So by now, a lot of you have decided to like Pantera. Wait, let me start over again. You’ve loved them for over 20 years, but a lot of you have started to like them on Facebook in order to hear the previously-unreleased song “The Will To Survive.” In fact, their page has nearly 1.5 million fans, many of whom rushed to the social network yesterday to hear the Cowboys From Hell-era demo track, which will be included on the three-disc and box set editions of the 20th anniversary of CFH.
Apparently there was enough confusion about the song in the comments section that the keepers of the page needed to give some additional information.
Lots of you seem to be confused about “The Will to Survive”. Just to clarify, this is a demo track from the Cowboys From Hell Demos. It was recorded in 1989 & was not included on the original release of Cowboys From Hell. It is going to be included on the 20th Anniversary 3cd deluxe set (instore 9/14) as well as the Ultimate box set (Instores 11/22). And yes, that is Philip singing.
So what are our thoughts on the song? Well first of all, it’s a demo of a non-album track. That means “didn’t make the cut for the album.” Secondly, it was 1989. Just look at the above photo from the band’s previous album, Power Metal, to see where they were then. Dimebag Darrell was still “Diamond” Darrell, and Phil Anselmo was way more on the metal side of the fence than the hardcore side. Cowboys was the sound of the band finding themselves, transitioning from a glam/power hybrid to the band that would come to define metal in the ’90s. The riffing on the track is vintage Dime – and then Phil starts singing. It definitely sounds like there’s some Priest worship going on, and when the chorus comes along, it sounds a lot more like Queensryche than anyone in the band would probably want to admit. But at the end of the day, it’s still Pantera, it’s a pretty solid song, and while it may not have held up as well as the rest of the album it didn’t make the cut for, it’s something that any Pantera completist will want. Our thoughts on the song can be perfectly summed up by friend of Metal Insider Jen Guyre, who said “I want to make an 80s montage of me learning to fight or training for a skateboarding competition to the new old Pantera track.”
Queens band Full Blown Chaos have signed with Unearth vocalist Trevor Phipps’ Ironclad Recordings. The band’s last album, Heavy Lies the Crown, came out on Ferret in 2007. Their new album is expected next year.
After officially revealing that he was diagnosed with leukemia, the support for Behemoth’s Adam “Nergal” Darski has been overwhelming with fans and bands reaching out to see how they can help. And for the first time since making his illness public, Nergal has released an official statement. In addition to thanking everyone for all of their support, Nergal assured that not only will he fight the disease, but that Behemoth will in no way be put on hold.
But if that wasn’t enough to give you hope that he will indeed beat this, then his words about changing his anti-religious ways will. You can read the entire statement here, but here is an excerpt that proves that no illness will prevent him from taking on religion:
“Finally, I want to comment on some opinions which, provoked by religious circles, lead to far-fetched and inaccurate interpretations. I was surprised to hear my illness became a pretext for some people to embark on their own crusade. Opinions suggesting I might come closer to God or abandon my ideals and grovel to the only correct world view in this country not only surprised but also frightened me. This is a typical example of supporting one’s own views by preying on someone’s misfortune. ‘He fell ill so he will convert to Christianity, he will discover the religion he fought against is actually close to him.’ Halt! Why should the illness change my point of view? It is true this is a difficult time for me and the thoughts of ultimate matters are hard to chase away. But the idea that I will change my opinions, priorities, and values as a consequence of my illness sounds as if someone regards my head, and not my body, ill. Suggesting I might convert are ridiculous. To what would I convert? After all, I know Christian mythology pretty well, not only in its literary version, and I find nothing good, creative or beautiful in it. I read books better and wiser than the Bible. War, blood, blackmail, rapes, incest, pedophilia, zoophilia, collaboration and treachery – each page emanates with evil. Some may say I don’t understand the message of the Bible. I’d rather say the Christianity is nothing more than a rusty and archaic structure that is going to fall down any moment. It lasts only because of the gullible that follow the shepherd blindly; without any questions, without any consideration, not to any promised land, but to an intellectual slaughter. So, I say to those, who see some chances to break my rules, and myself because of the illness: over my dead body!”
In other words, even in difficult times, Nergal is still the black metal God we all love. In so many ways, this is a great sign of hope for Behemoth fans and concerned metal heads. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Nergal and his family.
Underoath will release their as-yet-untitled new album on November 9 via Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records.
Impending Doom has debuted a new video for “There Will Be Violence” on Noisecreep.com.
The Word Alive’s new album Deceiver is streaming in its entirety on AOL Music.
Disturbed is streaming their new album Asylum in its entirety over at AOL Music.
The Acacia Strain has announced dates for a headlining Fall tour with The Red Chord, Terror, Gaza and The Contortionist.
Unearth will only be joining All That Remains and Asking Alexandria on the first four dates of their previously announced tour.
Iron Maiden’s 15th album, The Final Frontier, is not only being hailed by fans as one of their best albums in years, but was also their most successful chart debut ever. Metal Insider wants to give you a chance to win a copy of the album on vinyl. If you’re a reader of a certain age (let’s say over 30), your earliest memories of Iron Maiden are probably looking at Derek Riggs’ amazing artwork for the band’s earlier albums on vinyl. The vinyl version of the new album is a double picture disc that will fit in alongside your earlier collection of Maiden vinyl, or be an amazing starting point for your new vinyl collection.
To be entered, simply let us know what your favorite Maiden album cover is in the comments section below. One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, September 10, but if you choose Dance of Death or Virtual XI, you’ll automatically be disqualified! Contest is open to United States residents only. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Posted by Bram Teitelman on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Events, Vulgar Display Of Power Metal