combines their two big loves: music and surfing. Watch the clip here. Parkway Drive hit the road with You Me at Six, Bleeding Through, The Wonder Years and Confession next month.

R.I.P. SCOTT COLUMBUS 1956 - 2011
Former Manowar drummer Scott Columbus has died aged 54. The band's founding guitarist Ross the Boss posted the news on his Facebook page earlier today (Apr. 4) and it has since been confirmed by the drummer's girlfriend. No further details are known at this time. Columbus joined Manowar in 1982 in time for their second album Into Glory Ride and left in 1992. He rejoined a year later and stayed on until 2008, although his departure was never made public until he told Classic Rock magazine in 2010 that he was no longer a member of the band.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Congratulations to Geoff Turner, Dan Southall, Maire Kildare and Chris Howard, who all won stuff in our Truth Corroded competition.

WIN STUFF WITH ALESTORM!
While we're on the subject of winning stuff, Soundworks Touring is offering the chance for one punter from each state to win an Alestorm hoodie, an autographed Alestorm poster and a copy of Voyager's amazing I Am the ReVolution album. To enter, buy your ticket to their tour with your PayPal account from here.

ANOTHER EXTRA DAY ADDED/VENUE CHANGE
Soundwave Touring has added a second Brisbane show to the rapidly selling-out everywhere A Day to Remember/Underoath tour. A second Brisbane show will now be held at the Tivoli on May 18. The Adelaide show on May 10 has been moved to the Thebarton Theatre. All tix for the HQ are valid for this show.

MARCH 2011

R.I.P. HENRIK FRYKMAN 1971 - 2011
Henrik Frykman, bassist with Swedish D-beat/crust band Disfear, died on March 25 after a struggle with cancer. Frkyman joined the band, also featuring members of Entombed and At the Gates and then known as Anti-Bofors, in 1990 and played on all subsequent releases. A brief statement from the band reads: "It is with heavy hearts we inform you that on Friday, the 25th of March, Henrik Frykman passed away in his home after a long battle with cancer. Henrik will be greatly missed by family and friends."

RETURN OF THE REICH
US prog-metal veterans Queensryche will release their new album Dedicated to Chaos mid-year. The album will be their first release for their new label home at Roadrunner's Loud and Proud imprint. The band are also reportedly planning a tour in support of the album - no word yet on whether they'll return to Australia, but fingers crossed. The band is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

STAYIN' ALIVE
US prog-metallers Periphery will release their new digital only EP Icarus Lives on April 15 exclusively via iTunes. The EP will feature unreleased tracks, remixes and video clips.

STILL NOT DEAD YET
With their new track "Hero Anthem" peaking at #2 on the iTunes metal chart, Segression kick off a new national tour on May 6. Presented by Riot! and Welkin Entertainment, the tour reaches Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Dates and deets in the Tour Announcements section. Revisit our chat with Chris Rand here.

LOUD PRESENTS DAYSEND
Loud Online in association with Black Ocean presents Daysend at The Patch in the Cabbage Tree Hotel, Fairy Meadow (NSW) on June 4. Also featuring Wollongong locals Nekrofeist and Earth Mechanics plus up-n-coming progsters Hemina, this is Loud's first co-present and we're excited. The line-up is not to be sneezed at and should serve as a great warm up for Daysend on the eve of their national jaunt with Nevermore. Get along!

SANDO GENERATOR
Nick Oliveri has agreed to a one-off Mondo Generator performance the night after his Sydney show with Kyuss. This exclusive show will be at the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown on Tuesday May 17. For more info, check the event Facebook page.

VALE FRANKIE SPARCELLO

Frankie Sparcello, who was a member of Exhorder in the early 90s and rejoined them two years ago, died on March 22. The bassist joined the band in time to record and co-produce their second album The Law in 1992. Exhorder split the following year but eventually reformed. Sparcello re-joined the band in 2009 and was due to perform with them at shows this year including the Maryland Deathfest. Further details about his death have not yet been released.

VALLEYARM SEEK ABSOLUTE METAL

Digital music distribution company Valleyarm is currently seeking Australian metal bands to contribute to the compilation Absolute Metal, to be distributed through digital outlets including Amazon, Big Pond, eMusic and more. New and unsigned bands are welcome to get in touch with them. Contact marta@valleyarm.com or visit the website valleyarm.com

NOT DEAD YET
Hero Anthem, the new single from Wollongong metallers Segression has landed at #2 on the iTunes Australia metal chart- right behind Europe's The Final Countdown! The band's new album Never Dead will be released on April 22 through Riot!.

IN THRASH'S WAKE
Melbourne thrash band In Malice's Wake set off on a tri-nation tour in April to celebrate the release of their new album The Thrashening. Taking fellow Melbournites Desecrator with them, the lads do shows in every capital (even Darwin!), plus regional centres and will also be hitting New Zealand and Indonesia. Aussie dates in the Tour Dates section.

THE BASTARD RETURNS!
Last year's Bastardfest shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth gave bastards everywhere a chance to unite and get loose. They were such a success that this year the festival is going national, and international even, with shows in every State capital including Darwin, and one in Auckland (Oct. 8) to boot! Full details are yet to come, but check the dates for the Aussie Bastardfest shows in the Tour Dates section.

NO LONGER RUNNING FREE
Ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'anno has been sentenced to nine months' prison after being found guilty of swindling the UK government out of £45,000 in disability benefits. He was busted when officials caught live footage of one of his 2006 tours on YouTube, showing him to be far from suffering any disability. He will serve at least four months.

A BEASTLY PERFORMANCE
Beast, the blistering new album from America's DevilDriver still remains in the ARIA Charts after three weeks. After debuting at #9, the album currently sits at #44 in the Top 50 albums for the week. We here at Loud think that's an achievement worthy of congratulations.

SLIPKNOT GET STEELE
Original Slipknot guitarist Donnie Steele will be re-joining the band in place of fallen bassist Paul Gray for their comeback shows later this year, including the headline slot at the UK Sonicsphere Festival.

EXTRA DAY ADDED
A Day to Remember has added a second Sydney show in light of the first selling out. The Brisbane date has also sold out.

AIRBOURNE TAKES FLIGHT
The all-conquering hard rock machine that is Airbourne will hit out on an Australia tour in June ahead of dates around the world. The band will play nine Aussie east coast shows before jetting off to Europe. They will also be appearing at the Golden Plains Festival in Meredith this weekend (Mar. 12)

MANY MACHINES TO PLAY ONE FINAL TIME
An update on our earlier story about Many Machines on 9, word is that the band will be playing a farewell show at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney on May 20.

R.I.P. MIKE STARR
Mike Starr, the Hawaiian-born original bass player with Alice in Chains, has died aged 44 in Utah. Starr, who was a member of the band from 1987 until 1993 and played on their first two albums, had a long history of drug problems. After leaving AIC he was a member of SunRedSun. Shown here during his appearance on Celebrity Rehab last year, he was busted for drug possession on February 18. He was found dead in Salt Lake City on March 8. 

INTO THE V01D
Extreme music collective The Amenta have unleashed V01D on their website theamenta.com. Featuring 16 audio tracks including remixes, re-recordings, electronic elements and an Armoured Angel cover, plus live footage and a clip for the track "Vermin", V01D is available for download for free. The band's national tour with Ruins and Ouroboros begins March 26

EXTRA PILOTS ANNOUNCED FOR SYDNEY
Frontier Touring has announced a second, intimate performance by Stone Temple Pilots following the House Full signs going up at the Hordern. The new show is at the Metro on March 21, with tickets on sale via Ticketek. Touring partners Grinspoon will not be appearing at this show.

MELBOURNE SIDEWAVE GETS THE SWORD
Texan doomsters The Sword have been added to the bill of the DevilDriver/Ill Nino/All That Remains/Nonpoint spectacular at Billboard tonight (Mar. 3) in Melbourne. Get there early, as they hit the stage at 5.30!

REGULAR GUYS GET MOTÖRHEAD SUPPORT
Sydney rockers Regular John will be the support for the upcoming Motörhead tour. The winners of Red Ant Touring's "Support Motörhead" competition was Hobart lads Taberah, who will play the opening slot at the Sydney date. Congratulations to them!

POINT TAKEN 
Florida chaps Nonpoint took out the Soundwave/MTV Soundies award, voted on by viewers for the best SW promo/greeting clip. The band was presented with the award at Sunday's (Feb 27) show in Sydney.
 
LEMMY UNLEASHED 
The Lemmy biopic that we reviewed here is out on DVD and Blu-Ray on March 17 thru Hopscotch. The DVD version features live clips, a backstage jam with Metallica and featurettes with Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee. The Blu-Ray has tons and tons of stuff, including a making of the film, Lemmy's 50th birthday with Metallica, featurettes with Matt Sorum, out-takes, archival footage from the early Motörhead days, and other things.

MANY MACHINES NO MORE 
Sydney's Many Machines on 9 have decided to call it quits after nine years together. The band announced on their Facebook page that they felt it was necessary for everyone to move on. No farewell shows have been scheduled.
 
FEBRUARY 2011

FILLING THE V01D
Extreme music collective The Amenta unleash V01D on March 8 on the website theamenta.com. Featuring contributions from former members Cessium 137 and Dale Harrison, V01D is a two-part multi-media experience that includes remixed and re-recorded tracks from n0n, an Armored Angel cover and a live DVD among other things.

ARAYA OUT FOR THE COUNT
To make Slayer's Soundwave journey even more problematic, an ear infection for Tom Araya forced them to cancel their appearance at the Sydney event yesterday, resulting in hundreds of disappointed fan throwing bottles -- and even a garbage bin -- at the stage. One guy even set his Slayer shirt on fire in disgust. Triple J's Andrew Haug was brave enough to make the announcement as Araya was taken to hospital and forbidden to perform for 24 hours. He should be back on deck for the Melbourne show.

THE BLEEDING TRUTH LIVE
Adelaide's Truth Corroded hit the road in April in support of their new album Worship the Bled, featuring the drumming talents of Kevin Talley and mixed by Jonas Kjellgren from Scar Symmetry. With guitarists Mark Lennard and Darren McLennan on extended hiatus from the band, A Red Dawn's Wayne Batters and Chris Walden of Closed Casket will be handling axe duties for the tour, which also extends into Japan, Thailand and Singapore.

R.I.P. PHIL VANE
Phil Vane, leader and vocalist of pioneering British crustcore band Extreme Noise Terror, and also briefly a member of Napalm Death, has died aged 46. He passed in his sleep on February 17. With dual vocalists Vane and Dean Jones, ENT laid down a formidable and uncompromising blitzkreig of noise that helped to establish grindcore in the 80s. Vane led the band through various incarnations right up until his death, departing the group briefly in 1996 to front Napalm Death for about a year. The cause of his death is currenly unknown. 

MURDERDOLLS WAVE GOODBYE TO SYDNEY SHOW
The Sydney Sidewave concert featuring Murderdolls, Monster Magnet and Dommin has been cancelled. Soundwave Touring cited Joey Jordison's busy Soundwave schedule (playing in both Murderdolls and Rob Zombie's band) for the decision. Tickets are refundable from the point of purchase.

THE ED ONE HAS LANDED
After stunning reviews for their performance in Singapore last weekend, Iron Maiden arrived in Melbourne last night for their appearances at the Soundwave festival. The first show of the tour is tomorrow night (Feb. 23) in Melbourne with Rise to Remain.

ON THE JOB
American death metallers Job For A Cowboy have entered Florida's Audio Hammer Studios with producer Jason Suecof to record an EP of all new material. The as-yet-untitled EP will feature the first new music from the band since 2009's Ruination record, which landed at #42 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. An April/May release via Metal Blade Records is expected.
"It felt like a long time since we last got together to write new material," vocalist Jonny Davy said. "After collaborating in the snow of Boston, we're now recording our second EP."

A KATAKLYSMIC AFFAIR
Canadian extreme metal exponents Kataklysm have begun the long process of putting together elements for their upcoming 20th anniversary DVD. Entitled The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined, this documentary will begin with the band's inception in 1991. Director and producer Tommy Jones will catch the band's heartbeat on the road to put the memories together. The DVD will also include interviews with a wide range of characters, including the band's infamous first frontman Sylvain Houde, who sang on the first three Kataklysm albums. The massive content of the DVD will include the band's upcoming headlining show at Summer Breeze festival in Germany, where the band will perform classics from all of its eleven releases. 

PARKWAY AND SIX MIX MAY TOUR
Parkway Drive's never-ending touring juggernaut returns to home soil in May. Teaming up with the UK's You Me at Six for the Mix n' Mash tour, the band that never stops does the mainland capitals plus Newcastle and Wollongong, with added help from Bleeding Through, The Wonder Years and Confession.

KYUSS SELLS OUT: Supports announced
The Kyuss Australian tour has now completely sold out. Ticket sales to all shows are now exhausted. Soundwave Touring has now revealed that Byron Bay's Fort have reformed to support the tour on all dates except Sydney, where the coveted spot will be taken by none other than 90s retro rock heroes Tumbleweed.  

AN OATH TO REMEMBER
Where metalcore meets pop-punk is A Day to Remember, and following the righteous success of their last album and their reception at No Sleep, the band returns to Australia in May for a tour with Underoath. All shows A/A and Lic., except Brissie (u/18s) and Gold Coast (Lic. only). Tix and dates in tour announcements. 

SAXON CANCELS
British metal legends Saxon have cancelled their planned appearances on the Soundwave Festival, according to a tweet from concert organiser AJ Maddah. The band has withdrawn due to recording delays and family illness. Maddah said this will allow four other acts on the same stage, including Slayer and Dimmu Borgir, to have slightly longer sets. There's been no official press release, and no word on what's happening with the Saxon/The Sword sideshows.

WAKING HEARTS
Following shows with bands like Blessed by a Broken Heart and For Today, Byron Bay metalcore lads In Hearts Wake hit the east coast this month for a tour of their own, in support of the EP "Split", also featuring tracks by Sydney band The Bride. EP out thru New Justice, tour deets on Tour Announcement pages. 

AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO...
Iron Maiden has won their first Grammy, collecting the Best Metal Performance award for "El Dorado" at the 53rd Grammy Awards. Them Crooked Vultures took out the Hard Rock Award for "New Fang".

HANNEMAN TO SIT OUT SOUNDWAVE! Replacement Announced.
Slayer's Jeff Hanneman has been forced to sit out the upcoming Soundwave tour due to contracting necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection most associated with spider bites. As a result, Gary Holt from Exodus will be playing in Hanneman's spot on the tour. Referring to their last Australian tour when Tom Araya lost his voice, Kerry King said, "After everything that happened last year, we all agreed that we just can't let our fans down again". 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KENNEDYS FOR THE EAST COAST
Dead Kennedys will be in Australia for three shows in April. Klaus Flouride, East Bay Ray and DH Peligro will be buzzsawing their way through Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Jello's no longer out front of course. These days, the vocal duties fall to The Wynona Ryders' Skip Greer. See tour announcements for details. 

AN INJECTION OF ROCK
Thousand Needles In Red, the new project created by vocalist Clint Boge (The Butterfly Effect) and guitarist  'Trizo' Bouillaut, will be hitting the road in support of new single Into Eternity. The single was produced by former The Tea Party mainman Jeff Martin, who described the track as, "This song, this emotive statement that Thousand Needles In Red have achieved, it will transcend genres. I believe in these gentlemen and their addiction to integrity is intoxicating." Martin also contributed 12-string acoustic guitar and piano to the track. We here at Loud have heard it, and needless to say, it'll be sticking in your cranium for a while after hearing it.

SOUNDWAVE PERTH VENUE ANNOUNCED
Soundwave's Perth venue was announced today to be Claremont Showground.

FOR TODAY FOR ALL ETERNITY
US Christian tech metallers For Today will be touring Australia from March 24. On the back of last year's Breaker album, the band will be supported nationally by like-minded Sydney group For All Eternity. Tickets on sale from Friday February 11.

REGULAR ROCKERS RETURN
Sydney rockers Regular John  get back to gigging on March 11 with a show at the Annandale Hotel, along with Pulled Apart by Horses. With guitarist Miles Divine now worked well into the fold, Regular John will soon knuckle down to record the follow-up to 2009's smashing The Peaceful Atom is a Bomb. Tix: Annandale Hotel.

THE ETERNAL TOUR - SHOW CANCELLED
The Eternal has been forced to cancel the Geelong show of their tour. Drummer Marty O'Shea suffered a broken hand after the band's album launch in Melbourne and will be out of action for two months. Due to the lack of time to rehearse former drummer Ryan Buesnel before the next show, the band's date in Geelong has been cancelled. The rest of the tour will go on as planned.

TROLLING FOR PRIZES
In conjunction with their Trolling Crusade tour in March, Finntroll has teamed up with Soundworks and Century Media to win a signed CD and poster. There will be one winner for every show on the tour. Get your ticket then either email Soundworks at soundworkspromo@bigpond.com or join the Facebook group. Send an email with "Finntroll Competition" as the subject to have a chance at winning.

THE HAUNTED NEVERMORE
Two more hotly anticipated tours have just been officially announced. Returning for their first visits since 2006, Sweden's The Haunted begin their tour on May 26 in Brisbane and Seattle's mighty Nevermore kick off their visit on June 8 in Perth! Tickets are available from redanttouring.com or Ticketek. See Tour Announcements for dates!

R.I.P. GARY MOORE 1952 - 2011
Irish guitar legend Gary Moore has died aged 58. One of the most influential hard rock guitarists of the 1970s and early 80s, his playing inspired the likes of Adrian Smith, Kirk Hammett and Randy Rhoads among many others. Known best for his various stints with Thin Lizzy, he maintained cult status until his 1990 watershed album Still Got the Blues, featuring George Harrison, Albert Collins, Albert King and Nicky Hopkins, which stamped him as an electric blues player of outstanding quality. Without doubt one of the finest guitarists of his generation, he died suddenly during the night of February 6 while holidaying in Spain.

SYDNEY SOUNDWAVE MOVES TO SHOWGROUNDS
Soundwave 2011 has changed its venue in Sydney to the Showground at Olympic Park. Soundwave Touring made the announcement this afternoon (Feb. 3). All tickets to the original venue will remain valid.

CLAIMING THE SUPPORT
Soundworks Touring has announced the local supports for the Finntroll/Claim the Throne tour next month. They are: Dead Letter Opener (Brisbane), Obsidieth (Melbourne), Bane of Isildur (Sydney) and Psychonaut (Perth). Full details in tour announcements.

KRI-KE ROCKS TO THE BEAT
Wollongong band Nekrofeist became the first metal band ever to play the annual Yabun Festival in Sydney on Australia Day. Yabun ("to the beat") is the Indigenous Australian arts and culture festival. Premier Kristina Keneally got in a photo op with the band's singer Dave Tinelt. (Pic - Kaylene Macleod)

OVER-REACTING IN QUEENSLAND
Self styled death-hop duo Over-reactor - Ox from Mammal and Cory from Dukes of Windsor - return to Queensland this month for four shows to promote their second album Lose Your Delusion Too. See the tour dates for further deets.

A TEMPTING PROPOSITION
Symphonic metallers Within Temptation are releasing three short films on their official website and Facebook page in the lead-up to the release of new album The Unforgiving, which will be released on March 25 through Roadrunner. The films will also be included as a bonus DVD on the special edition of the album, alongside a documentary about the film production process.

ALESTORMING VOYAGE
Those crazy Scottish drinking machines are back in Australia in May. To take up where they left off on their piratical incursion last year, Alestorm return Back Through Time with Perth melodic progsters Voyager in tow. See tour announcements for details!

MORE SPICE TO THE SOUR SHOW
Coheed and Cambria have been added to the bill of the Stone Sour/Sevendust/36 Crazyfists show in Sydney on February 28.

BURIED DRAGON SKULL AND BONES
The first Skull and Bones Festival will be held over the 11 and 12 of March across two venues: Jack Thompson's Gearin Hotel in Katoomba and the Factory Theatre in Sydney. Line-ups for both shows are the same: Buried in Verona, Double Dragon, Our Last Enemy, Celebrity Morgue, Scar the Surface, Internal Nightmare (debuting their new line-up), F.U.C, Deliverence We Prey, Red Bee and Tensions Arise. Tickets are strictly limited and available for presale from this link.
 
WAVING THE SAXON SWORD
It had to happen: the true metal glory of Saxon in sidewave shows announcement! The UK metal pioneers will do two headlining gigs in Melbourne (Feb.%2€28) and Rydney (M€r. 1), accompanied by The Sword. See tour notices for details.

DESTROYING AUSTRALIA
Kiwi noise terrorists Ulcerate sack Australia again in March on the Destroyers of All tour. Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are on the band's hitlist. See tour notices for more.

BLEEDING THE TRUTH
Mixed and mastered by Scar Symmetry's Jonas Kjellgren and featuring the immense drumming talents of Kevin Talley, Truth Corroded's album Worship the Bled will be launched in March with an all ages show at Adelaide Uni. Then in April the band hits the road for the Touring the Bled um, tour that will also see them hit Japan. Hard.
 
MORE FLOOD RELIEF SHOWS
Two more metal shows are raising funds for flood relief. In Brisbane itself, Monstrothic @ Rosies on January 21 hosts Agonhymn, The Nihilist, Fear the Setting Sun and Echotide, with 25% of both bar profit and door takings donated to the effort. Meanwhile in Perth, a Queensland Flood Relief Fundraiser in on at the Rosemount on February 11 featuring Voyager, Claim the Throne, Chaos Divine and Empires Laid Waste. Every cent will go the Premier's Flood Relief Charity.

 

 

 

 

 MONARCH'S UNEARTHLY TWIN
Adding to the already top-heavy early 2011 touring schedule, French funeral doom lords Monarch return in February for their 3rd Australian tour, and this time they'll be accompanied by none other than US hardcore/doom legends Unearthly Trance and the sludge metal machine that is Utah's Eagle Twin. Along with their shows together, all three bands will also playing separate headlining gigs. Check the tour notices for details. 

UNDER THE ETERNAL SUN
Melbourne prog rockers The Eternal will embark on a tour of Australia, New Zealand and Japan from February 4, which also happens to be the day their Jeff Martin-produced album Under a New Sun is released. 

THUNDER GODS ARE GO...
Sweden's Amon Amarth will release their new album Surtur Rising on March 29 through Metal Blade/Riot!. The album features ten new tracks and was again recorded by Jens Bogren. The record is the follow-up to 2008's wildly successful Twilight of the Thunder God. 

NO SWEET, BUT PLENTY OF SOUR
Hot on the heels of their wickedly infectious album Audio Secrecy, America's Stone Sour (featuring Slipknot members Corey Taylor and Jim Root) have announced two special side shows during their Soundwave Festival run. Joining them at their Sydney and Melbourne side shows will be Sevendust and 36 Crazyfists. Tickets are on-sale Friday, January 21 at 9am.

SLASHING IT OUT!
Yet another Sidewave announcement. This time it's the legendary Slash in one show only: March 2 at the Tivoli in Brisbane. Helping him out will be the conceptual progressive noise of Coheed and Cambria and modern glamsters Taking Dawn. Tix: Ticketek.

VOID AROUND AUSTRALIA
Two of Australia's finest extreme entities are pairing up for an Australian tour. The Amenta and Ruins will head around the country together between March and June, hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, Newcastle and Perth. This will be The Amenta's first full scale tour with their current line-up ahead of the release of their album VO1D. Not to be missed.

ROCK 'N' ROLL ROYALTY
Queens of the Stone Age's Sydney and Melbourne Sidewaves sold out in a minute this morning. Therefore, if you want to catch the band live you had better get yourself a Soundwave Festival ticket!

METAL FUNDRAISERS FOR THE FLOOD CRISIS
Sydney's Under the Southern Cross festival on January 22 will be raising money for the victims of Queensland's flood crisis. The promoter, Stigmata Productions, will be donating $1 per head to the fund, and will also be collecting donations from punters on the night! Under the Southern Cross 3 happens at the Sando in Sydney and will feature Earth, Mhorgl, Killrazer. Darker Half, Nobody's Fool, Embodied, Roadside Burial, The Veil, Nemesphyxia, Hemina, Headhammer and Letters of Carnage. Doors open 1pm.

In Adelaide, For the Maroons is an all ages show at Fowlers on January 28. For $10 you get Double Dragon, Se Bon Ki Ra, Tzun Tzu, Altars, Orphans of the Sky, From Birth to Burial, A Murder of Crows and Chaos Burning, and all proceeds go to the flood appeal. Doors open 6pm.

HIGH FIRE TRASH TALK SIDEWAVES 
Gravel-voiced riff-crazy sludge lords High on Fire and hardcore heavy hitters Trash Talk have announced two sidewave shows to supplement their visit to Australia with the Soundwave festival. To make thing even better they'll also be teamed with the triple vocal layers and twin drum onslaught of Kylesa. Dates: March 1, HiFi Bar, Brisbane; March 2, Espy, Melbourne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A MORBID EXCLUSIVE 
With Tim Yeung filling in while Pete Sandoval recovers from his recent surgery, death metal legends Morbid Angel will return to Australia for two exclusive performances in May. May 27 at the HiFi Bar in Melbourne and May 28 in Sydney at the Manning Bar will be the only Australian shows for the band on this visit. Tickets are on sale now from the HiFi, Oztix and Moshtix.

R.I.P. PHIL KENNEMORE
Phil Kennemore, the long-serving bass player with California rock and metal band Y&T, has died from lung cancer at the age of 57. Kennemore was diagnosed with the illness in October and immediately underwent treatment with assistance from the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund. On January 1,  a benefit was held in Santa Clara featuring members of Heaven and Hell, Dokken, Ratt, Queensryche, Testament and Megadeth performing on his behalf. Kennemore passed away on January 7, surrounded by his family. Y&T singer/guitarist Dave Meniketti said: "Phil was not only a sweet and passionate man with his life; but as an artist he had a rare ability to say what was on his mind with the most eloquent, clever and to-the-point lyrics. He was able to say the things other people were thinking but couldn’t put into words.

“I am forever grateful for our lifelong friendship, which was always in place throughout the worst and best of times. I will miss his sense of humour and his amazing wit – but most of all I will always miss not seeing him to my left on the stages I play from this moment forward."

Thanks to Rock AAA.com for sections of this story.

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Metallers DevilDriver will release their new album Beast on February 22 through Roadrunner/Warner. However, you can download a brand new track entitled Dead to Rights for free from the Roadrunner US site. We here at Loud have heard the new album - needless to say, if you've been a fan of recent releases you're unlikely to be disappointed.

NO EMMURE
Emmure has been forced to postpone their impending tour. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the band now won't be here until May.

HARDCORE TRADITION
The godfathers of New York hardcore Agnostic Front recently finished recording their new album, the follow-up to 2007's Warriors. My Life, My Way was recorded with extreme metal mastermind Erik Rutan, produced by Madball's Freddy Cricien, mastered by Alan Douches and features 13 new songs. It will be released on March 4.

JUST ANOTHER DEAL IN THE WALL
Progressive rock icons Pink Floyd, one of the world's most successful bands, and their long-time record label EMI Music have announced the signing of a new global partnership. Under the five-year agreement, EMI will continue to market and distribute the band's catalogue. All legal disputes between the band and company have been settled as a result of this deal. Pink Floyd has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, including a staggering 45 million copies of 1973's The Dark Side of the Moon.

THE BEST OF 2010
What were your musical highlights and lowlights for 2010? The contributors here at Loud have weighed in with what music they enjoyed during the past 12 months, what albums didn't live up to the hype and some of the more notable metal events that occurred throughout the year. Visit the Features section for our rundown of the year that was, and while you're at it, we've also posted a special blog previewing some of the major heavy music releases that will greet us during 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUST FLOATING AWAY
Some of you may have checked it out already, but for those fans of atmospheric, progressive hard rock we recommend giving this one a listen. F L O A T I N G M E, the new project featuring Cog's Lucius Borich and Karnivool's Jon Stockman, have posted their first single Sugar online. The track can be purchased through iTunes or you can  to it on the band's official MySpace page. The new band will also be hitting the road in February, supporting Shihad during their national tour.

DECEMBER 2010

ALL AGES CARNIFEX SHOW
Carnifex has announced a stand-alone all ages show for Melbourne fans. For one show only @ 2pm, January 7, Carnifex will play an all-ages event at the Phoenix Centre in Footscray along with State of East London, Jack the Stripper, Her Majesty and Stand Alone. Tix thru oztix.com.au

HE CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
LORD frontman Lord Tim has launched a new project called Clarity, which promises to offer something significantly different to the shredmaster's main project. To find out more and hear some (free) new music, head to http://www.lord.net.au/clarity/

A VERY METAL CHRISTMAS
Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor's Christmas single has been out for a few weeks now, but it's still not too late to get in on the action. His song, entitled 'X-M@$' aims to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust and is full of tongue-in-cheek jibes about  those folks who despise Christmas. Taylor noted on Twitter this week that he will be informing everyone of how much money the song raised "as soon as possible". Hopefully a few of our readers are given iTunes gift cards this Christmas - this track could be the ideal addition to the dinner music rotation at grandma's place!

STONE DEAF DOWN UNDER
As presaged some time ago on this page, Motörhead will be in Australia in March for four shows only! The eternal trio will hit our shores on March 26 in Melbourne before heading to Adelaide, Sydney and the Gold Coast. Absolutely everything will be louder than anything else in a show that should not be missed. 

NOCTIS: NOT JUST ANYONE ELSE
Perth doomsters Noctis will be releasing their debut full-length Silent Atonement in the near future. Not a band to do things by halves, the album is a 2-CD issue that runs over 100 minutes, and you can check the track "Anyone Else" by going here: http://soundcloud.com/kingcamel/anyone-else 

IN CASE YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE SHOWING UP, A7X
Avenged Sevenfold has withdrawn from the Soundwave Festival. In an announcement posted last night (Dec. 16), the band stated: "Avenged Sevenfold regretfully announce they will not be performing at the upcoming Soundwave in Australia. After much effort, the band decided that they could not offer fans the live experience they have come to expect and didn’t want to disappoint them. Avenged Sevenfold will return to Australia soon to headline their own tour. [italics ours]" Without wishing to cast aspertions, reading between the lines here is as easy as reading a newspaper. Come on fellas, when it came down to choosing between you guys and Iron fucking Maiden, who did you think would win?

WITHIN TEMPTATION RELEASE NEW TRACK ONLINE
"Where is the Edge", the first track from Within Temptation's upcoming album The Unforgiving will be available from their website from 11am CET (10pm AET) Wednesday December 15! The clip contains scenes from the forthcoming thriller Me & Mr Jones.

CLAIMING THE TRIUMPH AND BEYOND
Black metal, folk music and an almost dangerous appreciation of the amber liquid combine in the shape of Perth's Claim the Throne, whose second album Triumph and Beyond is now available in a special digipak from Prime Cuts. Order from the band thru their MySpace or email Prime Cuts: pcuts@bigpond.com. CtT will be on tour with Finntroll in March.

TRUTH CORRODED WORSHIPPING THE BLOOD
Adelaide's Truth Corroded have unveiled the artwork and title of their next album. Worship the Bled features guest drumming from Kevin Talley and the band has uploaded a video to YouTube explaining the messge behind the striking artwork: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqH0BYJXSTM

DOUBLE DRAGON POST VIDBLOG FROM THE STUDIO
Adelaide metalheads Double Dragon have posted a studio blog on YouTube as they work on their forthcoming album Sons of Asena. Produced by Andy Kite, the release will be mixed by Daath's Eyal Levi in Atlanta. Check the blog here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpkgRE8dbp0

STONE TEMPLE PILOTING INTO AUSTRALIA AT LAST
San Diego rockers Stone Temple Pilots are finally coming to Australia. After at leat two aborted missions during the height of their career in the mid-90s, STP will land on these shores in March next year to support the release of their new self-titled album. Tickets go on sale from 9am, December 19 from Ticketek (NSW) and Ticketmaster (VIC, WA, QLD).

SUICIDAL FOR LIVE - In Australia
Blending punk and funk with thrash and HC, Suicidal Tendencies created a legacy that lasts today and introduced many of us to the talents of Robert Trujillo. Fronted by the Cyco Mike Muir, ST return to Australia in May 2011. Tickets go on sale from December 16 at 9am

AN EPITAPH FOR THE PRIEST
Judas Priest has just announced that their next world tour will be their last! After more then 40 years, the Brummie quintet will be rounding off their career with the Epitaph World Tour, kicking off at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 9, 2011. After doing the rounds of the European summer festivals, the band plan to hit "all the major cities in the world", so hopefully that includes Australia.

ANNIHILATOR TOURING DRUMMER DIES
Jeff Waters of Annihilator has posted a tribute on his band's official website to David Machander, the drummer who filled in on one of the band's 1996 tours. Machander died on November 18 from cancer, aged 43. He was also a member of Canadian band Meatwagon, who released one album, Left With Nothing, in 1996.

SUM OF THE UNIVERSUM
Adelaide melodeathsters Universum have released online a pre-mastered version of the track "Sum of the Universe" from their forthcoming album Mortuus Machina. Featuring guest vocalist Christian Alvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry) and Nightrage guitarists Olof Morck and Marios Iliopoulos, the track can be heard on their MySpace. Pre-orders of the album are available from their official webstore.

PREPARE FOR ARMAGEDDON
In the wake of the Black Mass fiasco, Seance Records has announced a new show to take its place: the Armageddon Festival. Featuring exclusive Sydney performances by Nazxul, Astriaal, Drowning the Light and Destruktor, plus Wardaemonic and Erebus Enthroned, with more to be announced, the show will take place at the Factory Theatre on February 5. Tickets are $35 and available from the venue's website: factorytheatre.com.au. Note that this is NOT an all ages event.

RATT RELEASE NEW VIDEO
Hard rockers Ratt have just released a clip for the song "Eat Me Up Alive", from their first album in a decade, Infestation. Check this link to check it out!

MAIDEN, SLAYER HEAD 2011 GRAMMY NOMINEES LIST

Iron Maiden, Slayer, Korn and Megadeth and Ozzy Osbourne are included in the nominees for this year's Grammy Awards in the categories Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance. The full list is:

Best Hard Rock Performance

ALICE IN CHAINS - "A Looking In View" (from Black Gives Way to Blue)
OZZY OSBOURNE - "Let Me Hear You Scream" (from Scream)
SOUNDGARDEN - "Black Rain" (from Telephantasm)
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - "Between The Lines" (from Stone Temple Pilots)
THEM CROOKED VULTURES - "New Fang" (from Them Crooked Vultures)

Best Metal Performance

IRON MAIDEN - "El Dorado" (from The Final Frontier)
KORN - "Let The Guilt Go" (from Korn III: Remember Who You Are)
LAMB OF GOD - "In Your Words" (from Wrath)
MEGADETH - "Sudden Death" (from Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock)
SLAYER - "World Painted Blood" (from World Painted Blood)

MOTORHEAD/BLS TOUR - Details to come
In what promises to be the rawk n roll double bill of the year -- possibly the decade -- Motorhead and Black Label Society will hit Australia together in late March, according to Black Label Society's website.

THE TYRANT GETS WASHED OUT - LORD A/A Show Cancelled! 
LORD has been forced to cancel their all ages concert in Merrylands (Sydney) this Friday due to the rain. Also, the final date of their tour has had to be moved to the Cabbage Tree Hotel in Fairy Meadow (Wollongong). Supports for that show are Primal Intent and Knightqueste. Details: LORD forum.

NOVEMBER 2010

ZZ TO TOUR
Formed in 1968 with exactly the same line-up as today, ZZ Top became legends in the 70s for their down-home and raw rootsy blues heavy rocking. In the 80s they polished it up with synths and became megastars thanks to Eliminator. Next year the best electric blues band in the world comes back to Australia playing five shows on the east coast. Support comes courtesy of Rose Tattoo and The Poor, making this the smashingest heavy blues tour in the history of everything. Tickets thru ticketmaster.com.au from December 7.

DEVILDRIVER AND FRIENDS SIDEWAVE SHOWS ANNOUNCED
The side shows for Soundwave artists continue to be announced, with the latest being the four-pronged attack comprising DevilDriver, Ill Nino, All That Remains and Nonpoint for Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney show is at the Forum on March 2 (Lic./AA) and the Melbourne show is at Billboard on the 3rd (18+ only). Tix on sale from December 3 thru Ticketek and Moshtix.

KYUSS TOUR SELLS OUT IN MINUTES - SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE SHOWS MOVED
The Sydney and Melbourne Kyuss shows sold out within 46 miuntes today (Melbourne's in 4 minutes flat!). To accomodate the immense demand, both shows have been moved to bigger venues. The Sydney show is now at the Big Top, Luna Park and Melbourne's gig will now be at the Palace. Tix to the original venues will still be good for the new ones.

EASTERN CREEK RACEWAY RESPONDS TO SOUNDWAVE MEDIA REPORTS
Yesterday's Daily Telegraph reported that Blacktown Council was making threats to cancel the Sydney Soundwave Festival if traffic issues weren't resolved in time. The management of Eastern Creek Raceway today released this press release, which we reproduce in full, courtesy of Soundwave Touring:

"Eastern Creek Raceway wish to respond to the article in Thursday’s The Daily Telegraph and news.com.au "Soundwaving Goodbye".

The article erroneously states that Soundwave Festival 2010 is "under threat" because of traffic issues.

The RTA traffic management report on which The Daily Telegraph based its article outlines findings from the 2010 event and is not relevant to traffic management plans for the upcoming Soundwave event on 27 February, 2011; which is yet to be submitted.

Since the release of the initial RTA report, the venue and the event have created a new traffic management plan conducted by the venue’s experts, in consultation with all relevant local and state authorities to eliminate bottlenecks and address any previous and potential issues.

All parties are in the process of finalising many new initiatives including but not limited to the creation of offsite parking supported by free shuttles, comprehensive direct bus services from many areas of Sydney lacking train services, creation of no stopping zones around the venue and alternative routes to ease the burden on highways and roads.

The safety and comfort of residents, fans and performers takes priority over any commercial concerns of the organisers and the venue and we do not take this commitment lightly. Furthermore, Soundwave and the many of the numerous other major events held at Eastern Creek Raceway are supported and assisted, rather than "threatened" by the City Of Blacktown.

Soundwave will be going ahead as planned at Eastern Creek Raceway on Sunday 27, February 2011."

FINTROLLING ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Bringing their Old World, folk-laden metal to Australia to celebrate the release of new album Nifelvind, Finnish hordes Finntroll will kick off their tour in Brisbane on March 24 before heading around the country with Claim the Throne.

Dates:
March 24th – Brisbane, The Hifi
March 25th – Melbourne, Billboard The Venue
March 26th – Sydney, The Manning Bar
March 28th – Perth, Capitol

A NIGHT OF BLACK MASS METAL
Sydney's proposed Black Mass Festival was canned as you're probably aware, but if you're still looking to see some of the bands that were to play, Seance Records is holding a Night of Black Metal at the Lewisham Hotel in its place. Nazxul and Astriaal won't be playing, but the rest of the line-up is: Wardaemonic, Sanguinary Misanthropia, Spire, Moon and Erebus Enthroned. Tix are $15 at the door. Lewisham Hotel is on Parramatta Rd, Lewisham.

BUMBLEFOOT FOR SYDNEY FOZZY SHOW
Guns N Roses guitarist Bumblefoot is confirmed to be making a guest appearance with Fozzy at their Sydney show on December 3, on the eve of his own show with the Gunners at ANZ Stadium the following night. Tix for the Fozzy gig are going fast so grab them here.

STRATOVARIUS DRUMMER HAS CANCER
Jorg Michael, the long time Stratovarius drummer who's also worked with Saxon, Grave Digger, Rage, Running Wild and more, has been diagnosed with a malignant thyroid neoplasm. His entire thyroid has been removed and he is standing down from touring while he recovers. 

SEGRESSION ARE THE NEVER DEAD
Segression was one of Australia's most popular metal bands during the last half of the 90s, touring with Ozzy, Slipknot, Pantera, Machine Head, Fear Factory and more and putting out four top-selling albums into the early 00s. After getting back together in 2008 and playing a sold-out Sydney return gig in late 09, the band's new album Never Dead will be out early 2011. Before that however, the band lines up to tour with Fozzy from December 2, with help from ex-Fozzy guitarist Michael Katselos as guest touring guitarist.

Segression are back and catch them live with Fozzy at:

 

Melbourne – The HiFi – 2^ND December 2010

Sydney – The Factory – 3^RD December 2010

Brisbane – The HiFi – 5^TH December 2010

A NEW PEAK FOR TRUTH CORRODED
Adelaide's Truth Corroded hit the Adelaide Uni Bar on the 27th with Mortal Sin, making their first live appearance in nine months. It will be the first live show with new drummer Luke Peak, from fellow South Aussies A Red Dawn. TC will also be at the Sonic Forge fesitval in Melbourne, raising money for Haitian orphans. See below for more!

DISTURBED - MUSIC AS A WEAPON
 
Disturbed will explode across Australian stages in April next year to support their latest blockbuster release Asylum. To sweeten the deal, Frontier Touring is also bringing Trivium and As I Lay Dying to make this one of the must see tours of the year. Tickets go on sale 9am, Friday November 26 from Ticketek.com.au

Dates:

20 April Burswood Dome, Perth
23 April Adelaide Entertainment Centre
24 April Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
25 April Acer Arena, Sydney
28 April Newcastle Entertainment Centre
30 April Brisbane Entertainment Centre

 

KYUSS LIVES - LIVE IN AUSTRALIA

In October 1995, mere months after the release of the breakthrough ...And the Circus Leaves Town album, the legendary Kyuss went into a hiatus that has lasted 14 years. Last year John Garcia toured through Europe under the name Garcia Plays Kyuss for a one-off tour, but unprecedented demand has led, inevitably, to Garcia reuniting with Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri to revive the behemoth that is Kyuss once and for all. The beast will arrive in Australia in May 2011, with tickets going on sale 9am, Thursday November 25!

Dates and tix:

WEDNESDAY 4 MAY GOLD COAST, COOLANGATTA HOTEL – 18+
 www.oztix.com.au1300 762 545 & Oztix outlets

FRIDAY 6 MAY BRISBANE, THE TIVOLI – 18+
 www.ticketek.com.au132 849, Rockinghorse and Kill The Music

SATURDAY 7 MAY SYDNEY, METRO THEATRE – Lic A/A
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

SUNDAY 8 MAY MELBOURNE, BILLBOARD – 18+
 www.ticketek.com.au132 849, www.billboardthevenue.com.au

TUESDAY 10 MAY ADELAIDE, FOWLERS – Lic A/A
www.venuetix.com.au, www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX

WEDNESDAY 11 MAY PERTH, CAPITOL – 18+
 www.moshtix.com.au1300 GET TIX


DARKEST HOUR TICKETS ON SALE FROM TODAY

Tickets for January tour by Darkest Hour will be available from 9am today - November 12. Support comes courtesy of Carnifex + locals.
Dates and ticketing:

Tuesday 4^th January - The Hi-Fi, Brisbane QLD (18+)
Tickets available from www.thehifi.com.au, 1300 The Hifi, all Oztix outlets including Rocking Horse, Skinnys, Butterbeats, Music Mania and Kill The Music

Wednesday 5^th January - The Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW (Lic/AA)

 

Tickets from Factory Theatre Box Office 02 9550 3666 www.factorytheatre.com.au

Thursday 6^th January – “Wagga:Open:Air” – Music Bowl, Wagga Wagga NSW (AA)

Tickets available from Moshtix on 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au and all Moshtix outlets or Billy Hyde Music, Wagga Wagga

Friday 7^th January - The Hi-Fi, Melbourne VIC (18+)

Tickets available from www.thehifi.com.au, 1300 The Hifi, all Oztix outlets including Greville Records and Polyester Records

Saturday 8^th January - Fowlers Live, Adelaide SA (Lic/AA)

Tickets available from Moshtix on 1300 438 849 or www.moshtix.com.au, and Venuetix on (08) 8225 8888 or www.venuetix.com.au

 

Sunday 9^th January - Amplifier Bar, Perth WA (18+)

Tickets available from Moshtix 1300 438 849 www.moshtix.com.au, Heatseeker www.heatseeker.com.au 78’s Records Perth and Mills Fremantle

NERGAL FINDS A MARROW DONOR

Nergal of Behemoth was diagnosed with leukaemia in July and has since been undergoing extensive treatment. A bone marrow donor has been found for him, and he has now posted this update to his fans:

"Hello, everyone! I'm still in the hospital but in quite a good shape so I write to let you know about my health and the further stages of treatment. I've been through four planned chemotherapies and have stayed in hospital for over 3 months now. I've gone through the whole therapy smoothly, though I also had a couple of difficult moments. All this means I have finished the stage of pharmacological treatment and I am about to start the irradiation and then the marrow transplant. Yes, we've found a donor! Having searched for months, the foundation has found a person whose genotype is identical to mine. It would have been difficult to achieve if it wasn't for the support of so many people. Most of all, I want to express my admiration for Dorota - my wonderful and devoted fiancée. She did everything she could to help me and many other people, regardless of adversities and comments which were often unfair. Your help is invaluable! Thank you! I love you. On behalf of me and all other people ill I thank everyone who registered in the bone marrow bank regardless of origin, skin colour or religion. The concerts for charity have been organized all over the world and people of show business, bands and, most of all, the fans got deeply involved. You are beyond great! One of you made my transplant possible, but remember, your attitude may save many others in need. So I appeal to everyone: don't stop the madness! The march for victory continues! Horns up!'

SONIC FORGE FOR HAITI ORPHANS

The Haiti earthquake on January 24 this year killed over a quarter of a million people, injured 300,000 and left one million people homeless, hopelessly exacerbating the crushing plight of people in one of the world's poorest countries. Worse, most of the victims are children, tens of thousands of whom have been left orphaned. The Centre of Hope orphange recently opened its doors to these kids, and Welkin Entertainment has put together the biggest metal line-up Melbourne has seen for a long time to help raise money specifically for this special place.

On December 4, 2010, 32 bands from Australia and Singapore will play across 3 stages over 12 hours, all for $15, for the benefit of the youngest victims of this tragedy.

Playing across the day will be: Be’lakor, Ne Obliviscaris, Dreadnaught, Frankenbok, Double Dragon, Meltgsnow, Earth, Arcane, Death Audio, Embodied, Eye of the Enemy, In Malice’s Wake, Contrive, Truth Corroded, Five Star Prison Cell, Aeon of Horus, Hatchet Dawn, A Million Dead Birds Laughing, Akaname, Dawn of Retribution, Teramaze, Helm, Internal Nightmare, Okera, Divine Ascension, Synperium, Insidious Torture, Primordial Space, Elysian, InExordium, Thrall, Phil Para & Band - an impressive bill in anyone's language! Tickets are just $15 from the Espy or Oztix.

IRON MAIDEN AND ED FORCE ONE: Around the World in 66 Days!

Following their recent announcement of Iron Maiden's Australian tour dates in February and March 2011, Soundwave Touring can now reveal that the band will be arriving into Australia onboard Ed Force One on their continuing mammoth Final Frontier World Tour! Once again piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson, the plane will be flying 50,000 miles round the globe, playing 29 shows and visiting 26 cities in thirteen countries across five continents, even heading into hitherto unexplored Maiden territory.

The first show will be on Feb 11th in Moscow, after which the Boeing 757 will carry the band to Singapore and Indonesia for Maiden’s first ever shows there, then arrive in Australia for Soundwave. EF1 then turns its attention to a first ever show in South Korea and two shows in Tokyo, before a 6660 mile Trans-Pacific flight for two shows in Mexico. An extensive series of shows through South America follows, including a first visit to Belem, Northern Brazil, and, via Puerto Rico, the band will play the final show on this leg of the tour in Tampa, Florida, USA on April 17th, exactly 66 days after Moscow.

Says Bruce, “We were taken aback by the fantastic reaction from everyone to EF1 during the 2008/09 World Tour. As our fans all know from the “Flight 666” film, it seemed only logical to set up this part of The Final Frontier tour in the same way so we could get to see as many fans as possible all over the World, only this time we’re pushing the boundaries even further and going to more places Maiden has never been before… in true Frontier style!! We very much look forward to playing in Singapore, Indonesia and South Korea for the first time, as well as revisiting our fans everywhere else.”

Since its August release, the band's 15th album The Final Frontier has proved their most successful chart album ever, hitting #1 28 countries from Lebanon and India to Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Europe and across Latin America, as well as #4 in the US, the band’s highest position ever there.

The dates for Maiden's Aussie shows are:

FEBRUARY
Thu 24 Sydney, AUSTRALIA Entertainment Centre
Sat 26 Brisbane, AUSTRALIA Showgrounds (SOUNDWAVE FEST)
Sun 27 Sydney, AUSTRALIA Eastern Creek Raceway (SOUNDWAVE FEST)
MARCH
Fri 4 Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Showgrounds (SOUNDWAVE FEST)
Sat 5 Adelaide, AUSTRALIA Bonython Park (SOUNDWAVE FEST)
Mon 7 Perth, AUSTRALIA Steel Blue Oval (SOUNDWAVE FEST)

BURIED IN VERONA NEED YOU IN THEIR CLIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney lads Buried in Verona are shooting a clip to help them in their campaign to get on the Big Day Out. At 1pm on Sunday, November 14, the band needs as many fans as possible to meet near the gazebo in Belmore Park, Sydney (near Central Station). Dress in black, of course!

Says the band: "We need you to wear all black, short shorts, black T or singlet. Basically girls look as sexy as possible and dudes picture 80's running man in all black, bring very very comfy shoes you'll need them.
All the details will be provided on Sunday when everyone is there and ready to go. If anyone is keen to party with us we will be goin somewhere in the city to get our drink on."
 
Need more info? Go to: myspace.com/buriedinverona

 

FIVE STAR PRISON CELL TO PLAY RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

In their latest band update, Melbourne's Five Star Prison Cell has announced they will be performing the classic Red Hot Chili Peppers album Blood Sugar Sex Magick in its entirety at a special show next year. The performance will include special guests adding vocals and instruments.

In other news, the band will be playing in regular FSPC mode at three shows in December:

Saturday 4th December - Sonic Forge Festival - The Espy, Melbourne
With Helm, Dreadnaught and many more

Friday 10th December - The Gearin Hotel, Katoomba
Great Western Highway, Katoomba, with Red Bee, Mish and Nobody knew They Were Robots

Saturday 11th December - Deathfest - Newcastle
Phoenbix-Jade Dibley Fund raiser - With Shadowmill, R.O.T.D, The Paradox Unseen, Morna Point

HEAVEN - A GOTTHARD BEST OF BALLADS

Still reeling from the loss of singer Steve Lee in October, Swiss rock megastars Gotthard are issuing a special 17-track compilation of their best ballads. Heaven - Best of the Ballads Pt II will be released on November 26, 2010.

Says bass player Marc Lynn, who was with Lee when he was killed: "Nobody’s really in the mood for a driving rock song at the moment. This ballad compilation might also help our fans to cope with their sadness and grief."

“We lost not only one of the best rock voices of the world, we also lost a really exceptional person, friend, brother and musician.” states drummer Hena Habegger. “Despite his tremendous success, Steve Lee always had his feet on the ground and never lost his sensitivity for the environment."

OCTOBER 2010

A DAY TO REMEMBER: PREMIERE NEW SONG “2ND SUCKS”
The excitement surrounding A Day To Remember’s upcoming release What Separates Me From You is almost unbearable, which is why the band has decided to stream another song off the new album.

For the next three (3) days, “2nd Sucks” will be available exclusively at www.facebook.com/victoryrecords. Simply “Like” Victory Records, brace yourself, and enjoy the impact.

What Separates Me From You hits stores November 19th

VANISHING POINT: STILL ON THE LOOK OUT FOR NEW MEMBERS
Melbourne’s brilliant Vanishing Point are still looking for a new bass and guitar player to join the VP team. If you think you’ve got what it takes, contact the bands vocalist Silvio Massaro via one of the channels below
whentruthliesxxxx@yahoo.com.au
www.myspace.com/vanishingpointofficial
www.vanishing-point.com

THE RED SHORE ON THE ROAD
Fresh from a #54 ARIA debut for The Avarice of Man, The Red Shore hit the road from the beginning of November with an appearance at the Another World Festival at HiSense Arena. From there, they set out to destroy alongside Canadian deathcore gods Despised Icon on their final ever tour and Sydney's Thy Art is Murder for a capital cities jaunt. From November 16, TRS and TAIM continue to roll through the country with a series of all ages shows in Rocky, Brissie, Sunny Coast, Coffs, Newie, the Gong, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Geelong plus 18+ shows in Melbs and Wodonga. Special VIP packages are available for all A/A shows that include a ticket to the gig, plus a shirt, a meet and greet with the band and the new CD. That's a sweet fucking deal! Info: http://www.theredshore.com

UNIVERSUM MACHINE TAKES SHAPE
The second album from Adelaide melodeathsters Universum heasd to Sweden soon for mixing and mastering. Featuring guest appearances by former members of Scar Symmetry and Soilwork and two of the dudes from Nightrage, Mortuus Machina looks set to continue the strong legacy established by their debut.

NEW SINGLE FOR THE ETERNAL
'Under a New Sun' is the title and first track to be released from The Eternal's forthcoming album. Produced by The Tea Party's Jeff Martin, the single will be available exclusively from The Eternal's webstore on November 1, 2010 as both a CD and MP3. A video will be launched the same day and there will also be an intimate performance by the band at the Arthouse in Melbourne. More details: http://www.the-eternal.com.

SEPTEMBER 2010
VOYAGER MAKES HISTORY
Perth prog rock/metal team Voyager have been added to the line up of Prog Power USA 2011, the first Australian band ever to appear at the festival. A full US tour is also being organised for the band. In other news, Voyager has split from Dockyard 1 Records but retains full ownership of all masters and licenses, allowing them to take them to another label for re-release in the future. Voyager supports Soilwork in Perth on October 28 and then plays with LORD and Dreadnaught in Sydney on the 29th and with LORD again in Newcastle on October 30.

EVANSAND JOINS BLACK MAJESTY
Ex-Therion and Chimaira drummer Richard Evensand is acting as Black Majesty's touring drummer for their upcoming Aussie shows while regular hitter Pavel Konvalinka is overseas. The Majesty lads begin their local run in support of newie In Your Honour in Sydney at The Wall on Sept 17 with Darker Half and Hellbringer.

TRIPLE YOUR TERROR: A weekend of big metal noise
September 11 is shaping up to be a huge day of metal mayhem in three cities as Adelaide hosts The Birthday Bash, TerrorFest III rains down the noise on Darwin and Brisbane will be assaulted by the soothing sounds of the rather tastelessly-named Total Fucking Terrorism 3. The Birthday Bash is at Fowlers in place of Against the Grain this year, headed up by Truth Inc. (featuring members of Truth Corroded and Double Dragon) plus Daysend, Lynchmada, Dyscord, Switchblade, Se Bon Ki Ra, Five Star Prison Cell, Cuntscrape, A Red Dawn, Humonic and more. TerrorFest III at Brown's Mart in Darwin is headlined by Sydney's LORD and also includes a host of local bands including Hate For Fate, Jesus Aborted Milkshake, FEMA, Vicious Apathy and others. TFT3 will be at the Step Inn in Brisbane and includes Sanguinary Misanthropia, Erebus Enthroned, Order of Orias, Infektion, Lustration, Evil Intent and more.

SOULFLY DATES MOVED
Two shows on the Soulfly/City of Fire/Incite tour have been moved to other venues. The Melbourne show has now been moved to Billboard and the Sydney gig to the Metro.

BEHEMOTH: NERGAL NEEDS YOU
Behemoth’s Nergal has now learned that his leukaemia has progressed beyond the stage at which chemotherapy is effective, and is thus in need of a bone marrow transplant. He is urging his fans and well-wishers to learn about marrow donation through a couple of avenues: the US-based http://www.marrow.org/, a national marrow donation register (only available to US residents) and through Music Saves Lives at http://www.musicsaveslives.org/, an organisation that offers education in the area of blood and marrow donation.

NEW GUITARIST FOR MORTAL SIN
Thrash legends Mortal Sin have added guitarist Ryan Huthnance as their new permanent guitarist just in time for their national tour with Overkill next month. Huthnance comes from Newcastle band Kindred.

BURIED IN VERONA UNLEASHING THE SEVER AGAIN
Only weeks after completing a national tour with Bermuda, Sydney’s Buried in Verona hit the road again Sept. 1 for thirteen dates that take in shows in Dubbo, Ballarat, Mt Gambier and the NSW Central Coast as well as the major cities. As part of the tour, BiV will also appear with The Devil Wears Prada and Soilwork. Full dates: http://www.myspace.com/buriedinverona.

DUE THIS MONTH:
DIMMU BORGIR: Abrahadabra
CEPHALIC CARNAGE: Mislead by Certainty
ANGRA: Aqua

AUGUST 2010
QUEENSRYCHE SIGN TO ROADRUNNER
Queensryche have signed a new worldwide deal with Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records for the release of their twelfth album, due early 2011. Vocalist Geoff Tate said: “We are very happy to be signing with Road Runner/Loud and Proud. This is the rock label and a place where they are as excited about our music as we and our fans are”.

LORD AND THE RETURN OF THE TYRANT
Melodic metal dudes LORD have released the details of their forthcoming EP “Return of the Tyrant”. The 10 track (!!) EP features three versions of their new song “Return of the Tyrant”, acoustic renditions of tracks from the previous two albums and covers of Symphony X and Cutting Crew (gasp!).

Says Lord Tim: “'Return Of The Tyrant' is essentially part two of the old Dungeon song ' Tarranno Del Mar'. We'd always felt that the original story was unfinished and the intention was to revisit it at some point, but then Dungeon broke up in 2005 and we continued on as LORD instead, and the idea was shelved. The original riffs that were floating around for that sequel have now finally made it to a recording. Unlike 'Tarranno Del Mar' which suffered all manner of budget and technical issues, we were able to go all-out on 'Return Of The Tyrant' and fully orchestrate it, bring in actors, dozens of guitar parts and literally hundreds of voices in the choirs. It truly is an epic! It was also great to have our good friends and ex-band mates Tim Yatras and Mav Stevens come in to be a part of the choir. We love playing cover songs and we have a massive list of songs we want to record ranging from Bon Jovi to Bathory and beyond. This time we've recorded a cover of Symphony X's classic 'Of Sins And Shadows' and the 80s pop hit by Cutting Crew '(I Just) Died In Your Arms' which features lead vocals by [bassist] Andy Dowling.”
Further details: www.lord.net.au

ARCHITECTS COME BACK WITH THIS HELL IN DECEMBER
UK metalcore crowd Architects return to Australian shores in December for a tour with Comeback Kid and This is Hell in tow. Tix on sale from September 2. Dates:
3/12 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
4/14 – Metro, Sydney (AA)
5/12 – Billboard, Melbourne
7/12 – Fowlers, Adelaide (AA)
8/12 – Capitol, Perth

SLIPKNOT UNLEASHING THE SIC( NESS) SOON
Featuring one of the final performances of their fallen bass player Paul Gray, Slipknot’s (sic)nesses DVD will hit the shelves on September 28. Shot with 30 cameras in front of 80,000 fans at the 2009 Download Festival, the DVD also includes a 45-minute documentary by Shawn “Clown” Crahan, all four clips from All Hope is Gone and the making of “Snuff”. (sic)nesses will be out thru Roadrunner.

LEACH AND DUTKIEWICZ ENGAGE TIMES OF GRACE
Former Killswitch Engage bandmates Adam Dutkiewicz and Jesse Leach have once again joined forces with new band Times of Grace. According to Leach, "In all my life. I have yet to write a record that bares my soul as much as this record does. Adam and I had a real spiritual connection while making this and I know that it comes through in the performances and lyrics. This record has our blood, sweat and tears flowing through it. It is painfully honest at times. In short this record is our catharsis".

Times of Grace's debut album The Hymn of a Broken Man is out thru Roadrunner on November 5.

BARONESS ANNOUNCE STAND-ALONE SHOWS
Already touring Australia as part of the Metallica extravanganza, Baroness has announced three intimate shows of their own for each end of the tour.
Dates:
17/10: The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
12/11: Annandale Hotel, Sydney NSW
19/11: Espy, Melbourne VIC

DESPISED ICON FAREWELL TOUR HITS OZ IN NOVEMBER
Canadian deathcore pioneers Despised Icon will be hitting Australia for six shows on their farewell tour from November 9. The Montreal six-piece will be accompanied on their first, last and only Aussie tour by The Red Shore and Thy Art is Murder.
Dates:
9/11: Amplifer Bar, Perth WA
10/11: Fowlers Live, Adelaide SA (AA)
11/11: HiFi Bar, Melbourne VIC
12/11: The Holy Grail, Canberra ACT (AA)
13/11: The Factory, Sydney NSW (AA)
14/11: HiFi Bar, Brisbane QLD

MORE CANCER BATS SHOWS ADDED
Cancer Bats have announced a string of stand-alone shows outside their tour with Bring Me the Horizon and Bullet For My Valentine. Dates:
5/9: Amplifer Bar, Perth WA
7/9: Enigma Bar, Adelaide SA
8/9: Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne VIC
11/9: The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
15/9: Annandale Hotel, Sydney NSW

THE RED SHORE SOWING ANNIHILATION SEEDS
Expect to hear the first track from The Red Shore’s highly anticipated second album The Avarice of Man as “The Seed of Annihilation” is released to radio this week. After two months in Complex Studios under the guiding hand of guitarist and producer Roman Koester and mixed by Jochem Jacobs of Dutch tech-metallers Textures, The Avarice of Man is out thru Roadrunner on September 3.

DYSCORD HIT THE ROAD
After plastering ears to walls with the release of Tirades earlier in the year, Perth’s Dyscord hit the road once again on a full-scale Australian tour. Kicking off on August 20 at Blink in Sydney, the WA five-piece are doing selected all-ages shows as well as licensed gigs, rounding out the tour at Perth’s Bastardfest in October and a support slot on the Soilwork tour.
Dates and stuff: myspace.com/dyscord

SEPTEMBER RELEASES FROM THE RIOT! CATALOGUE
The new album from thrash legends Death Angel is due September 6. Relentless Retribution (Nuclear Blast) is sure to maintain this band’s reputation for brillance. Also in the pipeline is UFO’s The Best of a Decade (SPV), a compile of their best stuff from the last ten years and from Earache, a huge retrospective of UK ragga-core pioneers Dub War. The Dub, the War & the Ugly is a CD/DVD package of rare tracks, video clips, a doco and a live show from 1998. All released thru Riot! in Australia.

BEHEMOTH and SONIC SYNDICATE in sickness and in health
Nergal from Behemoth is currently suffering health issues which have forced the band off the road, cancelling shows in Russia, northern Europe and the US. In a statement, Nergal says: “I don’t wanna bore you with details here, but I’m sick and am receiving some serious medical treatment. I know how much it sucks but health comes first. I can assure all of you that when we return, I’ll be stronger than death, and we’ll reschedule every tour as soon as logistics allow. I feel good and strong, my mind is focused, I've got my loving woman by my side, my band mates, friends (never thought there are so many, haha), management, agents and label people are giving me massive support. I can’t ask for more but a little patience now.”

In other injury news, Karin Axelsson of Sonic Syndicate has almost completely recovered from injuries she received during filming of her band’s latest clip “Turn it Up”, during which someone obviously took the role of pretending to hit her with a guitar a bit too far, and actually did it!

The clip for Behemoth’s “Alas, Lord is Upon Me” is out soon and their live DVD Evangelia Heretika is due in November.

METALLICA TOUR SUPPORTS ANNOUNCED
The opening acts for Metallica’s massive tour in September and October have been revealed. Lamb of God and Baroness will support during the October leg of the tour. The September shows will be opened by The Sword -- who are also on the Soundwave 2011 bill -- and Fear Factory. With the first of these concerts only two days after City of Fire’s tour with Soulfly, Burton C. Bell and Byron Stroud will be more than warmed up.

OUR LAST ENEMY AUS/NZ ALBUM TOUR
After spending three months in LA with Christian Olde Wolbers working on their album Fallen Empires, and recently recruiting Genitorturers guitarist Bizz and keyboards-player Grimthor, Sydney’s Our Last Enemy have headed off on a wide-scale tour of Australia and NZ. Kicking off with two shows in Launceston on July 31, the band heads through the Aussie east coast before doing a trio of gigs in NZ. Further dates and details: myspace.com/ourlastenemy

IRON MAIDEN FOR SOUNDWAVE plus stand-alone shows
In possibly the worst-kept secret since the rolling of Kevin Rudd, Iron Maiden has been officially announced as the headliner for Soundwave 2011. As part of their world tour for forthcoming album The Final Frontier, Maiden will appear at all five Soundwave festivals in February next year. Other acts so far announced include Slayer, Slash, Queens of the Stone Age, Avenged Sevenfold, Primus, Rob Zombie, Stone Sour, Ill Nino, Sevendust, Monster Magnet, Gang of Four, Social Distortion, Terror, High on Fire, The Sword, 36 Crazyfists, The Melvins, All That Remains, Devildriver and more. Tickets go on sale from August 26.

Iron Maiden has also announced two stand-alone arena shows for February 23 at Hisense Arena, Melbourne and February 24 ay Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney. Advance fanclub ticket sales available from midday, August 10 to 5pm August 11. General ticket sales from 9am, August 12.

NEW APOCALYPTICA SOON
Apocalyptica's latest album 7th Symphony is out thru Sony on August 20.

NEW ALLEN/LANDE ALBUM POSTPONED
The third Allen/Lande album The Showdown, originally promised for September, has been postponed until November 2010.

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR TOUR Aug/Sep
Boston hardcore heroes Death Before Dishonor will be touring Australia from August 31, with support from Sydney's Relentless and Against from Brisbane. Tour dates and openers:
31/8: Club 299, Brisbane QLD (+ The War + Grace is Gone)
1/9: The Fort, Brisbane QLD (AA) (+ Third Strike + Driven Fear)
2/9: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle NSW (+ The Hollow + Taken by Force)
3/9: Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Sydney NSW (Lic/AA) (+ Phantoms)
4/9: Arthouse, Melbourne VIC (+ Vultures)
5/9: Seaford Community Centre, Melbourne VIC (+ Warbrain + Hallower + Reality Unfolds)
9/9: Enigma Bar, Adelaide SA (+ Stolen Youth)
10/9: Amplifier Bar, Perth WA (DBD only) (+ Dropsaw + Born Into Suffering + Turning Tides)
11/9: Leederville HQ, Perth WA (AA) (DBD only) (+ Dropsaw + Lost for Words + Bridge the Gap)

EXODUS TOUR SUPPORTS ANNOUNCED:
Soundworks Touring has announced the supports for the Exodus AUS/NZ tour in October.
1/10: Auckland: Subtract + Razorwyre + Dissolution
2/10: Sydney: Switchblade + Subtract
3/10: Melbourne: Frankenbok + Subtract
4/10: Brisbane: Nefaria + Subtract
5/10: Perth: Malignant Monster + Psychonaut

SLAYER LIVE DVDs TO BE RE-RELEASED
After being out-of-print for several years, Slayer's three live DVD statements are to be re-released by Sony. War at the Warfield (2003), Still Reigning (2004) and a digitally-remastered version of Live Intrusion (1995) will hit the shelves and online retail from August 20. Still Reigning features Reign in Blood being performed in its entirety and Live Intrusion includes the infamous forearm carving incident and guest appearances from Robb Flynn and Chris Kontos of Machine Head and has never been issue on DVD before.