Archive | February, 2012
Why should major label bands be the only ones who get love? Unsigned & Streamed is a new column where we stream a song from an unsigned band we at Metal Insider really dig.
This week, we’re excited to put a spotlight on Fresno, CA’s Art By Numbers. This five piece band has quickly made a name for themselves amongst fans and within the industry. After hearing early material, producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, Motionless In White) was eager to work with Art By Numbers on their debut full length album. After working in the studio with King over the past year, the band completed Reticence: The Musical. Art By Numbers’ technical yet melodic sound will impress fans of Protest The Hero and The Human Abstract. That last comparison is rather fitting to the band, since guitarists Victor Corral and Dustin Georgeson use to take guitar lessons from The Human Abstract’s A.J. Minette. So without further ado, take a listen to the song “Memoire Insuffisante,” off of their soon to be released album Reticence: The Musical, in the stream below.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Art By Numbers is still working on an actual release date for Reticence: The Musical, with multiple labels showing strong interest in them. The band is also planning to tour a great amount this year. You can stay updated on Art By Numbers’ upcoming plans via their Facebook page.
If you’re in an unsigned band and would like to participate in Unsigned & Streamed, email a link to your band’s music and a brief bio to tips [at] metalinsider.com for consideration.
This past month, Axl Rose and the new Guns N’ Roses have been playing a handful of intimate shows in the Northeast. The Up Close & Personal trek has been receiving lots of buzz, with additional dates recently added in Miami and Orlando. And now the West Coast will get the chance to get intimate with GN’R.
Among the three newly announced West Coast shows will take place the Hollywood Palladium, their first show at the famed theater in 22 years. As we’ve said before, seeing the new GN’R at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom back in 2006 was an amazing experience, and we’ve heard nothing but good things about their recent Northeast run. Hopefully, Axl and the gang will continue to play at least few more shows in intimate settings.
For now, though, you can check out dates (both remaining and newly announced West Coast engagements) for GN’R’s Up Close & Personal series after the jump.
February 29 @ The Fillmore, Miami, FL
March 3 @ House Of Blues, Orlando, FL
March 9 @ The Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, CA
March 11 @ The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
March 12 @ House Of Blues, West Hollywood, CA
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The charts promise to be dominated by a heavy dose of metal and hard rock debuts in the weeks ahead. This week, though, there isn’t a single heavy debut to report on. “Is that why Metal Insider decided to turn hipster and report on Sleigh Bells’ new album?,” you have the right to ask. Well, no need to fear, since we’re not turning into Indie Insider any time soon.
However, there is a reason why we’re covering the top ten debut of Sleigh Bells’ sophomore album Reign Of Terror. As you may know, one half of the “noise pop” due is none other than Derek Miller, who played guitar on Poison The Well’s first three albums. So while Sleigh Bells music might not exactly thrill old school Poison The Well fans, it’s still pretty damn awesome to see Miller and collaborator Alexis Krauss achieve such an accomplishment. In fact, Sleigh Bells’ top 10 debut is truly astonishing since their debut album, 2010’s Treats, placed at #39 with about 12,100 copies in its first week.
Notable Debuts:
Sleigh Bells, Reign Of Terror (Mom+Pop), #8, 27,470 sold
Seeing a former Poison The Well member in the top 10 is just as exciting as seeing him on SNL.
Notable Sales:
Van Halen, A Different Kind of Truth (Interscope) #7, 28,360 sold
Despite a 51% decrease, Van Halen remains in the top 10 after three weeks. Though these aren’t great numbers for such a hyped album as this one, it’s still safe to say that VH’s first album in 28 years with Diamond Dave will still have staying power.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #53, 7,850 sold
The Grammy love is starting to wear off, as Dave Grohl and co. find themselves back outside of the top 50 thanks to a 66% decrease in sales.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #65, 6,920 sold
Can you spot the members of FFDP in their new music video for “Remember Everything”? Read more »
Back in September, Slayer’s Kerry King, Anthrax’s Charlie Benante and Frank Bello, Megadeth’s David Ellefson, and Mike Portnoy took part in the second Metal Masters Clinic in NYC. The free clinic was full of surprises, including appearances from Philip Anselmo and Scott Ian. And now fans can look forward to round three of the Metal Masters Clinic.
It was announced today that the third Metal Masters Clinic will be taking place on April 12 at the Key Club in Hollywood, CA. Joining King, Benante, Bello, Ellefson, and Portnoy for a night of fun will be Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo. Like the first two, each musician will perform individually and collectively, while more surprises are reportedly in store for the event.
Unlike past clinics, though, this year’s event will not be for free. Tickets are available for $20 (first come, first serve) at the venue’s box office and website. In case you need a little more convincing to attend the event, you can check out videos featuring a few of the clinic’s participants announcing their involvement after the jump. Read more »
There’s only a few more dates left in this year’s Gigantour. Sadly, though, fans in Denver missed out on seeing the complete package.
It was revealed yesterday that Motörhead were not able to perform last night’s show at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado. The band was forced to cancel their set prior to doors opening after Lemmy Kilmister lost his voice and decided it was best to take the night off. Despite the vacant slot, Megadeth, Volbeat and Lacuna Coil went ahead and performed as scheduled.
As of now, Motörhead are expected to perform at the remaining Gigantour dates. While fans in Denver are still likely disappointed about not seeing Lemmy and co. last night, at least they’ll get another chance to see them at Mayhem Fest this Summer. You can check out the remaining Gigantour dates after the jump. Read more »
A lot of attention is being given to guitarist Jeff Loomis’ new sophomore solo album Plains of Oblivion. Not only are expectations high given Loomis’ talent, but the album also marks his first release since departing Nevermore. Well, now we have our first taste of new material from Loomis, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Century Media Records recently posted a video of the shredder performing a new song called “The Ultimatum.” The track also features a solo from guitarist Tony MacAlpine, one of the many awesome guest appearances slated for the album. The song itself sounds awesome, and it’s especially cool to watch Loomis himself performing the solos and riffs.
So stop wasting time and give “The Ultimatum” a listen for yourself in the video above. Plains of Oblivion will be released on April 10 via Century Media Records, just in time as Loomis hits the road with Protest The Hero and Periphery.
It’s no secret that we’re super stoked for High On Fire’s new album De Vermis Mysteriis. And thanks to Pitchfork, we now have our first taste of new recorded material from the stoner metal group. Like the two new songs we’ve heard them play live, the single “Fertile Green” sounds gritty and heavy as hell.
In addition to streaming the new song, Pitchfork also shared insight about De Vermis Mysteriis’ concept, with frontman Matt Pike telling them:
“I got this idea about Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Conception: What if Jesus had a twin who died at birth to give Jesus his life? And then what if the twin became a time traveler right then?”
Head over to Pitchfork now to stream High On Fire’s new song “Fertile Green.” De Vermis Mysteriis comes out on April 3 via eOne Music.
Liquid Metal host Jose Mangin’s interview with James Hetfield will air on Sirius XM channel 40 on March 1 at 5pm ET / 2pm PT.
Things started to unravel for Straight Line Stitch by the end of 2011. Not long after the release of their album The Fight Of Our Lives and their stint on Mayhem Fest, the Knoxville, TN group lost over half of its lineup. With only singer Alexis Brown and bassist Jason White remaining, some thought Straight Line Stitch were done for.
However, that turned out to not be the case. Earlier this month, Straight Line Stitch started to release pictures of the group rehearsing with new members. And on February 24, Straight Line Stitch performed their first show with their new lineup at Ground Zero in Spartanburg, SC. “I’m excited that Lex and I are able to continue with the band. I hope that our fans won’t be let down. Of course, things will be different. But for better or worse? Come see for yourself,” White told Metaholic.
Joining Straight Line Stitch are new guitarists Nathan Palmer and Kris Hawkins along with returning drummer Ian Shuirr (who was previously in the band from 2005-2007 and toured in 2009 with them). Metaholic caught up with Straight Line Stitch’s new members to talk about their excitement for the band’s future (which includes a Spring tour launching this week). Fan filmed footage of the band performing “What You Do To Me” last week can be seen after the jump (while more videos can be seen on this YouTube account). Read more »
Earlier this morning, singer Peter Dolving revealed in a posting on his Facebook account that he has left The Haunted. The Swedish metal group has yet to release a statement about the news. And though he does not disclose any reasons behind the sudden departure, Dolving makes it clear that he’s officially out.
Here’s what the singer had to say in his Facebook post:
“I am officially quitting The Haunted. After years of working with the band, I am out. I have had it. I will NOT answer questions to why. It’s no one elses business. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to seeing you people at other shows with other projects.”
Granted, The Haunted are no strangers to lineup changes. In fact, this marks the second time that Dolving has left the group. The singer first parted ways with The Haunted in 1998, just one year after first joining and recording their self-titled debut, only to return in 2003 and appearing on the band’s last four studio albums. Still, whoever replaces Dolving will have some pretty big shoes to fill.
Why should major label bands be the only ones who get love? Unsigned & Streamed is a new column where we stream a song from an unsigned band we at Metal Insider really dig.
Posted by Metal Insider on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Unsigned & Streamed