Se han hecho de rogar pero tras cuatro años, por fin, “Berri Txarrak” ha sacado su nuevo álbum “Payola”. Tras una macrogira para presentar su disco “Jaio.Musika.Hil”, que les ha llevado por escenarios de todo el mundo como Estados Unidos, Japón, Nicaragua, México y Europa, compartiendo escenario con “Rise Against”, y la salida de la banda de Mikel Lopez “Rubio” por motivos personales, el nuevo trío formado por Gorka Urbizu, Aitor Goikoetxea y David González (nuevo bajista de muchísima calidad como músico y como persona) ha sacado a la luz un álbum lleno de buenas canciones.

La banda del norte ha progresado muchísimo en su calidad musical y en este “Payola” se pueden escuchar temas con mucha fuerza. El álbum ha sido grabado en Estados Unidos, de la mano de Steve Albini (productor de “Nirvana”, “Pixies” o “Neurosis”), y lo han hecho a la antigua usanza, grabando todos a la vez y luego remasterizando, en vez de ir grabando cada instrumento por separado.

“Berri Txarrak” tuvo la colaboración de Tim Mcllrath, cantante de “Rise Against”, que hace unos coros en euskera en un par de temas. Los temas de este nuevo álbum son más melódicos que los anteriores pero sin perder un ápice de su fuerza natural. Sus ritmos se caracterizan por un sonido rock/metal alternativo con toques de stoner y hardcore melódico.

Un muy buen disco de unos chicos que evolucionan a la perfección dentro de un mundo muy difícil como es la industria musical. Personalmente, les he visto en directo hace ya bastante tiempo y me parecieron muy buenos. Ahora, con este nuevo álbum se han superado. Espero verles de nuevo muy pronto.

http://www.myspace.com/berritxarrak 

Dream Theater are such amazing musicians, it is scary. I liken Dream Theater to a “Heavy Metal Electric Light Orchestra”. Of course, that is my humble, Metal opinion. The song Wither, from the 2009 Dream Theater album Black Clouds & Silver Linings, (on Roadrunner Records), is an incredible work of Progressive Metal. This song has struck a chord with me, (not to sound sappy), with all of it’s content. With it’s layering of music, lyrics, mood and edginess, Wither is a song that stands out amongst a ton of music I have been listening to, this past year of 2009. I always tend to shy away from ballads, only this is Dream Theater… and I’m all ears to Wither. James LaBrie has flawless vocals on Wither, amazing. Hopefully you can enjoy this song and video of Wither as much as I do.

Slipknot Featured in Spin’s On The Scene Photo Gallery – SLIPKNOT’s MySpace Blog |.

]]> http://zachshaw.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/trivium%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98into-the-mouth-of-hell-we-tour%e2%80%99-storms-through-the-palladium/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:11:06 +0000 zach-attack-shaw http://zachshaw.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/trivium%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98into-the-mouth-of-hell-we-tour%e2%80%99-storms-through-the-palladium/

One of the best things about seeing a concert at the Palladium (in Worcester, MA) is that no matter where you stand in the small theatre, you’ll feel as if you are right in front of the band. So when Trivium brought the last leg of their fall tour, Into The Mouth Of Hell We Tour, to the Palladium this past weekend (November 6, 2009), you can bet that heads were blown straight off. With openers Chimaira, White Chapel and Dirge Within, fans were treated to a spectacular evening of metal up close and personal. Trivium’s performance was proof that they were ready to be our generation’s next metal icons.

Things got off to a good start even before Trivium hit the stage. While I can’t say I was extremely impressed by White Chapel and Dirge Within’s musical capabilities, the two openers’ energy onstage was impressive enough. However, it was Chimaira who by far stood out amongst the openers. With their mix of metal-core and groove/nu metal, the boys from Cleveland, Ohio crushed the stage with force. Singer Mark Hunter pounced the staged with strength as he tore through scream after scream with keyboardist/sampler Ben Schigel on backing vocals . Guitarists Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold pounded riff after riff as bassist Rob Lesniak and drummer Jason Genaro kept the sound tight. As intense as the music was, it was the sense of joy within each band member that made their slot exciting to watch. You could see that the band was having as much fun onstage as the audience in pit was.

While the openers got the frenzied crowd warmed up, headliners Trivium stole the night. Even though the Palladium is a 2000 capacity venue, Trivium performed as if they were in front of a packed arena. With its mix of hardcore and melodic thrash, the band delivered an adrenaline filled performance that kept fans headbanging and moshing during their entire hour and a half set. As they played songs from all four of their albums, you could see genuine thrill in their eyes as they lead their fans into non-stop movement. Each band member displayed confidence, something many bands in today’s metal scene lack live. Throughout the entire night, singer/guitarist Matt Heafy had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Heafy possessed a blend of charisma and strength as he traded vocals and guitar solos with the ferocious Corey Beaulieu (guitarist). Bassist Paolo Gregoletto let his presence be known has he leaped all across the stage and lead fans into chants, all while playing bass and singing back up vocals. Even former drum tech Nick Augusto, who is filling in for drummer Travis Smith on this leg of the tour, appeared as if he had been playing the set his entire life.

Seeing Trivium take command of the entire audience was awe inspiring. To see a band display strength and passion up close in such a small venue is truly a unique experience. It was as if you were watching the beginning of future metal gods. Ironically, watching the band’s strong presence onstage made you think of another metal god: Metallica (who many criticize Trivium’s album The Crusade for sounding too similar to). However, the comparison between the two bands’ performances should be taken as a high compliment, for it shows how Trivium has evolved from an up-in-coming band into a metal force to be reckoned with.

-Zach Shaw

Click here to see my Thank You to Metalinsider.net (who made it possible for me to attend this show).

Fan of All That Remains? Lacuna Coil?  Taking Dawn? From Sword to Sunrise? Or Maylene and The Sons of Disaster? If so get ready because they maybe rocking a stage near you soon.

The Hard Drive Live Tour 2009 will kick off Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 in Albany, NY. providing you with the chance to see all five band take the stage.

All That Remains

Metal fans favorite All That Remains will be preforming tracks off of their latest album Overcome at Hard Drive Live, including Forever In Your Hands, the track which they just released the music video to on Oct. 7, 2009.

Taking Dawn

Formerly known as 7th Son, Taking Dawn has recently signed to Roadrunner Records. Inspired by 80’s metal the band proclaims that they are in no way a “throwback to 80’s glam metal,” but include new solos, melodic rhythms and shredding in their songs. The track that attacked Roaderunner to them that you should keep your ears open for? Time To Burn.

Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil returns with their newist full-length release, Shallow Life, their first release since Karmacode released in 2006. Was it worth the wait? Make your way to the Hard Drive Live Tour when they come to your town to see.

From Swords To Sunrise

Formed in late 2007 From Sword To Sunrise spawned from hardcore foundations on the music scene in Spokane, Washington. In 2008 the band headed out on more extensive tours with All That Remains and Trivium and when they finished they started recording their debut full length album FSTS. The band is discribed as, “Hard hitting and explosive, combined with influences of mayhem and destruction,” by a local writter.
Seth Wolther, Vocalist, thanked Hard Drive for, “have given us a real shot here.” Take your opportunity to see what you think of them at Hard Drive Live 2009.

Maylene and The Sons of Disaster

Get ready for the gun toating outlaws to make their way to a stage in a town near you on the Hard Drive Live Tour 2009.  Straight out of Birmingham, Alabama Maylene and The Sons of Disaster are considered, “musical outlaws who rob and steal the best parts of heavy metal, punk rock, down-home classic rock n’ roll and bluegrass and reshape it in their own image with the true-life morality.” The bands third album, With Beautiful Simplicity, III, pushed the envelope even further in which they broadened the scope of the repertoire established in their depute and album II. Recognize the vocalist? You might. Dallas Taylor was the original vocalist of UnderOATH who was “asked to leave” the band in 2003.

Need tickets to Hard Drive Live Tour 2009? Get them before they are gone! For tour dates, venues and tickets CLICK HERE.

It began in 1996 has hard music community were clinging to the shattered dreams and the nearly forgotten remnants of glory in a rock radio world that had seemingly forgotten and the creation of hardDrive radio came into play. From the radio to the stage Hard Drive Live Tour soon was an reputable tour in the hard music community. HardDrive radio soon became hardDrive XL, which is now on the air five  days a week for five hours a night.

Genre: Metalcore
Origin: USA
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 42:36
Tracklist:
---------------
01. I'll Go Until My Heart Stops
02. Felt Through A Phone Line
03. On Any Given Night
04. Elysium
05. The Great Descent
06. Midnight Swim
07. Aurora
08. Will Pull This In By Hand
09. We Cannot Deny
10. Between The Anchor And The Air
11. The City Ignites
12. Mother Mary

Genre: Metalcore
Origin: USA
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 38:18
Tracklist:
---------------
01. At The End Of August
02. The Heart And The Shape
03. Bloodwork
04. Kenai
05. Skin And Atmosphere
06. Song For The Fisherman
07. With Nothing Underneath
08. Destroy The Map
09. Installing The Catheter
10. Cure Eclipse
11. Waterhaul
12. Workhorse (Cast Iron Hike Cover)
13. Sad Lisa (Cat Stevens Cover)
14. Mother Mary
15. Digging The Grave (Faith No More Cover)

Genre: Metalcore
Origin: USA
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 46:35
Tracklist:
---------------
01. Turns To Ashes
02. One More Word
03. An Agreement Called Forever
04. Eightminutesupsidedown
05. Slit Wrist Theory
06. Bury Me Where I Fall
07. Dislocate
08. Two Months From A Year
09. Chalk White
10. All I Am
11. Ceramic
12. Circle The Drain
13. Left Hand Charity
14. Crutch

Genre: Heavy Metal
Origin: Canada
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 51:52
Tracklist:
---------------
01. Through The Horned Gate
02. Night Marauders
03. The Goatriders Horde
04. Trial Of Champions
05. God Of The Cold White Silence
06. Forest King
07. Demon's Blade
08. The Great Hall Of Feasting
09. Infinite Legions
10. Assassins Of Light
11. Black Spire
12. The Hydra's Teeth
13. Rejoice In The Fire Of Man's Demise

Genre: Heavy Metal
Origin: Canada
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 50:33
Tracklist:
---------------
01. Fear On The Bridge (Upon The Boiling Sea I)
02. Deadly Sinners
03. Revenge Is A Vulture
04. Dominion Of Deceit
05. Premonition Of Pain
06. Lord Of The Storm (Upon The Boiling Sea II)
07. Wykydtron
08. Swordmaster
09. Axes Of Evil
10. Crazy Nights
11. Destroy The Orcs
12. The Phantom Of The Crimson Cloak
13. Isle Of Eternal Despair (Upon The Boiling Sea III)

Genre: Progressive Metal
Origin: USA
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 75:25
Tracklist:
---------------
01. A Nightmare To Remember
02. A Rite Of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best Of Times
06. The Count Of Tuscany

Genre: Progressive Metal
Origin: USA
Label: Roadrunner Records
Length: 78:33
Tracklist:
---------------
01. In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. I
02. Forsaken
03. Constant Motion
04. The Dark Eternal Night
05. Repentance
06. Prophets Of War
07. The Ministry Of Lost Souls
08. In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. II

There is so much going on, never mind mobile with CTIA, TV with MIPCOM, film with MVFF, and books with LitQuake, music alone dominates SoCal over the next few days with Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live! in San Diego today and Digital Music Forum tomorrow and Thursday in LA.  Follow along at #CTIA, #DMF.  Here’s the guide:

Tuesday, October 6
Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live!
Omni Hotel, 675 L Street, Grand Ballroom C, Level 4, San Diego

9, Bill Werde & Antony Bruno, Billboard
9:10, Aasim Saied, Logic Wireless
9:15, Alan Brenner, RIM Blackberry Platforms
9:45, Richard Smith, OpenPath Products
9:50, Kevin Arnold, IODA, Adam Flick, Ticketmaster, Robb McDaniels, INgrooves, Ted Mico, Interscope
10:45, Networking mixer
11:20, Syd Schwartz, EMI Music
12, Lunch Break
1, Rob Hyatt, ATT, Ed Ruth, Verizon
1:30, Brian Lisi & Dan Catullo, DC3
1:35, Bob Abbott, NVP, Andrew Fisher, Shazam, Adam Mirabella, Nokia, Paul Miraldi, Clear Channel, Jim Ryan, Motricity, Neil Smith, Rhapsody
2:35, Ty Wang, Oracle
3:10, Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy
3:45, Tim O’Brien, Tapulous, Dave Dederer, Melodeo, Ali Partovi, iLike, Jon Vlassopulos, Moderati, Jonathan Zweig, EpicTilt
4:45, Jared Hoffman, RPS Entertainment, Billy Alvarado, Lala, Ashley Jex, Bill Silva Entertainment, Dorrian Porter, Mozes, Sean Rosenberg, RCA/Jive Label, Nathan Thompson, The Orchard
6-8pm, Hard Rock AfterParty with Myles Kennedy & B Taylor

Wednesday, October 7
Digital Music Forum West
Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles

12:15, Registration
1:15, Ned Sherman, Digital Media Wire, Ted Cohen, TAG Strategic
1:30, Russ Crupnick, NPD, Eric Garland, Big Champagne, James Lamberti, Topspin
2:20, Ted Mico, Interscope Geffen A&M, John Moakley, Rovi, Tim Quirk, ,Rhapsody, Vince Bannon, Getty Images, Brenda Walker, Rebel Content, John Rubey, AEG Network Live
3:05, Delegate Roundtables
3:45, Mike Cannady, Scratch DJ Academy, Claudia Ceniceros, Cisco, Jordan Glazier, Eventful, David Leibowitz, Sir Groovy, Brenden Mulligan, ArtistData, Aydin Caginalp, Manatt Phelps & Phillips
4:40, Dave Dederer, Melodeo/Presidents of the United States, Scott Geller, Zooz Mobile, Christian Jorg, Island Def Jam Music Group/UMG, Ali Partovi, iLike, Massimiliano Pellegrini, Dada, Dick Wingate, TAG Strategic
5:30, Garth Trinidad, KCRW MyHangSuite.com, Vikter Duplaix, Grammy Recording Artist, Make a Baby
6:30, Poolside Cocktails

(TIME FOR ILLEANA DOUGLAS’ EASY TO ASSEMBLE PREMIERE!)

Thursday, October 8
Digital Music Forum West
Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles

9, Dave Conway, Little Radio, Johnie Floater, Live365, Kurt Hanson, RAIN/AccuRadio, Jim Rondinelli, Slacker, David Oxenford, Davis, Wright, Tremaine
9:55, Nic Adler, The Roxy Theatre, Tyson Cornell, Book Soup, Nathan Levinson, The Viper Room, Alf LaMont, The Comedy Store, Kyra Reed, MarKyr Media
10:40, Break
11, Tim Westergren, Pandora
11:40, Jim Griffin, Choruss, WMG, Jonathan Potter,  DMA, Michael Petricone, CEA, John Rudolph, Bug Music, Sami Valkonen, Nokia, Lawrence Lenswil, Loeb & Loeb
12:30, Courtney Holt, MySpace Music, Celia Hirschman, KCRW
1, Lunch
2, Delegates Roundtable
2:40, Alexander Ljung, SoundCloud, Rose Slanic, Roadrunner Records, Benjamin Lebrave, Akwaaba Music, Hal Bringman, NVPR, Chad Cooper, OVGuide, Jay Frank, MTV CMT, Mike Spinella, AOL, Daniel Tibbets, GoTV, Daren Tsui, mSpot, Jay Baage, Digital Media Wire
3:55, Alex Hackford, Sony, JeffMarshall, Rock Band, Jeannie Novak, Indiespace, Mark Shedletsky, Blue Haze, Adam Taylor, APM, Kelli Richards, All Access Group, Anthony Batt, BuzzmEdia, Justin Gage, Aquairum Drnkard, Lina Lecaro, LA Weekly, Francis Ten, West Indian Girl, Larry Weintraub, Fanscape, Heidi Richman, HRMP
4:45, Josh Brooks, PlayList.com, Barry Layne, ARTISTdirect, Tom Carolan, Total Live Music, Jaclyn Ranere, The Orchard, Alan Miller, Filter, Creative Group; Richard Conlon, BMI, Cecily Mak, Rhapsody, Maurice Russell, Harry Fox, Erik Steigen, Providian, Les Watkins, Music Reports, Partick Sullivan, RightsFlow
5:30, Tropicana Bar Afterparty

Intense metal guitar riffs: check. Mind blowing guitar solos: check. In your face thrash metal rhythms: check. Dave Mustaine’s ravaged vocals: check. All the ingredients to a great Megadeth album are present in their latest release Endgame. Whether you can’t stop listening to past classics like Rust In Piece or Peace Sells … But Who’s Buying? or if you just want truly off the wall heavy metal, then you’ll love Megadeth’s new album.

Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s singer/guitarist/head hancho, is back in a big way. With riffs meatier then ever, Mustaine’s guitar playing is as fast and tasty as ever, making songs like “1,320” and “This Day We Fight!” feel as if they could’ve been written in the band’s hay day. Just like his guitar playing, Mustaine’s vocals sound equally intense on songs like “How The Story Ends” and “Bodies”. However, Mustaine isn’t the only one stepping up to the plate on the new album. Drummer Shawn Drover and bassist James Lomenzo are back on board to give songs like “The Right To Go Insane” and “Bite The Hand” the groove that separated Megadeth from the rest of the thrash metal scene of the 80s. New guitarist Chris Broderick adds his own stamp to songs like “Head Crusher” and … well come to think of it, the entire album! In other words, Broderick proves his worthiness as a new member of the band.

Don’t call Endgame a “comeback album” for the thrash titans. The new album serves as a reminder that Megadeth are not just some washed up 80s metal band. With the album’s fast, heavy, and uncontrollable riffs, Dave Mustaine and company confirms that Megadeth will always be seen as the metal icons they truly are.
-Zach Shaw

Lynyrd Skynyrd are Southern Rock Legends and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. What more does Lynyrd Skynyrd have to prove? What keeps the motivation meter running with this band? In my Metal opinion, it is a combination of many things… the Skynyrd Nation and the fact that this band has never lost touch with their roots are two quick examples. Southern Music roots… family roots… old school values, these three attributes come out Southern Rockin’ loud and clear on God & Guns, (released on RoadRunner Records, September 29, 2009). My interpretation of the lyrics found on God & Guns, leads me to believe that Lynyrd Skynyrd are not about to change their beliefs, (both political and social), for no man. Lynyrd Skynyrd has never and is not about to sway or teeter on the fence with their lyrics and music, a quality that I tremendously admire of this legendary band. As the decades have passed and the Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup has unquestionably changed, none of what I have previously touched upon with this band has wavered… and the quality of the musicianship inevitably carries forward this Southern Rock icon to 2009. With God & Guns, a new Southern Rock Classic has instantly been born and I would not have expected any less from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Each of the twelve songs on this new album bestow the trademark Southern Rock shades of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s past, while combining a thrust of relevant Hard Rock vigor, making for an unforgettable listen the first time around. Johnny Van Zant sounds great on vocals and founding member and guitarist Gary Rossington, along with the entire band should be proud of this album.

Still Unbroken opens up God & Guns, it is heavy and hard, a statement that the rest of this album to follow is going to be one hell of a cool ride. Skynyrd Nation is a song overflowing with Southern Rock/Lynyrd Skynyrd pride. I am just waiting for the right moment to crank up this song to the max, with my car window down. Skynyrd Nation is the ultimate Southern Rock anthem for this band, a powerful song. Simple Life is a cry out for the way things used to be as only Lynyrd Skynyrd can convey. Here is where the old school values of life comes into play… eating dinner with your kids, not having to lock up the doors to your house, going fishing and helping out a stranger. This song may sound like preaching to some, however, the lyrics make total sense to me. Unwrite That Song is the ballad on God & Guns that provides a moment to chill, kick back and revel at the change in Southern Rock shift… this song acts as the anchor between the song list, giving me one more reason to call this album a new classic. Floyd is the song that provides the creepy moment on God & Guns. This song tells a story about a man named Floyd who mysteriously disappears after two law dogs got in his way – Southern Rock spookiness in the vein of Molly Hatchet’s classic song The Creeper.

My favorite song on God & Guns is That Ain’t My America. A patriotic song, with strong conservative views, Lynyrd Skynyrd doesn’t just add their two cents here… they reminded me once again, as to how proud I am to be an American. That Ain’t My America makes many points through it’s lyrics, yet it is done with respect and class… the Southern Rock way. Storm and Gifted Hands conclude God & Guns on a high inspirational note and there ain’t nothing wrong with that for me. The lyrics of these last two songs prove that positive lyrics incorporated with the Southern Rock sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd, can easily elevate me to the highest of cool moods. The guitar jamming in Gifted Hands could carry on for hours and I would still listen with gleeful, Southern Rock hungry ears. Aw, damn, I can easily listen to this new Lynyrd Skynyrd classic God & Guns for hours on end… and still want more.

Some extra info on this God & Guns CD:

Within the liner notes of this CD, is a cool concert photo of the late Billy Powell and Ean Evans, shown together. Lynyrd Skynyrd dedicated this new album to both of these gentlemen, along with their respective families. Complete lyrics to every song are in the liner notes. Also found within the liner notes, under the title of Additional Musicians, Rob Zombie and guitarist John 5 are credited. The liner notes do not express which songs they appear on. My Metal ears are astute to so many musicians and their style of play, (this time I am stumped), I cannot pinpoint where Rob Zombie and John 5 do appear… maybe someone out there knows for sure which songs they appear on and can drop the details in a reply.

A RoadRunner Records disponibilizou em seu site o download de “Merciless Tide”, nova música do Hatebreed.

No site você encontra o link para baixar a música e ainda pode assistir o vídeo de “In Ashes They Shall Reap”

Confira aqui.

Slipknot member Shawn "Clown" Crahan will make his contemporary art debut and celebrate his birthday September 24 7 p.m.-midnight at the Hotel Kirkwood.
The show will feature Crahan’s acrylic on canvas paintings, framed photography, prints and Polaroid from his upcoming book, "The Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey."
The event is free, and food and drinks will be served. Mike Pfaff and Jeff Karnowski, of Crahan’s band Dirty Little Rabbits will perform jazz/world music as well as performing a second set of covers with their group The $nack$. DJ Starscream (Sid Wilson DJ of Slipknot) will perform with the Sound Proof Coalition.
Jewelry by Crahan’s wife Chantel, paintings by Frank Hansen and paintings and films by Scott Kaven will also be on display. The event will be curated by the Moberg Gallery.
Crahan said this about the event in a press release:
"My first gallery showing is truly the realization of a lifelong dream. Polaroid photography has helped open the doors in my mind about layering, saturation and backgrounds. Then of course there’s painting. I feel as though I’ve waited my whole life to be able to enjoy what I always imagined painting to be. This is now reality. Painting is one of the only artistic expressions that brings me ultimate happiness and freedom. This show is a fun way to have an evening dedicated to the celebration of everyone’s ambitions and love for art, whatever their medium may be. So, artists everywhere come as you are."

SHARED VIA ‘THE GAUNTLET”

Picked up Porcupine Tree’s new album yesterday and got a chance to listen to it today.  Upon my first listen, I gotta say it’s pretty good.  I don’t think it lives up to the previous album, Fear of a Blank Planet.  Of course with any album of theirs, repeated listens are required, so that opinion could change later.

So the album is made up of two CDs, the first CD is made up entirely of the title track, clocking in at 55 minutes, while the second CD is made up of four shorter songs.  They are separated to emphasize the fact that the four songs are independent of the title track, as the title track is meant to stand on its own.

I read up on Steven Wilson’s inspiration for this album on the Roadrunner Records website.  He was stuck in traffic due to people rubbernecking at a sign saying ‘POLICE – INCIDENT.’  This made him think of how the word incident is such a detached word for something that could potentially be destructive and traumatic for the people involved.  This made him pick out other ‘incidents’ reported in the media and the news.  Each song or movement from the title track is written from a first person perspective and tries to humanize the events that occurred.  I also learned that Steven Wilson gave up secure employment to pursue a career in music.  A really risky move, but I’m glad he made that decision.

10 anni fa era la volta di “Risk”, probabilmente l’episodio più fiacco della carriera dei Megadeth, che ha avuto il poco invidiabile merito di deludere sia il pubblico che la critica. Succeduto al già debole “Cryptic Writings”, il disco fu definito con queste parole da Luca Signorelli sulle pagine di Metal Hammer: «Alice Cooper che incontra l’alternativo che incontra l’heavy rock da classifica che incontra Dio solo sa cosa». Il punto più basso di una band portata a fondo da una spasmodica ricerca di successo, da un manager (Bud Prager) e un produttore (Dann Huff, ex Giant, ma anche sessionman per Whitney Houston) che il thrash metal non sapevano manco cosa fosse, e da un irrimediabile tentativo di misurarsi con l’ombra dei Metallica, persino nella loro ora più buia. E infatti, proprio come Hetfield e compagni, in quegli anni i ’Deth erano tanto esaltanti sul palco quanto imbarazzanti su cd.

E così arrivò la crisi esistenziale, la rottura con la Capitol Records dopo 14 anni, l’uscita di Marty Friedman (bravo, bravissimo, ma all’ultimo Gods Of Metal ci ha fatto davvero due maroni così), a cui più avanti seguiranno anche quelle di Nick Menza e persino del fedelissimo Dave Ellefson. E poi la lenta rinascita, il ritorno al metal con “The World Needs a Hero” (2001), lo split momentaneo dovuto all’infortunio di Mustaine e il trionfale ritorno con “The System Has Failed” (2004), che non sarà un manifesto del thrash ma che è un buon concentrato di potenza e melodia, e una grande prova di forma per una band che meditava ormai di sciogliersi per sempre. Ma poi, per fortuna, non è stato così.

Dopo il passaggio alla Roadrunner Records nel 2007 con “United Abominations” (un altro sublime gioco di parole), ora i Megadeth si affacciano alla fine del decennio con “Endgame”, il loro dodicesimo lavoro in studio, uscito in Italia venerdì scorso e immediatamente acquistato dal vostro beneamato cronista, che se l’è ascoltato con estremo piacere per tutto il weekend. Come si era già capito dall’esaltante singolo di lancio Head Crusher, che ha iniziato a circolare un paio di mesi fa, questa volta i Megadeth fanno davvero sul serio e sono pronti a confrontarsi senza timore con il proprio glorioso passato. 

Registrato tra gennaio e maggio al Vic’s Garage (lo studio californiano della band, che prende il nome dalla loro storica mascotte Vic Rattlehead) il disco vede alla console di produzione Andy “ma quante ne so” Sneap, coadiuvato dallo stesso Mustaine. Per quanto riguarda la formazione, è confermata la sezione ritmica di “United Abominations”, composta dal bassista James LoMenzo e dal drummer Shawn Drover, il cui fratello Glen ha dato l’addio alla band (e al metal) sul finire del 2007, e ha trovato un sostituto definitivo nel giovane e bravissimo Chris Broderick, ex Jag Panzer e turnista live dei Nevermore. Dave è molto entusiasta di aver trovato un chitarrista come lui, e ha paragonato la loro sinergia niente meno che a quella tra Ozzy Osbourne e Randy Rhoads.

I due axemen cominciano a dare spettacolo già nella programmatica intro Dialectic Chaos, amabile terzinato in cui le seicorde di Mustaine e Broderick conversano con tecnica e gusto per un paio di splendidi minuti. Segue This Day We Fight!, un ottimo brano thrash dall’incipit cattivo e dal proseguimento ancor più feroce. Un inizio davvero esaltante.

Dopo la sfuriata iniziale si passa allo “stile Megadeth maturo”, meno violento ma molto intenso, squadrato e scandito dal ruvido cantato di Mustaine. Gli assoli di Broderick nella bella 44 Minutes rivelano tracce evidenti dei suoi trascorsi con i Nevermore, mentre 1,320’ si apre su un riff da “periodo d’oro” (penso a 502, da “So Far, So Good… So What!”) e si chiude su un botta e risposta di assoli strepitosi. Dopo un paio di mid-tempos senza particolari sussulti (Bite the Hand e Bodies) arriva la title track, con un’intro cerimoniale e una struttura ben congegnata, a marcare uno degli episodi più originali del disco.

I Megadeth sono in buona forma, e il tipico rifforama thrash di Mustaine – unico autore delle musiche, salvo qualche sporadico contributo di Broderick e Drover – si accompagna alle consuete liriche che parlano di guerra, violenza, politica e, talvolta, umani sentimenti. Come nella teatrale ballad The Hardest Part of Letting Go … Sealed With a Kiss, il cui unico merito è forse quello di stemperare la tensione e placare gli animi in modo da far ulteriormente risaltare la violenza deflagrante della successiva Head Crusher, che è un brano davvero con i controcazzi (scusate il francesismo) ed è probabilmente il migliore del disco.

How the Story Ends recupera uno dei tratti migliori dei Megadeth anni Novanta, vale a dire l’abbinamento tra una struttura asciutta e ruvida e un bel ritornello cantabile (tipo Skin o’ My Teeth o She-Wolf), condito con una certa dose di potenza e un solo molto nevermoriano – scusate se insisto – di Broderick, a cui va definitivamente tutta la mia stima. L’altrettanto valida The Right to Go Insane chiude i conti con questo “Endgame”, che sicuramente è valso i 18 euro e mezzo che ho sborsato per averlo e che per un po’ non toglierò dalla mia autoradio.

La band si è impegnata e molto, di tanto in tanto c’è qualche momento di calo, ma a conti fatti mi sembra compensato generosamente con i picchi di tecnica, violenza e ispirazione. Siamo senz’altro sui livelli qualitativi di “Countdown to Extinction”, ma il sound ha una robusta iniezione di cattiveria che dona a questo lavoro una marcia in più. (Spero che il tempo non mi contraddica.) Andate sul MySpace dei Megadeth, dove è disponibile parecchio materiale, e fatevi un’idea anche voi.

Non ci sono al momento notizie di un loro prossimo passaggio in Italia (del resto sono già venuti da poco insieme a Judas Priest e Testament), ma se morite dalla voglia di vederli on stage, non perdetevi il dvd Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego, che uscirà tra pochi mesi e che ritrarrà i nostri thrashers in una data tenutasi l’anno scorso durante il Gigantour.

E ora, dopo avervi ammorbato con tante parole e ben poco metallo, vi propongo il nuovissimo video di Head Crusher, diretto da Patrick Kendall, con tanto di gentil donzella combattente che rende questa prodezza ancor più appetibile! «Time to take your last walk in this world…»

Megadeth, “Endgame” (2009, Roadrunner Records)

1 )  Dialectic Chaos  –  2 )  This Day We Fight!  –  3 )  44 Minutes  –  4 )  1,320’  –  5 )  Bite the Hand  –  6 )  Bodies  –  7 )  Endgame  –  8 )  The Hardest Part of Letting Go … Sealed With a Kiss  –  9 )  Head Crusher  –  10 )  How the Story Ends –  11 )   The Right to Go Insane

WOW. Holy Metal crap, is the new Megadeth album - ENDGAME an incredible Thrash Metal experience. ENDGAME is on the very cool label RoadRunner Records. Thank you Dave Mustaine, for creating these songs and keeping Megadeth moving forward. I listened to ENDGAME in it’s entirety… it is currently streaming on Megadeth’s My Space Music, go to www.myspace.com/megadeth 

Go ahead, hear for yourself and be glad you did… Megadeth has made a lightning strike of a Metal statement with ENDGAME… I am buying this CD on Tuesday, September 15. My money will be well spent. My favorite songs, thus far, are: How The Story Ends, The Right To Go Insane and Head Crusher… these are the three songs that I had to listen to repeatedly. Unreal is ENDGAME. Holy Metal crap I am psyched for owning this CD on Tuesday.

Dave Mustaine on guitar & lead vocals, Chris Broderick on guitar, James Lomenzo on bass guitar and Shawn Drover on drums are:

Artist: Dommin
Album: Love Is Gone
Label: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/dommin/
Please note: We have yet to find a final release date for this record. We have heard it is slated for January 2010. We will update here when we hear the exact date.

Dommin is a band that defies classification. Overall they have a classic gothic overtone, but hint at influences ranging far outside the genre. Old time rock and roll, 80’s pop and 90’s hair bands crop up often amidst the expected gothic icons from past and present. Throughout the album it is not uncommon to hear bits of music that remind you of a distinct song from the past, but therein lies the problem. Their sound is simply not consistent throughout.  The issue I have is how the music bounces around between genres and musical influences. Sometimes the experimentation works, and other times it doesn’t.  Overall though- it is at least an interesting listen.

Like the band’s hairstyles (The Misfits trademark deathlock), the drum work at times harkens back to the fifties rock of old.  The intro to “Dark Holiday” definitely has a swing or Broadway feel to it. Then there’s Kris Dommin’s voice, who at times sounds very much in the vein of Glenn Danzig (Misfits & Danzig) and at other times more like Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode). Personally, while I like Depeche Mode, but I prefer the Danzig moments-but that is personal preference! The moments when Dommin is apparently using his own vocal styling, rather than borrowing from others,  is the least enjoyable of all of them. Not because he has a bad voice, but because you come to want to hear the other more familiar styles instead.

The beginning of “Making The Most” gave me bad flashbacks to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, but once the guitar kicked in, for some reason it reminded me of Guns N Roses’ “November Rain”, but only briefly! The main guitar riff prevalent throughout “Closure” reminded me of classic destroyers like “Fade To Black”, “One” and “Cemetery Gates”.

Rating the band on its own merits is difficult, as all of it is reminiscent of someone else, whether it is other Goth bands or something right out of left field. I have to say I think it is a good try for a young band, and I expect they will just get better as they continue to grow and find their “own” sound.

Rating: 6 out of 10.

Recommended Tracks: If you are looking for a Depeche Mode type of gothic sound, stick to songs like “Honestly” and “Remember”. Other songs of note are “Closure”, “One Feeling”, “Within Reach”, “Dark Holiday” and “Tonight”.

The 3 filler songs on the album(the longest being 1:15), “Evenfall Hallow”, “Within Reach” and “One Eye Open” can be skipped.

Track Listing:
1.My Heart, Your Hands
2.New
3.Evenfall Hollow
4.Tonight
5.Love is Gone
6.Dark Holiday
7.Without End
8.Within Reach
9.Closure
10.Making the Most
11.One Feeling
12.I Still Lost
13.One Eye Open
14.Honestly
15.Remember

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