I thought it might be fun to post any metal news articles you find interesting, funny or whatever. Some of the things you come across can be funny or worth a discussion even if you don't like the bands....

Post Em Here -

Via Blabbermouth -

The always outspoken IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson talks about the key difference between MAIDEN and METALLICA in the new issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine. In addition to lifting the lid on why his band has been able to stay on top of the world over the years and keep its integrity while doing so (and reminiscing over some of the insane trouble they've gotten in over the years!), Bruce took the time to discuss the secret to MAIDEN's success and why they're revered as one of the greatest bands to ever plug into an amp.

"You've just got to have a sense of fearlessness," says Bruce. "I got into trouble for saying that we're better than METALLICA… and, it's true! They might be bigger than us and they might sell more tickets than us and they might get more gold-plated middle-class bourgeoisie turning up to their shows but they're not MAIDEN. I did say it's a bit of a wind-up. I thought, if I'm going to turn into an asshole, I might as well, you know, go for it!"

ED - What is your opinion on this one, both bands have similar history's for me, I like the first 4 Maiden albums but that is it, I like the first 2 Metallica albums and maybe half of Puppets but that is it. In fact both bands lost it in my opinion around the same time. Saw both bands live in their early years with Maiden being the better live experience for me personally but saw both bands about 6 years ago and both bands sucked for the same reasons. Bad sound, poor set-list and so on. I think old Bruce has got a bit of a big-head at the best of times and it is bit rude to say the least to make comments like this but I kind of see where he is coming from. Maiden never sold out, changed their style maybe but never did a Load/Reload thing. They also never brought out shitty-produced albums like St.Anger. Hmmm I think Maiden wins overall.

I saw that and giggled!

As far as who's better, for me its Maiden hands down. Of their entire catalog only three albums suck. As for Metallica everything after the black album has sucked. Maiden has never sold out IMO either.

MORBID ANGEL Guitarist Is 'Not Worried At All' About Fans' Reaction To Experimental New Album

On whether they are concerned that MORBID ANGEL fans might not necessarily be psyched about "Illud Divinum Insanus"'s techno-industrial sensibilities:

Trey Azagthoth: "I'm not worried about it at all because I don't do it for others' approval. And I think all the real fans of this band understand that already. We don't check into the scene to see what scene people accept or don't accept. Me and David did an interview when 'Altars' came out where I said the same thing: We don't check into the latest book of cool to figure out where we're gonna go with our stuff. We look inside ourselves, and I think that's what fans of the band have come to expect. And I think they appreciate that, because they know it's as real as it gets."

David Vincent: "When we first came out with 'Blessed Are The Sick', people thought it was really different. It took them a long time to embrace it. And that's fine. After everyone bagged on that record for two years and subsequently started sounding like that, we got signed to Warner and everybody's immediate comments were, 'Sellout!' But then 'Covenant' was the fastest, angriest record we had done. So, we challenge ourselves musically and we challenge our listeners. There are plenty of bands that have a really simple, easy formula, and you can predict exactly what you're gonna get on every record. We've never been that way, and there's no reason to start now."

"The way we go about doing what we're doing now is no different than the way we went about doing 'Altars Of Madness'. We played the shoit out of our instruments, tapped into our creativity, and delivered. And that's exactly what we did on the new record. We could've gone back through our catalog and said, 'OK, this song and this song did really well for us.' And then we could've just rewritten them. But we didn't do any of that — nothing like it. We grew once again. It's not that big of a change, but people are gonna hear things they're not used to hearing. And like I said, it's still very extreme."


Ed - There is a lot of debate going around message boards about this one. Well I have heard the album and I don't like it much at all except the guitar work is amazing I must say. Now I haven't like anything Morbid Angel have done since their third album but I have always stayed in touch with what they are doing and this new album is a giant leap into the shoit as far as I am concerned. It is not as techno or industrial as some people are making out but that style is definitely there. In my opinion, these types of musical influences very rarely work in metal and they don't work here either. And the rapping that kind of occurs in one song is embarrassing while another song sounds more like Soulfly than MA.

I am not a MA fan at all really. I have nothing against them, just for whatever reason haven't really heard or sought out much of their stuff. but I must say, after reading that it makes me want to become their biggest fan ever. right on to those guys.

They rap? WTF? And to think I was getting into to them again. I was even debating on getting their 'Gateways' album. I've got their first four albums, with the third sucking major amounts of ass. I don't get why so many people like it. They're a great example of a band that has been putting out the same album more or less since their inception.

As far as the "techno" influence in Metal the only band that I've heard pull it off would be Crematory. Their 'Revolution' album was surprisingly good. Its follow up ' Klagebilder' was even better. They sounded so fresh and invigorated. The third album after those 'Pray' sucked hard however. More or less going through the motions instead of making new headway. ...and Oceans last album 'Cypher' was full of industrial insanity. Its a killer album and very different. I got it when it came out and still listen to 9 years later.

According to Views And News From Norway, the Norwegian foreign ministry has begun training aspiring diplomats in TNBM (True Norwegian Black Metal) after foreign service missions reported a rise in enquiries about the musical genre from around the world.

The head of the foreign ministry’s center of excellence, Kjersti Sommerset, told newspaper Dagens Næringsliv that "we now have 106 foreign service missions and they get many enquiries from people who want information about Norwegian black metal as a phenomenon. In the training program, we have a large cultural program in order to give the trainees a good understanding of Norwegian culture and the cultural industry."

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159096

this is the funny news

You may have seen the headbangers journey movie when that dude arrives in Norway and the customs officer says, are you here for the black metal lol. Well the same thing happened to a friend many years ago. When he arrived he went to a tourism office, they saw his long hair and was asked do you want to go to hear the black-metal live ?

Apparently black-metal is in the top 5 attractions for visitors to Norway according to statistics. This was many years ago so I don't know if things have changed but the bands + the church burnings actually helped tourism for the country. Sounds ridiculous but black-metal is not just a genre of music but an very mainstream thing in the country and some of the more famous band members are treated as celebrities.

Not Metal but good all the same:

http://beta.news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/texas-movie-theater-makes-example-psa-texting-audience-170925090.html

indeed it's also a problem at metal gigs, really boring all those craps using their phone for talking to someone (that surely can't hear anything) or taking pictures too...
I've never had the idea to call someone at a gig, just to tell him "hey listen, you should have come, etc..."... I'm there for my personnal pleasure, nothing to share with missing people simultaneously, just enjoy what I see at 100%, if I have any comments to make that will be for later.... and if I take photos (with a real camera), I always try to not disturb anyone, it's just as simple !

It even happens at big shows too when I saw Saint Vitus the last time, the place was packed of course but I saw dozens of people text-messaging, some spending the whole night, getting frustrated at their cellphones because the camera part wouldn't work right - have they ever heard of a real camera? It just seems like a waste of time and money to go to a big show like that then stand around obsessed with what your cell-phone is doing.


Back now back to the topic of metal news please ......

A recent interview with Deep Purple's Roger Glover had this one paragraph that made me laugh but it is all so true about America.


BostonHerald.com: What does being called a classic rock band mean?

Glover: We're stuck in the States with that classic rock tag, so it's very difficult to get an audience of younger than about 40. It's a label. I think it hurts us, because we're not getting through to the younger audiences we get through to in the rest of the world. We've been big in France the last seven years and play big venues, which are always packed with teenagers and they have a ball. You go to America and play a shed somewhere and people are sitting down eating their popcorn, don't want to get up and barely want to clap.

It's so true...the US just about sucks A$$ for any good music. I'm getting old and I am at most big shows in the VIP pit. It's awful to see these old men just sitting there doing nothing.

Went to see Blue Oyster Cult in a local venue and not ONE person stood up...even after they played reaper. The audience was just filled with fat old women and men who should have just stayed back at the nursing home and watched the DVD.

It really makes me sick to my stomach that I have to be stuck here in the states with audiences like this when most of these bands are playing monster festivals in the UK to 50 or 60 thousand people...who ROCK. I'd move there if I could.

that's very surprising to read that for us (french), we aren't the wildest in Europe but it is completely impossible to have such attitudes and a so old average-age at gigs... and even at pop gigs, this is not special to metal, here whichever style is played, you'll always have at least 50% of young people (15-25)
last year I've seen a gig of JACQUES DUTRONC, a brilliant actor from the pop à la française wave from the end of the 60's who still has a fair success, we were about 6000 in the hall, 75% had a seat, 50% were more than 40 years old, but well let's say there was just about 150 still siting after 2 songs... it's not sunday's mass ! it's party, it's rock'n roll, it's fun...

Police Seizes 'Offensive' CRADLE OF FILTH Clothing From New Zealand Shop

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159166

According to Stuff.co.nz, police yesterday seized CRADLE OF FILTH clothing with offensive images banned by the chief censor in 2008 from a shop in south Invercargill, New Zealand.

The merchandise will be sent to the department which will decide, after consulting with police, whether the owners of the Impuls'd store will be charged with any criminal offenses.

Sergeant Brock Davis, of Invercargill, said police visited the store mid-afternoon and seized between 10 and 15 hooded tops and long-sleeved T-shirts with the offending words on them.

If a member of the public complained to police about someone wearing one of the offending shirts in public, police would investigate and charges could be laid for disorderly, offensive or insulting behavior. If convicted, penalties ranged from fines to three months' jail.

Colin Morrison, the pastor of Edendale Presbyterian Church, wrote on The Southland Times Facebook page that he felt sorry for people who needed to express themselves in such a way and he would be praying for them. Also, I am sad at the way they find such language acceptable, just shows how far we have slipped as a caring and loving society."

The censor "noted its sexually degrading image of a traditional Roman Catholic nun, and its grossly obscene and blasphemous language" directed at "the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is worshipped, adored, praised and revered as the central Person of Christianity," according to a press release issued by the SPCS. "The use of vile Satanic imagery emblazoned on the T-shirt, including depictions of dripping blood, linked to the heavy metal band CRADLE OF FILTH and lewd and inflammatory content directed at Christians, was also noted by the censors."

In the classification decision (No. 800513) on the apparel entitled "Vestal Masturbation (Cradle of Filth)" dated June 26, 2008, signed by Ms Nicola McCully, the Deputy Chief Censor, it states:

"The injury to the public good that is likely to be caused by the availability of this T-shirt originates from the manner in which it associates an aggressive and misogynistic meaning of the 'harsh, brutal and generally unacceptable' word c**t with Jesus Christ, and depicts an image of a chaste woman engaging in sexual activity. A fair interpretation of the messages conveyed by this T-shirt is that Christians should be vilified for their religious beliefs, and that women, including chaste and celibate women, cannot stop themselves engaging in sexual activity…" (OFLC No. 800513)

According to the Australian Herald Sun newspaper, a Gold Coast teenager was charged in 2008 by police for wearing the above-mentioned CRADLE OF FILTH t-shirt. The teen was charged with offensive behavior under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance.

Metro newspaper reported in October 2005 that a British teenage heavy metal fan was handed a community service order for wearing the same shirt.

Adam Shepherd, who was 19 at the time, was reportedly convicted under the then-new anti-hate laws which ban people from displaying religiously insulting signs.

The teenager was arrested after a woman complained to police when she saw his shirt, which shows a picture of a nun in a pornographic pose. The top was being worn by Shepherd's girlfriend when a police officer approached her. As soon as the teenager realized there was a problem, he told the officer it was his and swapped tops with his girlfriend. But he refused to take it off or cover it up and was arrested.

Shepherd, who bought the shirt in his hometown of Weymouth, Dorset, admitted the charge. Weymouth magistrates gave him 80 hours community service and told him to pay £40 costs (approx. $71 at the time).

According to MediaWatchWatch.org.uk, the wearing of this T-shirt had led to at least two previous convictions in the UK.

Dale Wilson, 35, of Norwich, was arrested by two police officers as he walked to the newsagents on Halloween 2004. He pleaded guilty to "religiously aggravated offensive conduct." He was eventually discharged and told to "grow up." He paid £150 costs (approx. $266), and the judge ordered that the T-shirt be destroyed.

Back in 1997, Rob Kenyon, 29, of London was found guilty of committing the offense of "Profane Representation under the 1839 Act" by Bow Street Magistrates Court. He was fined £150.

CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Nicholas Barker was also arrested in Dover and charged with "creating a public disorder" for wearing the same t-shirt. There were no further proceedings against him.

From the NME: In 2001, the then-Lord Provost of Glasgow, Alex Mosson, campaigned to have the t-shirt prevented from being sold at Tower Records. The record shop was raided on two occasions by police, and eventually agreed to stop stocking the garment. The Catholic League of America, back in 1998 (amusing "Victory for Sickos" story) and 1999 (their call to action), also complained bitterly about the t-shirt.

Ed - Go to blabbermouth to see the offensive shirt in question. I must admit it is pretty extreme and I would certainly never wear such a shirt but I also think it is pretty lame to arrest people over it. I got hassled by a cop over the bitch and bong Electric Wizard shirt once in the streets of Seattle and that shirt is pretty tame compared to the one they are talking about here. I hate censorship of any kind but I think it is pretty stupid when bands like this go out of their way to shock people. I don't find the images offensive at all but really what is the point of making shirts like this and a better question, what kind of person thinks this artwork is cool to wear. I would feel like a right dick walking around wearing this stuff. That's my opinion anyway.

http://themetalfiles.com/2011/05/29/loudness-concert-review-san-antonio-tx-may-28-2011/

What a disaster but I bet everyone here has been to at least one show that has ended up like this ...............

@ Ed

Regarding the Cradle of Filth shirt, I've got that one, along with two or three others that I can't wear in public. I did wear one and the looks I got from a gas station attendant were priceless but the one in your post I've never worn. That shirt was supposed to be out of print and I got it because I like it. Apparently its considered solicitation of porn to a minor if said minor happens to see it. They banned them from the mall where my friend used to run his shop (the same shop I got it from, lol). Personally, I don't see the big deal, its just a shirt. How many times a day am I offended by what I see while driving to work? on peoples cars? "normal" shirts, internet adds, etc...Cradle's shirt was offensive for the sake of being offensive but there was nothing political about it (which I love) and it would force those who found it offensive to actually practice their faiths rules and turn the other cheek, as well as not judge. That's just my opinion however.


Also Seth Putnam from AC died from a supposed heart attack a couple of days ago. I'm sure he OD but that's what they're calling it. I don't own any AC albums but I laugh myself stupid when I hear their songs. Plus they had a great BM parody band called 'Impaled Northern Moon Forest' that was an acoustic guitar, 7 inch keyboard and a suitcase for drums. They pressed 7 or a 8 LP's and drew very silly stick figure demons, devils and upside down crosses. They have live stuff on youtube and its worth checking out.

The only experience I can think of that comes close to this was actually Alice Cooper. I have seen Cooper over a dozen times and every show has been great except ONE and it was this one. It was a Monday night and I don't know if this has anything to do with it but there was only 3-400 people in the audience inside a 15,000 seat arena - it was just bizarre. To turn around and see all those empty seats is weird.

Anyway, Cooper and his band for whatever reason went on a hour late, played a really bad set-list, the worst selection of songs I had ever seen Alice Cooper pick for a show. Then about 50 or so minutes, out of the blue, the house lights come on, Alice Cooper says 'good-night' and the band walks off. Every person there just stood there wondering what to do. To say we were all ripped off is a under statement, $75 for that is unforgivable.

ANYBODY REMEMBER TERRORIZER ?

Legendary grindcore act TERRORIZER has inked a deal with the French label Season Of Mist. The band's new album is in its final stage of production and will be unleashed in early 2012.

TERRORIZER's 2011 lineup includes Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) who remains dug into position on drums, blasting out armor-piercing beats and defending his territory as one of the most brutal drummers alive.

Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk), the vocalist on the previous TERRORIZER album release, "Darker Days Ahead", returns for his second menacing oration of dark politicized prophecies about the apocalyptic near future.

The new TERRORIZER lineup also features David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) on bass, ready to continue the onslaught he began with TERRORIZER's debut album masterpiece, "World Downfall".

On guitar, it is the great honor of Katina Culture (RESISTANT CULTURE) to shred in place of the late Jesse Pintado, who's still felt to be in the band in heart and spirit. She's attempted to do justice to Jesse's frantic-yet-precise tornado of riffing while adding her own style to the mix of sonic wreckage.

Commented TERRORIZER: "We are happy to team up with Season Of Mist for the worldwide release of the next TERRORIZER album. We are currently finishing the recordings and expect to mix down the record after the summer. We are also determined to finally bring TERRORIZER on tour all over the globe next year to support the album’s release."

TERRORIZER 2011 is:

Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk) - Vocals
Katina Culture - Guitar
David Vincent - Bass
Commando (aka Pete Sandoval - Drums

Pintado, a founding member and guitarist of TERRORIZER, died at Holland's Erasmus MC hospital on August 27, 2006 due to liver failure, only less than a week after the release of TERRORIZER's second album "Darker Days Ahead". His death effectively put TERRORIZER's future in question.

With an aggression and ferocity until then unheard, TERRORIZER took the scene by storm with the 1989 release of its highly acclaimed and genre-defining debut album, "World Downfall" (Earache Records). The LP established the band as a cult institution, and the musicians went on to concentrate on their future main outfits: Pete Sandoval (drums) with MORBID ANGEL and Jesse Pintado with NAPALM DEATH.

With "World Downfall", TERRORIZER created the "Reign In Blood" of grindcore, inspiring a generation of bands, their popularity never waning through these intervening years. The massive amount of available bootleg recordings and band merchandise, as well as rumors of a follow-up album, kept the TERRORIZER name alive.

* I hope this doesn't turn out to be a pile of turd like Morbid Angel's latest.

Terrorizer's first album was pretty good. A new album could go either way.

Can you say borderline delusional ?

Read what Robb Reiner from Anvil recently said ....

Robb: Listen, we're super-famous now! ANVIL has become worldwide super-famous — not just famous, but super-famous. It's unbelievable how famous we got! The story got told and the story needed to get told and by becoming the story, a lot of people didn't realize a lot of the truths about ANVIL, and yeah, that brought a lot of people that are in the business to the band, to become bona fide rock stars. We have a great team around us now and we have the best management any rock band can have. We have a great rock and roll agent, we've got a record company and we've been touring nonstop for years now. Last year we played to a total of more than 400,000 people and it's not stopping. The movie part will never stop. It will keep going forever!