Headbalisser

Death metal czar Dying Fetus will release their new album, Reign Supreme, on June 19. Check out the new track  ‘Second Skin’ that you can stream here below. Get ready for a handful of awesome blast beats, complex riffing and heavy metal slams!

Guitarist Mark Holcomb confirmed to Guitar World that Dream Theater’s John Petrucci, The Faceless’ Wes Hauch and The Aristocrats’ Guthrie Govan are the ones who will be making guest appearances on the album nor the ambit of Periphery.

“We also managed to get not one, but three of our favorite guitarists to do guest solos on the record. Wes Hauch (The Faceless), Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats) and John Petrucci (Dream Theater) all laid down guest solos on the album and they turned out incredible… Can’t wait for you guys to hear it!”

Holcomb’s comment on the new album:

“The album is finally done and ready to go — July 3 is the date! After all the countless hours of work we’ve put in over the past seven months, we can honestly say the vision we had in mind for this record has been fulfilled — and then some! Every single member of this band stepped it up and, as a result, this album truly feels like a collaborative effort.”

Mark Holcomb and Jake Bowen at Pulp Summer Slam in Manila. Photo by Headbalisser.

Another awesome song to satisfy your straight up metal cravings. The new song ‘Nothing Remains’ is winding up on the band’s forthcoming album ‘Fire From The Sky’ falling on the shelves this Tuesday, May 15th. Stop the morning stroke by listening to the track below.

We always usually kinda feel good through some sort of thrash metal influence, but this song is pretty much straightforward rock tune! – Brian Fair [Pre-order]

Formed in Oakland, California, Suffokate melded brutal vocal and heavy hardcore breakdowns in order to create a demented sound that the band claimed to be their own brand. But apparently the guy with a voice that can turn the bar upside down in seconds, armed with ridiculous ear gauges has decided to leave the legion. Ricky Hoover had the following statement posted on his Tumblr (soft-core porn blog).

“I will no longer be in the band Suffokate. This has nothing to do with the fact I’m currently going to school. This was a mutual decision, both the band and I feel this is in the best interest for everyone.

Over the last 4 years I have done and seen things I never would have gotten the chance to if not for the band. These have been the best years of my life and I won’t ever forget all the great memories and all the amazing fans. I am very sad to let this all go but could no longer continue due to other reasons I won’t get into.

I have no bad feelings or ill will towards the band and will always have love for them and the music I was fortunate enough to help create. I have poured my all and given everything I have into these last two albums and will always be grateful for them and everyone who supported me.

No matter what happens the guys in Suffokate will always be my [brothers]. I will do whatever i can to help them out. They are some of the greatest people I have ever met and I’m truly thankful I’ve gotten to do this with them. This isn’t the end for me musically, I plan on doing more in the near future.

I have some personal things I need to take care of and priorities to work out in my life before i can do that. I will always have a passion for music and lyrical expression and will never stop writing. Music will always be in my life and a part of who I am. I’m very excited to see whats in store for me so be on the lookout for my future musical endeavors.

To the fans: you are the reason I’m still here and you have helped me just as much as you say I have helped you. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve been able to have such a strong connection with you all.

If it wasn’t for you guys I wouldn’t be who I am today. I will still have my personal twitter, tumblr and instagram under the name @iamrickyhoover so check those for any updates of what I’m doing.

Thanks for the support”

The date was April 26, 2012 when after years of waiting, the dream of all Filipino Avenged Sevenfold followers finally came true. And it was every bit of what we dreamt and more.

It was only early in the afternoon but I already saw a few kids in front of Smart Araneta Coliseum, probably in the Patron Standing and Upper Box B section and they wanted to get a better spot for the show. I also saw a few who are pretty much known in the local rock and metal scene such as members of Jejaview, Intolerant, Valley of Chrome and Typecast.

Local band Slapshock opened the show with a few of their hits. Even though I’m not a big fan, I and everyone else should give them credit for being one of the best live bands in the country, they were explosive and an appropriate opener for the 2012 best live band Avenged Sevenfold.

After the Slapshock set everyone started chanting A7X, it was such a great scene. The lights went off and everyone started going nuts as the eerie intro for the song NIGHTMARE started playing in the background. And then the members started showing up one by one and everyone went wilder as the song went fast and heavy.  Everyone was banging their heads off and singing along. Shadows did an amazing job, he was impressive, and his voice gave me goose bumps throughout the night. He was hitting every note perfectly. After Nightmare the band didn’t give the fans time to breathe as the organ intro of CRITICAL ACCLAIM kicked in and, after long years of waiting, I have finally witnessed the two guitarists doing the dual lead section of the song side by side. Zacky the left handed one on the left side and Synyster the right handed one on the right side. And they did this multiple times throughout the show. It was a sight to remember and it sent chills throughout my body. During the chorus you can hear Rev’s vocals in the background; it was a teary moment for A7X fans as we remembered the great fallen one.

After the song Matt then introduced their current touring drummer (soon permanent hopefully) Arin Ilejay the former drummer of Confide who was precise and amazing the whole show, The Rev would be proud. He did a short drum solo as the fans cheered for him and then the band jumped in to the song WELCOME TO THE FAMILY and ALMOST EASY. My high school hero Johnny Christ kept on head banging, smiling and pointing to a few people in the crowd, such an amazing performer.

The band then slowed things down with the song BURIED ALIVE which I thought was one of the best parts of the show because during the heavy section of this song Matt took a fan named Nicole on stage and let her sing with them. She hurried up and attack hugged Matt before singing. She did a pretty good job! Everyone cheered for her because of that, people would have booed if she sucked. She was jumping around head banging and singing her lungs off. Before she went down back to the crowd she gave each member a hug. I saw her asking for guitar picks too, who wouldn’t right? I know I would. Same thing happened on the song SO FAR AWAY where Matt took another fan that chose to play the bass. And he was good too! I saw Johnny smiling clapping at the back while the dude was playing. They dedicated this song for The Rev and so we sang along to this with all our hearts.

The band then continued to play heavier songs such as AFTERLIFE and my personal favorite from what they played during that night, BEAST AND THE HARLOT, I was going nuts during that song! They then played a crowd favorite A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN. A big LOL moment when Matt said “Let’s talk about Necrophilia.” and the crowd cheered then he told us “You guys are sick fucks by the way.” Yes Matt, we are sick fucks!

They were supposed to end the show with another crowd favorite BAT COUNTRY. (Of course they were just saying it.) After that song the lights went off again.

The crowd started chanting “WE WANT MORE!” over and over again, me and the rest of the Upper Box A people started stomping our feet on the wooden floor as we demanded for an encore. We made the earth shake! Then they came back for the ballad FICTION and then segued for the best closing song ever, UNHOLY CONFESSIONS. This is where it went on to another level, the pits weren’t just in the Patron section but in the Upper Box A and B as well! It was the best way to end the greatest night of our lives. Matt then promised to come back again and again. Until then, we’ll be waiting.

This was definitely the best concert I’ve been to. I don’t think any band can top what I felt during this show. Matt, Johnny, Zacky, Synyster and Arin did a job well done. They were perfect; they do deserve the title of best live band. A dream came true for the Filipino deathbat army. And if you love Avenged Sevenfold too and you missed this show, then I feel sorry for you. If I didn’t have the money I would have done all sorts of things just to get cash for this show. I would have sold some of my things, help the next door neighbor to clean up their house, feed their dog, cook their food, and babysit their child for a few extra bucks. Dayly Entertainment did a great one this time, I will always remember April 26, 2012 for the rest of my life.

Words : Aaron James Photos : Ed Clinton Go / Yelli Alvarez

French metallers Gojira have released the following updates for their upcoming album called “L’Enfant Sauvage” which by the way I thought was Elephant Sausage the first time I read it. Anyway the title translates to The Wild Child. The album contains 11 tracks, and is scheduled to set ashore at retail on June 26, July 31 in the US.

“When you become a musician, you don’t have a boss telling you what to do so you have to be very responsible,” singer/guitarist/songwriter Joe Duplantier said, shedding a little light on the title and its meaning. “With freedom comes responsibility so I’m asking myself, ‘What is freedom? What does it mean to me?’ L’Enfant Sauvage reflects on that. There’s no answer though. There’s just life and questions.”

Trailer for the live album Flesh Alive

L’Enfant Sauvage cover

When Baroness put up a hint on their website about a new album in the works, fans went levitating on thin air but the long wait kind of transformed the blast into a big fart. Earlier today, the band finally undressed everything – the album art and track listing for their upcoming album, Yellow & Green, via their official website – it’s a double album plus its out on my birthday, July 17 Yo!

Disc 1:

1 Yellow Theme
2 Take My Bones Away
3 March to the Sea
4 Little Things
5 Twinkler
6 Cocainium
7 Back Where I Belong
8 Sea Lungs
9 Eula

Disc 2:

1 Green Theme
2 Board Up the House
3 Mtns. (The Crown & Anchor)
4 Foolsong
5 Collapse
6 Psalms Alive
7 Stretchmarker
8 The Line Between
9 If I Forget Thee, Lowcountry

(Swan print available on Baroness tour)

On this 3rd day of impending tweets against Dream Theater, Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit/Black Light Burns) seems to douse the brawl between the prog giant fans.

To get to the bottom of this! Wes is basically expressing his dislike for a fellow musician. Unfortunately, he’s part of the most hated band on earth so, its very easy to create a scene and make it super cool for the old-fashioned idiotic people, who get pumped up about the “He says, she says” bullsh*t. Break the stuff! Yo! Wes rules hah!

Killer smile! Taken at WTC Manila, Photo by Headbalisser

The Black Dahlia Murder finally made it official that Max Lavelle (ex-Despised Icon/Burn In Silence) is going to be their permanent bassist, this was announced on stage Friday when the band was playing at New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. Great move! I mean why wouldn’t they? I was able to watch him live with the rest of the murderers in Manila 2 months ago, it was awesome. Max has more than enough muscle to flex and can definitely slay that bass.

In case you don’t know Record Day Store is like a candy with a surprise center, no! Observed on the third Saturday of April, its basically a treat you get to buy exclusive albums being released in limited quantity. The day collides fans, artists, and the over 700 independently owned record stores in the United States, along with hundreds of independent record stores across the world. To celebrate this awesome gathering I bring you this collaboration. Mastodon covering the Feist song “A Commotion”, while Feist covers Mastodon’s “Black Tongue”. Both songs can be streamed below.

“It’s a wet dream to have Mastodon take one of my songs and put it into their massive machine,” Feist told RollingStone.com.

“We didn’t tell her what to do, and she didn’t tell us what to do,” says Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher. “‘A Commotion’ just kind of stuck out to me. I could hear the opening riff, a single A-note.”

In a recent interview with Sweden’s Metalshrine, Mastodondrummer Brann Dailor explained how the single idea came about. “We did [the BBC television show 'Later... With Jools Holland'], and right after we got off stage, we went backstage and we were in the hallway with [Feist], and she was talking to [Mastodon vocalist/guitarist] Brent [Hinds]. They were involved in a conversation and were just like, ‘Yeah, let’s do that! We should do it for Record Store Day!’ Something out of left field and something we’d like to be involved with more of.”

These songs are awesome, brilliant inter-animal collaboration ever!