Album review : ANTI-FLAG -- "THE GENERAL STRIKE"

Anti-Flag are back after three years with their album "THE GENERAL STRIKE" released on 20th march 2012.They have stuck to their melodic hardcore punk sound that they have been carrying for more than two decades. With a run length of only 27:16, The General Strike is Anti-Flag's shortest album to date.

In the album the band retains their distrust with the political system and shown their disappointment with those American citizens who sit by and complain, without taking any action against the capitalists, opportunists and congressmen. They have shared personal experiences and the love of the musical life, as well as an ambition to move on, forgetting the past.

The album starts with a fast and quick intro called, “Controlled Opposition”, it is a 22 second shot of pure punk energy to get your blood pumping and to enjoy the music to come. The second song, “The Neoliberal Anthem” is a good album opener, true Anti-Flag music and lyrics related to the destruction of the world gives a hint about the direction album is going. The 3rd track "1915" is a song protesting against the capitalists.

The track “This is a New Sound" is pretty good and catchy, dealing with the boring life of the American citizens asking them to break free and rise against the wrong. The next track “Bullshit Opportunities” starts with hardcore screamed vocals and then returning to the signature Anti-Flag sound leading to the next track “The ranks of the masses rising” is an anthem calling out to this generation They call out to this generation, ” Get up! Get up! Your voices are needed. Become, become the pulse of the revolution. In the ranks of the masses rising.”This one will definitely pump you up.

The album then hits short song, “Turn a Blind Eye” which lasts about a minute. “Broken Bones” is a sing-along and my favorite, band has shared its experiences, their love for the music and the will to go on, forgetting the past. The next track “I don’t wanna” is all about rebellion.
“Nothing Recedes Like Progress” is another anti-political track echoing Mario Savio’s free speech oration in front of Sproul Hall in 1964, when comparing the government to a “sick machine.” The song deals with those who have taken advantage of the poor and overworked.

“Resist” is another short track leading to the last track of the album “The Ghosts of Alexandria” which is another catchy track and a  brilliant album closer leaving the album at a warm note musically.

Anti-Flag doesn’t disappoint and this record is no exception retaining their trademark melodic hardcore sound, anti-political attitude and the fire to bring a social change. This album urges you out of your seat and onto the street - it all sends the message that the time to act is indeed now and that tomorrow is just too late.

Recommended songs: This is the New Sound, The Ranks of the Masses Rising, Broken Bones, The ghost of Alexandria.

Slipknot and Mushroomhead Warming Up To Possibility Of Touring Together

Talk around rival bands Mushroomhead and Slipknot touring together is heating up. During a Q&A on a recent show of "An Evening with Corey Taylor," Corey was asked about the possibility of doing a tour with Mushroomhead, surprisingly Taylor answered with a "maybe" bringing some boos until he explained:

"My problem has never been with that band, at the time my problem was with his fans. The first time we played Cleveland fans came down, did not say shit and his f...ans down and threw stones against us. They beat Paul in the face with a padlock the size of my fist; This while we were on stage. When we finished playing, we took all our shit and went to the hearing. There were plenty of them, but we were all nine of us, was Machine Head and all our friends for a group called Amen. - Say you just take care of the damn thing right there. "

Corey explained on the proposed tour with Mushroomhead:

"I would welcome. I love to do something well, you know. Especially now. I think it would be nice to ride something together and see that shit happens. Slipknot, Mushroomhead, GWAR and Mudvayne's cursed. Because if one thing I learned is that do not cling to a stupid shit, let it go. "

On the other hand, Mushroomhead has also seen the good side of this, published in their official Facebook message:

"Jeffrey Nothing (vocals) ... Honestly, I think Paul would have wanted this to happen and JJ (John Sekula, guitarist Mushroomhead who died in October 2010) as well. Seriously, let's do this 'thing' becomes a reality, join the group!"

Napalm Death - New Album Streaming Online

Utilitarian, the new album from UK grindcore legends Napalm Death, is available for streaming in its entirety at CMDistro.de.

Utilitarian will be released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via Century Media Records.




Utilitarian tracklist:

01. Circumspect
02. Errors In The Signals
03. Everyday Pox
04. Protection Racket
05. The Wolf I Feed
06. Quarantined
07. Fall On Their Swords
08. Collision Course
09. Orders Of Magnitude
10. Think Tank Trials
11. Blank Look About Face
12. Leper Colony
13. Nom De Guerre
14. Analysis Paralysis
15. Opposite Repellent
16. A Gag Reflex
17. Aim Without An Aim [bonus]
18. Everything In Mono [bonus]

GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA

Recruitment of  Ex–Mars Volta Drummer Jon Theodore completes the line up

Giraffe Tongue Orchestra—the supergroup featuring Mastodon’s Brent Hinds, Dillinger Escape Plan’s Ben Weinman, and former Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery—have added drummer Jon Theodore to their lineup. Theodore has previously played with the Mars Volta and One Day as a Lion.

Theodore said that the band’s style of music was the perfect fit for him.

“When I first heard some of the ideas these guys were working on I immediately knew this project was right up my alley. Both beautiful and technical but not spastic, thematic but not cheesy, hard but delicate.”

Weinman recently discussed the group on WFMU-FM’s Diane’s Kamikaze Fun Machine radio show.

“This band has been a long time coming. Now that we have actually started creating together, it’s great to see it all materialize into what I feel is some really interesting material,” he says. “G.T.O. is a true collaborative effort, which in my experience rarely works, so I think we have something pretty special here. It just so happens to be with some of my favorite people and musicians.

“Almost every day this experiment seems to take on some new characteristic, and I think some of the people we’ve been talking to about contributing vocals would be a big surprise to many. It’s even surprised me!”

Sad news for SABBATH fans : Bill Ward Out Of The Reunion

Bill Ward posted a lengthy message onto his Facebook yesterday stating that he is unable to continue with the Black Sabbath album and reunion tour, until a "signable" contract is drawn up that "reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band". This is his full message:

"Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbathalbum and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another "unsignable" contract was handed to me. 

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting "the cold shoulder" (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign "the unsignable contract."

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a "signable" contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a "big piece" of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning. 

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

--Bill Ward"

Jeff Loomis - New album coming soon

Plains Of Oblivion, the brand-new upcoming album by US shredder Jeff Loomis is set to be release on April 9th (EU) and 10th (USA).

Guest musicians for the album are announced to be Vegard Sverre "Ihsahn" Tveitan (ex-Emperor, Ihsahn) Christine Rhoades (Nevermore), Marty Friedman (ex-Cacophony, ex-Megadeth), Tony MacAlpine (Planet X, ex-Steve Vai), Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth) and Attila Vörös (Nevermore)

Plains Of Oblivion tracklist:

01. Mercurial [feat. Marty Friedman]
02. The Ultimatum [feat. Tony MacAlpine]
03. Escape Velocity
04. Tragedy And Harmony [feat. Christine Rhoades]
05. Requiem For The Living [feat. Attila Vörös]
06. Continuum Drift [feat. Chris Poland]
07. Surrender [feat. Vegard Sverre "Ihsahn" Tveitan]
08. Chosen Time [feat. Christine Rhoades]
09. Rapture
10. Sibylline Origin

King Diamond - Returning to the Stage

Danish heavy metallers King Diamond have announced on their official website that they will be returning to the stage soon, after joining forces with Nick Storch at ICM and Paul Ryan at The Agency Group to book new shows. 

Statement from King Diamond: "Hail to all of you, it has just been confirmed that King Diamond has joined forces with Nick Storch at ICM and Paul Ryan at The Agency Group. Nick Storch will be in charge of booking King Diamond concerts in North and South America, and Paul Ryan will be in charge of booking King Diamond concerts in Europe and rest of world."

"It is great to be in the top professional hands of Nick and Paul. They both come highly recommended by Brian Slagel of Metal Blade, who personally suggested the partnership that is now in effect. ICM and The Agency Group have so much combined experience, which will open new doors for us. When it comes to getting us back on stage again, we all agree on how to bring King Diamond to a whole new level. Within a few weeks, we should be able to announce the first part of our plan. Welcome on board and stay heavy."

"There'll be a lot more great news coming the next couple of weeks. It's been difficult keeping everything under wraps, but soon it will all be out in the open. I want to thank you for your amazing patience. We will get back to the Skype sessions in not too long as well."