It’s hard to believe that any city of reasonable size in the year 2011 wouldn’t find the idea of releasing a completely cheesy theme song promoting itself to potential businesses and residents completely ridiculous, and that someone, ANYONE in the city’s government wouldn’t have gone, “Uh… guys?” But that’s exactly what the city of London, Ontario (pop: 352,395) has done; I can just picture the city board meeting in which this song was commissioned where some out-of-touch old fart exclaimed, “Yes, a THEME SONG will definitely inspire people to move here!” Here’s the admittedly catchy ditty, set to some classic Care Bears footage:

Of course it was only a matter of time before remixes and re-interpretations began popping up all over the Internet. Egged on by radio station FM96, London’s own Baptized in Blood heeded the call and released their own, much more rockin’ fun good times version of the song. Check it out here.

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Give credit to DevilDriver — they do not just constantly tour with bands that sound exactly like they do. Remember when they were supposed to tour with Venom? What about that trek they did with Napalm Death? Who’s fucking idea was that? I’m not complaining; I’m just sayin’.

DevilDriver’s latest did-not-that-see-that-coming tourmates are the Cancer Bats, whose music is similar to DevilDriver’s in that it features guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. But I really do dig the fact that DevilDriver keep doing this, ’cause a) who wants to watch multiple bands that sound exactly the same in one night?, and b) it means that all parties involved will, presumably, be exposed to audiences that might otherwise never check them out. Good deal, and smart thinkin’.

DevilDriver’s Roadrunner labelmates Baptized in Blood will also be on the trek, but that’s not as surprising. Still, this should be a fun tour all around.

Get dates after the jump, courtesy SMN. DevilDriver’s latest, the Mark Lewis-produced Beast, comes out February 21 on Roadrunner.

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The more I hear of Baptized in Blood, the more I really, really like ‘em. I’ve now heard two songs from their self-titled Roadrunner debut, released October 19th — “Last Line Lady,” released as a free download a few weeks back, and “Dirty’s Back,” which I heard for the first time in the above video — and I gotta say, both songs are total slam dunks.

Baptized in Blood are clearly influenced by their ’80s thrash heroes but they aren’t content to simply bite their riffs like the hoards of re-thrash bands roaming the planet… they take that influence and actually infuse it with something all their own, the way a band like Revocation does. Baptized in Blood actually remind me a whole lot of Revocation if the latter let their cock rock influence hang out just a bit more (and those guys love them some cock rock… don’t let their death metal tough-guy bravado fool you!); where Revocation get scene points for ridiculous chops, wonky songs and a healthy heap of death metal influence, Baptized in Blood go straight for the jugular with catchy songs and overt references to ’80s bands other than Megadeth and Metallica. And they’re still surprisingly heavy. I’ma hafta get myself a copy of their album pronto.

-VN

We regret to inform you that unfortunately recent Roadrunner signees Baptized in Blood will not be able to make their scheduled appearance at tonight’s MetalSucks / Metal Injection / 1000 Knives CMJ showcase at Club Europa in Brooklyn. According to a representative from Roadrunner, the band was denied entry to the United States at the border despite the fact that this show is a promotional appearance and not for pay.

But the show will go on! Last Chance to Reason, This or the Apocalypse, Car Bomb and A Life Once Lost will just have to step up their game, as if there was ever any worry that they wouldn’t bring it 110% anyway. Comedian Big Jay Oakerson, who is hosting the event, will be doing a little extra stand-up between bands as well. See you all out there! The show starts at 7pm and is All Ages.

Photo by Jessica Harvey

We’ve been hearing rumors about this for awhile now, but MetalSucks can now exclusively confirm that experimental prog-metal sextet Last Chance to Reason have signed with Prosthetic Records. Expect their debut for the label next year.

We’re always stoked when an awesome unsigned band finds a good home. We first saw Last Chance to Reason this summer, and their brand of techy, spacey, brutal-yet-melodic metal reminded us of a young Between the Buried and Me; we knew right away that they were something special. The dudes from Metal Injection and 1000Knives agreed, and we were all thrilled when we were able to add them to our joint CMJ Music Marathon showcase.

So this band obviously has a bright, bright future ahead of them. If you’ve never checked them out before, you can hear some of their stuff on their MySpace page. And if you live in the New York area, definitely come check them out at the aforementioned MetalSucks/Metal Injection/1000Knives CMJ Music Marathon showcase this Wednesday, October 20 at Club Europa in Brooklyn. The bill also features Car Bomb, This or the Apocalypse, Baptized in Blood, and, in their first New York appearance in eighteen months, A Life Once Lost. It’s gonna be killer. Get tickets here.

The MetalSucks/Metal Injection/1000Knives CMJ Music Marathon showcase is gonna be one of the most-fun shows of the year. (Which is why you’ve already bought a ticket, right?) All the cool kids already know that it’s A Life Once Lost’s first NYC show in eighteen months (!), and you’d have to be moron not to be excited to see those fellas once again slay The City That Never Sleeps.

But you’d have to be just as much of a moron not to be stoked to check out the four other great bands on the bill — namely, Car Bomb, This or The Apocalypse, Baptized in Blood, and Last Chance to Reason. If you’re not familiar with these bands yet, well… for shame. Get educated after the jump.

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The 2010 incarnation of the CMJ Music Marathon is almost upon us! A solid week of booze, partying and music in the streets and clubs of New York City makes us all just a little bit crazy every year, but there’s just so much fun shit happening all week that impossible not to heed its beck and call. Fortunately for you and for us, there’s plenty of metal at this year’s festival including some killer shows that aren’t even officially sanctioned by CMJ. Here’s a list of MetalSucks-approved events happening next week:

• Mon, Oct. 18: The Syndicate Conflict of Interest Party feat. Nada Surf, Reggie Watts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and more. Drink specials. 7pm at Club Rebel. RSVP only.
• Mon, Oct. 18: Cattle Decapitation, Son of Aurelius, Devourment, Knights of the Abyss and Burning the Masses at Santo’s Party House. 7pm, $13 advance, 18+. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
• Tues, Oct. 19: Nevermore, Warbringer, Blackguard and Hatesphere at The Gramercy Theater. 6pm Doors, $32.25, tickets available here. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
• Wed, Oct 20: The MetalSucks / Metal Injection / 1000 Knives Official CMJ 2010 Showcase! Featuring A Life Once Lost, Car Bomb, This or the Apocalypse, Baptized in Blood and Last Chance to Reason at Club Europa, Brooklyn. 7pm, All Ages, and tickets are only $10 (buy them here).
• Thur, Oct 21: Metal Insider’s Mosh Potatoes book release party! Release party for the forthcoming metal cookbook Mosh Potatoes and listening party for the new The Damned Things album Ironoclast, with drink specials and yummy treats of recipes from the book. Idle Hands Bar, 5-8pm. Private event (if you think you should be invited, you should know who to contact).
• Thur, Oct 21: Skateboard Marketing / Nova Entertainment CMJ Showcase featuring SuperMetal Records / Megaforce artists Misery. 5:30-7:30pm, Bowery Poetry Club. Budweiser and Jaeger drink specials. First hour is RSVP only, second hour is open to the public and CMJ badges.
• Thur, Oct 21: Doomsday Mourning, Hivesmasher, The Judas Syndrome, Fin’amor at the Charleston in Brooklyn. 7:30pm doors, show starts at 8:30pm, 21+. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
• Thur, Oct 21 – Sunday, Oct 24: The Grill ‘Em All burger truck guys will be here all the way from L.A. without their truck, making special guest chef appearances at area restaurants!! Get details here.
• Fri, Oct 22: Smell the Glove Party / Holy Grail Crisis in Utopia CD Release Party at St. Jerome’s (155 Rivington). No cover, 21+, 9pm.
• Fri, Oct 22: Tee Pee Records / Metal Insider Showcase: Naam, Priestess, Quest for Fire, The Atomic Bitchwax, Mirror Queen, Hopewell, and Weird Owl. 6pm, Union Pool, Brooklyn, $10/adv and $12/dos. Tickets available here.
• Sat, Oct 23: MetalSucks and 1000 Knives present: Powerglove, Wetnurse, The Binary Code, Pack of Wolves, Meek is Murder and Batillus. Free drinks courtesy of Sailor Jerry Rum from 4-5pm, and $3 drinks after that ’til they run out! 4pm, $10, 21+.
• Sat, Oct 23: Helmet, Intronaut and Fight Amp at the Gramercy Theater. 7pm, 16+, $29 (tickets available here). This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
• Sat, Oct 23: Brooklyn Vegan / Black Bubblegum CMJ Showcase featuring The Body, Cough, Inter Arma, Royal Thunder + more TBA. Union Pool, Brooklyn, 7pm, $5, 21+.

Whew… it’s going to be a punishing week! See you out there.

Nearly a year ago I wondered aloud whether Roadrunner Records’ reign as a premiere metal label had come to an end, only to eat my words a month later when they announced they’d signed two metal bands, Grand Magus and Baptized in Blood. Grand Magus are an established act with a long history, but Baptized in Blood are a different story; Roadrunner taking a chance on a brand new band heavier than Nickelback in the year 2010? Color me interested.

Now we finally get to hear what these Canadians have been up to for the past year in the form of a free download of their brand new track “Last Line Lady.” Not that you’d know whose track it is due to the lack of proper ID3 tags in the MP3 file (tsk tsk, come on Roadrunner, get it together! pet peeve), but “Last Line Lady” is a fucking ripper and a great track with which to whet the public’s appetite. There’s a dose of Gothenburg, a dose of thrash, a healthy heaping of cock rock and a guy that sounds like Andrew W.K. screaming over top of it; it’s an interesting mix, and I like it.

Baptized in Blood are playing the MetalSucks / Metal Injection / 1000 Knives CMJ Showcase at Club Europa in Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 20th along with A Life Once Lost, Car Bomb, This or the Apocalypse and Last Chance to Reason. Buy tickets here.

Hear the new song for yourself here for the price of an email address, then come back and share your thoughts on it with us; the free download will be available until 2pm EDT on Thursday, October 7th.

-VN

You know we’re teaming up with our bestest buds at Metal Injection and 1000Knives to put on a showcase at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon, right? It’s on Wednesday, October 20th at Club Europa in Brooklyn, and it’s gonna be one of the best shows of the year. WE SHIT YOU NOT. Which is why we’re not surprised that you’ve already bought a ticket. And if you didn’t, well, please allow us to give you five awesome reasons why you should:

1) IT’S A LIFE ONCE LOST’S FIRST NYC SHOW IN A YEAR AND A HALF. A Life Once Lost put on an absolutely KILLER show; we’ve seen them play festivals, we’ve seen them play basements, we’ve seen them play clubs and we’ve seen them play theaters, and they have never, ever done anything less than rip our faces off, eat those faces, shit out those faces, and then affix that shit on our skulls where our faces used to go. It’s been way, way too long since they played our neck of the woods, and the venue is so scared for its own well-being that they’re enlisting some Expendables-type soldiers of fortune to work security. Seriously.

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Two things you can’t take away from metal: it is truly a brotherhood, and a DIY community. And so, inspired by Nergal’s recent battle against leukemia and his call for awareness of the need of bone marrow donors, our friend Rich Hall at 1000 Knives suggested to both us and our pals at Metal Injection that we hold a bone marrow drive at our upcoming CMJ showcase in October. We were in the process of finalizing details when we learned that some our fellow headbangers were doing the same in Stamford, CT and Los Angeles.

This is obviously a great cause that goes beyond just Nergal; it would be terrific if one of these drives found him a donor, but, really, he’s just the inspiration here, and it’s the chance to save a life, period. Get all the details on all three drives after the jump. And if you’re organizing another one in your area, please let us know and we’ll add it to this list.

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Holy shit… is it really almost time for CMJ again? The ever shorter days, dimming sunlight and declining temperatures tell me that it is… but it’s still kinda hard to believe summer has just about passed us by. Thankfully not all is bad in the forecast; there’s a killer slate of fall metal tours on the horizon, and, as this post’s headline would suggest, our very own CMJ Music Marathon showcase!

MetalSucks, Metal Injection and 1000Knives have teamed up for what is sure to be the marquee metal show at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon in New York City. To be held on Wednesday, October 20th at Club Europa in Brooklyn, the showcase will feature a mix of metal veterans and up-and-coming metal talent. Headlining the bill will be A Life Once Lost in what will be their first NYC appearance in a year and a half. Relapse Records experimental metallers Car Bomb will also bring their brutal brand of metal to the bill, along with metalcore up-and-comers This Or the Apocalypse (Good Fight), new Roadrunner Records thrash signees Baptized in Blood, and progressive hotshots Last Chance to Reason.

There’s no question about it: this is the metal event to be at this CMJ (which spans from October 19th through the 23rd). Tickets are $10, doors are at 7pm, and the show is All Ages.

The announcement that Swedish trad metallers Grand Magus had signed with Roadrunner Records was a tad surprising given that label’s recent inclination towards either a) already developed acts with a legacy (Korn, Ratt), or b) more mainstream hard rock and metal acts. But hey, who’s complaining? If the success of every Nickelback and Theory of a Deadman means the label can take a chance on bands like Grand Magus and Baptized in Blood — and gives those bands the opportunity to record with a decent budget without forcing them to make artistic sacrifices — then hey, I’m for it.

We’ll find out how Grand Magus fair in the mainstream metal world when they release their Roadrunner debut Hammer of the North on June 23rd, but all indications from hearing the title track of the album are that they’re going to be just fine. I love the giant-sized bass tone and the thickness it lends the mammoth riffs, and vocalist Janne “JB” Christoffersson voice complements them perfectly to give the song a powerfully dark yet somehow epic feel. Dare I say JB reminds me a bit of Dio when he hits his upper register? Watch the new video for “Hammer of the North” below.

Listen to the older Grand magus song “Like the Oar Strikes the Water” here.

-VN

After the fracas that ensued following my post about the supposed non-metal future of Roadrunner Records, it would appear that Roadrunner Records hasn’t given up on metal after all. In the past week they’ve announced two brand new metal signings, which would seemingly indicate that Roadrunner is going to try and forge ahead with metal while also building up their non-metal roster.

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MetalSucks Maniac “Thrashbuster” e-mailed us to say that Canada’s Baptized in Blood announced at a show this past weekend that they are signing to Roadrunner. Assuming that this is true, an official announcement is supposed to come December 6.

I have no confirmation on this from the band or the label, so take it as a rumor for now. I will say that although this band doesn’t really do much for me, if they are signing to RR, it should do something to quell recent concerns that the label is no longer working with metal bands.

Check out Baptized in Blood and weigh in with your thoughts below.

-AR