Black Light Burns European Edit

“Cruel Melody”, the 2007 debut album from Black Light Burns, the new band led by former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, received its long-awaited European release on June 20 via Edel. With plenty of curveballs already, Wes has issued the following update regarding the release:

“Dear Europe, it seems we just keep blowing it with you. First the album doesn’t come out for a year, then our summer festival dates get rickety, and finally the worst thing ever happens: A person who will remain unnamed that works for our label sent the Wal-Mart version [Wal-Mart is a chain of conservative corporate stores in the U.S. that only carries albums which have had all profanity removed] of our master to Edel (our record label in Europe). That version has all of the cuss words censored, and that’s what you’ve been hearing if you bought the album in Europe. I cannot begin to fathom how a mistake like this could have slipped through so many fingers unnoticed, but somehow it has and I am as disgusted and disappointed by it as you must be. After discussing several solutions, the one that has come to make the most sense is to create a special website for the people who bought the European version of the record. Once the site is launched, in the very near future, you’ll be able to download high-quality versions of the songs on ‘Cruel Melody’ that were censored. Please accept our sincere apologies and know that you shouldn’t have to be dealing with a mistake like this. It is absolutely the most incredible blunder I’ve ever seen in my life, and had someone thought to actually send me the record to approve before it went out, none of this would have happened. I continue to be more angry than I’ve ever been in my life about this. Every day the state of my mind has actually gotten worse instead of getting better, and when I allow myself to think about it for more than a few seconds, it makes me want to go on a killing spree. I know that our solution doesn’t make up for what’s been done, but hopefully it will soften the blow and you will let us off the hook. Nothing like this will EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I’m so sorry, the site is coming soon. Thanks for your support.“

Black Light Burns will release “Cover Your Heart and The Anvil Pants Odyssey”, a combination CD and DVD package on August 5, 2008 on I Am: Wolfpack/YMA Music Group.

Sevendust Prepares for Overseas Military Tour

Sevendust will head overseas to perform for the U.S. Armed Forces in Germany, Kuwait and Afghanistan for the first two weeks of July.

Clint Lowery released this statement regarding the upcoming events:

“Just resting up from the last run [of dates with Sevendust] and again, it was the best. All of you that we had a chance to chill with, talk to, hang with, it was a pleasure! The crowds were great as always. The Sevendust family is alive and well and we appreciate all of you more than words can say.

“We only have three days off before we all hop back on a plane, fly across the ocean to Germany to begin our USO tour that you’ve maybe heard about. To be able to go over there and experience this, play for the troops, take in those elements and stories will be life-changing for us as a band. Not that we’ll need any more material to write about for a new record (because trust when I say we do when the time comes), we always can use more. I personally don’t know what I feel about the war but I support the men and women over there doing their jobs 110%. God bless all of them and anyone affected by this war. I just want to do what the damn music is meant to do, forget about everything for a sec and let out some aggression, happiness, sadness, whatever you need to let out!

“Depending on our access to computers over there, I’m gonna try and have a update and play by play of our experience for all to read! Should be very interesting. I’m gonna try to get different guys in the band to comment on it because everyone’s gonna have a different take on this trip I’m sure. But as much as a longer break would be nice, we’re excited about doing this and having the chance to play and hang with our military! I hope they let us fire cannons, grenade launchers, or maybe hook up a tank or two, but I doubt it! We’ll see!

“God bless everyone and we love you.”

Ozzfest Announce VIP Packages

Representatives for Ozzfest have announced special VIP ticket packages to enhance the Ozzfest experience on Saturday, August 9 at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas, TX. These packages are now available, along with the general tickets, ranging from $79.50 – $129.50, that recently went on sale.

The VIP Packages include exclusive seating (Field - GA Front of Stage access area $499 or Premium Reserved Seating Lower Stands $299); VIP parking (1 pass per order — to be mailed at a later date); access to VIP lounge area with complimentary snacks and water; and access to “Ozzy’s Lair” brought to you by ESP Guitars. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster outlets and online at this location.

Tom Morello (RATM) New Solo Album Coming

Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine will release his new solo album, “The Fabled City”, on September 30, 2008 via Epic Records. The 11-song set is the follow-up to the 2007 The Nightwatchman debut “One Man Revolution”. Now being billed as Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, Morello’s new CD is the first release to bear the political and social activist’s birth name. “The Fabled City” was produced by Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam) and features appearances by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian and Shooter Jennings.

When describing “The Fabled City”, Morello stated:

“My goal was to capture the energy and emotion of The Nightwatchman live shows. There is a much more rocking quality to this record, solos and riffs, mixed with darker acoustic songs. I think my singing has come a long way as well. I had a lot of devastating losses of family and friends during the past two years and ‘The Fabled City’ is a search for hope through music and confronting injustice.“

“The Fabled City” track listing:
01. The Fabled City
02. Whatever It Takes
03. The King of Hell
04. Night Falls
05. The Lights Are On In Spidertown
06. Midnight In The City of Destruction
07. Saint Isabelle
08. Lazarus On Down (feat. Serj Tankian)
09. Gone Like Rain
10. The Iron Wheel (feat. Shooter Jennings)
11. Rise to Power

Ben Moody (ex-Evanescence) Forms Label

Former Evanescence guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody has taken his love for the music in a new direction; as head of the new, artist-centered label, FNR Records!

The reason for Moody’s new direction, FNR Records, is simple. He explains: “After going to such great lengths to protect the integrity of a project during the creative process, it seemed almost sinful to let the major label monster destroy it.”

In order to live its credo of protecting the creative artists, FNR Records‘ first client is a young, Montana native, Hana Pestle; an alternative rock/acoustic solo artist. Pestle’s sound carries a unique blend of influences as diverse as Radiohead, Sarah McLachlan, and The Cranberries. Hana Pestle is now touring the Midwest, performing her songs “These Two Hands“, “Just a Phase” and her own haunting rendition of “Hallelujah“.

Moody was instantly taken in by Pestle’s voice, “It only took Hana singing one song and I was sold . . . I have never in my life been more in awe of such a breathtaking natural talent.“

Serj Tankian Talks About New Single

Serj Tankian has issued “Lie Lie Lie” as the latest single from his 2007 debut solo album, “Elect the Dead”. Although the song is just making its way onto radio stations now, you might have already heard it on TV as the opening theme for NBC’s new horror series, “Fear Itself”. Tankian told The Pulse of Radio that “Lie Lie Lie” started out as a different type of song altogether. “It was a serious song, and it wasn’t working out in the studio. It was, you know, I was tracking that song with other lyrics, like really serious, heavy, potent lyrics, and I would go back to the control room and listen to it and go, ‘Something’s wrong with this song, like, I’m not getting the vibe, what’s wrong with it?’ And I realized that the music is so playful and so humorous and yet the lyrics were so serious and heavy, you know.”

Tankian told The Pulse of Radio last week that the highlights of his last eight months on the road may soon be documented in a DVD featuring videos, live performances and behind-the-scenes footage.

Stone Sours, Roy Mayorga, Interview

OnlineDrummer.com caught up with Roy Mayorga of Stone Sour in London recently and fired out a few interview questions. We’ve included a few excerpts as a teaser below. If you would like to read the entire interview, just simply head over to OnlineDrummer.com.

How did you become a drummer? Who inspired you? And, what urged you to pick up a pair of drumsticks?
I would say…….instinct. From the time I was born (according to my Mother) I was just relentlessly beating the shit out of everything in my path with pencils, spoons, Lincoln Logs, hammers (yeah…. Dad made the mistake once of leaving those out). Any rod like object I would just take it and continue, on and on, driving everyone absolutely mad.. But, but shortly after all that, when I saw Moon and Bonham on TV for the first time, is what set and focused my mind on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

How do you prepare for a tour?
Usually, we (Stone Sour) take a week or so to rehearse and go over a set of songs. Work out what songs work best with each other side by side, and then hit the road. We don’t have like a huge stage rehearsal or anything. We’re pretty raw and simple with just straight backline……….ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Tantric Adds Tour Dates

Tantric recently released a statement about their upcoming tour dates. After many issues of their Myspace deleting some scheduled shows, or show dates just disappearing, they finally have it all worked out. The Tour dates are set and posted for the Not So Silent Tour sponsored by Silent Majority Group. The tour line-up will also consist of Fosterchild and Vayden.

Here are just a few of the dates:

Jun 29 Ft. Myers, Florida
Jun 30 Orlando, Florida
Jul 2 Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 3 Montgomery, Alabama
Jul 4 Tallahassee, Florida
Jul 5 Biloxi, Mississippi
Jul 7 Jacksonville, Florida
Jul 8 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Jul 9 Johnson City, Tennessee
Jul 10 Macon, Georgia
Jul 12 Raleigh, North Carolina
Jul 13 Clarksville, Tennessee

Midnight to Twelve and Cage Rattle Giveaway

Midnight to Twelve has teamed up with Cage Rattle and Dean Guitars for an exclusive giveaway leading up to their interview and CD release on July 22nd. Just click the banner below and sign up for the Dean Guitar Giveaway.

While your waiting to hear about your new free guitar, tune in to The Backstage Pass on Cage Rattle Radio every Tuesday @ 8pm eastern leading up to July 22nd. We’ll be giving away a signed copy of their new CD every week!

HELP PROMOTE MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE GIVEAWAY WITH THIS CODE:

<a href=”http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vbWlkbmlnaHR0b3R3ZWx2ZS5jYWdlcmF0dGxlLmNvbS8=” title=”Midnight to Twelve CD and Guitar Giveaway!” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://cagerattle.com/wp-content/themes/cagerattle/ads/ad_M212_contest.gif” /></a>

Go See Staind For Free

Staind are asking fans to help them promote their music during their upcoming U.S. tour. People willing to distribute advertising materials for the band, as well as photograph and write about their efforts, can receive a ticket to one of Staind’s concerts. The trek kicks off July 4 in Muskegon, Mich.

A few other dates are:
Jul 4 Muskegon, Michigan
Jul 5 Indianola, Iowa
Jul 7 Lansing, Michigan
Jul 8 Bonner Springs, Kansas
Jul 9 Maryland Heights, Missouri
Jul 11 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Jul 12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jul 13 Tinley Park, Illinois
Jul 16 Holmdel, New Jersey
Jul 18 Hartford, Connecticut
Jul 19 Harrington, Delaware
Jul 20 Saratoga Springs, New York

Watch Staind performing an acoustic version of “Believe,” the first single off their forthcoming album, “The Illusion of Progress” below.

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