When Filter mainman Richard Patrick went into rehab in 2002, it marked the end of the industrial-rock band’s rad second line-up. That means it’s been about a decade since the Filter that made Title Of Record (super classic!) and The Amalgamut (epic!), and since then jeez I haven’t caught sight of Patrick’s old team like at all. Which is surprising, cuz drummer Steve Gillis is a stud (here) and guitarist Geno Lenardo co-wrote this phase of Filter’s biggest (here) and biggest-selling jamz (here).
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 10:00am by Axl Rosenberg
I’m going to put about as much effort into this introduction as the writers of The Artist put into that movie’s dialogue.
First up we have Anthrax’s new video, for “The Devil You Know.” The song is catchy as heckfire, but it’s really just a boring clip video, with a bunch of footage of shit the band did in the months since Worship Music has been released. The only thing even kinda interesting about it is that there’s a bunch of Yankees shit in there, which will make Vince mad. But it’s not even like he’s gonna get upset enough to burn all his ‘Thrax albums, so that’s no fun.
[UPDATE: Embeds have been disabled, so go watch the video here.]
Hey, so you what did you guys think of the idea I posited last week for a new band ranking system? Thanks to Jason from IKILLYA for pointing out the existence of NextBigSound.com, a cool site that aggregates a lot of the data I suggested be included in the ranking, namely social network stats and other Internet metrics. While NextBigSound allows account holders to enter their own Soundscan data, I’d love to see all those things — along with torrents, merch sales, etc — combined into a single chart that’s published once a week and accessible to the industry, much like Soundscan is now. The grand picture is so much bigger than album sales now more than ever, and I think that needs to be reflected in the main chart people analyze. For the most part, it seemed like you guys were into the idea even if you questioned its feasibility.
Anyway, this week is pretty depressing sales-wise. One look at the top six records on this week’s Current Hard Music chart should make any metalhead cry. Since there weren’t many notable new albums released last week and you surely don’t wanna just read about Nickelsuck, I also included numbers of some older albums from earlier in 2011 that are experiencing holiday sales bumps.
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 at 4:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
Recently, the people who all get together and decide who should win a Nobel Peace Prize came to the conclusion that they hadn’t done anything really, really wacky since 1994, when they awarded their prestigious honor to infamous bowling alley investor Yasser Arafat. And so, after some great debate about what would really be the most fucknuts thing they could possibly do, they hired Evanescence to play their ceremony in Norway this Sunday.
Allow me to repeat that, because I didn’t believe it at first, either.
Evanescence are going to play the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Norway this Sunday.
Now, assuming you are of sound mind, you first thought was probably something along the lines of “Huh?!?!” Because, uh… WHY? Why the fuck are Evanescence playing the Nobel Peace Prize concert? Is suburban Goth culture somehow exemplary of goodwill towards one’s fellow man? Did the organization feel like they needed a younger, hipper image? Have the ratings been low the last few ceremonies? Was there something about the lyrics to “My Immortal” that struck them as being particularly appropriate to the Nobel Peace Prize? WHAT THE FUCK DOES THIS BAND HAVE TO DO WITH FUCKING ANYTHING?!?!
I need to go lie down for awhile. I can’t even… I can’t even… I just can’t…
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 11:30am by Vince Neilstein
It was a week of polar opposites: on one hand, butt rock ruled as Disturbed nabbed the #1 spot on the Current Hard Music charts with Five Finger Death Punch and Evanescence firmly entrenched in second and third place. On the other hand Animals as Leaders scored a big debut, a big victory in the name of all that is right in the music world. As I Lay Dying and Rush also sold well. Let’s take a look at those and more after the jump.
After years of waiting, Dark New Day fans finally got to hear the band’s second record, Hail Mary, this past August, along with an equally impressive B-sides collection. For those of us that had waited patiently the release of these two albums was heartily welcomed, but it also raised a number of questions: why’d it take so long, and why now? what went south with the record label? why do all of these songs sound so different?
There hasn’t been any press whatsoever surrounding Hail Mary‘s release — the band put it out quietly and independently through digital retailers (they’re on Amazon) — but bassist Corey Lowery, whose past bands also include Stuck Mojo and Stereomud, agreed to chat with me last week about all things Dark New Day. We also got to talking about Corey’s new band Eye Empire, an incredibly talented group who I cannot recommend enough to fans of Dark New Day and Sevendust.
Last week was a slow one for new releases, but don’t worry, this week’s slate is a bit more impressive so next week’s Soundscam column should be a bit more exciting. This week Suckanescence and Five Finger Death Suck grabbed the respective #1 and #2 spots on the Current Hard Music charts once again by a long shot, even with 69% and 68% Week 2 declines; it’s gonna be a while before those go anywhere, and this week’s #3 isn’t exactly going to please headbangers either. But Iced Earth’s first album with new vocalist Stu Block grabbed the #4 spot, while Cradle of Filth, Insomnium and Evile all made it into the top 100.
News flash: radio rock still sells. While most readers of this site will probably be disappointed to see the HUGE numbers sold by this week’s #1 and #2 Current Hard Music chart-toppers, there’s better news elsewhere in the form of debuts from Skeletonwitch, Charred Walls of the Damned and a ton of other bands you see listed down below in the “tags” field. Click through to learn more.
The biggest issue at hand seems to be whether or not it’s sexist. It is. As a female and as a metal fan, I do, in fact, find it sexist. Look at the name. Referring to women as “chicks” on a nationally recognized and widely read magazine is sexist. It demeans women. I might be overreacting, I might be overly politically correct, but if you’re going to insist that it’s a celebration of talent, then why is it portraying women as objects right off the bat? I do give you points on being honest, though, Revolver. You could’ve gone with full denial and named it “The Most Talented Chicks in Hard Rock.”
My biggest problem with this issue is that it really has nothing to do with the music. Yes, the women who pose do it by choice, and hope that after all the gawking some reader might actually listen to their music, but ultimately, those readers probably won’t. Why? Because the magazine features bands and musicians who already have a fan base and a clear, set audience. People who know them will still buy their records, but I highly doubt some guy will be like, “Hey, that Amy Lee is quite the looker. I should probably check out her stuff.”
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 at 10:00am by Axl Rosenberg
Last year, the cover of Revolver‘s “Hottest Chicks in Metal/Hard Rock/Whatever” issue was graced by a girl so young that even thinking about her while masturbating should be illegal. This year, though, Evanescence’s Amy Lee is on the cover. Thinking about her while masturbating should be illegal, too, but just because her music was recently indicted for war crimes by the UN, not because she’s too young or anything. Because she’s thirty. “Thirty?!?!” Ted Nugent screamed in disappointment when reached for comment. “I wouldn’t even take a viagra for that old, wrinkly vagina!”
Oh well. At least they didn’t Photoshop the image in order to ensure that she met with unrealistic standards of physical beauty. Oh wait.
Thursday, September 15th, 2011 at 3:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
I am a massive David Cross fan, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard his story about the time he was in a celebrity poker tournament with Creed vocalist/wife beater Scott Stapp. I really don’t wanna give it away, because the less you know going into it, the funnier it is… so just listen. The entire clip is about five and a half minutes long, and every second is delicious.
Bonus: Cross also takes shots at Evanescence and P.O.D.
-AR
Thanks to The Binary Code‘s Jesse Zuretti for sending this to us!
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 12:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
If you’ve been pining for music that sounds like old Gloria Estefan only with guitars being played by a retard as part of some “music therapy” program in place of Casio keyboards, boy oh boy, do we have a treat for you: “What You Want,” a new song by Evanescence.
The song has been taken down by Wind-Up Records. If you didn’t get to hear it, consider yourself truly blessed.
I mean, I could be writing about the new Nightrage song that just came out, but I’d have to “like” them on Facebook to do so. So I am just so very, very grateful that Amy Lee and whomever is taking money from Amy Lee right now have come to my rescue and provided me with something of SUBSTANCE to listen to instead, y’know?
Friday, November 5th, 2010 at 1:40pm by Axl Rosenberg
I’m sorry, I just love this angel from heaven too much. This last vaguely-metal-related video is kind of amazing, because when it begins you think, “Oh, Neesa is gonna cover Pantera this time!”, but then she says “Not in this house!” (what does she have against Pantera, I wonder?), and instead does a vocal cover of… Seether. That terrible song with Ame Lee from Evansuckence. Oy.
I was kinda hoping her largely phallused boyfriend might join her to sing the dude’s parts of this duet, but, no, she does both parts. Thing is, when she really belts it, she’s actually only not terrible. (And by “not terrible,” I mean that she’s at least as good as Phil Labonte.) Amazing!
Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 2:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
Alright, so this isn’t actually Evanescence, but, rather, some Swedish band called The Murder of My Sweet. But is there any doubt who we have to thank for this garbage? All it needs it some dude who sounds like Mike Shitnoda rapping and we’d be all set.
Of all the cheap, shitty videos I’ve posted this week, this is far and away the cheapest and shittiest. My bar mitzvah video had better production values than this.
And the song isn’t even decent. So you can’t say “Well the video sucks but the band is good.” No. Hate-fuck this all right to fucking hell.
Then again, if you can say the words “I’m a goth” with a straight face and just got your first period, you’ll probably love it.
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 2:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
A reader known only as “Jonas” sent us the below video of 55 Escape, a Norwegian band whose biggest influences seem to be Korn and Linkin Park, not Enslaved and Immortal.
Here’s why I find this band kind of interesting. (And moving forward, please be aware that “interesting” and “good” are not the same word.) When you think about it for a second, nu-metal seems to be a predominantly American phenomenon. Off the top of my head, I’m having a hard time even naming a nu-metal band from any part of Europe, never mind Norway. Jeff Killed John were British, but they didn’t get famous ’til they swapped the nu for core and rechristened themselves Bullet for My Valentine. Am I forgetting a really, really obvious band? Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Godsmack, Evanescence, Staind, Static-X, Creed, Hed P.E., Snot, P.O.D., Puddle of Mudd, Drowning Pool, Saliva, Coal Chamber, Methods of Mayhem, 40 Below Summer, Sevendust, Ill Nino, Dope, Papa Roach, Soil, The Union Undergound… ALL AMERICAN. What the hell? No wonder the terrorists hate us.
Anyway, thanks to these sperm clots for doing their part in making America look good. Hoo-rah.
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 1:45pm by Axl Rosenberg
Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, Army of Anyone, The Panic Channel – these groups all had the wrong idea. Keeping the band relatively intact but hiring a new singer who sounds nothing like your old singer is, from a business perspective, a huge misstep. At least 75% of the above-mentioned bands could go crawling back to their ex when it was time – poor Velvet Revolver didn’t have that luxury.
No no no, much better to hire a new singer who looks and sounds exactly like your old singer, right?
Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 2:38pm by Axl Rosenberg
“And the fifth angel blew his trumpet. And I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to the earth, and the key of the pit of the abyss was given him.And he opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke ascended out of the pit as the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun was darkened, also the air, by the smoke of the pit.And out of the smoke Limp Bizkit reunited and came forth upon the earth; and authority was given them, the same authority as the scorpions of the earth have.
“And in those days the men will seek death but will by no means find it, and they will desire to die but death keeps fleeing from them.”
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 4:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
Slipknot’s new album, All Hope is Gone, hasn’t even been released yet, and already guitarist Jim Root is expressing dissatisfaction with producer Dave Fortman. During a recent interview, when asked if working with Fortman was a better experience than working with Rick Rubin, Root responded thusly:
