Mona Lisa's Never Seemed So Angry

     It's not breaking news anymore that the Dillinger Escape Plan is putting out a new record this year called Option Paralysis.  What is new is that they will be premiering a video for the track "Farewell, Mona Lisa" March 1 at 4 pm EST at http://www.justin.tv/.  The track has been available online for a few weeks now and based on this song, it sounds like the band is back on track to releasing another face smashing record.  There are some melodic singing parts in this song and it looks like the band will start incorporating a few singing parts in their songs.  The band's last release, Ire Works, featured a lot more mainstream type of songs (for Dillinger at least) and took away from some of the furiosity of the record.  Even a subpar DEP record beats most bands' best efforts so I'm still looking forward to this.  The video trailer for "Farewell, Mona Lisa" can be viewed below.  Pick up Option Paralysis on March 23 and go kick a kitten.   

Vulgar Display Of Autobiography

The news coming out today keeps getting better.  It's now being reported that Philip Anselmo is working on an autobiography.  I think the biggest question on most people's minds is how much he is going to include on the break up of Pantera and Dime's death.  Something I found interesting appeared a few years ago in some magazine I read.  Phil went into a semi-detailed description of why he could hardly move on stage due to his back trouble.  He was on all kinds of pain killers that basically numbed the shit out of him just so he could perform.  I'm hoping this book will be very thorough from Far Beyond Driven through Down getting back together.  There's about a 10 year period in his life that I find fascinating and Phil is a straight shooter so don't be surprised if this book comes out as thick as a dictionary.

Scream For Me Long Beach!

Iron Maiden is about to make an announcement next Thursday (March 4) week regarding their North American touring plans for 2010.  This is about as huge as it gets.  In addition to that, the band has recently finished recording their 15th studio album.  The energy these guys still have is incredible and if you pass on seeing them on this tour then do me a favor and just punch youself in the nuts repeatedly.  That would be easier to deal with than dealing with the thought of missing Iron Fucking Maiden!

Golden...God This Award Doesn't Matter

    
     The second annual Golden Gods Awards is set to take place once again in Los Angeles.  While most metal fans and industry folk are all excited about finally having a heavy metal awards program, I could give two shits.  Now before I get criticized let it be known that I strongly oppose all awards shows/programs.  I do think that anything publicizing heavy metal can't be all bad in the grand scheme of things.  Even the Grammys having a heavy metal catagory isn't terrible either, even though it is a joke.  Metal is the best form of music and the most therapeutic way of self-expression from any genre of music, period.  There is no other form of musical entertainment that has a more rabid fan base and loyal supporters than heavy metal.  While I can win any argument over that claim, I'm here to talk about awards shows so that's what I'll do.

Norma Jean, Normal Genes?

     When Norma Jean was first breaking onto the scene, I'll admit that I really dug them.  Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child helped set up the template for metalcore.  "Memphis will be Laid to Waste" is arguably their most famous song to date and definitely still a staple in their live set.  O God, The Aftermath took a more mathcore approach and this is when I took notice of the band.  Suddenly, they were more intense and vocalist Cory Brandan sounded like he punch a baby for looking at him.  I listen to this album today and it's still devestating.  Redeemer was a step once again in a new direction for the band.  A little more melodic but still a solid effort.  Where the band started losing me was with their last record, The Anti-Mother.   

Traditional Heavy Metal To Return In 2010

     With the current metal trend as it is, bands that have vocalists who can actually sing are a scarce commodity over recent years.  I'm not saying they're not out there because they are, they just aren't that popular in comparison to a deathcore band.  Anybody can do breakdowns or blasts with practice but not everyone can write a song.  I mean WRITE a song, shit that sticks in your head for days.  That has been missing from metal for a good while now and I don't think this absence is due to a lack of talent but more of a forgotten gift.  They're are so many metal fans that think singing in metal is for pussies or 80's metal.  Let's get one thing straight, you won't find anyone with half of a brain calling Iron Maiden pussies because Bruce Dickinson has pipes.  Metal is the most accessible it's ever been thanks to technology and whatever type of metal you're into you can find online. 

Is Fear Factory Still Relevant?

The title explains everything.  Do people still give a shit about Fear Factory?  Regardless of the lineup or who the real Fear Factory name belongs to or how influential they used to be, do they matter in 2010?

Overkill - Ironbound Review

     Not many bands last 15 years, let alone 15 albums. Overkill is not one of those many bands. Ironbound marks the 15th album these east coast thrashers have released and boy does it “kill.” I highly doubt Slayer, Megadeth, Kreator, and Overkill all got together and said fuck it, let’s all release mind blowing, no bullshit thrash records like we used to do, but it sure seems that way. With Exodus working on a follow up to The Atrocity Exhibition, we just need that mysterious new Anthrax disc to see the light of day and I’m pretty sure all the stars will align…or something like that.

Frankenstein Will Finally Be Fed

Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie have announced they will be doing a short tour together and my reaction to this was fuck yeah!  After finding out they're only doing seven dates and only two of those are American dates, my horror music boner quickly dropped.  Deemed the "Gruesome Twosome" tour, the groups are playing mostly Canadian dates (lucky bastards) but hopefully the response will be overwhelming and they'll come to their senses for more American shows later on.  While I've never been a huge fan of Zombie's music, you cannot take away that the man puts on one hell of a live show.  Of course, he would be nowhere without Cooper, who as of 2006 (last time I saw him live) still puts on one hell of a live show himself.  The man is 62 years old and still kicking ass, good for him.

Things Looking Up For Down

Down will be releasing a DVD/CD combo entitled Diary of a Mad Band on March 23.  The package will include footage from the band touring in Europe (130 mins of live material!) and a live cd.  For pre-order information check out http://shop.relapse.com/store/product.aspx?ProductID=37395.  Currently, Down continues to work on their follow up to 2007's Down III - Over the Under and will see a 2010 release.  I am absolutely stoked for this DVD to come out because Down never disappoints live and it's finally captured on film.  You can bet I'll be picking this up.  

Crematorium Returns This Saturday!

Crematorium will be playing 2/27 at The Blvd with Reciprocal, Arkaik, Obscene Carnage, Burning at the Stake, and Deficient Creation.  If you're a fan of the recent deathcore epidemic and you aren't familiar with Crematorium then chances are you're probably too young.  These guys were doing a hybrid of death metal and hardcore in the 90's, long before there was a name for it.  Things have been picking up in the Crematorium camp and the band has been working on a new album for Prosthetic Records called "Born of Filth... Cultivated by Swine" due out in 2010.  Maybe they'll debut some new shit they've been working on?

http://www.myspace.com/crematorium

The Blvd
2631 Whittier Blvd
Boyle Heights, CA 90023
All Ages - 7:00pm - $8 - Bar w/ I.D.

Gus G. vs. Zakk Wylde

Gus G. is now Ozzy's new axe slinger replacing Zakk Wylde.  I'm not going to go back over the details of what happened there as you can check that out somewhere else if you still don't know.  I'm only interested in knowing what your thoughts are on the situation.  Will Gus be able to revitalize Ozzy's sound and career?  Obviously, Ozzy himself is a train wreck vocally but since Down to Earth musically everything has sounded like Black Label Society.  Gus G. is from Firewind who sound nothing like BLS.  Will Gus bring something fresh to the table that Randy, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk haven't done yet?


If you don't know Firewind check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/firewind

Never Say Die Tour with Winds of Plague, Despised Icon 2/27/10

     Winds of Plague will be headlining the Never Say Die Tour which is making a stop at The Whisky on 2/27/10.  Joining them in their never ending quest to decimate the weak will be labelmates Despised Icon along with For Today, Stray From the Path, and The World We Knew.  This marks the touring debut for WoP keyboardist Alana Potocnik (no word yet as to whether she has a boob picture floating online or not).  While WoP has a lot of haters they do put on a good show.  Add Despised Icon to the mix, who are one of the better deathcore bands out there, and you have something worthwhile to do this Saturday night.  If you don't know the other bands then keep reading.

Shows in Los Angeles

I will be posting upcoming shows that will either be in LA or in the surrounding areas a week before they get here.  Some commentary will surely be added to each posting as well.  Stay tuned for the first one.

Arch Enemy/Exodus/Arsis/Mutiny Within @HoB Sunset

     The Tyrants of Evil North American Tour bulldozed the West Hollywood House of Blues on 2/9/10, wrapping up a successful run. Newcomers Mutiny Within began the chaos with their upcoming self-titled album opener "Awake". This was a rare instance where I wanted to catch every song from the opening band just out of curiosity. I had been listening to their debut for the past week and still couldn't decide if I was fully onboard for this band or not. On one hand, there's no denying these boys have talent. The group features a vocalist that's bringing back memorable melodies and singing, two guitarists who shred, a decent rhythm section, and a keyboardist. Sorry Mr. Keyboard player but unless you're playing symphonic black metal, keyboards have no place in metal. It only took the band two songs to get the crowd moving. The band is young but they do have some promise to them. Surprisingly, a decent portion of the crowd knew their songs already. Overall, I think Mutiny Within made some new fans and were a nice opener for this tour.