Relapse Records Launches Free Label Sampler

Relapse Records is currently offering a free, 26 track, digital label sampler online now exclusively via the label's Facebook page. The sampler includes previously unreleased tracks from RED FANG, ABYSMAL DAWN, NOISEAR, as well as tracks from OBSCURA, BARONESS, BLACK TUSK, DYING FETUS, DEATH, and many more. A complete track listing can be found below.

2010 marked the 20th anniversary for Relapse Records and the label's legacy will continue to grow in 2011 with expected new releases from BARONESS, OBSCURA, PIG DESTROYER, EXHUMED, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, TOMBS, BRUTAL TRUTH, REVOCATION, NECROPHAGIST, and more.

Relapse Records Digital Sampler track list:

*denotes exclusive first listen*

1 - Baroness - "Swollen and Halo"

*2 - Red Fang - "Number Thirteen"*

3 - Black Tusk - "Embrace The Madness"

4 - Revocation - "ReaniManiacs"

5 - Obscura - "Incarnated"

*6 - Abysmal Dawn "In Service of Time"*

7 - Cephalic Carnage - "When I Arrive"

8 - Dying Fetus - "Descend Into Depravity"

9 - Misery Index - "The Spectator"

10 - Black Anvil - "Scalping"

11 - Tombs - "Merrimack"

12 - Howl - "Heavenless"

13 - Kingdom Of Sorrow - "God's Law In The Devil's Land"

14 - Toxic Holocaust - "Nuke The Cross"

*15 - Noisear - Global Warning*

16 - Murder Construct - "End of An Error"

17 - Kill The Client - "Vicious Slaughter"

18 - Agoraphobic Nosebleed - "Agorapocalypse Now"

19 - Brutal Truth - "Get A Therapist...Spare The World"

20 - Royal Thunder - "Mouth of Fire"

21 - Titan - "Wooded Altar Beyond The Wander"

22 - Mose Giganticus - "The Great Deceiver"

23 - Circle of Animals - "No Faith"

24 - Cough - "Crippled Wizard"

25 - Horseback - "Invokation"

*26 - Death - Scavenger Of Human Sorrow (re-master)*

'Lovergirl' Singer Teena Marie Dead at 54

Grammy nominated singer Teena Marie -- once known as Rick James' protégée -- died in her sleep last night at her home in Pasadena at the age of 54 ... Capital Chaos has confirmed with Teena's rep Lynn Jeter.

Relatives found Teena's body Sunday morning at her home. Relatives tell Capital Chaos Teena seemed fine yesterday, when she spent Christmas with her brother. Teena spoke at length yesterday with Lynn, who tells Capital Chaos Teena seemed "fine."



So far it's unclear what caused the singer's death -- but the Pasadena Police Department tells Capital Chaos they do no suspect foul play. They say it looks like Teena died of natural causes. The L.A. County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy.

We're told Teena had a seizure a month ago, but it's unclear what triggered it.

Marie was nominated for a Grammy four times ... her first top ten hit was "I'm Just a Sucker for Your Love."

Capital Chaos Top 5 Releases of 2010

Wretched - Beyond the Gate
As I Lay Dying - The Powerless Rise
King Of Asgard - Fi'mbulvintr
Periphery - Periphery
Son of Aurelius - The Farthest Reaches

Stinky

Exodus: Exhibit B - The Human Condition
As I Lay Dying - The Powerless Rise
Norma Jean - Meridional
High On Fire - Snakes For the Divine
Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy

El Vato Malo

Team All About The Music Release Free Compilation

Just in time for the New Year, TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC is releasing a FREE DOWNLOAD of the company’s first compilation, Setting Trends And Banging Heads Vol 1. Featuring a host of some of the hottest trend setting bands out there (and all with their own respective sound), Setting Trends And Banging Heads Vol 1 will surely be a good one for your listening pleasure. Get your free download of Setting Trends And Banging Heads Vol 1, here: http://www.teamallaboutthemusic.bandcamp.com

Download it, burn it, literally do whatever you want with it. Track listing for the compilation is below. For those of you who are keener on more of the creative side of things in music, make sure to listen to this from start to finish. The beautiful and absolutely stunning album art was created by Salo Sopor – check out more of his work here: http://www.salosopor.com/ . TEAM AATM owner Alex Gilbert comments on the artwork, "I’ve always loved that city / nightlife feel, and our friend Salo pretty much accommodated perfectly, plus more than I could even imagine."

TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC – Setting Trends And Banging Heads Vol 1
1. HYPNO5E - Tutuguri
2. MARGIN OF ERROR – Your Life In Playback
3. A BAND OF ORCS – I, Gogog
4. TRUTH CORRODED - Decimate
5. MY OWN PRIVATE ALASKA – After You
6. IDOLS ARE DEAD – The Name Of My Rage
7. A BACKWARD GLANCE ON A TRAVEL ROAD – Regular Barbary
8. JOURNAL – Velvet Ribbon

Clutch To Tour With Motorhead Early Next Year

Clutch will hit the road with Motorhead early next year for a tour together. Valient Thorr is also expected to appear on select stops of the trek, dates for which run as follows:





01/29 Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
01/30 San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brew
01/31 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
02/01 Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
02/02 San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
02/04 Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
02/05 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
02/07 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theater
02/09 Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Events Center
02/10 Calgary, AB – Flames Central
02/12 Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
02/15 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
02/16 Milwaukee, WI – Rave Ballroom
02/17 Kansas City, MO – Midland Theatre
02/19 Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
02/20 Sauget, IL – Pop’s
02/22 Grand Rapids, MI – Orbit Room
02/23 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Theatre
02/25 Kitchener, ON – Elements
02/26 Toronto, ON – Koolhaus
03/01 Boston, MA – House of Blues
03/08 Austin, TX – Stubbs
03/10 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
03/11 Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Live

Don Van Vliet, aka 'Captain Beefheart', dies aged 69

American musician and painter Don Van Vliet, best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart, has died aged 69.

Van Vliet's death in California, from complications from multiple sclerosis, was announced by the Michael Werner Gallery in New York.

Van Vliet was "one of the most original recording artists of his time", the gallery said in a statement.

He rose to fame in the 1960s with a unique style of blues-inspired rock & roll, later devoting himself to art.

Artists like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The White Stripes are among those who have cited him as an influence.
'Experimental rock & roll'

"Don Van Vliet was a complex and influential figure in the visual and performing arts," the gallery said in a statement.

"He is perhaps best known as the incomparable Captain Beefheart who, together with his Magic Band, rose to prominence in the 1960s with a totally unique style of blues-inspired, experimental rock & roll."
"This would ultimately secure Van Vliet's place in music history as one of the most original recording artists of his time. After two decades in the spotlight as an avant-garde composer and performer, Van Vliet retired from performing to devote himself wholeheartedly to painting and drawing."

"Like his music, Van Vliet's lush paintings are the product of a truly rare and unique vision."



Van Vliet combined peculiar tones with music that drew on blues, jazz, psychedelia and a barrage of other genres.

The musician recorded under the name of Captain Beefheart with members of the Magic Band until 1982.

Captain Beefheart's first two releases with the Magic Band received positive reviews from music connoisseurs but did not connect with the wider public.

But he soon began a close creative relationship with Franz Zappa, a former high school classmate, who helped him forge his way toward redefining popular music.

In recent years, Van Vliet devoted himself to painting and drawing.

A painting by the musician was on sale at the Michael Werner Gallery earlier this month at a price of $40,000 (£26,000).

Commemoration of FRANK ZAPPA'S 70th B-Day, New 3-CD Release‏

HO HO HO is for the Jolly Commemoration of FRANK ZAPPA at the HAMMERSMITH ODEON (3-CD RELEASE)

In Honor of FZ's 7tieth Birthday & Frank Zappa at the Roundhouse (3 DAY FESTIVAL)

Early in 1978 Frank Zappa played London's Hammersmith Odeon and these concerts provided the source for the Basic Tracks for 1979's Sheik YerBouti. Hammersmith Odeon, compiled & produced by Gail Zappa and Joe Travers and released to coincide with the 3-Day Festival of Frank Zappa at the Roundhouse is now available in the Special Party Pack 3-CD set designed to also celebrate FZ's 70th Birthday on December 21st. Mixed in NYC by Frank Filipetti, none of these tracks have been previously released and the track listing mirrors and/or parallels the set lists of the concerts. Peter Wolf, former band-member and current multi-faceted producer/arranger contributed Liner Notes.

"I wanted to have a concert in England to share with the folks who showed up for Frank at the Roundhouse," says Gail Zappa. "We were very happy to participate and appreciate very much the invitation to do so, the phenomenal reception for FZ's works, and everyone who showed up to be part of this extraordinary event. As for the art, the tube stops - Hammersmith for the location of the concerts in 1978 and Chalk Farm, the location of The Roundhouse - and in the middle is where FZ and I used to dwell during the making of 200 MOTELS. The frosting is to celebrate what would have been his 7tieth year and there you pretty much have it."



The band is Frank Zappa, Lead Guitar & Vocals, Terry Bozzio, Drums & Vocals, Patrick O'Hearn, Bass & Vocals, Adrien Belew, Guitar & Vocals, Tommy Mars, Keys & Vocals, Peter Wolf, Keys and Ed Mann, Percussion. On Vaulternative Records.

REV THEORY ANNOUNCE ITINERARY FOR RETURN TO THE ROAD

BAND TO HEADLINE MONSTER ENERGY OUTBREAK TOUR, ROCK ON THE RISE IN 2011 BEGINNING FEBRUARY 16, 2011 IN PHOENIX

LEAD SINGLE “JUSTICE” CLIMBING ROCK RADIO CHARTS IN
FRONT OF FEBRUARY 15, 2011 ALBUM RELEASE

Los Angeles --- Rev Theory has announced that the band will be returning to the road February 16, 2011 as headliners on the Monster Energy OUTBREAK Tour, Rock on The Rise in 2011. Along for the ride will be Pop Evil, Hail The Villain, and Black Cloud Collective. Drummer Dave Agoglia shared, “We've been off the road for over a year now, and can not wait to start touring again. The band collectively worked hard on the Justice record, and now it is time to get out there and start playing the new songs live. We're also looking forward to reconnecting with our amazing fans, which have always been so supportive. The line-up came together for this run, and sharing the stage with other up and coming rock bands at a low ticket price for the fans is going to make for a killer tour."



The itinerary features performances in:

Wed-Feb-16 Phoenix AZ Club House
Fri-Feb-18 Salt Lake City UT Avalon
Sat-Feb-19 Colorado Springs CO The Black Sheep
Sun-Feb-20 Denver CO Bluebird
Tue-Feb-22 Des Moines IA People's Court
Wed-Feb-23 Madison WI Majestic Theatre
Thu-Feb-24 Kansas City MO Midland
Fri-Feb-25 Tulsa OK Marquee
Sat-Feb-26 Little Rock AR Juanita's Cantina
Wed-Mar-02 Huntsville AL Sammy T's
Fri-Mar-04 Baltimore MD Rams Head Live
Sat-Mar-05 Hartford CT Webster Underground
Sun-Mar-06 Jermyn PA Eleanor Rigbys

JUSTICE, the third studio album from Rev Theory, will be released by Interscope / Geffen / A&M on February 15, 2011. The lead single, which is the title track “Justice,” is moving steadily up the rock charts. Guitarist Julien Jorgensen shared, “As a band we attacked this opportunity with the intent of capturing the energy of a great live show. JUSTICE is a realized vision, and reflects who we are as a band more accurately than any of its predecessors. It really is the record we are most proud of.”

AS I LAY DYING To Tour U.S. With WINDS OF PLAGUE, AFTER THE BURIAL

San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING will embark on a U.S. headlining tour in February with support from WINDS OF PLAGUE and AFTER THE BURIAL. The trek will hit cities that the band hasn't been to in years and other places the group has yet to visit, including Green Bay, WI; Pensacola, FL; Burlington, VT; and much more. This is a great opportunity for fans to see AS I LAY DYING in an intimate club setting, which should make for some insane circle pits and stage dives.

The dates are as follows:

Feb. 12 - Ft. Collins, CO - The Aggie Theater
Feb. 14 - Fargo, ND - The Venue
Feb. 15 - Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
Feb. 16 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theater
Feb. 17 - Green Bay, WI - Riverside Ballroom
Feb. 18 - Lansing, MI - The Loft
Feb. 19 - Dayton, OH - The Attic Club
Feb. 20 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
Feb. 21 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Feb. 22 - Providence, RI - The Met
Feb. 24 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
Feb. 25 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
Feb. 26 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
Feb. 27 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
Feb. 28 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
Mar. 01 - Wilmington, NC - The Soapbox
Mar. 02 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
Mar. 03 - Tampa, FL - State Theater
Mar. 04 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Mar. 05 - Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
Mar. 06 - Pensacola, FL - American Legion Hall
Mar. 07 - Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
Mar. 09 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
Mar. 10 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
Mar. 11 - Wichita, KS - The Cotilion
Mar. 12 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
Mar. 13 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
Mar. 15 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theatre
Mar. 16 - San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Brew
Mar. 17 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro
Mar. 18 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades



AS I LAY DYING released a super deluxe fan box set version of its latest album, "The Powerless Rise", in November.

The limited edition super deluxe fan box includes the following:

* "The Powerless Rise" CD and 12" vinyl picture disc
* "The Powerless Rise" DVD documentary with in-studio footage and interviews + extras
* Guitar, bass and drum tabs featuring Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert / song stems for "Upside Down Kingdom" / expanded recording outtakes
* Hardcover book with lyrics, photos, and editorial from the band
* 12" x 12" lithograph
* Three guitar picks
* Mini drumstick keychain
* AS I LAY DYING patch
* AS I LAY DYING window cling
* Metal AS I LAY DYING logo pin

The box set is exclusively available in Europe via EMP.

"The Powerless Rise" sold 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "An Ocean Between Us", opened with 39,500 units back in August 2007 to land at No. 8.

"The Powerless Rise" was released on May 11 via Metal Blade Records

BRING ME THE HORIZON Announces U.S. Headlining Tour

British metal juggernauts BRING ME THE HORIZON have announced their hotly anticipated return to the U.S. for "The Game Changers Tour" with support from A DAY TO REMEMBER, WE CAME AS ROMANS and PIERCE THE VEIL.

The dates are as follows:

Mar. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
Mar. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
Mar. 13 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
Mar. 16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
Mar. 18 - Buffalo, NY - The Rapids
Mar. 19 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
Mar. 20 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
Mar. 22 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak
Mar. 24 - Chicago, IL - Congress
Mar. 25 - Minneapolis, MN - Epic
Mar. 26 - Kansas City, KS - Beaumont
Mar. 27 - Denver, CO - Fillmore
Mar. 29 - Salt Lake City, UT - Salt Air
Mar. 30 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
Mar. 31 - Seattle, WA - Sodo
Apr. 01 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue
Apr. 02 - Portland, OR - Roseland
Apr. 03 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield
Apr. 05 - Fresno, CA - Voodward Park Amphitheater
Apr. 06 - Los Angeles, CA - Palladium
Apr. 07 - San Diego, CA - Sports Arena
Apr. 08 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquis Theater
Apr. 09 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquis Theater
Apr. 11 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
Apr. 12 - Austin, TX - ACL Live
Apr. 13 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
Apr. 15 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Outdoor
Apr. 18 - Tampa, FL - Jannus Landing

Tickets go on sale to the general public December 17 at Ticketmaster.com.



The team at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden (where BRING ME THE HORIZON recorded 2008's "Suicide Season") was again at the helm of the recording, this time bringing in electronic and programming authority KC Blitz to assist with the instrumental aspects of the album. The CD also includes appearances from various special guests, including Josh Franceschi of YOU ME AT SIX (on "Fuck") who stated, "I'm really excited to be part of this record as it's going to turn some heads, and that's what music is all about." Also featured on the album are Josh Scogin of THE CHARIOT (on "The Fox And The Wolf"), Sonny Moore (a.k.a. Skrillex) with electronica contributions and Canadian electro-pop starlet Lights (on "Crucify Me" and "Don't Go").

Doors' Morrison pardoned in indecent exposure case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jim Morrison was posthumously pardoned Thursday for a 1970 indecent exposure conviction in Florida, a move a woman who said she was married to The Doors lead singer called a cheap political ploy.

Morrison, a Florida native, was appealing the conviction when he was found dead in a Paris bathtub in 1971 at age 27. The pardon came a day after the singer would have turned 67.

Outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist asked for the pardon, which the Clemency Board granted unanimously. Crist said he doubts Morrison actually exposed his penis during a rowdy March 1, 1969 concert at Miami's Dinner Key Auditorium. He and a three-member Cabinet serve as the Clemency Board. The surviving members of The Doors supported the pardon.

Crist at the hearing called the conviction a "blot" on the record of an accomplished artist for "something he may or may not have done." He said Morrison died before he was afforded the chance to present his appeal, so Crist was doing that for him. Board members pointed out several times that they couldn't retry the case but that the pardon forgave Morrison, as others were absolved of their convictions on Thursday.

"In this case the guilt or innocence is in God's hands, not ours," Crist said.

Patricia Kennealy Morrison told The Associated Press before the board's action that she's not pleased with the pardon and doesn't think the late singer would be either because he didn't expose himself on stage. The conviction should be expunged or the verdict overturned rather than just pardoned, she said.

"The pardon says that all his suffering and all that he went through during the trial, everything both of us went through, was negated," she said.

Earlier, when asked about expunging Morrison's record or overturning the conviction, Crist said, "The option before us is the pardon or not."

Still, it's not enough, Kennealy Morrison said.

"He felt and he expressed to me on numerous occasions that he had been made a scapegoat of the counterculture movement," Kennealy Morrison said. "He was out there doing what he did, making himself a really easy target because he felt very strongly about it. Unfortunately they decided to go after him for it. It was a complete cheap, cynical, political ploy. That's the way I feel about the pardon."

Kennealy Morrison exchanged vows with Morrison in a Celtic pagan ceremony overseen by a licensed minister, she said. The marriage was valid, though she says she never filed the paperwork to put it in the books. Morrison left his entire estate to another woman, Pamela Courson, a longtime girlfriend who was with him in Paris when he died. Courson died in 1974.

Surviving band members say a drunken Morrison teased the crowd, but never exposed himself.

"It never actually happened. It was mass hypnosis," Ray Manzarek, The Doors' keyboard player, said in an interview before the vote.

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON and SUZETTE LABOY Associated Press © 2010 The Associated Press

Whitechapel, The Acacia Strain, Veil Of Maya And More Sign On For “Welcome To Hell Tour”

Dates have been announced for the “Welcome To Hell Tour” which is being presented by Live Nation, Decibel, Theprp.com and more. The trek will see Whitechapel, The Acacia Strain, Veil Of Maya, Chelsea Grin and I Declare War team up for the following shows:



02/10 Knoxville, TN – Valarium
02/11 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
02/13 Richmond, VA – The National
02/14 Springfield, VA – Jaxx
02/15 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of The Living Arts
02/16 New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre
02/17 Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights
02/18 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
02/19 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
02/20 Williamsville, NY – Club Infinity
02/22 Montreal, QC – La Tulipe
02/23 Toronto, ON – Opera House
02/24 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
02/25 Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
02/26 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
02/27 Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
02/28 St. Paul, MN – Station 4
03/01 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
03/02 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
03/04 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
03/05 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
03/08 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
03/09 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
03/11 Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
03/12 Los Angeles, CA – House Of Blues
03/13 San Diego, CA – Soma
03/14 Pomona, CA – Glass House
03/15 Mesa, AZ – The Underground
03/19 Ft. Worth, TX – The Palladium Ballroom
03/23 Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
03/24 St. Louis, IL – Pop’s
03/25 Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theatre
The admat for the show can be seen here.

JUDAS PRIEST Announces Farewell 'Epitaph' Tour

After storming the world for nearly 40 years and taking its very special brand of heavy metal to all four corners of the planet, JUDAS PRIEST — one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time — has announced plans to embark on a final world tour. However, the mighty PRIEST will certainly be going out strong as it rocks the planet starting in 2011 on the massive "Epitaph" trek — hitting all the major cities throughout the world where it will play the songs that helped make the name JUDAS PRIEST synonymous with heavy metal.

With all guns blazing and amps cranked to eleven, the band will be giving all its fans one last chance to witness the ultimate metal experience that is JUDAS PRIEST!

JUDAS PRIEST will be starting its world tour in Europe and has just confirmed the following festivals for 2011:

Jun. 09 - Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg, Sweden
Jun. 11 - Sauna Open Air, Tampere, Finland
Jun. 17 - Copenhell, Copenhagen, Denmark
Jun. 19 - Hellfest, Clisson, France
Jun. 22 - Gods of Metal, Milan, Italy
Jun. 25 - Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel, Belgium
Jul. 23 - High Voltage, London, UK
Aug. 05 - Wacken Open Air, Wacken, Germany

JUDAS PRIEST was honored in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which was held on January 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. PRIEST was nominated for the track "Dissident Aggressor", from the band's 2009 live album "A Touch of Evil: Live". Singer Rob Halford and the band's drummer, Scott Travis, accepted the award at the event.

In his acceptance speech, Halford said, "The fifth time is the charm," referring to the fact PRIEST had been nominated four previous times and gone home without the award every time. He mentioned that PRIEST have been making metal for 35 years and that they still love what they do. He also remembered to thank all the radio stations and press that have supported the band, and he dedicated the award to all heavy metal fans.

In a 2008 interview JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill stated about being part of a band that has defined a genre and spawned countless imitators, "We are very proud of what we have achieved. When I formed this band way back in 1970 I had no grand plan. K.K. Downing [guitar] and I were just mates from school that wanted to play some music. We have a great family among us and like family we have our good and bad days, but without sounding nostalgic, yeah, it's pretty cool what we have achieved."

JUDAS PRIEST's most recent double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after shifting close to 4,000 units.

JUDAS PRIEST's previous studio CD, "Angel of Retribution", premiered with 58,000 copies in the U.S. back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

When asked about the varied reaction from JUDAS PRIEST fans to "Nostradamus", Halford stated in a 2008 interview, "The reaction has been very kind of mixed and diverse — very passionate responses. There are some PRIEST fans that only want 'Painkiller', 'Painkiller', 'Painkiller', which is fine. If you want to listen to 'Painkiller', throw it in your CD player. But I think, in terms of achievement, this is something we've always wanted to do. We've often talked about making a concept record, but it took until now to personally have the strong structure of an idea — in Nostradamus — and secondly have enough time to disappear into the recording/writing realm through almost a two-year period. But it's done now, and we feel very satisfied — we're proud of what we've achieved — and it's out there around the world settling into the psyche of everyone. My gut feeling tells me that in two, three, five years from now, the light will go on and people will go, 'Oh yeah. I've got it. I understand what this is all about now.' We're all about music. Some of it is instant; some of it takes awhile [to connect with the listener] . That's the joy of listening to music in all the ways that we do."

JUDAS PRIEST's "A Touch of Evil: Live" live album sold around 5,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart.

PRIEST chose 10 songs not previously released in live album form for "A Touch of Evil: Live", which was released in July 2009, in the midst of the band's U.S. summer tour.

"A Touch of Evil" included live renderings of longtime fan favorites such as "Painkiller", "Dissident Aggressor", "Riding on the Wind", "Between the Hammer & the Anvil" and "Eat Me Alive", as well as "Hellrider" from "Angel of Retribution", the group's 2004 reunion album with frontman Rob Halford, and two tracks — "Death" and "Prophecy" — from 2008's rock opera "Nostradamus".

Recorded by Martin Walker and Brian Thorene during JUDAS PRIEST's mammoth 2005 and 2008 world tours, "A Touch Of Evil: Live" marked the first PRIEST album that producer Tom Allom has worked on since 1988 (co-producing along with the band). It was such Allom-produced albums as "Unleashed In The East", as well as "British Steel" and "Screaming For Vengeance" (among others) that made PRIEST not only one of the premier metal acts, but one of the leading global rock acts.

CONDEMNED? Re-Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Northern California-based crossover veterans CONDEMNED? have re-signed with Nuclear Blast Records.

The second band to ever be released by Nuclear Blast, CONDEMNED? is putting the finishing touches on its new album at Prairie Sun Recording Studios with producer Billy Anderson (NEUROSIS, MR. BUNGLE, CATTLE DECAPITATION, CATHEDRAL, EYEHATEGOD) for an early 2011 release.

"CONDEMNED? is a nostalgic connection for me and it is a pleasure to go somewhat back to our roots," commented Nuclear Blast founder and owner Markus Staiger.

"Nuclear Blast's second release ever (NB002) from 1987 was the band's debut. Now the band continues mixing the past with the present for a new release, plus a bonus compilation that will include their debut album 'Humanoid Or Biomechanoid?!'



"CONDEMNED? stands for old-school raw metallic hardcore and combines the feeling of late '80s cross-over/punk-metal, with some brutal and melodic touches. The USHC legends have recorded 14 tracks especially for this release, some are new recordings from when they were USHC legends ATTITUDE!"

CONDEMNED? added in a statement: "We are excited to be re-signing with Nuclear Blast! Markus launched our first album in Europe as his second release ever in 1987! He started as we did, 'doing it yourself' for the music and the scene.

"Our latest double CD release with Nuclear Blast has 14-new recordings fresh from the forge, produced by Billy Anderson and CONDEMNED? The bonus disc is a timeline from 1983-1993 covering all the different incarnations over the years."

"We definitely have diverse roots, growing up in the S.F. Bay Area! Founded during the '80s hardcore/thrash metal scene, we bridged the two, plus we are influenced by the European punk movement and S.F.'s acid rock past. We bridged all styles, so we could to stay unique! The latest release reflects both the past and the present."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/c2dcondemned2death.

Former Saint Vitus Drummer Passes Away

Former Saint Vitus drummer Armando Acosta passed away on Thanksgiving Day (November 25). He was 58 years old. Saint Vitus has released the following statement to Blabbermouth regarding the passing of their former member:

“It is with great regret that we announce a great loss to the world of heavy metal with the passing of former Saint Vitus drummer Armando Acosta. Armando’s last show with Saint Vitus was April 29, 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Armando had been struggling with health issues over the years but came back into the Vitus fold for one last hurrah by headlining Roadburn [festival in Tilburg, Holland] in 2009 and playing a handful of European dates directly after the festival. Henry Vasquez replaced Armando Acosta in 2009, making his debut on the main stage at Hellfest [in Clisson, France].

The December 2010 SAINT VITUS tour will be dedicated to our old friend, Armando Acosta. R.I.P., brother!!!”

Acosta had been the drummer of Saint Vitus since the legendary doom band’s formation in 1979, then under the name Tyrant. Though he had been a part of their reunions since breaking up in 1996, the band parted ways with Acosta when it became clear his health problems were taking a toll for the worse. Our condolences go out to Acosta’s family and friends.

SEPULTURA: North American Tour Announced

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA will return to North America for a massive headlining tour next April/May in support of their upcoming Nuclear Blast Records debut. Joining them will be a veritable united nations on metal in the form of Austria's BELPHEGOR, Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN, Poland's HATE, Canada's NEURAXIS, and California's BONDED BY BLOOD. Starting May 23, Seattle's own NEVERMORE will replace BELPHEGOR to finish out the tour.



"We are very happy to play once again in the U.S., especially after a long time away from the American and Canadian stages," commented SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser. "We're also excited to start working with our new label, Nuclear Blast. They have a rich history in the heavy music business and we are honored to have such a partner.

"We are currently working on a new record, that will be released together with the American dates, so it will be our first tour for the new album.

"Hope to see you all at the shows! We will play the whole history of the group and we're going have a blast! See you on the Sepultour 2011!"

Confirmed North American shows for 2011 are as follows:

SEPULTURA, ANGRA:

Jan. 13 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14 - House of Blues - Hollywood, CA

SEPULTURA, BELPHEGOR, HATE, KEEP OF KALESSIN, NEURAXIS, BONDED BY BLOOD:

Apr. 18 - The Opera House - Toronto, ON - CANADA
Apr. 19 - Imperial de Quebec - Quebec City, QC - CANADA
Apr. 20 - Club Soda - Montreal, QC - CANADA
Apr. 22 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Apr. 23 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
Apr. 24 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 25 - The Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
Apr. 26 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 27 - The Club at Firestone - Orlando, FL
Apr. 28 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Apr. 29 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
May 01 - Clicks - Tyler, TX
May 02 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
May 03 - Trees - Dallas, TX
May 05 - Jake's - Lubbock, TX
May 06 - Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
May 07 - The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ (w/ D.R.I.)
May 08 - Club DV8 - Tucson, AZ (w/ D.R.I.)
May 09 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
May 10 - The Knitting Factory - Reno, NV
May 11 - The Grand Ballroom at Regency Center - San Francisco, CA
May 12 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
May 13 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
May 14 - The Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA
May 16 - Gothic Theater - Englewood, CO
May 18 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
May 19 - Reggies Rock Club - Chicago, IL
May 20 - Blondie's - Detroit, MI
May 21 - Montage Music Hall - Rochester, NY
May 22 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH

Stinky interviews Phil of Toxic Holocaust

Stinky of Capital Chaos got a chance to chit chat with Phil of Toxic Holocaust, when they played with D.I. & Fang at the newly reopened Club 916...