Video: LAMB OF GOD Frontman Talks About Time In Czech Prison
Shortly after being released from the Pankrác prison in Prague, vocalist Randy Blythe of Richmind, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD sat down with Mark Holmberg of WTVR-TV — the CBS television affiliate based in Richmond, Virginia — to discuss his 37-day stay at the notorious Czech Republic penitentiary on a manslaughter charge related to the death of a fan there two years ago. You can watch the six-minute video report below.
Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage. Blythe's predicament galvanized the heavy rock community, with artists across the hard rock genre pledging their support.
On how U.S. authorities didn't cooperate with the Czech investigation after reportedly being contacted about the case:
Blythe: "I don't think the Czechs were too pleased about that. I'm not too pleased about that. And the least they could've done is, if they aren't going to cooperate, fine, at least let me know I'm wanted for manslaughter, you know, in the Czech Republic. We had no idea [before we went back there]."
On his determination to go back to Prague if there is a trial:
Blythe: "I feel ethically responsible to go back there and face this charge. [The victim's] family right now is in a lot of pain, and they deserve some answers. To lose a child is the worst possible thing a human can go through, I think .. I want my name cleared. I have to go around the world and tour, you know. That's what I do. I'm not going to hide here. I'm an innocent man. I'm going to go to court and see what happens."
After a successful reunion with Blythe at the two Knotfest shows in mid-August, LAMB OF GOD has announced a 38-date fall U.S tour starting October 30 in Phoenix, Arizona. Joining LAMB OF GOD as direct support for the entire tour is IN FLAMES. HATEBREED will be joining the package from October 30 until November 19, at which point HELLYEAH will replace them for the remainder of the shows. British band SYLOSIS will open all dates.
STONE SOUR Frontman Wants New Album To Be Turned Into A Movie
STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor is eyeing big things. Not only is he ambitious about the band's upcoming two-disc concept album, "House Of Gold & Bones", and the four-part comic book of the same name, he's looking to the silver screen for the new project as well. Corey talked toArtisan News about what the endgame is for "House Of Gold & Bones".
"Once we've toured and we've got the the music out to everyone, the thing I really wanna do is have two movies — Part 1 and Part 2," he said. "With the comic and the story and the music, I think we'll be able to do it. I already know who I wanna talk to about doing it, so we'll see what happens."
Taylor officially announced the comic book version of "House Of Gold & Bones", prior to a signing session at the Dark Horse booth this past Saturday (October 13) at New York Comic Con.
The four-issue series, which will debut on April 17, 2013, will be published by Dark Horse Comics and will visualize the short story that forms the basis of the two-disc album. The first CD, "House Of Gold & Bones Part 1", comes out on October 23, while Part 2 will arrive next spring.
The singer and writer — who published a memoir called "Seven Deadly Sins" last year — told The Pulse Of Radio a bit more about the storyline of "House Of Gold & Bones". "It's essentially a sci-fi/fantasy story that I created, but at its heart, it's essentially about a man, standing at the crossroads of his life, trying to figure out what comes next," he said. "He's got 20, 30 years in front of him — who's he going to be for that 20 or 30 years? Is he going to allow himself to evolve and become a better man, become a different man? And, you know, it's kind of wrapped in this insane world that I created."
The main character is known as "The Human," while a second hero named Peckinpah acts as his mentor. Taylor explained, "He's older and he's trying to help the Human while at the same time not doing everything for him."
The villains of the story are Alan, who Taylor calls "a ball of anger and sarcastic wit who could blow up at any time," and Black John, who has "a dangerous, off-kilter 'God, he's going to destroy us all' vibe."
STONE SOUR plans a full multi-media website to promote the albums and comics, which will contain hidden easter eggs such as handwritten lyrics, behind-the-scenes photos and possibly rough drafts of comic art.
NONPOINT's New Album Lands On BILLBOARD Chart
The new self-titled album from NONPOINT sold 7,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Miracle" (2010), opened with around 8,000 units to land at No. 60.
"Nonpoint" was produced/mixed by Grammy-nominated producerJohnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MEGADETH) and features additional production and mixing from Brian Virtue (30 SECONDS TO MARS,CHEVELLE). The CD contains 12 of the most raw and real songs of their 15-year career with unique, uncompromising, and undeniable hard rock on their self-titled ninth studio album and first for Razor & Tie. Weathering lineup changes, label shifts, and other trials and tribulations, founding members Elias Soriano (vocals) and Robb Rivera (drums) regrouped with fresh blood — Dave Lizzio (guitar), Adam Wolosyzn (bass), andRasheed Thomas (guitar) — and captured pure fire this time around.
NONPOINT is currently on the road for a headline tour that will run through November. The band recently wrapped a summer run with CALL ME NO ONE.
Soriano explains the new album, "We wanted this record to be a punch in the face. There was a lot of stuff I wanted to artistically vent about. It's a fresh start for us. We felt like having a self-titled record says it all. We hit the reset button, and there's life again. You can hear it musically. We're not going anywhere."
"This album is the beginning of a brand new chapter in the world of NONPOINT... rejuvenated and full of positivity," adds Rivera. "Elias has written his most personal lyrics yet that shows the signs of endurance this band has had in our 15-year career."
The band opened up the floodgates to the new album by unleashing one of its heaviest tracks, "I Said It", as a free download on their web site this summer and the fans responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, welcoming the onslaught.
"Nonpoint" track listing:
01. Lights, Camera, Action
02. The Way I See Things
03. I Said It
04. Left For You
05. International Crisis
06. Another Mistake
07. That Day
08. Pandora's Box
09. Go Time
10. Independence Day
11. Temper
12. Ashes
"Go Time" audio stream (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep):
"Left For You"video:
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Soundgarden Previews New King Animal Track, “By Crooked Steps”
Soundgarden is ready for you to check out another track from the band’s first studio album in more than 15 years, King Animal. The band has released a two-minute videothat features a snippet of the new track, “By Crooked Steps,” along with an interview with frontman Chris Cornell and drummer Matt Cameron.
In the clip, Cornell says “By Crooked Steps” is “a bit strange” but sounds like “a heavy straightforward rock song.” The singer adds that the new track employs “all of the strange time signatures stuff that Soundgarden’s always been known for and...[takes] it to another level.” King Animal will arrive in stores on November 13.
Jane’s Addiction, Animal Collective Added to UR1 Music Festival Lineup
The lineup for the inaugural UR1 Music Festival just keeps getting bigger. Event producers have just announced they've added Jane’s Addiction and Animal Collectiveto the roster that already includes fun., The Offspring and Keane.
The UR1 Music Festival runs December 8-9 at the Bayfront Park & Amphitheater in Miami, FL. To see the complete festival artist roster, head over to UR1Festival.com.
White Stripes, My Morning Jacket, Gaslight Anthem Among Artists Offering Special Record Store Day Releases
Official details have been revealed about Record Store Day's Black Friday initiative for this year. On November 23, a massive number of artists will be releasing album reissues, new singles, rare and unreleased materials to support local record stores. Included in the list of releases are three 7” vinyl singles from The White Stripes, including “Fell in Love with a Girl,” “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself,” “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” “Stop Breaking Down” and live versions of “Hotel Yorba” and “Rated X.”
In addition, My Morning Jacket will be releasing a 10” vinyl single that features a live version of the guys performing The Band’s “It Makes No Difference” with Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard, as well as the previously unreleased track, “Grab a Body.”
Meanwhile, The Gaslight Anthem will be offering up a 10” vinyl single featuring three unreleased acoustic tracks: "Hold You Up," "Misery, " and a cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love.”
Special vinyl reissues of Incubus’ 2004 album, A Crow Left of the Murder..., and a 20th anniversary edition of Nirvana’s compilation album, Incesticide, will also be available. Check out the complete list of exclusive releases on Record Store Day’s website.
Bassist Flea Talks Turning 50, Future with Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who turned 50 on Tuesday, says that while he’s grown and matured quite a bit over of the years, he’s still prone to making mistakes.
“I don't think I'm as sharp as I was when I was younger, but I'm definitely wiser, and less likely to make gigantic blunders of an intellectual, spiritual, emotional or physical type,” Flea tells CNN. “Less likely to do something dumb, but I'm not as quick.”
The bassist adds that while he’s not expecting to be in the Chili Peppers forever, he is looking forward to working on the band’s next release.
“If there's anything I know, it's every time you start making plans, you don't know what's going to come up next,” Flea reveals. “Anything can happen. But I love being in [the Chili Peppers] for now, and right now, about as far as I'm thinking is getting through this tour that we're doing, performing at the highest level possible, then hunkering down and writing another record.”
Trent Reznor Working on “Interesting Projects” with Beats by Dre
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor is working on some new projects with rapper Dr. Dre’s company, Beats by Dre. The singer posted a note on his Facebook page to let fans know that they can expect some “very interesting projects” to surface from his partnership with the Beats by Dre team sometime next year.
"I have been wanting to experiment and focus my energy and creativity in some different directions, and Beats has afforded me that very opportunity," writes Reznor. "The process has been challenging and fascinating and as much as I'd like to tell you about the things we've dreamed up…I just can't. Not yet…"
Reznor did offer one piece of information about the upcoming projects, writing that that whatever is headed our way is “probably not what you're expecting!”
